How Does Solar Power Work?

By Peter Lenkefi

The basics of solar power.

Solar power is probably the cleanest, most viable form of renewable energy available and it can be used in several forms to help power your house. Many gardens now use solar lights or solar garden water features. The availability and wide use of solar power in gardens shows exactly how versatile it is as a source of energy. The technology and the systems are becoming smaller, more compact and better looking than when they were first created and used. Early examples of solar power systems can be seen in California where, in the 1980s, enough solar power panels were installed to power over 10 million homes.

How do photovoltaic tiles work?

Learn How To How To Make Solar Panels, Cut Down Your electricity Bills. Save the environment.

Simply put photovoltaic tiles and other forms of solar energy work by converting some of the energy in sunlight into a clean form of electricity that can be used in our houses. The PV cells consist of a positive and a negative slice of silicon placed under a thin slice of glass. As the protons of the sunlight beat down onto the PV cell they knock the neutrons off the silicon. The negatively charged free neutrons are attracted to the silicon but are trapped by the magnetic field that is formed from the opposing fields. Small wires on the silicon catch these neutrons and when connected in a circuit an electric current is formed.

This reaction gives Direct Current electricity though, and it must be passed through an inverter to be converted into an Alternating Current used in our homes to power any electrical items. Some of the power is lost in this part of the process as the inverter is only around 95% efficient but this is a much greater efficiency than was once available.

The nature of the PV cell means there is little or no maintenance required and there are no moving parts; this means that a typical PV cell can last up to 40 years with no work besides an annual clean.

How can I use them to power my house?

There are several ways to use solar power around the house and not just for powering. You can use it to heat your hot water, heat your pool or even your central heating or if you have plenty of roof space and a reasonable amount of sun you can get a grid tie system; a grid tie system means that not only can you power your entire house but during those times when you create an excess of electricity you can sell it back to the grid. An efficiently solar powered home will be able to reasonably create between 75 and 100% of their own power and because of the grid tie system this means you may not have to pay for electricity ever again.

It might be a great idea to make solar panels your own. Some times it hard to find a company that teach you How To Make Solar Panels. Cut down your electricity bills. Learn How to Make Solar Panels Steps by steps.

2

How to Make Solar Panels - Can I Build a DIY Solar Panel at Home?

By Ferguson McHenry

Solar panels are readily available, and have been for some time. However the costs of purchase generally outweighed the cost savings. That's starting to change now with the introduction of DIY solar panel kits and blueprints. Now anyone can build these at home, with just a little know-how and guidance.

How To Make Solar Panels For your Own Home

How difficult is it to build solar panels?
You have two options if you want to build solar panels.
1.Buy a solar panel kit, readily available online.
2.Buy a guide on how to make solar panels. These are available on the internet, and include blueprints and instructions. You'll also need to buy parts from your local hardware store.

Below I've given a brief introduction of the process you will follow in creating a solar panel. This is a rough overview, that should give you an idea of whether you're ready to buy a guide or kit and take the project on yourself.

To get started, the first thing that you'll need are solar cells.

What are solar cells and how do I make solar cells?
Solar cells are made of metal and some other supplies that can be purchased easily. It's beyond the scope of this guide to show how to make them, pick up a guide/blueprint or just a kit if you don't want to build them yourself.

This is the hardest part of the process, and it's a good idea to have some kind of engineering expertise before attempting the project.

What you will need to do to make your solar panels:
First, assemble the photovoltaic (solar cells) that you've purchased. At that point it's simply a matter of assembling them. The first key is to find a good location. Here are some examples of commonly used solar cell locations:
1.Backyard
2.Roof
3.Patio

Pretty much anywhere with a lot of sunlight will work. The next trick is to put your cells together to make sure they're facing the light. Again, this is easier to explain with a diagram, refer to the links in the resource section for places to get those.

After that, you need to put the cells together, and connect them to your power source. For this you'll need some long lengths of wire.

So can I build a solar panel at home?
The answer is yes, and parts are becoming cheaper and plans are more widely available. As you can see above, the steps needed to build a solar panel at home are not terribly complicated. If you're confident with tools and do-it-yourself projects, this could be a fun thing to work on.

Solar Panels panels systems will provide you how to cut down your electricity bills and think about saving the earth. Learn How to Make Solar Panels for your home. 

Make Solar Panels - Home Solar Panels By Jerry Standefer

Make Solar Panels - Home Solar Panels

By Jerry Standefer

Building your own solar panels has never been easier. With new building techniques, making your own power is now a reality. Today we have better quality solar cells that can be purchased at reasonable prices to keep your building cost to a minimum. If you are wondering what it takes to build your own solar panels, then look at the list I have compiled for you. Here are the items you will need to make your own solar panels.

Make Solar Panels

• Solar cells-You will need at least 36 solar cells to start with. I purchase my cells from a company in California called Everbrite©. They have reasonable prices, plus when you order your cells you will receive extra cells because at first you will break one or two. You can order your solar cells in kits that include everything you need to get started.
• Aluminum frame-I like to beef up my solar panel by purchasing 1/8" aluminum angle in at least 1" dimension, so that they will last for thirty years or more. The frame is to be the strongest part of your panel, so no skimping here.
• Tempered glass-One thing that I learned about building solar panels, tempered glass is the best for making a system that will last and withstand all types of weather from hail storms, heat, and cold. I recommend 1/4" for strength and durability. Another good point to make here is that all your soldering can be done on this tempered glass which makes an excellent heat sink.
• Encapsulate liquid-The best way to mount your finished solar cells to the glass is by using a special epoxy designed for manufacturing of solar panels. I used encapsulate from Dow© chemical called Sylgard, which comes in two parts, an A and B which when mixed will bond your cells to the glass, completely covering them from the elements. It is important to let stand for at least four days to cure.
• Soldering tools-What I have found is that a soldering iron of 40 watts works best for soldering your tab and buss wires to your cells. It is good to have extra soldering tips available, because you will be replacing them at one point during your soldering process.
• Hardware-You will need miscellaneous hardware such as 1/4" machine screws, 1/4" nuts, 1/4" lock washers, small angle brackets to join your corners of the aluminum frame together, and angle brackets to hold your glass in place.

Review to Choose The Best Company For How To Make Solar Panels