Why solar panels? With the ever-present threat of Global Warming looming over our heads, clean and renewable energy is an appealing alternative to electricity generated from fossil fuels. Solar energy can reduce the monthly cost of electricity. It is a technology amenable to DIY projects.

Our solar panel is really a series of photovoltaic (PV) cells (the fundamental unit of the panel) joined together to produce a voltage, whose output is the sum of the individual cells. Building a panel from scratch is a matter of wiring the cells together, affixing them to a flat surface (such as a piece of plywood) and covering the cells with a layer of glass to protect them from the elements. For those of us that don’t want to pay full price but want to save money, there are kits, which contain all of the components. Joining a sufficient number of panels permits the green household to actually sell power back to the Grid.

Although the there are other component required for more complex systems, the basic elements of a homemade solar panel system include four items: Solar panel(s); Charge controller; Battery; and Inverter.

Solar panel: The fundamental and essential component of a solar energy system is the solar panel, which consists of a series of PV cells. These cells are combined to generate an electrical current, which can be used in real time or stored in a battery. The total voltage is the sum of all of the photovoltaic cells connected in the system.

The charge controller / regulator: The charge controller helps to maximize the life of the battery by the prevention of overcharging. It also follows the discharge status of the battery day and night.

Battery: The electricity not immediately used is stored by a battery or series of batteries. Deep-cycle or marine batteries are preferable to automobile batteries because they are capable of storing all or virtually all of the electricity generated by the solar panels, thus minimizing waste.

The inverter: When we insert a plug into the wall to power our toaster or TV, what comes out is AC or Alternating Current. Unfortunately, the electricity generated by the solar panels and stored in the battery is DC or Direct Current. It is the job of the inverter to convert DC electricity into AC power.

If a solar panel system is designed with the intent of generating enough electricity to “sell back” to the Grid, then the components will include the AC Breaker Panel, and the Kilowatt-per-Hour Indicator are required. The KW per Hour indicator, for example is necessary to track how much current is provided to and from the grid to determine the charge or credit that appears on your monthly electric bill.

We should also not forget the obvious energy saving tips including the shutting off of lights in unused rooms and the use of Energy-saver fluorescent bulbs.

In summary, homemade solar panels can be an important part of a plan to implement energy conservation tips. Homemade solar panel systems for the DIY enthusiast and be obtained in kit form in which all of the components are readily available, or they can be obtained new or used from several sources from home improvement stores to eBay.

Tags: Wind Energy