If you are using a home solar power system, how often do you clean the Photovoltaic (PV) panels? Solar panels seldom work at its maximum efficiency due to several factors such as cloud covers, angle of the panel to the sun, shadow overcast, haze, dust etc. Most of these factors, there is nothing much you can do other than cleaning the solar panel.

Since most residential solar panels are installed on the roof, cleaning them can be a major chore. To make the washing and cleaning of the PV panels easier, Mr. Long Arm has introduced its 1008 Pro Curve solar panel cleaning kit.

One of the key features of Mr. Long Arm 1008 is its extension pole. The pole can be extended from 5 to 8 feet length. If you are 6 feet tall and with your arm extended, using the 1008 you can reach a maximum of approximately 16 feet all the way to the side of your roof.

The 1008 Pro Curve comes with a 12 inches and 18 inches channel squeegee rubber. It also has the 18 inches and 22 inches wash bar and wash sleeve attachments.

With this tool, cleaning your solar panels shouldn’t be much of an issue. All you have to do is get yourself out into your yard and do the cleaning. If you rather have someone else do the cleaning for your, pay one of the neighborhood kid to do it instead.

Since you’ve invested a large amount of money installing your home solar power system, you might as well extract the most power out of it. The heart of the system, the solar array has to be cleaned a couple of times a year in order for it to function properly. With Mr. Long Arm 1008 PV panel cleaning kit, getting the job done will be a bit easier for you.

Homemade Solar Power System

Are you planning to use solar power to supplement your home energy consumption? If you are, download the free copy of 30 Solar and Wind Power For Homes Videos e-book. The e-book will show you videos of different parts and components needed to build your own home solar and wind power system. Click on the link below for free instant download.

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If you are using new solar panel, a damaged panel is covered by the warranty. You can simply send it back to the manufacturer and get a new one. What if you want to use a damaged Photovoltaic (PV) panel?

But why would anyone want to use damaged solar components? Reason being, damaged goods are cheaper. Some faulty solar panels can still be used but the power output may be lesser. The tricky part is to test the solar panel to make sure it is within its working capacity.

To check the solar panel, begin by having a quick look at the specification of the module. Next, get a multi-meter ready.

Position the panel in such a way so that the sun light is shining on the PV cells. The first process is to test the voltage.

Inside the junction box of the PV panel, you will see a “+” and a “-” sign. But be careful when you are doing this. Some PV modules are live and there is a risk of you being electrocuted. Use caution and make sure you do things appropriately.

Get your multi-meter set to DC volt at the 200 volts marking. Make sure you switch the leads from amps to volt. This is a very common mistake people do and that will give you incorrect readings.

Now, stick the positive lead on the positive terminal and then do the same with the negative leads. Looking at the specs, you will expect to see about 22 volts. If you were to change the angle of the solar panel towards the sun, you may see some increase or decrease of the readings.

The next thing you have to do is test the amperage readings. Set your multi-meter to read current and place the leads on the positive and negative terminals respectively. If the readings are within the factory specification, the solar panel is good to go.

Homemade Solar Power Guide

Do you need help to make your own DIY home solar power system? If you do, check out John Russel’s Power4Home guide. The manual comes with pdf files and step by step High Definition (HD) instructional videos. For more information, click on the link below.

==> Click here to visit Power4Home now!

When you have all the solar components such as the solar panel, meter gauges, charge controller, battery bank and power inverter all connected, the next step is to do a charging test to make sure everything is working fine.

First, get your multi-meter and set it on DC amperage. Clamp it on the live wire coming out from the charge controller going right to the battery. See what kind of juice you are getting. You should see a DC amperage figure on the multi-meter.

Since the battery is running on 12 volts, you can calculate how much power is going into the battery by multiplying the amperage (I) with the voltage (V). That will determine how much power in watts you can withdraw from the batteries.

When you want to find out how long the battery will last, it actually depends on what kind of load is consuming the power. If you are trying to run a 150 watt flood lights on the outside of your house at night, the deep cycle batteries of your solar system will only last for a couple of hours.

Therefore, when using renewable energy such as solar, it is best to go for economical lighting fixtures such as using compact florescent bulbs that draws only 800 milliamps. Such energy efficient light bulbs will run for weeks by using power from the battery.

If you don’t want to use the power inverter, you can even use a 12 volt marine activated light and it will work directly with the 12 volt battery. You don’t need to use the inverter at all thus extending the battery output.

Depending on what you actually want to run, you choose your lightings and your loads and that will determine how much run time you will get out of your home solar system battery bank.

DIY Home Solar Power System Manual

Do you want to know how to use solar power at home to reduce your electricity bill? If you do, check out the Earth4Energy e-book by Michael Harvey.

The manual will show you to build a low cost solar panel and the procedure to setup the charge controller, battery bank, power inverter etc.

Check out the Earth 4 Energy information post on this blog to find out how the e-book can benefit you.

==> Click here to visit Earth 4 Energy now!

After you’ve done making the Do It Yourself (DIY) solar panel, the next step is to mount it on the roof. There are a couple of ways to do this. The simplest way is to mount the solar panel on metal rails attached to the roof.

But what happens when you mount the metal rail to the roof?

In the process, a screw will be used to penetrate the shingles. The screw from the rail will go inside a stud in the roof cavity to hold the entire thing sturdy. A hole in the shingle is a potential for leakage when it rains.

To seal the hole on the roof shingle, it is best to use an asphalt based caulking that goes into a standard caulking gun.

If you have never done this before, don’t worry, the caulking gun is quite easy to use. You’ll get a hang of it after a few trail runs.

Use the caulking gun to fill the hole made by the screw of the metal rail. That will prevent rain water from getting into your house once the solar panel is mounted.

This method of securing the holes on the roof is one of the simplest approach. Another better method to prevent water leakage when installing the solar panel is roof flashing. This is done by using a metal sheet barrier at the base of the mount.

Roof flashing is normally done by professional contractor because it involves more work. Flashing provides better protection from water leakages. It is aesthetically more pleasing but costs more.

Homemade Solar Power Guide

Are you planning to install a home solar power system to reduce your household electricity consumption? If you are, check out the Earth4Energy e-book by Michael Harvey.

The manual comes with step by step High Definition (HD) instructional videos showing you how to make a DIY solar panel with minimal cost. For more information, check out the Earth 4 Energy review on this blog.

==> Click here to visit Earth 4 Energy now!

Many home owners like to reduce their home electricity consumption by using free energy from the sun. Because of that, the home solar power industry has grown into a billion dollar market in the United States.

Unfortunately, installing a complete solar power system for your home can be quite expensive. If you didn’t know, prepare to be shocked and awed.

You’ll need to invest at least $40,000 and above to get a robust system that will fulfill all your household energy needs!

Many people would not be able to afford that or rather they are hesitant to invest in the system because it takes a few decades to recoup their investment.

As a cheaper alternative, many home owners are turning to the Do It Yourself (DIY) home solar system.

One of the components of the solar system which you can make on your own is the solar panel. The construction process is not easy, but it is definitely possible.

For those who are technically challenged or you have trouble operating a hand tool, the process would not be easy for you. The best option for you is to ask someone to help you or pay someone to make the solar panel for you.

If you have some experience working in your garage or workshop, your next step is to get a solar panel design blueprint. You’ll need a step by step instructional plan and wiring diagram for the panel.

When you have the plan, the next step is to prepare the budget. You will need to source for Photovoltaic (PV) cells and all the necessary lumber and electrical components.

How much money do you need to set aside for 1 solar panel? Generally, you’ll need about $200 or less.

What are the tools do you need?

To make the solar panel, you will need a multi-meter, screwdriver, soldering iron, wire cutter, pen knife, glue gun, hand drill and hand saw. These tools are fairly basic and you can buy them from your local hardware store.

Remember, you are working with electricity in your project. Make sure your design plan is proven and reliable. Make sure you understand the concept of a DIY solar panel.

Any mistake or error in the design can be harmful to you and your home. The electric spark caused by the faulty wiring has the potential of burning your house down!

This is not to discourage you from making your own solar powered panel, but rather to remind you to practice safety first.

DIY Solar Panel Building Plan

If you are looking for a reliable and proven homemade solar panel plan, check out Michael Harvey’s Earth4Energy guide.

The guide comes with instructions in pdf file and High Definition (HD) step by step instructional videos which you can download immediately to your computer.

==> Click here to visit Earth4Energy now!

A home solar panel is great for generating electricity to supplement energy needs. To get the most sun exposure, most solar arrays are installed high up on the roof. Doing so, it creates a challenge when it is time for cleaning.

It is very challenging to climb up to the roof and try to wipe the dust off the solar panel. Luckily there is a tool from Mr. Long Arm that can assist you in the cleaning process…it is the 1009 Pro Curve Solar Panel Cleaning System Kit.

How easy is it to use the cleaning kit? Check out the video below.

What would it take to make a solar powered battery charger? It will take some creativity and a step by step instructional guide.

The science of solar power is quite simple. The Photovoltaic (PV) cells generate Direct Current (DC) when exposed to direct sunlight. The more sun you give it, the more power it will produce.

To run your household appliances, you will need to convert the Direct Current to Alternate Current (AC). To do this, you will need a device known as a power inverter.

If you are planning to use solar power to charge a conventional rechargeable battery, the PV cells may work just fine.

Many DC powered equipment such as notebook, cell phone, Ipod for instance, run on DC power from the battery.

AA batteries are a good fit for charging with solar cells, since they have a low voltage of just 1.5 volts per battery and don’t take long to charge.

A rechargeable 1.5V AA battery will typically have a storage capacity of around 1600 milliamp hours (mAh). Just as you need around 16 ‐ 18V to charge a 12V battery, you also need more voltage from your solar battery charger than the battery will provide in order to force the extra current into the battery, thereby charging it.

Using water as an analogy, envision two pipes with flowing water meeting up in the middle. Voltage is comparable to the pressure of the water.

If the water pressure is higher in pipe A than in pipe B the water will flow from pipe A to pipe B. If pipe B’s pressure is higher than pipe A, the water will flow from pipe B to pipe A.

To charge a 12V battery, you need to supply more “pressure” to it (a higher voltage) to force the current into the battery cell and charge it.

Current can be compared to the amount of water that is flowing. Think of a battery like a water tank. If the pressure going into the tank is higher than the pressure coming out of the tank then you will fill the tank with water.

Depending on how much water is flowing dictates how fast the tank will fill up. Likewise, it is dependent on how much current is flowing from the solar panel to determine how fast the battery will fill up with power.

DIY Home Solar Power System

Do you want to know how to use solar power to reduce your home monthly electricity bill?

If you do, check out the 30 Solar and Wind Power For Homes Videos e-book. It is free to download. Just click on the link below.

==> Click here for instant download!

Related web pages:
1) Power 4 Home Review – A Complete Review of John Russel Power4Home

2) Earth4 Energy Scam – Is The Earth4Energy E-book A Fraud?

For those who has a limited budget, the cheaper alternative is to build a home solar power system via a Do It Yourself (DIY) approach.

If you are a DIYer, here’s 6 tips on building solar panels for your home.

1) Start on a small scale.

It is a good idea to start by making 1 solar panel first and then scale up from there. You cannot be 100 percent sure that the solar module will work for your home.

There may be a large shadow that overcasts your house or the angle of the sun may not be right for your area. Your roof may not be able to support the extra weight.

It is best to start off small and then expand from there.

2) Use deep cycle battery.

The best type of battery to use in conjunction with a residential solar power system is the deep cycle type. Deep cycle battery discharges its power at a slower rate and it is much more robust and lasts longer.

Do not use lead acid battery from automobile. Car battery has a high energy spike and releases all the stored power very fast. A solar system will destroy a car battery in less than 6 months due to constant low level discharge.

3) Get cheap solar cells from Ebay.

If you are looking for cheap Photovoltaic (PV) cells, the best place to do your shopping is at Ebay.

Look for solar cells with a dimension of 3” x 6” if possible. To cut down on your work, look for cells with tabbing ribbons still attached.

Those without tabbing ribbon can be used but it will take some time to solder the tab on the cells.

4) Use UV proof Plexiglas.

When you are making your own solar panel, you will need a piece of clear material to cover over the PV cells. The best material is Plexiglas.

Make sure you use Plexiglas with UV proof. Non UV proof plastic will turn yellow after being exposed to the sun.

A yellowish cover will reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the solar cells therefore reducing its efficiency.

5) Check on waterproofing.

Make sure your homemade solar panel is water tight. Use a silicone sealant on every joint, wire and screw holes.

Since the panel is left in the open, moisture from rain or snow may get into the solar cells area and create condensation.

Condensation will block the sunlight from reaching the cells therefore reducing the power output.

6) Use a low wattage electrical appliance on the solar system.

If possible, start by using only low wattage electrical appliances on your home solar energy system. You can use a TV, radio, Ipod, electric shaver, electric tooth brush etc with the system.

Equipment with high wattage such as a toaster, heater or hair dryer will deplete the battery very fast.

Build a DIY Solar Panel For Less Than $200

Do you know you can make a DIY solar panel for less than $200? Yes it is possible and John Russel of Power 4 Home will show you how.

John Russel is a 46 year old home energy expert from Minnesota. He has written the Power 4 Home e-book to teach people step by step how to make an inexpensive solar panel. The key is knowing how and where to locate cheap building material.

For more information about Power 4 Home, click on the link below.

==> Click here to read more about Power 4 Home now!

Related web pages:
1) Earth 4 Energy Scam – Is Michael Harvey’s Earth4Energy A Fraud?

2) Green DIY Energy Review – Is Green DIY Energy Another Scam?

Can you build a Do It Yourself solar panels for less than $100? Yes it can be done but it will take some work. Remember, this is making the solar panel, not the whole residential solar power system. Realistically, you will need more capital for that.

Nonetheless, the solar module will take up a large part of the whole budget. More than 50 percent of the total cost actually. So, here are 10 easy steps how you go about constructing a solar panel for under $100.

1) Get hold of the Photovoltaic (PV) cells.

The PV cells are the key components of the solar panel. A typical solar module should be able to produce about 18 volts and 75 watts of power under the sun.

To find cheap solar cells, go to eBay and make a few bids. You will need to acquire 36 pieces of 3” x 6” cells.

2) Check the PV cells.

When you received the PV cells, the next step is to check its working condition. To do this, you will need to use a multi-meter.

Check the voltage and current produced by each individual cell. Check the cells under direct sunlight to get a good reading. You may need to use a testing block for this task.

3) Determine the panel dimension.

Now you have to decide the dimension of the solar panel. Basically, you need to figure out how to arrange the cells.

There are 2 popular options. You can opt for the 4 cells across x 9 cells down or 3 cells across x 12 cells down arrangement.

4) Building the frame.

Now that you have the dimension, you can start making the frame. The type of building material you should use to save cost is plywood and wooden strips.

5) Wire the PV cells together.

Bring out your soldering iron, solder and flux. It’s time to solder all the solar cells together.

All 36 PV cells have to be connected in series. Solder 9 cells together to make 1 roll. Now solder 3 more rolls of PV cells.

The electrodes from the negative side (bluish surface) should be soldered to the contact points at the back of the next solar cell (positive side).

6) Securing solar cells to the substrate.

Take out the silicone and put a dab on the back of the solar cells. Stick it on the substrate (plywood).

7) Complete wiring of the cells.

Now all the cells have to be connected to the positive and negative homerun wires. Next, secure the substrate in the solar panel frame.

8) Attach clear cover.

Use a piece clear Plexiglas as the cover for the solar panel. Make sure the Plexiglas is UV proof. You don’t want it to turn yellow after prolong exposure to the sun.

9) Seal with silicone caulk.

Use a liquid silicone to seal all the joints. You want to prevent any moisture from rain or snow from getting into the interior of the solar panel.

Trapped moisture will create fog which will reduce the efficiency of the PV cells.

10) Panel testing.

Finally, test the solar panel under the sun. Again, use the multi-meter. The voltage produced from the combined solar cells should be about 18 volt. Current readings should be around 2.5 – 3 amps.

If you are looking for instructions on how to make a Do It Yourself (DIY) solar panel for under $100, check out the Power 4 Home program.

It has a series of High Definition (HD) instructional videos that will show you step by step the procedures to construct your own solar module. For more information, read the Power 4 Home reviews on this blog.

==> Click here to visit Power 4 Home now!

A complete residential solar power system can be quite expensive. The bulk of the cost is in the solar panel. About 60 percent of the budget will be spent on the solar cells.

Now you know why making your own solar panel is such a big deal. It’ll save you tons of money.

The Right Solar Panel Dimension

When we are making the solar module, how big should it be? For starter, you want to make a solar panel which can produce around 18 volts and have a power output of about 75 watts.

That said solar panel will be suitable to charge a typical 12V deep cycle a battery. To make the module, you will need 36 Photovoltaic (PV) cells.

Now, the question is how do you arrange the cells in the panel? There are 2 options you can choose.

1) 4 cells across x 9 cells down

2) 3 cells across x 12 cells down

Here’s how you get the right dimension for your DIY solar panel.

A typical solar cell is 3” x 6”. If you are using the 4 cells across arrangement, you will need at least 24” of width on the panel (6” x 4 = 24”).

For good measure, you want to have at least ¼” in between the rows, so add ¾” to the width (1/4” x 3 = ¾”).

Then add an inch on the right and left sides of the panel and you have 24 3/4 “. Lets round up to 25” for easy calculation.

Now, do the same math to get the height of the solar panel. Remember, 9 PV cells down.

Therefore 9 x 3” each, plus 8 spaces in between the cells x ¼” plus 3” to allow more spaces along the tops and bottoms of the panel for wiring the individual strings of cells together. Punch in the calculator and you will get 32”.

The right dimension for a 4 cells across x 9 cells down arrangement solar panel is 25” x 32”.

This dimension is necessary for you to make the substrate that you will be using to attach the PV cells to with liquid silicon.

Building DIY Solar Panel Under $100

Is it possible to make a solar panel for under $100? Yes it is possible if you were to follow some specific instructions. To find out how to make an inexpensive solar module, check out the Power 4 Home guide.

The program will show you step-by-step with High Definition (HD) instructional videos on how to make a solar panel with a budget of only $100. For more information, read the Power 4 Home review on this blog.

==> Click here to visit Power 4 Home now!

Related web pages:
1) Earth 4 Energy Scam – Is The Earth4Energy E-book A Fraud?