Many home owners are looking into using renewable energy such as solar power to reduce their monthly electricity bills. Those that have the budget will be able to afford a professional solar contractor.
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!
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1) Earth 4 Energy Scam – Is Michael Harvey’s Earth4Energy A Fraud?
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