How to MAKE PV Solar Panels

I’ve wanted to acquire some solar panels for a very long time. I just couldn’t free up enough money to purchase a “Ready Made” panel. Or maybe it just wasn’t a high enough priority for me!

Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200

Anyway, I’ve got a bunch of little projects that I thought would be really useful around my little farm if I could use an “off grid” power source. (that’s a fancy way of saying “Solar Panel”)

Well I found out it’s not very difficult to build my own solar panel! It might not look quite as polished as a store bought panel, but as long as it puts out a usable voltage, who cares?

Here are the steps to assemble a real working solar panel.

Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200

· Acquire the parts to be assembled.

a. Solar Cells.
b. Plywood backing.
c. Boards for frame.
d. Plexiglas for front (cover)
e. Tabbing wire.
f. Solder.
g. Soldering iron.
h. Rosin flux pen.
i. Silicone.

· Determine size and configuration of solar panel.
· Solder solar cells together using tabbing wire. Neg to Pos…
· Build frame with boards and attach to plywood backing.
· Glue connected solar cells to plywood using silicone.
· Run Negative and Positive lead wires out the back of panel.
· Attach Plexiglas front to frame with screws.

Believe it or not, that’s all there is to it! I know I kinda glossed over it pretty quick and didn’t go over every little detail, but I just wanted to give you an overview so you could see that it’s not that hard to do!

Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200

“how To: Solar Panel Kit” System © – it Really Works!

At minimal effort and cost, “How To: Solar Panel Kit” System easily enables you to produce your very own power-supply sys. Very quickly you’ll find out that this technique doesn’t require any special tools/materials. If you read this article you’ll be able to learn more about this special technology.

Some background

It all begins with Solar-Panels – the most important element of any “How To: Solar Panel Kit” System, by using one of these popular guides, you’ll be able to assemble them with your own hands. Choosing a guide is probably one of the most important actions you need to take; make sure it offers clear instructions, video tutorials, diagrams, and technical support. This way or another, here are just a few advantage & advices to help you better understand this topic.

Important benefits

Implementing this exciting solution definitely provides many benefits:

* No more power-interruptions.
* Requires no more than a weekend to be installed.
* Can produce 1000 Watts +.
* Uses natural and clean resources.
* It is now amazingly affordable like never before.

Quick tip

Pulling yourself “off the grid” all at once isn’t recommended – do it gradually and slowly, use your new sys. while keeping the ‘Main-Grid’ as backup for possible extreme electricity usage.

Quick summary

In most cases, implementing such technology requires no more than 2-3 days; while the return-on-investment with this “How To: Solar Panel Kit” System takes in average just about few weeks. We could probably come across other benefits provided by this one-of-a-kind invention, simply because it is about to change the entire industry forever. The best advice would be to try it so you could truly see how it can save your monthly budget.

Portable Solar Power System-Cheapest Portable Solar Power System

Solar power is the energy of the future. Learn how to get the cheapest portable solar power system. A few of the several advantages of solar energy are first and foremost its free, easy to harness and is capable to provide more energy than what is needed by most homes and businesses.

You may be aware that a commercially sold solar panel has its worth in thousands of dollars. But, did you know you can go solar for a fraction of that cost.

Why Go Solar?

Solar panels are made up of small PV cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. The PV cells capture sun light and store it in a battery. The energy stored in the battery is then transformed into usable electricity using an inverter. Solar power is a renewable resource of energy and free to harness once you have installed solar panels.

Installing ready made solar panels can be pretty expensive and can cost you anywhere from $10,000 – $18,000 to solar power you entire home. You can solar power your whole house for a fraction of this amount if you learn how to build portable solar power system on your own. Building these systems from scratch is cheap and easy; all the required raw materials can be easily bought from the local electrical or hardware store. This also cuts down on any further impact on the environment as the solar panels do not go through any manufacturing processes.

Going Solar Is Easy!

Various kits are available to download from different vendors that will teach you to build portable solar power system. The downloaded kits include steps for calculating the actual electricity that you need from solar panels based upon your electricity bills. Once you have that information you can start building your own solar panels, typically you can easily build a 100 watt solar panel in a day very easily.

Now, that’s not something very substantial, but when you can easily redo the whole process over and over again, you can completely go off-grid with a few days of work and perhaps sell back the extra power back to the utility company. Now, how is that for a change? You’ll get a check from the utility provider!

Save Heaps!

Once you install a portable solar power system, it will pay for itself many times over the course of its life. Generally, solar panels have an average lifetime for 25-30 years requiring no to little maintenance. So, you do the math here and calculate how much you are set to save!

“cheap Solar Panel Electrical” System © – Quick Tip!

Looking for a true way that’ll enable you to get rid of these high electricity-bills once and for all? You should definitely consider using this incredible “Cheap Solar Panel Electrical” System. Quite amazingly, this technique provides quick results almost instantly. Read this article right now and find out more and understand how it can help you.

Short background

The ‘secret’ behind this unique “Cheap Solar Panel Electrical” System is about getting one of these special guides that walk you through each and every step on how to easily make Solar-Panels. It is highly important to work with a professional guide; make sure it provides clear information including videos, diagrams, and support. Anyway, here are just a few advantage & advices that can help you out.

Quick advantages

Now that we get the idea, let’s see what is in it for us:

* Extremely easy to be implemented by almost anyone.
* Very quick return on investment (ROI).
* It is portable and you can take it with you (camping for example).
* Made of simple parts/tools found at any local hardware store.
* Requires no more than a weekend to be installed.

Quick advice

Pulling yourself “off the grid” all at once isn’t recommended – do it gradually and slowly, use your new sys. while keeping the ‘Main-Grid’ as backup for possible extreme electricity usage.

Conclusions

If we look for an outstanding opportunity that’ll help us erase our elec. expenses, no doubt that this advanced “Cheap Solar Panel Electrical” System can get us there. We could probably come across other pluses provided by this remarkable ‘machine’, simply because it is revolutionary. It is highly recommended to simply try it so you could enjoy from the exciting opportunities that it provides.

Build Solar Panels – DIY Solar Panel Kits

Prevent victimization daily sources for energy and establish applying renewable resources. Solar energy is among the most beneficial inexhaustible imaginations that you are able to utilize out there, also as one of the most dependable. Though it has been around for quite an couple of years, not too many people around the world technique to apply it, or when should utilize it.

Get Best Make Solar Panel and Make Wind Turbine Guide

The true statement represents that you will be able to use it for all the world. The unsuitable part about it? It is comparatively valuable to buy, still; there are more cost-efficient methods to make solar power – you will be able to build yourself.

Making your own solar panels is simpler than you imagine. You will be able to take almost of the supplying to do it from a hardware store, going for a efficient direction to create access to solar energy. These small solar panels that you establish can be accustomed power matters around the house, specified small gadgets.

Get Best Make Solar Panel and Make Wind Turbine Guide

The greatest benefit to making your own solar panel.
You have the possible to reduce your power prices, besides as bring access to a luxuriousness that is usually fairly expensive. Not just that, simply you get the delight of establishing something that you recognize is adding to the environment through protective energy.

How Effortless is it to set up solar panels?
All you require is a good determine of elaborated directions, your appends, and a few overtime on your hands. You can set up each and everything yourself. The most significant affair about making your personal solar panel is intended that you have an extraordinary set of teachings to pursue. Without these, you may not build the most exterior of the solar panels you establish, but with them, you can amplification the virtually from your solar panels.

Get Best Make Solar Panel and Make Wind Turbine Guide

 

 

Solar Recreational Vehicles – How To Travel Long Distances On Solar Power

Camping can be a lot of fun and when you take a recreational vehicle (RV) it’s just like living in nature. RVs are used for lots of purposes, such as cross country trips, weekend getaways or just a fun excursion. One thing you need for your RV when you are out is an electrical hookup to get the inside working. If you ever wanted to have freedom to use the electricity anywhere without having to worrying about hookups, consider converting your RV into solar power.

Normally, people use generators when there is not an electrical hookup available. The generators are easy to use but can get costly with fuel prices. The other problem with generators is that they only last for a certain amount of time. With solar power, your RV is only in the need of the sun. You can convert your RV smoothly and cheaply.

There are different ways to get the RV ready to use solar power. You can have it professionally installed, which could be expensive. However, you can set up your RV yourself. All you need to do is purchase a few things. You will need a solar panel and a solar panel mounting bracket. There are companies that make specialty kits available specifically for an RV. The kit will charge the RV batteries that run the inside lights and appliances.

The kits come in different sizes depending on your RV and what size battery you have. Many companies will help in selecting the right size, so if you have any questions talk to the place you are purchasing the solar panel RV kit from. This is a great investment because once the kit is put in place, you don’t have to spend any more money buying fuel for the generator (you still need gas for the vehicle) and wasting electricity. By using solar energy for the inside of the RV, you are doing your part to help the environment. You aren’t using electrical hookups that are needed to run through power plants far away and the generator isn’t spurting out harmful emissions. Solar energy is clean and efficient.

There are add-on options once you get the solar power hooked up. You can also get a Solar Power Ventilator. This is used for small areas, such as the inside of an RV, to circulate the air. This works well on warm hazy days or on a cool fall day when you are just trying to get some fresh air.

It doesn’t take too much power to run the RV because of its size. This is one of the advantages of owning one a solar panel kit. You also don’t have to worry about the panel breaking. The solar panels for RVs are created to withstand most weather conditions. It doesn’t matter if it rains or snows, even heavy winds won’t rip the panel from the roof.

The solar panel RV kit gives people the freedom they have always dreamed of when buying an RV. If you own an RV you never have to worry about where you are going again. You won’t be limited to the areas you visit because there is no electrical hookup or your generator is low on fuel. Solar power allows you to roam the great country or just hideaway for a weekend with nature.

How to build a homemade solar panel – The battery

How to build a homemade solar panel – The battery

The battery “hosts” a certain reversible chemical reaction that stores electrical

energy that can later be retrieved when needed. Electrical energy is

transformed into chemical energy when the battery is being charged, and the

reverse happens when the battery is discharged.

 

A battery is formed by a set of elements or cells arranged in series. Leadacid

batteries consist of two submerged lead electrodes in an electrolytic solution

of water and sulfuric acid.

 

A potential difference of about 2 volts takes

place between the electrodes, depending on the instantaneous value of the

charge state of the battery.

 

The most common batteries in photovoltaic solar

applications have a nominal voltage of 12 or 24 volts. A 12 V battery therefore

contains 6 cells in series.

 

The battery serves two important purposes in a photovoltaic system: to provide

electrical energy to the system when energy is not supplied by the array

of solar panels, and to store excess energy generated by the panels whenever

that energy exceeds the load.

 

The battery experiences a cyclical process

of charging and discharging, depending on the presence or absence of

sunlight. During the hours that there is sun, the array of panels produces

electrical energy. The energy that is not consumed immediately it is used to

charge the battery. During the hours of absence of sun, any demand of electrical

energy is supplied by the battery, thereby discharging it.

 

These cycles of charge and discharge occur whenever the energy produced

by the panels does not match the energy required to support the load. When

there is sufficient sun and the load is light, the batteries will charge. Obviously,

the batteries will discharge at night whenever any amount of power is

required. The batteries will also discharge when the irradiance is insufficient

to cover the requirements of the load (due to the natural variation of climatological

conditions, clouds, dust, etc.)

If the battery does not store enough energy to meet the demand during periods

without sun, the system will be exhausted and will be unavailable for

consumption. On the other hand, the oversizing the system (by adding far too

many panels and batteries) is expensive and inefficient. When designing a

stand-alone system we need to reach a compromise between the cost of

components and the availability of power from the system. One way to do

this is to estimate the required number of days of autonomy.

 

In the case of a telecommunications system, the number of days of autonomy depends on

its critical function within your network design. If the equipment is going to

serve as repeater and is part of the backbone of your network, you will likely

want to design your photovoltaic system with an autonomy of up to 5-7 days.

 

On the other hand, if the solar system is responsible for a providing energy to

client equipment you can probably reduce number of days of autonomy to

two or three. In areas with low irradiance, this value may need to be increased

even more. In any case, you will always have to find the proper balance

between cost and reliability.

 

Types of batteries

 

Many different battery technologies exist, and are intended for use in a variety

of different applications. The most suitable type for photovoltaic applications

is the stationary battery, designed to have a fixed location and for

scenarios where the power consumption is more or less irregular. “Stationary”

batteries can accommodate deep discharge cycles, but they are not designed

to produce high currents in brief periods of time.

 

Stationary batteries can use an electrolyte that is alkaline (such as Nickel-

Cadmium) or acidic (such as Lead-Acid). Stationary batteries based on

Nickel-Cadmium are recommended for their high reliability and resistance

whenever possible. Unfortunately, they tend to be much more expensive and

difficult to obtain than sealed lead-acid batteries.

In many cases when it is difficult to find local, good and cheap stationary batteries

(importing batteries is not cheap), you will be forced to use batteries

targeted to the automobile market.

 

Using car batteries

 

Automobile batteries are not well suited for photovoltaic applications as they

are designed to provide a substantial current for just few seconds (when

starting then engine) rather than sustaining a low current for long period of

time. This design characteristic of car batteries (also called traction batteries)

results in an shortened effective life when used in photovoltaic systems.

Traction batteries can be used in small applications where low cost is the

most important consideration, or when other batteries are not available.

Traction batteries are designed for vehicles and electric wheelbarrows. They

are cheaper than stationary batteries and can serve in a photovoltaic installation,

although they require very frequent maintenance. These batteries

should never be deeply discharged, because doing so will greatly reduce

their ability to hold a charge. A truck battery should not discharged by more

than 70% of its total capacity. This means that you can only use a maximum

of 30% of a lead-acid battery’s nominal capacity before it must be recharged.

You can extend the life of a lead-acid battery by using distilled water. By using

a densimeter or hydrometer, you can measure the density of the battery’s

electrolyte.

 

A typical battery has specific gravity of 1.28. Adding distilled water

and lowering the density to 1.2 can help reduce the anode’s corrosion, at a

cost of reducing the overall capacity of the battery. If you adjust the density of

battery electrolyte, you must use distilled water, as tap water or well water

will permanently damage the battery.

What is Holding Back the Adoption of Solar Generated Electricity in the United States?

The US currently has about 700 megawatts of installed solar panel electricity generation connected to the grid, according to research by the consulting firm, Navigant. This represents less than 1% of all the electricity generated in the US.

Each state controls the speed of solar adoption by heir independent policies. If these policies remain nchanged, generation from solar panels in the US, both commercial and residential generators are expected to grow to 6,000 megawatts by the year 2015.

Three thousand of the 6,000 megawatts will be generated in California. The incentive programs of California are the gold standard among supporters of solar power. Growth in the home solar-power market will not take off until more states adopt favorable net metering rules. The relaxed solar implementation can offset the cost of installing renewable power system and capture electricity that is being loss from the potential solar generation. The Navigant report estimates that an additional 3,000 megawatts of solar panel electricity could be available in the next eight years if the states with solar implementation limitations lifted their caps.

There are eight states that have no net-metering rules. These states are South Dakota, Kansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Arizona and my own state, South Carolina. A list compiled by New Energy Source lists California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland receiving the highest scores for solar adaptation with the remaining states of lower scores because of restrictive laws.

As of September 2007, 39 states had adopted some measures of rules to compensate consumers for sending self-generated renewable power to the grid. There is a lot behind the scenes that the states and power generation companies are willing to wage a serious fight to preclude Federal mandates to push solar renewable energy.

In my state of South Carolina, the Santee Electrical Cooperative, which is owned by the state of South Carolina, is proposing a $998 million dollar coal burning generators. The site has been put on hold by the federal government for a deeper study of the environmental impact. Meanwhile, Santee continues the fight with their commissioned study. Their study concludes “$900 million in economic output, $500 million in earnings and 9,300 jobs for South Carolinians” Unfortunately; Santee made no attempt to study the environmental impact or what a combination of renewable/nonrenewable future actions would mean to the state.

The federal renewable fuels bill has been stopped in the US Senate. Southern Co., American Electric Power Co. and other coal fired producers hired top Washington lobbyists, including Rudy Giuliani’s firm, to help defeat a measure that would force them to boost electricity generated by wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy to 15 percent of the U.S. total by 2020. That’s up from less than 2 percent today, and is a move the industry says would cost at least $67 billion. Southern Co. has spent $7.26 million this year lobbying Congress, more than Exxon Mobil Corp. or General Motors Corp., according to the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics. It hired such firms as Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, where Republican presidential front-runner Giuliani is a partner. The bill would require utilities to obtain 2.75 percent of their power from renewable sources starting in 2010, ramping that up to 15 percent by 2020. Almost one-quarter of the mandate could be met by improving efficiency. Companies that fail to meet the standard would have to pay a penalty to the federal government. The cooperative of Southern Co and other generating companies consider this too high of a barrier and appear to have succeeded to remove the renewable fuel section from the bill going to President Bush.

The average homeowner does not have a vote in adopting renewable fuels electrical generation standards. The battle is being conducted by the state and federal government and powerful electrical generating companies. The problem is that the average homeowner will be the big loser in this struggle. Our major recourse is to write our state and federal representative to adopt measure that we can utilize the potential cost savings and reduces pollution of solar generated electricity.

Our letters to our government representatives should ask for means to:

* Encourage greater renewable-energy generation

* Promote customer-sited distributed generation (wind and solar fuels)

* Reduce demand on an ever increasingly strained grid

* Reward investment in renewable technologies

* Facilitate energy independence

* Improve air quality and public health

* Promote in-state economic development.

Most states that have revised their interconnection and net-metering policies have done so in pursuit of these same goals.

Homemade Solar Light in a Jar

Using a homemade solar light is a convenient way to illuminate a part of your home without adding to your monthly energy bill. This is ideal for spaces which have enough sunlight during the day. At night the light will automatically turn on, to illuminate that part of your home.

However, while this might seem like a good idea at first, it does have its disadvantages. When it is used indoors, the charge doesn’t seem to be enough to keep the LED on, once darkness falls. And one LED is not enough to provide sufficient light. It is more practical to stick to commercial solar lights.

But making a homemade solar light is a good way of teaching your kids about how solar energy works. This is a perfect family project to do with them. This simple project can give them an understanding of the value of solar energy.

What you need for a homemade solar light is the following:

* One glass jar

* A solar garden light

* Rechargeable battery

* Tracing paper

The glass jar must be made of clear glass because this is where you’ll be placing the solar panels. You won’t require special tools for this project – just a screwdriver and a utility knife. When working with kids, be sure it keep the knife away from them.

Now here’s the fun part that I’m sure most kids will love.

1. The first step is to get the solar garden light and carefully take it apart. What we need from it are the solar panels, the charge controller, and the LED light. But if you don’t the idea of ripping apart a perfectly working device to salvage its parts, you can purchase a small solar panel, a light sensor, and an LED from specialty electronic shops. You might need to have a little knowledge of electronics in order to assemble it.

2. Now open your glass jar and place the components in it, with the solar panels on the cover facing outwards. You can secure the parts by using hot glue. Then cut a strip of tracing paper and place it at the sides of the glass jar. The kids can draw on the tracing paper. An alternative to this is to use glass frosting spray. Once you’re done, gently place the jar cover with care.

3. Now place your homemade solar light near a window (or, if possible, outdoors) so as to achieve maximum exposure to the sun. This could be perfect for camping as well.

Using Home Solar Panels to Your Advantage

On one hand there is the increasing costs of energy bills and on the other hand there is the issue of saving the environment. Both these issues are interlinked to each other and play a huge part in our lives. It is due to these two facts that most owners of homes are looking for alternative means to power their homes. Their problems are resolved by using home solar panels that permit them to harness the free power of sunlight and convert the same into free electricity. Not free exactly since you have to pay the initial price for the solar panels, but after that you do not have to pay anything as long as there are no special bills that will charge you for using sunlight.

Users of electricity all over the world know that the costs of power are increasing every year and a time will come when they shall no longer be able to afford electricity current for their day-to-day uses. Think of your kitchen and the gas or oil powered ovens you are using. The costs of gas and oil too will increase, since there are limited reserves of these natural fuels left. The only way to avoid monetary crunch is by employing solar cells that will permit you to use as much electricity that you want without spending any money for the same. No doubt, the batteries that are used to store the power generated by these cells have a limited life, but if you consider the savings on your power bill, it is peanuts.

Just visit any store that deals in these photovoltaic panels or check out any site on the Internet that sells them and you will find that they are extremely cheap. Make a small calculation and you will find that these cells pay of for themselves in just a few months of use. The government too is encouraging usage of photovoltaic cells and is providing tax relief and other sops to those who are planning to install and use these environment friendly sources of power. Most such panels are also available in kit form and installing them is quite easy. If you have a basic knowledge of soldering then you can easily set up one such panel. However, if you are not familiar with soldering irons, you can purchase a pre-configured panel that should not cost you more than $3000 and that will take care of your domestic electric requirements.

Check out your recent power bills and you will realize that the home solar panels will pay off for themselves in a short period of time. It is high time you prepared yourself for the power source of the future and ensured that you are not left in the lurch. The days are not far away when using alternative sources of power shall remain the only alternative. It does not cost too much to assemble such a power plant and you will be proud of the fact that you have set up your own power plant.

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