Solar Panels for Homes DIY
Solar panels for homes are one of the most cost effective ways
to reduce energy demands from fossil fueled power plants and electricity
costs for homeowners. This is especially true for photovoltaic
(PV) DIY solar panels for homes.
On this page is a basic (and I mean basic) overview of PV DIY
solar panels for homes that the average homeowner can make using
mostly the supplies found at any hardware store, except for the
solar cells themselves which can be found at other resources.
The eBooks advertised
next to the large photo on this page contain more details.
First, I will give you an overview of what you will need to create
a solar panel array and second I will give you an overview of
what you will need in order to connect your solar panel array
to your home.
DIY Solar Panels for Homes
In order to create your own DIY solar panels for homes or home,
you'll need the following items including solar cells, plywood,
glass pane, copper wire, silicon sealant, soldering iron and a
liquid UV protector.
The solar cells need not be in perfect condition as ones that
are chipped or cosmetically damaged in some way can be purchased
locally or at an online auction site for pennies on the dollar.
The rest of the materials can be purchased at any hardware store.
Before building your DIY solar panels you'll have to decide two
things including where it will go and how much power you'll need.
A south-facing rooftop is ideal since this will get sun in all
seasons, but you can also put part of your solar panel array on
different sections of your rooftop to accommodate the seasons.
In regard to how much power you'll need the first place to look
is on your own electricity bill from the power company to see
how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you use on average per month. From
there and with assistance of the eBooks linked on this page next
to the picture you'll be able to calculate how many solar panels
will be necessary for your home.
DIY Solar Systems for Homes
Since this a compressed outline of how to build solar panels
and systems, let's say you have already built your solar panel
array and are ready to move onto the next step. You'll need to
mount your solar panels on your rooftop and then hook these into
your house so that you can start benefiting from their electrical
output.
Here is what you'll need in order to connect your solar panels
to your home: solar panels, batteries, inverter, charge controller,
wiring, monitors and meters. The solar panels you've already created.
Next, you will need several marine deep cycle batteries in order
to store and disperse the energy collected from the panels (car
batteries will not do). An inverter will convert the DC electricity
from the solar panels into AC electricity that the household can
use.
A charge controller makes sure that your solar panels do not
overcharge your batteries. Wiring not only inside the solar panels,
but from panels to batteries and from batteries to household system
will be needed. Breakers and disconnects will also be needed to
isolate any problems with one part of your solar electrical system.
A main DC disconnect plus an array DC disconnect will also insure
further safety of your system. The AC breaker panel is where you
will connect your PV system into your home. Monitors and meters
will help you keep track of how many watts and kilowatts of electricity
your solar panels are generating and keep track of your system
in general.
As I have stated this is just a basic overview of DIY solar panels
for homes. In order to get more details see the eBooks
that I've already mentioned. They will help you gain a fuller
understanding of how all of the components that I've already mentioned
can be gathered, created and connected for steep energy savings
for your home.
|
