This is especially true today because it is possible to build your own solar panel with simple tools for less than $200. These homemade solar generators are capable of reducing household electricity costs by 50% or more.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Photons, the energetic particles found in sunlight, strike the individual solar cells and bump electrons out of place. The electrons are, in effect, pushed out of the cell and into the wires that connect all the cells together. Ideally each cell will generate about .5 volts of electrical pressure. 80 solar cells wired together in one panel should generate about 100 watts of power.
The Secret Of Making Cheap Solar Panels
The secret to making an inexpensive solar panel is in scrounging low cost or free solar cells. The lower the cost of this project the faster it will pay for itself. Using your own labor to assemble free solar cells into just one panel should pay back the original costs in just a few months. Buying a brand new pre-assembled and installed panel for over a $1000 might take 5 -10 times longer.
The Parts Of The Complete Solar Panel System
Plan A: This is the simplest system. The direct current DC electrical output from the solar panel goes to a bank of deep cycle batteries for storage. The batteries are then connected to an inverter that converts the DC Current to the kind of alternating current that most household appliances require. This is then wired to directly power a specific group of appliances completely separate from the house wiring.
Plan B: Takes the above system a step further by connecting to the electrical wiring in your house at the main fuse box. Legally, this step almost always has do be performed by a certified electrician. Some power companies will actually pay you in the form of energy credits for sending excess energy back out into the grid.
Plan C: This system works completely off the grid for homes that have no electric power coming to their home at all. The key element here is to have back-up sources of power interconnected with the solar panels for supplying power on days that there is no sun. Windmill generators and gas powered generators often serve as additional sources of power.
The Advantages Of Solar Panel Systems
Besides providing almost free electricity, solar panel systems are quiet, non-polluting, low maintenance, safe and if properly weatherproofed could last up to 50 years. They can also be a life saver if you live too far from the electric grid to economically afford to extend the transmission lines to your location.
If you tie into the electric grid, it is even possible to get paid by the power companies for any electricity generated over and above your personal needs.
The Limitations Of Photovoltaic PV Systems.
Converting sunlight directly into electricity is not ideally suited for cooking or for powering electric water heaters. It is more efficient to use the thermal or heat portion of sunlight to heat water directly instead converting first to electricity then powering a heater. Electric lights, television, small appliances and even some energy efficient refrigerators can be powered by PV Solar Panels.
The Need For A Good Plan
Despite the simplicity of a building your own solar panels, it is important to have a complete set of plans. Good plans should, at the bare minimum include the following.
1. Ideally these set of plans will originate from authors that have successfully built and used solar panels themselves. 2. The plans should give a brief background of simple electrical terms like watt, volt and amps. 3. A detailed explanation of the different types of solar cells and exactly where to find them. 4. Wiring diagrams for understanding how to wire the individual cells together. 5. How to build a protective case and how to run this power into your house directly to certain appliances or to hook up to the current household wiring.
The simplicity of capturing the suns daily gift of free energy to reduce or even eliminate your electric bill is almost unbelievable. Equally amazing is the fact that we live in an age of low cost solar cells.
Is it time for you to take the energy crisis in your own hands? If so then take the easy first step of getting your hands on a good set of plans for building your own solar panels for the home.
Click here learn more about how to SAVE ENERGY UP TO 95% and make your own home made alternative energy in the next 10 minutes.
About the Author
For in-depth reviews of some of the top solar panel plans and guides just follow this link: http://www.solar2electricity.com
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