Even You Can Build Your Own Solar Panel With Ease

Picture by Jeremy Levine

Solar power is an amazing form of clean energy because it is relatively inexpensive and will never run out. Solar energy, after all, is going to last for billions of years. Low cost energy can definitely originate from solar panels, especially if you can work with companies that offer rebates and rewards prior to installation. Exactly how do solar panels generate electricity? By the end of this article, you will understand.

It is not that difficult to build your own solar panels. If you know how to use a soldering iron and are handy with a saw you can build your own solar panels in no time. You can find solar cells online, and you will need wood to build a container and plexiglass for the cover. You'll also need some caulk to attach the solar cells to the wooden container. When buying solar cells, try to find ones that already have tabs as it will make your life easier when you are doing the wiring. Make sure that you get solar panels with tabs, otherwise you will have to solder on tabs before you glue them in place.

If you want to install solar panels, you first have to calculate how many hours of sunlight you get on average. Whether you get a concentrating solar collector or a non-concentrating collector will depend on your needs.

If you get enough sunlight all year, a concentrating solar collector would be ideal for you, as these can make good use of direct sunlight. Non-concentrating solar collectors, on the other hand, don't require as much direct sunlight to absorb energy, so this is a better choice if you live in a less sunny region. If you have any doubt about which type would work best for you home, you should ask someone with experience in this field.

The only connections that you will need will be for the battery. This way, power will only be able to flow from the solar cells to the batteries and not the other way around. Lastly make sure that you are not wasting power. This is not a necessary step when you choose to use a charge controller instead. Although it does require a small amount of do it yourself know how, building your own solar panel really isn't that hard after all. It's really no harder than knowing what materials you'll need, obtaining them before you begin and having the patience to complete the task

Important Advantages of Solar Energy

You know, people will only take so much before they take action and begin switching to solar energy in greater numbers. You can find the most commonly used electronic devices now with a solar option. Constant innovations are being discovered to make solar powered cars more cost effective. Solar devices for the residential dwelling are impressive, and you can definitely go entirely solar if you wanted to. You can chop your monthly bills significantly if so desired, and we will talk more about that in this article.

Granted, you may not be at the point where you want to make your entire home a solar one, but that is fine and you can still explore it in other ways. How about using solar power for cooking? That is easy to get going and you can cook without using your regular oven or stove top. Sun ovens were designed expressly for this purpose, and they work like a charm. You can purchase a solar cooking device for approximately one hundred dollars, and just give it about an hour or so and it is ready to go. Obviously this is a technique you can employ at very little cost, and you can begin saving each month indefinitely. We all love hot showers and baths, and as expected there are water heaters powered by solar energy. You will find that this will not require a large investment, and of course the returns will start right away. There are two kinds, the active and passive with the first consisting of controls and pumps for recirculating the hot water. If you want an even cheaper alternative, you can purchase solar water heater panels to work with your current water pump. The panels are attractive to some people as they do not wish to be bothered with installation of new heating systems for their water. If you want to get in-depth or not is your call, but just understand there are options available.

We are all in the same boat concerning the price of gas, but solar cars are steadily improving all the time. While the technology can be expensive for solar cars, China has figured out a way to produce them without being too expensive. One of the main drawbacks to this type of car is that it takes a very long time to recharge, about 30 hours, which gives it enough power to go about 90 miles. So that is why there is ongoing work with electric and other approaches with emerging technology. Toyota is rumored to be working on a solar powered car that will be widely available in a few years.

You may be more concerned with the economics of solar energy and what it can do for you, and that is fine because the savings can be significant. When you think about it, solar energy methods are becoming better and less costly while the opposite is true for fossil fuels. As we've observed in this article, using solar energy today is something that's not only idealistic, it's very practical as well.

More To Solar Energy Than Meets The Eye

Picture by Jeramey Jannene

People have been using various forms of solar energy devices for a long time because it is obviously there for the taking. What has been taking place are many new and creative uses for solar power, and the technology is always moving forward. You can use solar energy as a backup source of power or as your primary method of powering your home. So let's look at some features and benefits of solar energy that you may want to start using.

The strategic gains, meaning long term, associated with solar solutions is the magnet that pulls people toward it. If you install solar panels, depending on the type you choose and whether or not you do it yourself, there will be an up-front cost. This is a much different kind of investment, though, and the reason for it is the returns begin right away. Solar energy does not require any type of fuel, so there are no tanks to fill up. You could even profit from your venture if you play your cards right. Should you have more than you need, then get in touch with your old supplier, of electricity, and they will be happy to pay you something for it.

In the earlier days, solar panels were quite expensive, and that impression still exists, today. The one important aspect of the solar industry is they continue to improve efficiency and explore ways to reduce the costs involved. One way many people offset costs is to do their own installation work. When you buy from a professional installer, then they will charge you more for any parts and devices they install. For a few hundred dollars or less, you can have a system that will start saving you money very quickly. As the price of oil and electricity soars, solar energy is increasingly looking like a bargain.

The growth has been impressive with more people choosing solar energy for both heat and cooling. This is simply using natural ways to block or attract sunlight into your home, depending on your needs. To cool off your home when it is hot, then close off the windows that are being hit so the light does not come in. Depending on where you are, you could look at installing window solar film to have a greater or lesser effect. Warming up the house is merely a matter of achieving the opposite effect. Very simple to do and keep in mind, and it will help your present system to manage the work load.

There is no question that millions of people could benefit from all that solar energy has to offer. Think about putting smaller devices in your home and enjoying the savings. The far reaching advantages are numerous, and it all begins with educating yourself about it.

Find out How to Make a Solar Panel.