If you have heard the cry of the current establishment and their goal of making energy prices skyrocket you will want to start using renewable energy. Solar panels are one source of energy that will be renewable for many years to come. Take a look at how you can make your own solar panels. You will need; mono crystalline solar cells, plywood, plexi-glass sections, two by two lumber, masonite peg board, solder, soldering gun,




1) Make a shallow box using plywood and two by pieces of lumber. You do not want a deep box because the solar cells are thin and a deep box would make shade for them. Make the box big enough to fit thirty six solar cells into. This will be eighteen volts total when you run the cells in series. It is a good idea to paint any wooden surface that is going to be wet when it rains. To really make it last, use an epoxy-based or polyurethane paint.



2) Cut two sections of masonite peg board to fit inside your box. This will be the level that your solar cells will be put on. For protection, these cells will have plexi-glass covers over the box. They should not get wet.




3) Next, lay out the solar cells face down on the two peg boards. Solder them together in series. This means that you find the positive and negative sides of the cells and connect the positive to the negative side of the cells in a "series". To begin, find the negative side of the first cell and connect the positive side of this first cell to the negative side of the second cell. Continue this way with the rest of the cells until all are done on the first board. Copy this same method on the second board. Then connect both boards together in series. The cells are fragile so be careful not to overheat them or to apply too much pressure on them.



4) You can test out your solar panel by attaching a voltmeter to the wires after you connect them in series. You can also use the voltmeter to determine which side of the solar cell is positive or negative. Even with indirect sunlight and clouds your solar cells will make an appreciable amount of power.



5) Make a hole near the top of the panel for the final wires to exit both panels. If you are using these panels to charge batteries you will need a diode to block the reverse flow of power when there is no sunlight on the solar panels. It is a lot like pumping water to a tank that is above the pump. The solar cells are the "pump" and the batteries are the "tank". The "water" will flow back down to the solar cells from the "pump" if there is nothing to stop it. The diode stops the reverse flow of power from the batteries to the cells.



6) It is a good idea to use a polarized plug on the end of the wire coming from the solar panels to easily attach and disconnect the panels from a bank of batteries. Make sure to get a good quality plug, because if the connection is bad from the plug to whatever you are plugging it in to, you will waste power. Use the best quality metal for the plug. Gold is best, but since it is expensive, try using silver or nickel.