How to Make a Solar Panel. Make Homemade Solar Panel. DIY Solar in 2024

Solar panels are used for powering various devices. It is a source of renewable energy that only gets more popular with time. Have you ever thought about using it for powering your own house appliances? In our time, when we struggle for power efficiency, this wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Instead of buying one, you can easily make the homemade solar panel and use its benefits in your favor. However, you will still have to buy various components in order to complete this project. It requires a little bit of effort, but our step by step instruction will definitely help.

Just like with any other project that you try to complete for the first time, it will be nearly impossible to complete the task. So, let’s analyze how to make a solar panel by using the tools that you have available at home?

The installation will look as good as you can put it together. Maybe not exactly like the ones you can see on shelves, but we are not really aiming for beauty points. Our goal is power saving and once you will have finished your highly technological solar panels for home, it will be the only natural to take it outside and try its capabilities.

Thanks to it, you will be capable of charging anything that uses DC current, like for example charge the battery of your vehicle. More cells will be necessary to achieve more power. The inverter also has to do with the total of clean energy your project can generate, but we will discuss this later.

What do you need for building such a mechanism?

Well, of course, you would have to start with acquiring solar cells and the internet is a good place to find them. There is no shortage of different models you can select from. Depending on your budget, you can choose from American, Japanese or Chinese cells. Both American and Japanese ones offer great reliability and functionality, but they come at a higher price. The Chinese ones do offer satisfactory results and they also come at the lowest price.

Calculate the exact amount of cells your solar power system requires, but you don’t have to forget about other important parts and tools.

One significant detail you have to keep in mind is that the cells are thin and easily get damaged, so you have to be handling them with attention at all times. After you have acquired the key pieces for your installation, it is time to think where to get the tools. In addition to things like a pencil and a ruler, you would also need a saw, soldering iron, flux pen, a sturdy board and protection for your eyes. To determine the current you would need a multimeter.

Initiating the building process step by step

1. Creating the backing for your small solar panels.

The first thing you have to do is position the solar cells on the plank made of wood or any other non-conductive material.

2. Putting together a template.

Every project needs a clear plan and if there is somebody who has a template for a project such as yours, then you need to benefit from it. In order to comprehend how to build a solar panel for your house, it is necessary to draw an outline of your future project.

3. Setting a frame.

This may be the trickiest part for many of those who decided to complete such an installation. It is possible to mount the panel on the roof or on a satellite stand. The choice is yours and depends on the materials that you have at hand. The dimension of the structure will depend on the size of the cells you buy. Angle aluminum frame would be a decent choice if you want to achieve the durability of the construction. This would be a good advice on how to make solar panels that will last for a long time. Put them together using angle brackets of the same material.

4. Making holes for the connections.

It is necessary to make room for the wires and carefully lay them through your frame. This step can be easily completed with the help of a portable drilling machine. It is important to drill the holes for wires in the frame. Determine the right place for cells beforehand by placing them all in the appropriate place. See if they fit properly.

5. Assembling the solar cells.

Next step is to attach the cells to the board really attentively. It would be a better idea to construct a frame for mini solar panels that would allow them to be installed individually, so you could replace them easily if there was such a necessity.

Apply bus wire for these purposes and flux. By using the parallel connection of your wires, you will get increased amperage. If you want to get more voltage from your installation, then you should link the cells in series. The lowest amount of volts in order to launch a 12V inverter is 12V. It will generate 110/220V AC or will be able to charge 12V batteries. If you want to be aware of how to make your own solar panel which will be efficient, you would need to analyze the progress repeatedly, using the multimeter. Use hit shrinks to cover up the wires.

Remember, there may be some loss in the wires or the charge controller. To charge up a 12V battery you would need around 18V from battery cells. If every cell is half a Volt, then you may need 36 of those.

Your whole installation has to be sealed very well. Use silicone, or other solutions to protect it from the influence of the weather.

Is the final result worth the effort?

Depending on your country of residence, you may be paying hundreds of dollars only for the electricity bills. If you are not happy with this situation, then consider building your own solar panel. Even people without any technical background are capable of doing this.

There are many more nuances that you will discover for yourself while putting together a DIY solar system, but the central thought is that you won’t have to pay thousands of dollars for a completed solar panel. If you purchase the cells from China, then the total price of your installation won’t exceed $150-$250 plus the cost of batteries and you have something around $300. Is that a good deal? You can get even further and become completely energy self-sufficient. For around $1,000 this is truly possible. You will get clean energy and ensure a bright future for yourself and your family.