How would you build a Solar Panel that can convert Sunlight to Energy, just being on your house roof?
October 31, 2009
Well, I am looking for a cheap way on building a solar panel, instead of buying by the manufacturing stores. I would like to stay in the budget up to 1,000 dollars. I want to have Solar Energy for my house because the sun is always shining. Is there a way I can make the Light power some of my house? What would I need? How much time would it take?
Where can I get the items I need?
You have a couple of options.
The first option is to put together a flat plate collector to generate hot water. If you live in a cold climate, you might have to use evacuated tubes and this will probably blow your budget. The hot water could be used as a pre-heater for your existing hot water system. Complete systems for domestic hot water will not likely fit into your budget.
The second option is a small solar panel to generate electricity. In order to fit into you thousand dollar budget, you will need something like this:
1) an 80W panel. This will set you back about $400. You can’t make the solar cells yourself, so it is just as well to buy a complete panel.
2) A small solar charge controller for about $100. This will take the power from the panel and make sure your storage battery is properly charged.
3) An inverter. This will take power from the battery and generate 120 volt AC power (like your wall sockets). A 120W unit will be less than $200.
4) A 12 volt deep cycle battery, perhaps $120.
5) A transfer switch to cut the power when the battery gets discharged and transfer to 120 volt utility power.
I came accross a new, proven and tested home made wind power system and solar power system which eliminates our electricity bills. It was written by a Renewable energy enthusiasts Michael Harvey the diy called Earth4energy. You can get your copy to save energy and help environment while eliminating your power bills. Get it from here:
The answer above me will work, but it won’t be cost effective compared to grid electricity. That size of system generates maybe 5 cents of electricity a day. It could still be fun, though.
I disagree on the website recommendation. See this rebuttal before purchasing from them:
*You can build your own panels for about $200 (as little as $27 if you if you join broken panels together). and if you can install yourself (it’s not hard) you can save thousands.
*You use solar to power most of your house ( saving hundreds on power bill) or ” Go Green” and use solar to power you whole house.
*You would need basic household tools (hammers, saw, nails etc).
*How long would it take? would depend how many panels and time (usaully 1-4 weeks)
*You can go to Ebay and get the items you need (cheap).
*Here are some very helpful resources.
Hope this helps. Let me know. Good Luck.
You can actually build a good quality solar panel for a few hundred dollars. Solar panels are much cheaper to make than people believe. Try going to squidoo.com/solar-panel-make-your-own (cut and paste). This can teach you how to make one quickly and relatively painlessly. I’ve used this to build 4 solar panels for my house. Saved me tons on my electric bills too