When You Build A Solar Panel – What Are The Hazards To Be Aware Of?
When you build a solar panel, there are a number of things that need to be taken into consideration before you actually start. Start your project on the right foot. Get all the components together before you start; get a tool box with all the right tools and a manual which gives step by step instructions.
But before even those basic steps, it is more important to have a clear picture of what your solar panel is going to end up looking like and where you are going to use it. Decide how big your dream is. Do want to start a solar farm, building 2000 watt panels and feed electricity back to the national grid or do you want to build 500 watt panels for running specific appliances in your home or do just want a small one; to build a solar panel for re-charging your digital camera batteries?
The only difference between making 500 watt solar panel and 100W solar panel is the quantity of solar cells you require and the time you have available to spend on the project. The main reason for many people wanting to make their own solar electricity is that they can save on the cost of having to actually by them because they are very expensive.
So once you have decided what size of solar panel you are going to build, the next step is to determine where you can get a cheap supply of solar cells. The first port of call for me is eBay, sometimes you can get lucky and find someone who is selling a pile of solar cells at a very good price. The only problem with this is that if you can't find the specific size and quantity of solar cells, what do you do then?
One very good option for you is to research businesses near to where you live and find the ones which use solar cells in the electrical products they use on a day to day basis. You want to develop a relationship with these companies so that they call you when they have any damaged cells they want to get rid of. The best source of these solar cells are the businesses who put out traffic signs, for example, when repairs are being carried out to roads. The Companies name and telephone number can often be found attached to it somewhere. Repairs are frequently carried on damaged signs.
If the solar panel is damaged they will throw the old panel away replace it with a new one. The good news is that it is normally very easy to repair a chipped or damaged solar cell, if you know how to build a solar panel, you can easily repair a solar cell.
Finding a cheap supply of solar cells is the only major problem you need to solve if you are looking to build a solar panel on a shoestring, so start searching for those local businesses today.
My passing shot is to remind you what I said a short while ago, know precisely what it is you want to end up with, how big and where you are going to put it. If you don't have that clear picture, you will build an array which has no useful purpose. You will make life very hard for yourself and will probably be disappointed. Know what you want and go and build it.
Different Types of Solar Panels
- Satellite Grade Solar Cells
- Polycrystalline Solar Panels - String Ribbon Silicon
- Thin Film Solar Panels - copper indium diselenide