The sun is the key supply of energy on Earth and sunlight can be converted directly into electricity using solar panels. Electricity has come to be indispensable in life. It powers the machines that most us use daily.
So, what are solar panels? What if you can make your personal?
In this article, we will show you a straightforward process of developing your own functional solar panel.
THE Components
A solar panel is typically manufactured from six (six) elements namely the PV (photovoltaic) cell or solar cell which generates the electrical energy, the glass which covers and protects the solar cells, the frame which delivers rigidity, the backsheet where the solar cells are laid, the junction box exactly where the wirings are enclosed and connected, and the encapsulant which serves as adhesives.
Given that most men and women does not have access to gear in manufacturing solar panels, it is significant to note and understand those six elements in order for anybody to be in a position to strategy the components necessary to produce a do-it-yourself or house-created solar panel.
The materials necessary on how to make a solar panel need to be available for obtain locally or on-line and must not exceed the price of a brand new solar panel or does not take a extended time to make.
1.) PV Cell
The very first thing to contemplate when developing your own solar panel is the solar cell.
Photovoltaic (PV) cell or solar cell converts visible light into electrical energy. A single (1) solar cell nonetheless is not adequate to make a usable amount of electricity a great deal like the microbot in Baymax (Hero six) which only becomes helpful when combined as a group. This basic unit generates a DC (direct existing) voltage of .5 to 1 volt and even though this is affordable, the voltage is still too little for most applications. To generate a valuable DC voltage, the solar cells are connected in series and then encapsulated in modules generating the solar panel. If a single cell generates .5 volt and is connected to a further cell in series, those two cells really should then be in a position to make 1 volt and they can then be known as a module. A standard module commonly consists of 28 to 36 cells in series. A 28-cell module ought to be able to produce roughly 14 volts (28 x .5 = 14VDC) which is sufficient to charge a 12V battery or power 12V devices.
Connecting two or extra solar cells demand that you have a basic understanding of series and parallel connection which is equivalent to connecting batteries to make up a battery storage technique.
There are two most frequent solar cells that can be purchased in the industry a monocrystalline cell and a polycrystalline cell. These two can have the very same size, 156mm x 156mm, but the most important distinction would be efficiency. It is critical to acquire more cells to serve as backup in case you fail on some of the cells i.e. bad solder, broken cell, scratched, and so on.
Monocrystalline solar cells are generally black and octagonal in shape. This form of solar cell is created of the highest and purest grade silicon which tends to make them highly-priced. But they are the most efficient of all kinds of solar cells and are almost normally the selection of solar contractors when space is an vital element to take into account in achieving the energy they want to attain based on their solar technique design.
Polycrystalline PV Cells are characterized by their bluish colour and rectangular shape. These cells are manufactured in a considerably simpler procedure which lowers the purity of the silicon content material and also lowers the efficiency of the end product.
Frequently, monocrystalline cells are more efficient than polycrystalline cells but this does not mean that monocrystalline cells execute and outputs far more power than polycrystalline cells. Solar cell efficiency has anything to do with the size of the cells and every solar panel or cells have an efficiency rating based on standard tests when they have been manufactured. This rating is usually in percentage and the common values variety from 15% to 20%.
2.) Glass
The glass protects the PV cells even though permitting optimal sunlight to pass via. These are commonly produced of anti-reflective materials. Tempered glass is the option of material currently even for unknown and new makers although there are nevertheless those who utilize flat plate glass on their solar panels. Tempered glass are made by chemical or thermal indicates and is several occasions stronger than plate glass producing it extra high-priced to make but the value of manufacturing them currently is reasonable and price-powerful. Flat plate glass creates sharp and extended shards when broken as opposed to tempered glass which shatters safely in compact pieces upon impact, that is why they also contact it safety glass. yoursite.com should be noted here that most amorphous solar panels uses flat plate glass because of the way the panel is constructed.
Tempered glass is what makers use in mass generating their solar panels. In our DIY project, we recommend to use Plexiglas also referred to as acrylic glass which is safer than the typical typical glass from your regional hardware store. It is a bit high priced than normal glass but is weather resistant and does not break easily. The Plexiglas can also be screwed or glued quickly to the frame.
3.) Frame
A frame is normally created of anodized aluminum which supplies structure and rigidity to the solar module. These aluminum frames are also developed to be compatible with most solar mounting systems and grounding equipment for effortless and protected installation on a roof or on the ground.
The frame in a factory-constructed solar panel is commonly the aluminum component exactly where all 4 sides of the solar panel sheet are inserted. Assume of it as a skeletal rectangular frame. The solar panel sheet by the way is composed of the other four components and are layered and laminated in the following order from best to bottom the tempered glass, prime encapsulant, the solar cells, bottom encapsulant, then the backsheet. In our DIY solar panel, we will be making use of a wooden frame and the end-result would be something analogous to a picture frame where the picture is the solar cells glued to a non-conductive board, the glass for the Plexiglas major cover, and the wooden element as the frame and backsheet.
four.) Backsheet
The backsheet is the layer of plastic film on the back surface of the module. This is the only layer protecting the module from unsafe DC voltage. The primary function of the backsheet is to insulate and safeguard the handler from shock and deliver the safest, effective, and reliable electrical conductivity probable.
The backsheet will be a wooden plywood exactly where the frame will be screwed on best and on the sides. It really should be noted here that a perforated hardboard (Pegboard) will be utilised to spot and align the PV Cells and this Pegboard will sit on top of the wooden backsheet and fitted inside the wooden frame.
