The sun is the key source of energy on Earth and sunlight can be converted straight into electrical energy using solar panels. Electricity has come to be indispensable in life. Pros and Cons of Solar powers the machines that most us use every day.
So, what are solar panels? What if you can create your personal?
In this post, we will show you a simple system of creating your personal functional solar panel.
THE Components
A solar panel is generally manufactured from six (6) components namely the PV (photovoltaic) cell or solar cell which generates the electricity, the glass which covers and protects the solar cells, the frame which gives rigidity, the backsheet where the solar cells are laid, the junction box where the wirings are enclosed and connected, and the encapsulant which serves as adhesives.
Considering that most people today does not have access to equipment in manufacturing solar panels, it is significant to note and have an understanding of these six elements in order for any person to be in a position to strategy the materials required to create a do-it-oneself or dwelling-created solar panel.
The materials required on how to make a solar panel ought to be out there for purchase locally or on line and should not exceed the cost of a brand new solar panel or does not take a long time to build.
1.) PV Cell
The first thing to contemplate when creating your own solar panel is the solar cell.
Photovoltaic (PV) cell or solar cell converts visible light into electricity. One particular (1) solar cell even so is not adequate to produce a usable amount of electrical energy a great deal like the microbot in Baymax (Hero six) which only becomes helpful when combined as a group. This simple unit generates a DC (direct existing) voltage of .five to 1 volt and though this is reasonable, the voltage is nevertheless as well tiny for most applications. To produce a helpful DC voltage, the solar cells are connected in series and then encapsulated in modules producing the solar panel. If 1 cell generates .five volt and is connected to a different cell in series, those two cells need to then be capable to generate 1 volt and they can then be named a module. A standard module typically consists of 28 to 36 cells in series. A 28-cell module must be in a position to produce roughly 14 volts (28 x .five = 14VDC) which is adequate to charge a 12V battery or power 12V devices.
Connecting two or more solar cells call for that you have a simple understanding of series and parallel connection which is equivalent to connecting batteries to make up a battery storage system.
There are two most popular solar cells that can be purchased in the market a monocrystalline cell and a polycrystalline cell. These two can have the very same size, 156mm x 156mm, but the key distinction would be efficiency. It is crucial to acquire additional cells to serve as backup in case you fail on some of the cells i.e. poor solder, broken cell, scratched, etc.
Monocrystalline solar cells are usually black and octagonal in shape. This type of solar cell is created of the highest and purest grade silicon which makes them high-priced. But they are the most efficient of all forms of solar cells and are practically constantly the decision of solar contractors when space is an significant factor to think about in achieving the energy they want to attain primarily based on their solar technique design and style.
Polycrystalline PV Cells are characterized by their bluish color and rectangular shape. These cells are manufactured in a substantially simpler course of action which lowers the purity of the silicon content material and also lowers the efficiency of the end item.
Frequently, monocrystalline cells are more efficient than polycrystalline cells but this does not mean that monocrystalline cells execute and outputs a lot more energy than polycrystalline cells. Solar cell efficiency has some thing to do with the size of the cells and every single solar panel or cells have an efficiency rating primarily based on common tests when they had been manufactured. This rating is typically in percentage and the common values variety from 15% to 20%.
2.) Glass
The glass protects the PV cells though allowing optimal sunlight to pass by way of. These are usually made of anti-reflective components. Tempered glass is the decision of material currently even for unknown and new producers despite the fact that there are nevertheless these who make use of flat plate glass on their solar panels. Tempered glass are designed by chemical or thermal signifies and is a lot of instances stronger than plate glass generating it more expensive to generate but the price tag of manufacturing them nowadays is reasonable and cost-effective. Flat plate glass creates sharp and long shards when broken as opposed to tempered glass which shatters safely in modest pieces upon impact, that is why they also call it safety glass. It should really be noted right here that most amorphous solar panels uses flat plate glass for the reason that of the way the panel is constructed.
Tempered glass is what manufacturers use in mass generating their solar panels. In our DIY project, we suggest to use Plexiglas also known as acrylic glass which is safer than the standard regular glass from your regional hardware store. It is a bit high-priced than frequent glass but is weather resistant and does not break effortlessly. The Plexiglas can also be screwed or glued easily to the frame.
3.) Frame
A frame is commonly created of anodized aluminum which supplies structure and rigidity to the solar module. These aluminum frames are also designed to be compatible with most solar mounting systems and grounding equipment for simple and secure installation on a roof or on the ground.
The frame in a factory-constructed solar panel is commonly the aluminum aspect exactly where all four sides of the solar panel sheet are inserted. Consider of it as a skeletal rectangular frame. The solar panel sheet by the way is composed of the other 4 elements and are layered and laminated in the following order from leading to bottom the tempered glass, major encapsulant, the solar cells, bottom encapsulant, then the backsheet. In our DIY solar panel, we will be applying a wooden frame and the finish-outcome would be one thing analogous to a picture frame where the image is the solar cells glued to a non-conductive board, the glass for the Plexiglas top rated cover, and the wooden part as the frame and backsheet.
4.) 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 most important function of the backsheet is to insulate and shield the handler from shock and present the safest, efficient, and reliable electrical conductivity probable.
The backsheet will be a wooden plywood where the frame will be screwed on major and on the sides. It should be noted right here that a perforated hardboard (Pegboard) will be employed to place and align the PV Cells and this Pegboard will sit on best of the wooden backsheet and fitted inside the wooden frame.