| OK let's get started. Making solar panels from | | | | where it might get accidentally kicked or run into... |
| scratch isn't all that difficult to do once you have | | | | Solar cells are very fragile and can break easily. |
| some simple directions to go by. | | | | You also need to decide what you're building your |
| It doesn't matter if you live on or off grid, your | | | | solar panel for... Are you making one just to |
| set will mostly be the same... You'll need some | | | | power small household items like a cellphone or a |
| solar cells, a panel, some wiring, and a storage | | | | radio... Or do you want to power a larger range of |
| battery. | | | | items and really cut down your utility bill. |
| The wiring of the panel is simple, you just need | | | | Either way you should probably go with building a |
| some copper wire to connect all of the solar cells | | | | smaller panel at first so that you get the hang of |
| together; you're more or less just placing some | | | | making a solar panel from scratch; then after |
| solar cells on a panel and letting them collect | | | | you've got one under your belt you can build |
| sunlight. | | | | larger ones that generate more power. |
| You'll also need some plexiglass protect the cells | | | | Once you have your panel built it's just a matter |
| from the outside weather conditions. Before you | | | | of checking to make sure you wired everything |
| begin making solar panels from scratch, make | | | | up right and its generating power and storing it in |
| sure you have a good place for your panel... | | | | your battery. |
| You don't want to have it in a high trafficked area | | | | |