| The rising prices and increasing scarcity of fossil | | | | together, ensuring that it's done in such a way |
| fuels are leading many homeowners to make the | | | | that the proper voltage and current can be |
| switch to solar power systems. The savings that | | | | produced. Most DIY solar panel instructions will |
| are always offered by solar power can be | | | | include wiring diagrams. Wiring can be a very |
| increased even further by putting together your | | | | sensitive aspect of any project, so it's important |
| own homemade solar panel. You can even save a | | | | to follow the diagram closely. You need to ensure |
| lot of money when installing a solar power | | | | that the solar cells will all be facing the exact |
| system by using a solar panel kit. It provides the | | | | same direction; this can be done by mounting |
| instructions needed to build a solar panel at home. | | | | them on a piece of thick plywood. To figure out |
| The part of the solar power system that turns | | | | how big the backing board should be, just lay out |
| sunlight into electricity is the solar cell. If you know | | | | the cells as displayed in the wiring diagram. You |
| what type of power you need, you can proceed, | | | | can begin soldering wires to the cells after they've |
| as solar cells, depending on how they're | | | | been mounted. If the wires are secured neatly to |
| connected, can produce virtually any amount of | | | | the backing board, they can't interfere with the |
| voltage and current. | | | | cells' gathering of sunlight. Once this has been |
| The two basic kinds of solar cells available offer | | | | finished, take the panel outside and check the |
| different levels of production. Made from one | | | | voltage with a meter to make sure that you're |
| large crystal, monocrystalline solar cells provided | | | | getting the right voltage. If there are any |
| the greatest level of efficiency. Thanks to its | | | | problems, check your wiring. Complete the solar |
| unified structure, a monocrystalline cell will be very | | | | panel by adding sides and a clear front to the |
| reliable in addition to producing at such a high level | | | | backing. The enclosure needs to be able to deal |
| of efficiency. Although they cost a bit more, | | | | with the elements, so make sure that you use |
| monocrystalline cells are generally a superior value | | | | lots of weatherproof caulking. |
| over the long term because of their durability. | | | | Mount the panel in an area that gets lots of sun |
| Polycrystalline cells, which are comprised of a | | | | exposure. The panel will produce DC electricity, |
| collection of small crystals, are the other standard | | | | which can be used to charge batteries or power |
| type. Polycrystalline cells, while they do have a | | | | certain small appliances. Connect your system to |
| lower price tag, usually lag behind monocrystalline | | | | an inverter to obtain AC power, which is used by |
| cells in terms of efficiency. | | | | most devices in the home. |
| The next step is to connect the solar cells | | | | |