| Solar panels that capture the abundance of | | | | electrician. |
| energy sent to us each and every day can be | | | | Plan C: This system works completely off the grid |
| just the relief we need from the high cost of | | | | for homes that have no electric power coming to |
| electricity. It almost seems like a crime to turn | | | | their home at all. The key element here is to |
| our backs on this wonderful gift of more free | | | | have back-up sources of power interconnected |
| energy than we can possibly use. This is especially | | | | with the solar panels for supplying power on days |
| true today because it is possible to build your own | | | | that there is no sun. Windmill generators and gas |
| solar panel with simple tools for less than $200. | | | | powered generators often serve as additional |
| These homemade solar generators are capable of | | | | sources of power. |
| reducing household electricity costs by 50% or | | | | The Advantages Of Solar Panel Systems |
| more. | | | | Besides providing almost free electricity, solar |
| How Do Solar Panels Work? | | | | panel systems are quiet, non-polluting, low |
| Photons, the energetic particles found in sunlight, | | | | maintenance, safe and if properly weatherproofed |
| strike the individual solar cells and bump electrons | | | | could last up to 50 years. They can also be a life |
| out of place. The electrons are, in effect, pushed | | | | saver if you live too far from the electric grid to |
| out of the cell and into the wires that connect all | | | | economically afford to extend the transmission |
| the cells together. Ideally each cell will generate | | | | lines to your location. If you tie into the electric |
| about .5 volts of electrical pressure. 80 solar cells | | | | grid, it is even possible to get paid by the power |
| wired together in one panel should generate about | | | | companies for any electricity generated over and |
| 100 watts of power. | | | | above your personal needs. |
| The Secret Of Making Cheap Solar Panels | | | | The Need For A Good Plan |
| The secret to making an inexpensive solar panel | | | | Despite the simplicity of a building your own solar |
| is in scrounging for low cost or free solar cells. | | | | panels, it is important to have a complete set of |
| The lower the cost of this project the faster it | | | | plans. Good plans should, at the bare minimum |
| will pay for itself. Using your own labor to | | | | include the following: |
| assemble free solar cells into just one panel should | | | | 1. Ideally these set of plans will originate from |
| pay back the original costs in just a few months. | | | | authors that have successfully built and used solar |
| Buying a brand new pre-assembled and installed | | | | panels themselves. 2. The plans should give a brief |
| panel for over a $1000 might take 5 -10 times | | | | background of simple electrical terms like watt, |
| longer. | | | | volt and amps. 3. A detailed explanation of the |
| The Parts Of The Complete Solar Panel System | | | | different types of solar cells and exactly where |
| Plan A: This is the simplest system. The direct | | | | to find them. 4. Wiring diagrams for understanding |
| current DC electrical output from the solar panel | | | | how to wire the individual cells together. 5. How to |
| goes to a bank of deep cycle batteries for | | | | build a protective case. 6. How to run this power |
| storage. The batteries are then connected to an | | | | into your house directly to certain appliances or to |
| inverter that converts the DC Current to the kind | | | | hook up to the current household wiring. |
| of alternating current that most household | | | | The simplicity of capturing the suns daily gift of |
| appliances require. This is then wired to directly | | | | free energy to reduce or even eliminate your |
| power a specific group of appliances completely | | | | electric bill is almost unbelievable. Equally amazing is |
| separate from the house wiring. | | | | the fact that we live in an age where low cost |
| Plan B: Takes the above system a step further | | | | used solar cells are abundant. Is it time for you to |
| by connecting to the electrical wiring in your house | | | | take the energy crisis in your own hands? Take |
| at the main fuse box. Legally, this step almost | | | | the easy first step and download your own plans |
| always has do be performed by a certified | | | | for building solar panels. |