Do It Yourself solar panels

In the present time of increasing electrical costs, many are interested to learn how to generate their own source of electricity by installing Do It Yourself solar panels. However, the majority people hesitated due to the high cost of getting one installed in their homes. There is an alternative. It is to Do-It-Yourself. Do It Yourself solar panels aren’t difficult to start with, and most importantly, you can execute it at a very low cost. In addition, by building it yourself, you can modify it according to your own liking in terms of size and design.

At this moment, all you need is a high-quality manual to guide you along the way. You may want to explore some highly recommended guides at GreenEarth4Energy.Com. There are guides on how to build solar panels, how to build wind turbines and how to build solar water heaters. Video is provided in the recommended guide to enhance better understanding. Also, you can explore these guides with reviews and testimonials.

As soon as you’ve gotten your set of instructions on Do It Yourself solar panels, the next step is to get the materials. The materials are nothing complicated, just simple things you can get at any hardware store.

The materials you need:

• Wire crimping tool
• Wire cutters
• Solder, 60/40 or silver
• Soldering iron, or soldering station
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Cobalt steel jobbers' twist drill bit, heavy duty, wire gauge size 26, 3" L, 1c" L flute
• Machine screw size high-speed steel hand tap taper, 10-24, H3 pitch diameter, 4 flute
• 7/32 drill bit
• Plastic sheet cutter
• Reamer
• Pliers
• Hacksaw or cutoff saw
• Triple beam scale (optional)

After you've gotten all the materials, it is absolutely simple to proceed with building your Do it Yourself solar panels. You may want to do it as a cohesion day with your family over the weekend.

It's essential that the quality of your instructions is good. If you go for a cheaper set of instructions, you might not be able to build the solar panel as it should be. Overall, a good guide won't cost you much. In fact, it'll cost you well less than $50 to get an first-rate guide, which is an ideal investment taking into account that facts that you're going to be saving thousands each year.

Many people are enhancing their lifestyles and saving thousands of dollars every year by converting to energy saving systems such as solar panels and wind turbines. It's factual that setting up solar or wind energy for your homes isn’t cheap, however, at this point of time, it can be made at a very low cost when you Do-It-Yourself. So, why not get started?

Learn how to build solar panels:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/

Learn how to build wind turbines:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/build_wind_turbine_.html

Learn how to build solar water heaters:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/build_wind_turbine_.html

How To Build Solar Panels

How To Build Solar Panels - A solar panel is capable of supplying electrical power to all household appliances and can be quite substantial. Solar panels can be made in a modular fashion; you can first install the basic requirements and gradually adding more panels to it.

The process of learning how to build a solar panel isn't that difficult. All you need is some guidance on aspects such as:

• How to assess the solar panel power rating to meet your needs
• Where to purchase the solar cells
• How to interconnect the cells to obtain the desired voltage and current capacity
• How to assemble the solar panel
• How to install the solar panel

There are many guides available to provide more in-depth explanations. These guides cost won’t go for more than $50. They provide step-by-step assembly and installation instructions with pictures and video where necessary. Obtain one of these guides, study thoroughly and now you are ready to build your very own home solar power systems.

The procedure of installation:

1. Organise the solar cells in rows on the plywood sheet, with the back of the cells on the plywood and in the configuration suggested in the DIY instructional guide.

2. Holes are required to be drilled in the plywood sheet so that the wires connecting the cells can be taken through to the back. Interconnect the cells as per the instructions.

3. Position a backing board on the back of the plywood so that the interconnected wires are held in place and sealed.

4. A sheet of glass must be placed over the top of the solar cells

5. Place a framing piece over this assembly (as would be done in framing a photograph)

6. Seal the edges of the assembly, and your solar power system is ready.

The assembly procedure described above is the basic process of assembling your own solar panels. You can improvise on it in order to make it more durable.

If you are interested to look at recommended guides on how to build solar panels, visit: http://www.greenearth4energy.com

You may want to get your installation guide here:
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Useful information home solar power systems:
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Building Solar Panels To Make Electricity

Building solar panels are not expensive and neither are they difficult to build. Home buyers and realtors view home solar power systems or solar hot water heaters as a significant value-added improvement - similar to adding a deck or remodeling your kitchen. Plus unlike a deck or kitchen remodel, you also gain one-up on your power bills.

Solar panels often get an additional financial boost as well: many jurisdictions and utilities across the USA offer attractive financial incentives to drive down the upfront capital costs associated with a solar panel.

Here are some foolproof ways to estimate the cost of a solar panel and to figure out if a solar panel makes sense for you.

Calculate your home's electricity needs:

To get started, it's good to have a sense of how much electricity you use. You'll have a better point for comparison if you find out how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you use per day, per month, per year. Your utility bill should include that information.

Of course, the utility bill will also display your costs and many utilities include a graph that displays how your monthly energy use/cost varies throughout the year. That helps you estimate where your highest energy use is and at what time of year.

Size your system:

In general, solar panels sized between 1 to 5 kilowatts are usually sufficient to meet the electricity needs of most homes. One advantage of grid-tied systems is that you can use solar panels to supplement or offset some of your electricity needs; therefore you can size your system to match your budget and always add to the system later if needed.

Also as a side note, here's a rule of thumb to remember to help you estimate the physical space your solar system might need: one square foot yields 10 watts. So in bright sunlight, a square foot of a conventional photovoltaic panel will produce 10 watts of power. A 1000 watt system, for example, may need 100 - 200 square feet of area, depending on the type of solar module used.

Run the numbers:

Although the cost for solar panels will depend on the size of the system you intend to install, your electricity rate, the amount of kilowatt hours you expect to generate, and the state/local rebates/tax credits that may be available, the formulas for calculating the returns are pretty much the same

For those who appreciate having the formulas, use the ones listed below to do a quick ballpark estimate of how much solar panels might cost you.

Retail Price for Solar Panels

+ Building Permits

- $2,000 Federal Tax Credit

- State or Local Tax Credit or Rebate

- Utility Rebate or Other Incentive

= Net Investment

Kilowatts of electricity generated from solar energy per year

x Kilowatt hours used per year

= Annual Kilowatt energy from the PV system

Annual Kilowatt energy from the PV system

x Current Residential Electricity Rate

= Annual $ Saved

Yearly Excess Solar Energy Produced

x $$ credit applied per watt

= Annual Value from Net Metering

You may want to work with a solar power contractor to size and price the right system for you. As it is true with any major purchase, don't hesitate to ask for several bids from different contractors.

Many solar power providers will provide you with a comprehensive estimate. Helpful information to know includes:

• Total cost to make the system operational (labor cost for design and installation and equipment costs)
• Equipment (Make and Model)
• Warranty info
• Permit costs, if needed
• Tax, where applicable
• Federal tax credits
• State or local jurisdiction tax credits or rebates
• Utility rebates
• Expected Renewable Energy Certificates or Net metering credits
• Expected operation and maintenance costs
• Projected savings

Visit us If you are interested to learn more about:
Building solar panels: http://www.greenearth4energy.com/build_solar_panel.html
Solar Panel Installation Guide: http://www.earthenergyguide.com

Building solar hot water heaters: http://www.greenearth4energy.com/build_water_heater.html
Solar Water Heater Installation Guide: http://www.greenearth4energy.com/diy_hot_water

Useful information home solar power systems:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/solar-panel-systems.html

Solar Power Water Heater - Build Your Own DIY Solar Water Heater

Do you know that when you install a solar power water heater, you can actually reduce over 30% of your electrical expenses each month. The year 2009 wants the common man to be more alert and have awareness about global warming and the need to save energy.

First of all, you’ll have to learn how to make good use of the free energy from the sun which can be converted into free power and this gives you a lot of savings in your pocket every month.

There is lots of energy saving guides available in the store and online too. GreenEarth4Energy.com provides one such guide that consists of a set of plans which will direct you to build your very own DIY solar water heater.

The project requires a one time investment as less than $100 and from the first month onwards you will be start getting money in the form of savings. The making of a solar power water heater is very simple and with the clear cut instructions given in the guide one can finish the project in a couple of days. Most of the parts required for the project are readily available from any local store. This cost very small compared to those ready-made units that costs $1000 or more!

The energy saving guide provided in GreenEarth4Energy.com is able to help our environment in controlling global warming. The history of the concept of using solar power water heater dates back 100 years ago. Today it is still popular and has become a rage in global countries. Most of the countries are also giving rebates and other tax benefits to the common man who installs a solar power water heater at their homes.

With a very small investment, one can began with the very idea of generating power. Starting with solar water heaters is the best option as it costs very less and has long term benefits. By the time you reading this article, thousands of people are on the way installing those solar power water heaters at their home.

The DIY Guide has really helped people a lot and has been motivating them to take up more and more solar products to supply power for other appliances. So, why not plan to build your own solar power water heater today?

If you are interested to learn more about how to build your own solar power water heater, visit us at:
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http://www.greenearth4energy.com/build_water_heater.html

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Useful information GreenEarth4Energy.com:
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Solar Panels Do it Yourself

Solar Panels Do it Yourself - One of the best ways to save money on utility expenses is to use the sun's capability to generate free usable electricity. With the economy being as bad as it is right now, home solar power systems have become the most preferred alternative to save money and cut costs.

1. Solar Power is Cheap and Easy

Contrary to popular belief, going along with solar panels Do it Yourself is really easy and inexpensive. The same way you would follow the instructions or owner's manual to put together anything else, the same holds true for this as well. The materials that you need are available at your local hardware store and the whole project itself will cost no more than $200. So that essentially means that you are paying no more than $200 for homemade solar electricity that will get you a lifetime's worth of benefits.

2. You Can Slash Your Monthly Electrical Bills Plus Make Extra Cash For Yourself

Your electrical bills can be lowered nearly 80% just from tapping into solar panels Do it Yourself. That could easily mean $1000's in savings every year! And depending on which state you live in, you may have the opportunity to sell your extra electricity that you produce in excess. In these cases, the utility companies will pay you for the extra electricity that is produced because they are able to share it with other consumers that are on the grid.

3. Achieve Tax Incentives

By going along with solar panels Do it Yourself, you will receive tax credits from the government. This is their way of rewarding you for using clean and environment-

friendly energy.

4. No More Power Outage

Since the energy is coming directly from the sun, you will no longer need to deal with the inconvenience of power outage.

5. Protect Our Environment

Since solar power is clean, green energy, you are helping the environment in a good way. You are not receiving power from any fossil fuels, so there are not any pollutants that are being put back into the air.

You can install your solar panels Do it Yourself anywhere you see fit as long as they are exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight. Tens of thousands of homeowners are turning to renewable energy every day. Isn't it time that you also consider harnessing Do It Yourself solar power and its benefits?

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Do It Yourself Solar Panel

Do It Yourself Solar Panel - Are you looking forward to save more money on your electrical bills and planning to get all the government incentives by installing your very own solar panel?

Well, you could hire contractors for the whole process, however, if you like to do things yourself, one of the simplest options is to get a Do It Yourself Solar Panel installation guide. The benefit of using such a guide is that you won't need to set up a battery bank; instead, your sun-powered system is connected right to your home's circuit box, and the energy generated by your solar modules is used to offset your electrical bills.

If you want to install your own Do It Yourself Solar Panel on the roof, you'll need to get your hands on the proper building permits and roofing materials. Since the solar modules will be installed on special rails or mounts, part of the roof will have to be removed to make some extra room. You'll probably want to have extra shingles, nails, and roofing caulk to make sure your roof is just as rain-proof after the process as it was before.

It is advisable to have a master electrician to be present during any wiring activity to ensure that it is safely and properly wired together. Electrical wiring and the safety precautions involved can get pretty complicated, so don't even think about skipping this step unless you happen to be a master electrician yourself.

Once you've got your Do It Yourself Solar Panel installation guide, you've made your plans, and you've got some construction experience under your belt. But do you have the proper tools? You'll need a ladder to get up on your roof, of course, as well as all the required roofing repair materials, a hammer and nails, a tool belt-you get the picture. You'll also need a good power drill for drilling and tightening fasterners. Check the installation guide for instructions or you may watch a video explanation provided along with a list of tools you need to complete the job.

If you have the proper experience, this is a no-brainer. You'll want to have eye protection, ear protection, gloves, and scaffolding or rope-and-harness system to guarantee that a slip won't lead you to an unfortunate and dangerous fall. Working on a roof puts you in a hazardous situation, and you want everything to be secure. Always ask for help if you're not sure if something is safe.

Many Do It Yourself Solar Panel installation guides come with some sort of instruction manual or video tutorials. But it's still a good idea to read up on the subject as much as possible before you get to work. Many books and websites offer basic instructions and advice on how to install a DIY solar panel. Make sure you completely understand what's going on, and then have fun making your very own DIY solar power!

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Homemade Solar Cells

If your have bee searching for a detailed step-by-step way to make your very own homemade solar cells, this is definitely the right place for you.

Solar cell is the key component that allows home solar power systems to generate electricity from the sun. With this knowledge of making your very own homemade solar cells, not only you can build your own solar panel, you can also explore into the fields of building DIY solar water heaters and many many more.

The very first step is to prepare some essential items. These items include the following:

• Copper Sheeting
• Clear Plexiglass/Perpex/Acrylic Sheeting

• Some Thin Wood Strip
• copper Wire
• Duct Tape
• Metal Guillotine
• Bandsaw
• Electric Ring Hob

Next, cut a square of the copper sheeting so that it is about 6-8 in. square in size. It is much easier to do with a metal guillotine, however, if you haven't got access to this sort of equipment, tin snips will work just fine.

After you've done this, wash your hands thoroughly and dry them. You need to remove any grease or oil from your hands that could cause problems with the next step of the process. Remove any grease or detritus from the copper sheeting. Next, take a piece of emery cloth and thoroughly sand down the piece of copper on both sides to remove the top layer of oxidized copper. This will leave you with nice bright shiny red copper underneath.

You now need to heat treat the copper, in order to form an oxide coating on top. It may sound counter intuitive that we have just removed all the oxide and now we are going to put oxide back on, but the oxide coating we will be applying will be a film of "cuprous oxide".

You need to turn the burner to the highest setting, with the sheet of copper just placed on top. Observe the changes to the copper carefully, they are very interesting. As you heat the copper, it takes on a lovely vivid patina of different colours.

If you have access to nitric acid, you can use this as a superior method for removing the upper cupric oxide layer.

You will see a black crusty oxide from on top of the copper plate. If you leave the plate to cool slowly, the crusty layer should become fairly fragile and separate easily from the underlying copper. When you have allowed the plate to cool thoroughly, give the plate a firm bang edge-on to a hard surface. Some of the oxide will pop off. Rub the oxide gently with your fingers under a tap, and you will find most of the black layer od oxide comes off easily. If any bits are stubborn, do not under any circumstances scour them, as we do not want to damage the fragile surface.

Under this black layer of oxide, you will find another layer of a reddish orange rust colour. This is the layer which is "photosensitive" and will make out thin-film solar cell work.

Make a spacer now from some thin strips of wood. Use duct tape to join your pieces of wood together. Do not use metal fixings as they could react electrolytically with the other components of the cell.

We are now going to make another electrode. It has to have the property that it does not touch the other piece of the solar cell, and allows light to hit the surface. We are going to use salt water as our other electrode, making contact with the whole surface of the thin film cell, yet conducting electricity. We are then going to immerse another copper wire to make the connection. You could equally use another piece of copper plate around the outside of the thin-film cell, but not touching our oxidized copper.

In a commercial thin-film cell, tin oxide is commonly used as the other electrode, as it is clear and yet conducts electricity.

Now take a piece of Perspex to act as a cover plate, and stick a strip of duct tape on either side.

We are going to stick our other electrode wire to this piece of Perspex.

Use thickish wire for clarity, with few actual zigzags so that you can clearly see what is going on. To optimize the performance of your solar cell, you want to make the conductor large. To this end , you are better using lots of thinner gauge wire in a much finer zigzag pattern - this will still allow the light to get through, but at the same time gives a large conductor area.

You can experiment with different types of wire and copper - the trick is to try and maximize the surface area of the copper, while trying to block as little light as possible from reaching the solar cell.
Fold the duct tape over and stick the wire to the plate.

We are now going to combine the electrode plate with the space. Again, duct tape makes this a nice easy job.

Next, we are going to take the copper plate, and stick duct tape to one side, with the sticky side of the tape facing the same direction as the layer of red copper oxide.

Combine the plate and the front module to make the finished solar cell.

Now, take a little salt water, and fill the void between the Perspex front section and the copper plate. Seal the module with duct tape all round to prevent leakage.

Lastly, connect your module to a multimeter, find a bright light source, and explore some of the electrical properties of your solar cell.

If you are interested to learn how to make a solar panel or DIY solar water heater, visit us at:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com


You may want to get your solar panel installation guide here:
http://www.earthenergyguide.com

Learn how to DIY solar water heaters:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/diy_water_heater.html