Solar Power - How To Build a Solar Power System

July 11, 2009 - PRLog -- Welcome to the new era of solar power, a place where you can cut your electrical bills to zero! A solar power system comprises of three basic components, apart from the mandatory disconnects and safety accessories:

1. Solar cells
2. Battery - Storage of generated energy
3. Inverter - Conversion of stored DC power to AC power (usable electricity)

A solar power system is capable of supplying power to all household appliances and can be quite substantial. Solar power systems can be made in a modular fashion; you install the basic requirement and gradually as the time and the cost permit, carry on adding to it.

The hands-on process of assembling your solar power system isn't that difficult. You'll need a certain amount of guidance on some 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 power system

There are many guides available to provide such information. These guides costs below $50. These guides give step-by-step assembly and installation instructions with pictures/photographs where necessary. Obtain one of these guides, study thoroughly and now you are ready to get going!

To assemble your own solar panel you require the following materials:

• Wire crimping tool
• A sheet of plywood
• Wire cutters
• Solder, 60/40 or silver
• Soldering iron, or soldering station
• Sheets of glass
• Drill
• Copper wires
• 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

6 Basic Steps To Make Your Solar Power System:

1. Organize 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 power system. You can improvise on it in order to make it more durable.

A DIY solar power system can bring about a substantial saving. You can save over 60% or more of the actual cost for a solar power system by doing it yourself.

If you are interested to look at recommended guides on building solar panels, wind turbines and solar water heater, visit: http://www.greenearth4energy.com

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

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Andy O Silliven is an engineer and author in the fields of electrical engineering. He enjoys writing about the topic and keeping up with current events and research in the area of renewable energy sources. Recommends: http://www.greenearth4energy.com