The Basics of Building Cheap Solar Panels at Home

Are you one of those people who believe that building and installing your own solar panels would be an incredibly daunting task? Do you think that it would cost far too much money and take way too much time? Well, this article is here to tell you that you are wrong on both counts.

masonite drawing board

As far as this being a daunting task, the only thing you really need to be able to build is a shallow plywood box. If you can operate a drill and a screwdriver, then you have all the necessary skills to complete this project. Aside from building the box, the only technical application is to actually hook the solar panels up to your house. In truth, that part is nearly as easy as plugging in an appliance.

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When it comes to cost, you have probably already done quite a bit of searching and price comparisons. Commercially available solar panels are pretty outrageously priced and can run you anywhere from ,000 to ,000 a piece. Yet, if you go down to your local hardware store and purchase all of the items you need to make a panel, you'll only need to spend about 0. If you want to install solar panels on your home, that is a savings that you just cannot ignore.

The following supplies will be needed to build cheap solar panels:
36 3x6 Solar Cells Boards and lumber to build a shallow box Peg Board, cut to fit the shallow box plexi glass screws & misc. hardwar Silicone Caulk Wire Diode Jones Plug Paint Storeage BatteriesThat is about all there is to it! Most of these items are easy to come by at your local Home Depot or hardware store. Heck, many of these items are probably already on hand in your garage!

Building the box is the first step. It's as straight-forward as that. You'll want to make sure the box is in two sections, as you will wire two sub panels of solar cells together for this project.

The peg board will serve as the substrate for the actual solar cells, so ensure that you cut it to fit into the shallow box easily. Also, each panel will have a plexiglass front to protect it from the elements. One the box is built, you can begin on the solar cells.

The cells will be mounted on a piece of masonite peg board. Each half panel will contain 18 solar cells, all soldered together in a series, using a low-wattage soldering iron and copper wiring. This part requires a bit of a delicate touch, as the solar cells themselves are quite fragile.

Holes drilled through the top of each panel provide an exit for the wires connected to each panel. Each panel will need a blocking diode to prevent the panels from discharging the charge in your storage batteries. A polarized two-prong Jones Plug attached to the end of the wires completes the project!

The Basics of Building Cheap Solar Panels at Home

That is the basics of building cheap solar panels at home. They will pay for themselves in no time, and it's a great way to help out the environment! If you want some more detailed instruction, as well as some links to some valuable info, please check out my page at http://www.squidoo.com/Build-Cheap-Solar-Panels

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Sunrooms: The Basics For Building One

Deciding on getting a sunroom is one thing. Actually constructing one is another. Whether you are getting a professional to make it for you or you are going to put one together from scratch or a kit, these are the basic steps for building a sunroom.

Plot it first. Keep in mind three things when you design the sunroom: where you will position it, what it is for, and how much you are willing to spend. Determine how large your sunroom should be and where you would put it. If you plan to use it for entertaining guests, you might want to place it near the kitchen or dining room. If you're on a tight budget, think about possibly converting your porch (or part of it) into a sunroom instead to save on materials and foundation.

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Straighten out the paperwork. Talk to your local building and zoning authority. Make sure you're following all the regulations and are provided a permit to build. Since you're already there, also check how this might affect your taxes.

Make a blueprint. If you had previously envisioned what your sunroom would look like, this will be the easiest part. If you're undecided, there are plenty of ideas online and in magazines to choose from. How much sunlight you want to come into the sunroom will determine the size and number of windows. Weigh how much ventilation you will need for the seasons you experience with the additional utilities expense that might cost. Include the appliances and furniture in your plans to allocate for possible electrical wiring and plumbing.

Acquire the materials. Regardless of whether you will hire an expert, get a DIY kit, or do everything manually, verify the quality of your building supplies. Get tempered safety glass for the windows. Try to get double-paneled panes or ones that can conduct heat well. See to it that your window frames can absorb heat and handle the contraction and expansion of the glass.

Start with the foundation. For this part, it's always best to get someone who specializes in this. Ensure that the sunroom will be level with the part of the house it is connecting to. Not only will this be more convenient, but it increases market value if residents don't have to step up or down into the sunroom.
Erect the frame, roof, walls, windows and doors. Begin with the skeleton of the sunroom. Leave adequate space for the windows and doors. Then, fix the plywood to the outside. When you move on to the windows and doors, set them properly to prevent leaks.

Complete the outer part of the sunroom before doing the inside. Make sure your sidings and roof tiles complement the existing architecture of your abode. The same goes for the trimmings, wallpaper, and flooring. When moving on to the inside, get a licensed electrician and plumber for the wiring, insulation, and plumbing. Do the wall boards next, then the fixtures and trimmings. Paint everything afterwards and when they dry, you're ready to move the furnishings and plants into your new sunroom.

As you can see, assembling a sunroom takes a lot of work. The key to accomplishing the task is proper preparation. Remember the tips in this guide and you can't go wrong.

Sunrooms: The Basics For Building One

SRA Home Products specializes in sunroom, pergola, patios and deck installation while also doing extensive basement remodeling. Feel free to call for a no-obligation quote if you don't plan on building a sunroom by yourself.

sunrooms South Jersey and sunrooms New Jersey

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