Solar Panels

Solar Panels can now be made by the average DIY person from one of the complete Kits available which are suitable for the home, boat, RV, caravan or farm. However, it is helpful if the basic principles are understood first, in other words how do Solar Panels actually work?

It would be nice to think that all we need to do is buy a Solar Panel Kit, put it together and install it on the roof of our homes, sit back and reap the benefits.

To some degree this is true but to build your own system for the home can be more rewarding if you understand how things actually work before purchasing one of the many Kits available.

Photo shown below courtesy DOE/NREL
­Photo credit SunLine Transit Agency

Solar Panels

Solar Panels are used for capturing power derived from the Sun by creating energy through Solar radiation that can be harnessed and used for practical means such as electricity and heating water.

The practice of using natural sunlight in building design has expanded to the installation of Solar Panels for the generation of electricity from the Sun whilst the practice of house positioning continues with people taking into consideration which direction their new home should face. This is not just to take in any views available, but is also to catch the winter sun and the summer shade.

This kind of consideration is known as 'Passive Solar Techniques' which include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favourable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

Sunlight can be converted into Electricity by using what is called 'photovoltaics' (PV) or more commonly known as Solar Panels or Solar Cell and are usually this type used for homes.

PV has mainly been used to power small to medium-sized applications, from the calculator and small toys with its single solar cell to off-grid homes powered by Solar Panels.

This kind of system is known as 'Active Solar Techniques' which include the use of Solar Power and solar thermal collectors (with electrical or mechanical equipment) to convert sunlight into useful outputs.

Active solar technologies increase the supply of energy and are considered supply side technologies, while passive solar technologies reduce the need for alternate resources and are generally considered demand side technologies.

DIYSolar Panels

The photographs above are home made DIY Solar Panels which represent the 3 products presented for comparison. However, it's worth noting that although these products are called 'kits' you are only provided with instructions on how to build them yourself with no materials being provided.

Having said that, the pictures demonstrate the end product of how a home made Panel could look when you follow the instructions provided in each kit. All three 'Kits' are suitable for beginners, both male and female alike and everyone should be able to get similar results by carefully following the instructions.

If you would like to know more about one of these 'kits' just click on the relevant photo and it will take you to a more detailed information page.

There are many applications for Solar Panels which are only restricted by our imaginations and, because of this, its popularity is growing at a rapid rate within the private housing sector and commercial sectors alike.

For an example of how the commercial sector has embraced the recent advancements in Solar technology we need look no further than Clark County, Nevada, USA where a 14 MW power station was completed in 2007 using photovoltaic technology.

At first glance Solar Panels and the complete DIY Solar Power Kit look very involved and complicated but when you understand the basics which are provided in the instructions you will see just how easy it really is.