Step 1 – Source for solar cells.
There are a total of 3 ways you can
get a solar (photovoltaic) cell — you
can buy them, you can salvage
used or broken solar cells or you
can even make them.
If you intend to use your solar
panels for long, I recommend you
buy them. Although they ’re more
expensive, they yield more power
and can last longer. Thus you won’t
need to make another solar panel a
few years down the road.
If you intend to make a solar panel
just for fun, you can join pieces of
used or broken solar cells to make
up a complete solar panel. They
won ’t be the most professional
looking photovoltaic panels around,
but who cares, they ’re just for fun!
And if you feel more adventurous,
you can even make your own solar
panel by heating up copper plates to
form cuprous oxide, which is a
form of semiconductor by itself.
These homemade solar cells are
inefficient at best and only produce
microwatts of power per cell. But if
you ’re just having some fun are
feeling adventurous, why not?
Step 2 – Soldering the solar
cells
To form a 12V supply, we have to
solder the photovoltaic cells in series
so they add up to 12V collectively.
While many solar cells are rated at
0.5V each, you ’ll have to check its
specification before buying and
using them. Some may not rated at
0.5V.
With 24 solar cells connected in
series, we can easily make an array
of solar cells that produce 12V
supply.
However voltage is only part of the
equation. We also have to consider
the current output of the solar cells.
With the correct voltage and
sufficient current, we ’ll have enough
power to drive the application of
your choice.
Step 3 – Pasting solar cells onto
a substrate
After soldering the solar cells, you
can prepare to paste them onto a
substrate. Many hobbyists prefer to
use silicone caulk to do this.
However you ’ll need to employ the
correct technique to paste the solar
cells using silicone caulk. Otherwise
the cells may crack just after a short
period of use.
Step 4 – Put the array of solar
cells with a protective box
After the substrate is done, you’ll
have to make a box to contain the
substrate. This can be made of
wood, plastic or metal. Each has its
unique advantages and
disadvantages.
The protective box is done last. This
is because you can then be flexible
to alter your solar panel design if
you need to add more solar cells to
the setup. This will free you from
some worrying.
After the box is completed, you can
hold down the substrate in the
protective box using blobs of
silicone caulk.
Step 5 — Cover the solar panel
box
Finally, you’ll have to cover the box
with a transparent plastic or glass.
This will keep precipitation and dew
from destroying your solar cells and
metallic joints. Many hobbyists
choose plexiglass because it ’s not as
fragile as glass. The choice is entirely
up to you.
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
