Building a 12V solar panel is easy if you know what to do. There are 5 major steps involved. The sequence is important. They determine if you'll have an easy time building your solar panel. If you follow closely, you'll find it gets easier as you continue building your project.
The information here is specific to 12V solar panels or similar small voltage photovoltaic panels, not for large solar power generators that can power your home.
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Step 1 - Source for solar cells
You can purchase new solar cells, salvage used or broken ones or you can even make them at home.
If you intend to use your solar panels for a considerable length of time, you'll be better off buying new solar cells. This is the most expensive option. Yet new solar cells are more effective and have a longer lifespan. In the long run, buying new cells can likely be cheaper than the other options.
Used or broken photovoltaic cells can be used. But you may have to replace them after a few years because they'll be worn out. Yet if you want to make a solar panel just for fun, used or broken solar cells will be great. They will definitely not be the most professional looking solar energy panels around, but who cares, you're just having fun!
You can even make your own solar cell by heating up copper plates to form cuprous oxide, which is a form of semiconductor. But these homemade solar cells are inefficient at best and only produce microwatts of power per cell.
Step 2 - Soldering the solar cells
Soldering twenty-four photovoltaic cells in series gives us a 12V solar energy supply. This assumes each solar cell produces 0.5V. However there are some solar cells that are not rated at 0.5V, so it'll be good for you to check the specifications before purchasing.
Having a 12V supply is only part of the equation. You also have to consider the output current. Only with the correct voltage and sufficient current can we have enough power to drive the application of your choice.
Step 3 - Pasting solar cells onto a substrate
After you join the solar cells electrically, you'll have to paste them onto a substrate. Many hobbyists prefer to use silicone caulk. But if you're a beginner, you'll need to learn the correct technique to do so. Otherwise the components may be stressed after a short period of time.
Step 4 - Putting them into a protective box
After the photovoltaic cells are fixed onto the substrate, you'll have to make a box to hold the substrate. Wood, plastic or metal can be used -- each has its unique characteristics.
I personally prefer to construct the protective box last. This is because we can be flexible to change our solar panel design halfway if we need to, without the limitation of the already-prepared box. For larger solar panels, you'll be better off making the box first.
After the box is completed, you can hold the substrate in the box using blobs of silicone caulk.
Step 5 -- Cover the solar panel box
The final step consists of covering your protective box with a transparent plastic or glass. This keeps precipitation and dew from damaging your solar cells. This is the only part of the solar panel that needs maintenance -- wiping the outer surface with a soft, damp cloth.
After the fifth and final step, you'll have a 12V solar panel ready to generate electricity for you.
12V Solar Panel
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HQRP 6 Watt (Size of 5 Watt / 5W) Solar Panel 6W Power 12V Monocrystalline PV Module plus HQRP Mousepad Sale Price: $28.91  |
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Products trademarked HQRP™ are marketed and sold exclusively by Osprey-Talon. HQRP 6 Watt (6W) Solar Electric Power Panel. The solar cells are encapsulated beneath high transmission tempered glass using an advanced, UV resistant thermal setting plastic... |
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The 12V Solar Panel Battery Charger can charge a wide range of applications, can be served as battery maintainer for marine boat, motor house or big vehicle. With an converter, power supply can be transported to notebook computer, satellite telephone, electric hand tool like cordless drill... |
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HQRP 20W Mono-crystalline Solar Panel 20 Watt 12 Volt in Anodized Aluminum Frame plus HQRP Mousepad Sale Price: $79.91 |
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Products trademarked HQRP® are marketed and sold exclusively by Osprey-Talon. HQRP 20 Watt (20W) Solar Electric Power Panel. The solar cells are encapsulated beneath high transmission tempered glass using an advanced, UV resistant thermal setting plastic... |
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HQRP 12W (Size of 10 Watt / 10W) Mono-crystalline Solar Panel 12 Watt 12 Volt in Anodized Aluminum Frame plus HQRP Mousepad Sale Price: $49.95 |
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Products trademarked HQRP® are marketed and sold exclusively by Osprey-Talon. HQRP 12 Watt (12W) Solar Electric Power Panel. The solar cells are encapsulated beneath high transmission tempered glass using an advanced, UV resistant thermal setting plastic... |
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HQRP 10A Solar Panel Power Battery Charge Controller / Regulator 12V / 24V 10 Amp 150W with PWM Type of Charging plus HQRP Mousepad Sale Price: $25.51 |
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Products trademarked HQRP® are marketed and sold exclusively by Osprey-Talon. HQRP Solar Charge Controllers are high quality, efficient and reliable Solar Power Regulators. They are perfect for rural electrification system... |
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HQRP 20A Solar Panel Battery Charge Controller / Regulator 12V / 24V 20 Amp 240W with PWM Type of Charging plus HQRP Mousepad Sale Price: $41.91 |
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Products trademarked HQRP™ are marketed and sold exclusively by Osprey-Talon. HQRP Solar Charge Controllers are high quality, efficient and reliable Solar Power Regulators. They are perfect for rural electrification system... |
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3, 6, 9, and 12 Volt Solar Panel with 9 Volt and AA Battery Charger Sale Price: $23.99 |
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Great experimenters' kit has a solar panel that is switchable between 3V@200ma, 6V@100ma, 9V@50ma and 12V@50ma. Also includes charger adapter for AA and 9 Volt rechargeable batteries, and a variety of connector plugs. |
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5 watt Solar Panel List Price: $50.00 Sale Price: $39.00 |
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Our new high quality and economically priced 5 watt framed solar panel is perfect for trickle charging batteries or other small solar applications. Specifications:Max. Power*: 5 Watts,Voltage at Maximum Power (Vmp): 17... |
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A very rugged outdoor 10 Watt solar panel comes with a ten foot UV-resistant output cable. The solar cells are laminated between sheets of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) with a stainless steel substrate... |
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Solar Panel Model 685 SP250 12V 2.5 Watt List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: $39.99 |
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Features: This solar panel is specially designed for sailing boats, cars, radios, tent-fans, portable televisions, flash lights, warning lights etc. It converts the sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity, then supplies power to a rechargeable battery which in turn, provides power to operate the appliance load, day time charging for night time use... |
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by irwanhnuswanto: How To Build 12V Solar Panel – http://tinyurl.com/ycfmfpq…
Nice Site. We also have portable solar power parts and systems available.
Hey great post..I think this is the must read article for those who are really worried about their energy expenses thanks for sharing these
great ideas as I also believe that future lies in these renewable sources of energy.
I have a “B” size 20′ Roadtrek motorhome (RV). my top of the motor home is slanted from the front to the rear with a vent in the middle of it, I should be able to fit the kit with the two 85 watt units on roof. I have read through 1000’s of reviews and many people are looking like me for an affordable solar. I plan to spend much of the next two years traveling around the USA, Canada and Alaska. I could be a moving advertisement for your company. and an independent sales rep. If you want! I have over 30 years of hands on sales and marketing experience. I even thought Sales and Entrepreneurship at the graduate lever. Give me a kit for your cost – I would think under $250 and you will double + increase your sales in the next two years. (this includes the set up with the 30 amp charger with the rest of the items in the kit)
Thank You,
Ed
PS: I am looking forward to you response