Solar Panels Cells
Top Five Reasons to Build Your Own Solar Panels
Building your own solar panels may be easier than you think. As a matter of fact, if you have a little time on your hands, you can build your own solar panels over the course of a weekend, for between $100 and $200. There are a lot of good reasons to build your own solar panels. Here are a few of them.
1. Building your own solar panels is a lot cheaper than buying them.
One of the biggest reasons that solar panels aren’t more popular is that they are simply very expensive. People who buy their solar panels and outfit their entire homes with them are looking at spending $10,000. And that’s minimum. The good news for these people is that they will probably never pay another electric bill again. The bad news is it will take at least fifteen years for their initial investment to pay for itself.
Even when it comes to less expensive, smaller Solar Panel kits, a 20 watt solar panel will still cost its buyer a minimum of $150. And these are cheap solar panels that don’t produce all that much electricity. By comparison, with a little time and effort, you can build your own solar panels much more inexpensively, and produce the same amount of energy – or more, depending upon your needs.
2. Waste not, want not.
A lot of do-it-yourself solar panels can be built using damaged or broken solar panel cells that would otherwise end up in the garbage. Solar panel cells are very fragile, like thin glass. Even just shipping solar panel cells can break them, which is why many vendors you will find online actually dip the panels in wax before shipping them to better protect them.
But the main point here is that factories cannot use chipped solar panel cells in their commercial solar panel projects… but you can use them. Finding solar panels that have been only slightly damaged is another great way to save money as you build your own solar panels.
3. Even if your Solar Solar Panels aren’t enough to run your entire house, you will still positively impact your electric bill.
Let’s say you pay $100 per month on average for electricity. Have you paused to consider that this adds up to $1,200 per year? And that’s not counting those very hot months when you can’t help but run your air conditioning unit most of the day; for average Americans, according to MSN Money, $1,400 per year in electric bills is about normal.
In truth, the small solar panels you can build using the do-it-yourself guides available on the internet are not going to be enough to make your entire home power grid independent. A typical DIY solar panel that you can build for less than $200 will generate about 60 to 120 watts; in a week, a 60 watt solar panel can generate about 1400 watt-hours of energy. What can you do with that amount of energy? Here’s a look:
A laptop computer uses anywhere from 40 – 90 watts per hour of use
A 19” television uses about 95 watts per hour
A 17” LCD monitor uses 40 watts per hour
A radio uses 20 – 75 watts per hour
In other words, before you get stars in your eyes about building your own solar panels that will run your entire home for you, a little math will reveal that it will take quite a few DIY solar panels to power your whole home. But, nonetheless, when you build your own solar panels, together with some common-sense energy conservation you can off-set your electricity costs and easily cut your monthly bill by a third or more. Unlike the large Commercial Solar Panels that cost tens of thousands of dollars and take ten or fifteen years (or more!) to repay their owner, DIY solar panels pay their owner back their investment within a couple of months.
4. Building your own solar panels will help save the planet.
By now, hopefully everyone knows that our environment is in dire trouble. After decades of living large (literally), we are rapidly using up our global resources. What kind of world do you want your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to inherit? Better yet, what kind of example do you want to set for your children right now? Imagine what would happen if everyone on your block cut their energy usage by a third! According to figures from the US Department of Energy, the average household in America uses close to 900 kilowatt-hours per month. If you live in a neighborhood with 100 homes, and everyone reduced their energy usage from 900 kilowatt-hours to 600, that would be 30,000 kilowatt-hours saved – and that’s just in one neighborhood in one month. Given this, don’t you think it’s time to do your part?
5. Building your own solar panels is fun.
Finally, besides the fact that you can help save the planet and reduce your own energy bills, building your own solar panels is just plain old-fashioned fun. Most do-it-yourself projects around the home don’t have half the pay-off that building your own solar panels has. Building your own solar panels is a great excuse to pull out some power tools and mess around in the basement or garage for a weekend. Better yet, bring your kids or your friends with you to help your solar panel project. You’ll have a good time together!
About the Author
KN Singer blogs about green living and better health at The Live Better Site.
Make a solar panel from broken cells
|
|
Freeloader Pico Solar Rechargeable iPhone Charger $29.99 Freeloader PICO is a compact and lightweight solar charger designed for people on the move! Using advanced solar cell and lithium ion battery technologies, PICO will charge its internal battery in double quick time. It then takes only 30 minutes to deliver its power to give a mobile phone, iPod or GPS etc etc. Freeloader PICO is supplied with four connection tips, a master cable and a comprehensiv… |
|
|
Solio Mono by Solio $59.95 115167 Features: The solar cell is both durable and powerful for quick charging Integrated, rechargeable and replaceable lithium-ion battery can be charged with the sun or plug it in to a USB outlet Stores power up to one year Works with most mobile phones, MP3 players, PDA’s and GPS’s right out of the box (additional adapters are available) Specifications: Size: 47 x 13 x 85 inches Internal batt… |
|
|
HYBRID SOLAR POWERED FLASHLIGHT WITH EMERGENCY BATTERY BACKUP BLACK (*2-pack*) $23.39 Hybrid Solar Powered Flashlight! Doesn’t Need To Be Left In The Sun! Once Charged It Can Be Stored Anywhere And Holds A Full Charge For Over 3 Years! The Hybrid Solar Light uses revolutionary technology that generates power from sunlight and stores it. When fully charged the Hybrid Solar Light can hold a charge for years. It is environmentally friendly, durable and guaranteed for life*. Features: … |
|
|
Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger $47.53 Solar Power Chargers for your 12V batteries and accessories. Power-up anywhere, affordably! These Solar Power devices grab free “juice” from the sun! They extend the life of your 12V batteries, maintain the charge and allow you to run various electronics (deer feeders, landscaping pumps, etc.) from your batteries. Clean, silent operation… with both cigarette lighter adapter and battery clamps. T… |
|
|
Fulcrum Motion Sensor LED Porch Light … |
|
|
Do It Yourself Solar Panels for Swimming Pools, Spas & more $34.95 Solar Panel Instructional DVD & Plans for water heating. A simple step-by-step, DIY, easy to follow solar panel construction DVD. No special tools required. Sleek design, professional look and ease of fabrication. Heating system fully integrates into your existing pool piping network. 3500 watts (12,000BTU) of free solar power per panel. 10+degrees F increase in water temperature in one day. Engin… |
|
|
Solar Panel Installation Company Business Plan – MS Word/Excel $18.95 The Solar Panel Installation Company Business Plan is a comprehensive document that you can use for raising capital from a bank or an investor. This document has fully automated 3 year financials, complete industry research, and a fully automated table of contents. The template also features full documentation that will help you through the business planning process. This is a full and complete bu… |
|
|
Solar Panel PowerPoint Template – Solar Panel PowerPoint (PPT) Backgrounds Templates $19.99 Interactive Solar Panel PowerPoint Templates are available for Solar Panel PowerPoint Presentations. The Solar Panel PPT Templates are amazingly designed to make wonderful Solar Panel PowerPoint Presentations. The above Solar Panel PowerPoint (PPT) Template is designed by expert designers. Solar Panel PowerPoint Template is editable and Solar Panel PPT Template can be customized according to the n… |
|
|
DOSCH 3D: Green Energy $179.00 Dosch 3D offers 1000s of completely textured 3D-models and scenes for all popular 3D-applications. Users can select from well over 100 different products in the areas of architecture visualization, people, vehicles, visual concepts, nature, product & industrial design, medicine and sports. Professional users like architects, automotive designers or CG artists value the detailed and realistic 3D-mo… |
|
|
UPG UB645 Sealed Lead Acid Batteries $5.06 This environmentally friendly UPG sealed battery will not leak and can be used in any position, even upside down. Maintenance-free; never needs filling. Resists shock and vibration. Item is on backorder until early March. Volts: 6, Amps: 4.5, Battery Weight (lbs.): 2, Application: hunting products, emergency lighting, UPS backup, spotlights, Battery Chemistry: Sealed Lead Acid – Universal, Battery… |
|
|
LG HFB-500 Solar Bluetooth Car Kit $69.99 Eco-friendly gadgets are all the rage and solar power is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy. The HFB-500 is actually a Bluetooth speakerphone with photovoltaic panels on the back, so when you place it on your cars dashboard or stick it to the cars windshield, it will soak up the sunlight. Its slim and compact, measuring only 3.6 inches long by 2 inches wide by 0.5 inch thick, and its clad in a matte black finish and silver trim along the sides. On the front is a large multifunction button, and its clad in a faux leather surface for better texture. On the right is a red Power button, and along the bottom third of the device is the speaker grille. The back of the device is home to the photovoltaic solar cells. The volume buttons are located on either side. The HFB-500 comes with a little transparent plastic holder, which you can slip the speakerphone into and then attach it to the windshield with suction cups. Special Features:* Convenient for in-car, office, outdoor, or home use* One Touch button to answer or end calls* Safest way to use your cellular phone in the car* Full duplex sound* Supports voice-activated dialing |
|
|
FridgeFreeze 80-Watt Solar Charging System $1741 Features of the FridgeFreeze 80-Watt Solar Charging System: Ideal for use in remote locations, the solar charging system includes: Two BSP 40-Watt Solar Panels Canvas carrying bag 10 feet DC-power lead cord Kick-stand |
|
|
Healthy Cells Prostate 60 Tabs $27.95 Healthy Cells ProstateA Healthy Cell “Bodyguard”Healthy Cells Prostate with Calcium D-Glucarate supports powerful immune defense and promotes the body’s detoxification process.. |
|
|
Metagenics Hemagenics Blood Cells 180 tabs $36.95 Metagenics Hemagenics Blood Cells 180 tabs |
|
|
Metagenics Hemagenics Blood Cells 60 tabs $13.75 Metagenics Hemagenics Blood Cells 60 tabs |
|
|
Cellet Solar Powered External Backup Battery/Charger for Apple iPod Touch (2nd Gen), Black (2400 mAh) $28.99 Solar Powered External Backup Battery & Chargerfor Apple iPod Touch (2nd Gen) This Cellet External Solar Battery Backup/Charger is a stylish way to keep your Apple iPod Touch (2nd Gen) charged and ready for use longer than the standard battery installed on your Apple iPod Touch (2nd Gen). This solar powered battery pack lets you revitalize the battery life on your Apple iPod Touch (2nd Gen) when you’re on the go. All you need to do is plug it in and the battery indicator will let you know when the charge is complete. When you’re ready to charge this external battery pack, just flip the pack over and let the sun naturally charge the energy cells inside, or just plug it in to your Apple Data Cable at home! Output: Charger Output:.8 A/800 mAh Battery Capacity: 2400 mAh |
|
|
Cellet Solar Powered External Backup Battery/Charger for Apple iPhone 4S, Black (2400 mAh) $28.99 Solar Powered External Backup Battery & Chargerfor Apple iPhone 4S This Cellet External Solar Battery Backup/Charger is a stylish way to keep your Apple iPhone 4S charged and ready for use longer than the standard battery installed on your Apple iPhone 4S. This solar powered battery pack lets you revitalize the battery life on your Apple iPhone 4S when you’re on the go. All you need to do is plug it in and the battery indicator will let you know when the charge is complete. When you’re ready to charge this external battery pack, just flip the pack over and let the sun naturally charge the energy cells inside, or just plug it in to your Apple Data Cable at home! Output: Charger Output:.8 A/800 mAh Battery Capacity: 2400 mAh |
|
|
Cellet Solar Powered External Backup Battery/Charger for Apple iPhone 4, Black (2400 mAh) $28.99 Solar Powered External Backup Battery & Chargerfor Apple iPhone 4 This Cellet External Solar Battery Backup/Charger is a stylish way to keep your Apple iPhone 4 charged and ready for use longer than the standard battery installed on your Apple iPhone 4. This solar powered battery pack lets you revitalize the battery life on your Apple iPhone 4 when you’re on the go. All you need to do is plug it in and the battery indicator will let you know when the charge is complete. When you’re ready to charge this external battery pack, just flip the pack over and let the sun naturally charge the energy cells inside, or just plug it in to your Apple Data Cable at home! Output: Charger Output:.8 A/800 mAh Battery Capacity: 2400 mAh |
|
|
Cellet Solar Powered External Backup Battery/Charger for Apple iPhone, Black (2400 mAh) $28.99 Solar Powered External Backup Battery & Chargerfor Apple iPhone This Cellet External Solar Battery Backup/Charger is a stylish way to keep your Apple iPhone charged and ready for use longer than the standard battery installed on your Apple iPhone. This solar powered battery pack lets you revitalize the battery life on your Apple iPhone when you’re on the go. All you need to do is plug it in and the battery indicator will let you know when the charge is complete. When you’re ready to charge this external battery pack, just flip the pack over and let the sun naturally charge the energy cells inside, or just plug it in to your Apple Data Cable at home! Output: Charger Output:.8 A/800 mAh Battery Capacity: 2400 mAh |
|
|
Cellet Solar Powered External Backup Battery/Charger for Apple iPhone 4 Verizon, Black (2400 mAh) $28.99 Solar Powered External Backup Battery & Chargerfor Apple iPhone 4 Verizon This Cellet External Solar Battery Backup/Charger is a stylish way to keep your Apple iPhone 4 Verizon charged and ready for use longer than the standard battery installed on your Apple iPhone 4 Verizon. This solar powered battery pack lets you revitalize the battery life on your Apple iPhone 4 Verizon when you’re on the go. All you need to do is plug it in and the battery indicator will let you know when the charge is complete. When you’re ready to charge this external battery pack, just flip the pack over and let the sun naturally charge the energy cells inside, or just plug it in to your Apple Data Cable at home! Output: Charger Output:.8 A/800 mAh Battery Capacity: 2400 mAh |
