homemade solar panels

First golden tip!
Use a good manual to make a solar panel! Click here for the editor’s choice manual. You will save yourself a lot of trouble and probably also a lot of money too.

Why make a solar panel?
By using renewable solar energy you too contribute to a cleaner earth. And you can save a lot of money building a solar panel yourself compared to a commercial solar panel. And because solar panels usually do not ‘occur alone in the wild’, the savings are factors more.
A commercial 60-watt panel costs about $3 per watt, so about $180. Single cells costs $1 per watt. Then there is what is necessary for the cells to be assembled and to protect them against all kinds of external influences. But build a solar panel for much less than half the commercial price is easily possible. So you can easily save hundreds maybe thousends of dollars on building the solar panels yourself.

Where to begin?
You must first determine where you want to place the panel or panels. Because you build the solar panel yourself, you can, within certain limits, determine the dimensions of it. The best place is a sloped roof with a slope equal to the latitude position of the house. The roof should also face the south, 5 degrees to the west, with free view to the sun over the entire surface and during the entire day. (So, that’s said!) This is ideal for a fixed setting of the panels.
Now there are not many roofs that comply to all of  these requirements. So you should choose for an alternative placement. As long as it meets as many requirements as possible.

How to start?
The easiest and most efficient method is if you’ve already built a number of solar panels. And therefore know exactly how (not) to act. You’ll need to get some experience on what to do. It is not difficult but you need to know a little what you are doing. You can also use the experience of somebody else. Learning from the mistakes he has made. There are many people who maintain a site or a blog with their experiences. So you can search for those. You can also buy a book with descriptions and construction knowing about building solar panels. I believe that this is the simplest and most efficient way for this to address.
There are also some free tutorials, but my experience is that they do not include all aspects that you encounter in building, installing and using self-built solar energy systems.

Which guide to use?
Since there are a number of guides out there that help you to make solar power to use, you’ll have to choose one that is complete, informative and well written.
I’ve read a couple (not all) of the guides on building a solar panel. And I have come to the conclusion that the the Earth4Energy e-book presents a very useful guide. It is very clear, well written, easy to read and understand. I would recommend this manual. But of course it’s up to you.

Based on organic solar cells they work differently than ‘normal’ solar cells do. The light absorbed by an organic cell produces so-called ‘excitons’, electrons and holes that can not (as in a standard panel) move independently. Because the electron and the hole are bound together, there can not flow a current. At the interface between two different materials  one exciton can disintegrate into a free electron and a hole corresponding to it. This is an organic cell of the following layers: positive electrode / electron donor (material 1) / electron acceptor (material 2) / negative electrode. When sunlight falls on the material and creates an exciton, the exciton moves to the boundary between the two objects. Here it falls apart into an electron and a hole, the electron moves to the negative electrode and the hole moves to the positive electrode. In short: there’s a current flowing.

The idea of organic thin-film solar cells started in the 70s, when it was discovered that the conductivity of some polymers (with alternating single and double carbon-carbon bonds) greatly increased by subtly contaminate them with other chemicals. Since this discovery was based on these conductive materials used in LEDs and solar cells among others. Organic materials are very diverse, they exist in many properties to adjust so as the ideal material for the job is to become. Organic material is also very flexible in form and can be applied on virtually any surface. Here you can think of thin plastic films or even several layers of paint. Finally, the material is very cheap, comfortable a factor 10-20 cheaper than the current silicon for solar cells.

There are a number of problems. First, energy efficiency, organic solar cells based on a yield of about 3 to 5%, much lower than the 15% of silicon. Part of this low yield is inherent to the technique, excitons can usually move up 3 to 10 nanometers for lifting themselves. The result is actually true that organic solar cells, the thinner the better the chance that the exciton takes the border and can be split. So: the thinner the better. In addition, organic materials are vulnerable to UV radiation (and other high-energy radiation), without UV-filter the organic layer breaks quickly. Finally, another organic material also vulnerable to oxidation, a good protective coating has yet to be invented.

In recent years there have been significant advances made in the lifetime of organic solar cells. There is still much to be done for the technology to become commercially interesting. One thing is certain: the technique is very widely applicable. Consider an energy-generating tent where you can cook, clothes to recharge your mobile, a car that recharges itself and windows that generate electricity. Organic photovoltaic work well in environments namely low light environments, because the material is not reflective and therefore relatively more light absorbent. You see, the possibilities are exciting and diverse. That the revolution is coming is certain, the question is when. These materials are not commonly used when making a solar panel yourself.

What is a thin-film solar cell?

If you have ever used a calculator, you will know from experience what a thin-film solar cell is. The little cell in the calculator is small and very thin. The little thickness is, as expected, the eponymous feature of this solar cell. Traditional solar cells have an absorbent layer of about 350 micrometers (one micrometer is one millionth of a meter) thick, while thin-film solar cells at only one micrometer thick. There is relatively little semiconductor material needed in the production of such a cell. Result is that solar cells based on thin-film technology is very light, flexible and inexpensive.

What is a thin-film solar cell?
Thin-film solar cells are in most cases based on three materials. Of this there is a direct descendant of the familiar silicon solar panels. Newer and more expensive technologies make use of heavy metals as a semiconductor instead of silicon. These materials, Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) and Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) are more efficient in converting sunlight to electricity. There are companies that CIGS materials have been developed to a kind of ink, which contains nano-particles smaller than 100Nm. Another very interesting and promising technology is that of the organic solar cells.

Amorphous silicon
The first is a direct derivative of the current silicon technology in ‘normal’ solar panels. The silicon in this case, however, has been evaporated and cooled before it can form a crystal. The result is a thin, flexible layer because of the lack of order in the crystal is not fragile (there is no cleavage plane). The disadvantage of this technology is that amorphous silicon under the influence of sunlight loses its efficiency. This can partly be compensated by making the layers even thinner, but the problem is that  the absorption dramatically decreases. Modern techniques therefore focus on, the light as it was ‘catched’ in the cell . When a light beam is reflected several times backwards and forth  in a solar cell, it is logical that a larger amount of energy is being absorbed. On average these cells achieve an efficiency of about 8 or 9%. Given the lower production costs,  they are per peak watt (about € 3,50 / Wp) cheaper than ordinary panels.

Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS)
There are basically two types of CIGS solar cells, CIGS on glass or on CIGS film. In case of a glass substrate is an extra added layer of molybdenum as electrode acts. Is there a metal foil as a substrate, it will be used directly as electrode. If another electrode is a layer of zinc oxide used. It also added a layer of Cadmium Sulfide for an NP-boundary (see semiconductors) to achieve. The end result (for a cell on film) is a “sandwich” of metal-film CIGS-Cadmium-Sulfide Zinc oxide-transparent film. CIGS cells in the laboratory have an efficiency of around 20% achieved. The technique is also used in space and is (still) relatively expensive.

Cadmium Telluride
Cadmium Telluride is used in the next newer generation CIGS thin-film cells. The structure is similar to a CIGS cell, only there are other materials (tin-oxide and carbon paste with copper) as electrode. The achieved efficiency of these cells is around 15%. The major drawback of this technology is that Cadmium is highly toxic. In addition, it, like lead and mercury, the property is in the food chain to accumulate. In particular, the larger (marine) animals have an increased risk of  slowly accumulating cadmium poisoning. Currently in several laboratories people are working hard to develop cadmium-free cells.

How is a thin-film solar cell made?
Traditional solar cells based on silicon wafers have a relatively complex manufacturing process and are therefore quite expensive to make. Thin-film solar cells based on other materials, despite higher material costs, a lot easier. A recent major breakthrough in the manufacture of CIGS solar cells, the cells that make a lot easier. The process is similar to printing a newspaper. It is as follows:

* Large aluminum foil rolls run through a press similar to that of a newspaper. This press is easy to maintain.
* A printer allows a thin layer of semiconducting ink remains. This occurs under normal conditions. In an earlier version of the process was a vacuum is required.
* The following press depending on the cell type is a low-cadmium sulfide or zinc oxide applied.
* A transparent protective layer applied.
* The sheets are cut into individual solar cells. It is little material loss.

The U.S. company Nano Solar claims that this process in the near future the cost of solar energy could bring back only 25 cents per watt. This is a good piece below the limit of 1 euro, which is seen as the price at which  solar energy can compete with ordinary, ‘gray’ energy. One thing is certain: we will meet thin-film technology more often in the future! However, thin film is not commonly used for making solar panels yourself.

A typical photovoltaic system consists of more than just the panels; Verkijk udus not only by the cost to calculate the panels. You should note that the generated electricity must be made suitable for the network and that the panels should be installed. All in all, you can expect the following expenditure items:

* Solar: speaks for itself. There is electricity generated.
* Converter: converts the DC from the solar panels into AC netklare. Mandatory element.
* Measurement station: measuring the current capacity of solar panels and shows that everything works properly. Not mandatory but recommended.
* Mounting Brackets: ensure that the solar panels on your roof mounting.
* Console: only required if the panels on a flat roof. These hollow containers provide an optimal angle of the panels.

Install solar panels

The installation of solar panels is a job that not everyone is up to. When you do it yourself, think of your safety and do not forget to put the RCD. Take for optimal yield and lifetime of your PV system the following points:

* If you place the solar panels on a flat roof, be sure to provide ample reinforcement of the mounting unit.
* Do not put cabling openly down, they will be destroyed very quickly  this way. Use PVC pipe or a cable channel.
* Never just drill in the roof because of the risk of leakage! If you do put something on the roof, secure it with heavy loose tiles.
* Try the panels for optimum efficiency at an angle of about 30 degrees different from level to place.
* Do you have more panels in the shade than others? Then it is perhaps difficult to switch your modules in parallel instead of serially.
* Ensure adequate ventilation around the inverter. This may indeed be hot.
* If you place the panels on a flat roof? Divide the ballast than the regular console. Remember that the outer consoles need extra tax!
* Allow sufficient distance between the solar panel and the roof, air circulation behind the panel should also be possible.

Solar checklist

Before you start with solar panels, it is wise to consider a checklist, to make sure that your home is suitable for producing this renewable energy source. Therefore, make sure you meet the following requirements:

* In the south-east to south-west direction, you have either an oblique (~ 30 degrees is ideal), or a flat roof that almost all day sun can receive.
* Your roof provides at least 3m2 free installation space
* In case of 6 or more panels, you have a free group in the meter box
* Make sure your electric meter can run back. Such a meter is running back once you produce more than you consume, you sell the generated electricity to the grid.

2.4W battery protector: € 29

There are cheap trickle chargers solar energy that naturally keep your battery alive and prevent bad luck come to stand with you. If the car is not in a garage or under a carport, it is an ideal free way (excluding purchase) to recharge your batteries. The 2.4-watt charger that you see pictured below, does exactly this. You place the device on the dashboard, plug it into the cigarette lighter and the sun does the rest! Of course the device also works well on the campsite or for such fencing. Remember that the cell also overcast sky will just do his job. For the price you do not have to, for only 29 euros you have him home. Conrad Electronics are also several models with higher power available.

Buy an Inverter?
For non-synchronous inverters (see section “which inverter to choose?”), you can contact the Conrad Electronics shop in Europe.

AC and DC?
There are two kinds of power, AC and DC. DC is a stream with a constant flow direction. DC is supplied by batteries and solar panels. Major disadvantage of DC is that it can not be transformed to high voltage. So it can not be transported over long distances without significant losses. AC, however, can be transformed, however with some (small) losses. AC, as shown in the figure, with a periodically varying flow downstream.

To flow over long distances, it is worthwhile for an energy company to transform the voltage to up to 300,000 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz using a transformer. The higher the voltage, the lower current, which results in a lower loss. In several steps (transformer houses), this voltage is then transformed back to electricity with a voltage of 230V. The flow we then have entering the house, is a pure AC (AC) of 230V/50Hz.

Figure: AC (black line) and DC (light green line)

Types of inverters
There are two main types of inverters: the pure sine wave inverter and the modified sine inverter. The difference between the two lies in the current waveform produced. The flow of electricity that we buy has a pure sine wave (see red line in figure below). This is the waveform produced by the expensive pure sine wave inverter. The modified sine wave inverter produces a square wave (blue line) with the same frequency as the AC. Because a square wave has, by the Fourier theory, actually an infinite number of sine forms, in practice often gives no problems. Problems that arise are usually caused by the harmonic components of the square wave (read: all non-ground components of the Fourier series).

Under Dimensioning
Contrary to popular belief, it is sometimes possible to use a inverter with an input power lower than the peak power of solar panels. This is because the peak power of solar panels is almost never achieved. Ideally, you can assume that the maximum power reached at about 80% of peak power. This is because solar cells are in practice much warmer than the laboratory conditions, where the cells held at a comfortable 25° C. See the performance of solar panels for information about the inverse relation between yield and temperature. In other words, an inverter with a maximum input power of 1000 watts is a good choice when solarpanel set of 1250Wp is connected to it. If the input power is still exceeded, then the voltage inverter switch back so that the solar power temporarily decrease. An inverter for this purpose is called ins acetate under honorable dimension.

Which inverter to choose?
If your solar system is not grid connected, your choice depends on the devices you want to provide power to. If it only contains one electric device, a pure sine wave is practically mandatory. Additionally, for many audio-video equipment the rule is that an impure wave can cause noise. For example, for a laptop it makes no difference and the cheaper modified sine wave is a good solution. It must be said, that a square-wave inverter signal, often is buzzing because of the adjustable conversion. A pure sine wave inverter is always better, but the value is often low.

In case of grid connected PV systems, you are required to use a special so called synchronous inverter. This ensures that you provide current in phase (ie the wave is similar) with the AC grid. If this is not the case, your inverter will immediately fail. A non-synchronous inverter is not working! Synchronous inverters provide a clean pure sine wave that exactly matches the power of the grid. In combination with a current flow back to you this way you are providing power to sell and carry back the net. What synchronous inverter to choose, is entirely dependent on the power (in watts) of your PV system.

Serial or in parallel?
An inverter works at a fixed voltage, which is usually a multiple of 12V. It is important that your solar panels are connected so that the voltage across the circuit is equal to the  inverter input voltage. To achieve this, there are often a combination of serial and parallel connections needed. See video below for more info:

Solar panels in the Netherlands?
Definitely! You might not expect, but the sun on the French Riviera but delivers a half times more energy than the same sun Netherlands. And while in France more often sunny and warm. This is because solar panels even work if it is cloudy, but with a much lower yield. Clouds just keep one part of the sunlight, the rest is distributed. Was this not the case, it would be as dark clouds in the night! See the Sun in the Netherlands for more information about how the sun is both generally and specifically in the Netherlands ‘acting’.

If everything is adjusted, a 500Wp solar panel in the Netherlands every year some 400 kWh of electricity. That equates to a saving of around 95 euros. The yield is however dependent on many factors, including location, slope and surface. In terms of place you can best solar panels on a south sloping roof areas. Condition for an optimum yield or that the slope of the roof between twenty and sixty degrees. Despite the perfect angle is 35 degrees in the Netherlands, have the extremes of this slope yields a range of only 5% lower. Do you have such a flat roof, a solar panel can be mounted on a tilting fixture. Adequate slope has also the advantage that the panels can be rinsed clean rain (think bird droppings and dust). It may also help to keep the panels free from snow in the winter (see solar panels in the winter). Other factors which yield depends, are:

* Circuit: The panels are connected in parallel or serial?
* Efficiency of solar panels: different panels have different returns.
* System: an isolated system plays in the size of the battery life (see storage of solar energy) a role. Is it filled, the panel will work for nothing. The recommended solar cells on the network to be connected: if there is power ‘over’ is, the power meter walk back!
* Insolation: Obviously, a higher yield sunny years. Nevertheless, a panel also works with clouds and the.
* Inverter is recommended that the inverter near the PV system to place. This way you lose less energy.
* Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation around the panels. A higher temperature of the system gives a lower yield.
* Lateral slope: A slope of 5 degrees west of the south is the best. Within the range south-southwest is only 5% difference in yield.
* Maintenance Condition: solar panels require little maintenance, but it can not hurt to clean them once a year. Especially when you live near the rail, highway or heavy industry may be worth living.

The maximum power that a solar panel under standard conditions to make (irradiance: 1000 W/m2, temperature: 25 °, air: 1.5) is called Watt peak (Wp). A solar panel of 100Wp costs around € 600 annually and provides in the Netherlands approximately 80kWh. With an energy price of € 0.20 per kWh you will save around € 16 per year. This excludes the grant of € 0.33 per kWh! We count it there, then save € 42 per year. The panel therefore pay for itself in 12 or one years back. Creating a solar panel energy cost of course, but this energy in 2.5 years you have been “reversed” made. Go for big (and expensive), then you may run up to 3000 kWh to just “sell back”. For more calculates the maintenance of the electrical energy and thus get less per kWh. Is your solar panel at the end of his life (note: solar panels go up to them 25 years), you can offer it as electronic waste. We are working on a European recycling system.

Types of PV Systems
You almost never buy a solar panel alone, that their power was derived not just be used for any application. Additionally you will for most applications more than a solar panel to switch. Therefore, besides companies offer individual modules also called PV-systems. These are complete systems, in which the entire path of sunlight to device is provided. The word “PV System” is really a contraction between Dutch and English. The PV is derived from the English “Photo Voltaic,” which in Dutch means photovoltaic. The PV systems are actually two main types subdivided:

* Grid solar panels: the vast majority of Dutch households will opt for a grid connected system to sell unused power back to electricity. Such a system contains a complete set of solar panels (usually around 1000Wp), an inverter and mounting materials. See page installation of solar panels for more information about installing such a system.
* Standalone PV systems: is there a chance that you, without you realize, though an isolated PV-system. The zonnecelletje on a calculator example may be seen as a stand-alone PV unit. There are besides this calculator indeed separate systems that are also worth visiting. These systems are often specialized in a single task and will usually also have a relatively low power. Consider maintaining the battery or charging a gadget. See also our list of the top 5 solar energy products.

What do solar panels cost?
The cost of a PV system depends on the type of solar cells used. Is the system based on monocrystalline silicon, you can consider about € 9 to € 7 per Wp. This is generally for larger panels decreases the price per Wp. For polycrystalline panels pay around € 5 to € 6 per Wp. For a set of panels 600Wp you so, depending on the type of solar cell, between € 3000 and € 5400 lost. Polycrystalline cells are thus cheaper, but keep in mind that they need a larger surface area per Wp. Besides the panels themselves, should also provide for an inverter and mounting materials. Would you maximum benefit and convenience, then by various dealers often complete packages for sale. You then pay a plug ready for installation around € 5.50 per Wp, which amounts to € 3300 for an installation 600Wp. For a more detailed calculation, see page cost solar panels.

Is solar power the solution?
Solar energy is a promising form of energy that with advances in technology is always interesting. With the current state of the art solar energy alone is not solving the worlds energy. One result: the total humanity used in 2005 about 14 TW (terawatt, one trillion watts) of energy, while the Sun 170,000 TW of energy supplies. We therefore 0.00008% of the incoming energy while addressing the global energy needs. This seems low, but assuming the ideal conditions everywhere (which is absolutely not the case!), This is equivalent to an area of about 140 billion m2 of solar panels 100Wp. This means that we are 0.1% (one-thousandth) of the land surface of the earth with solar panels should cultivate: absolutely impossible! Solar power alone is not the answer, but it can certainly contribute substantially to solving the energy problem. The biggest future now seems to be a combination of the above-discussed solar and so-called passive solar energy, a building specifically designed to optimize the energy from the sun to use.

The battery
Accumulators (batteries) are the most common form of energy storage for solar energy. There are two types of batteries available: Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) and lead acid. Lead-acid batteries are cheap, but require much maintenance due to explosion and must always be stored properly ventilated. The NiCad battery has a higher capacity and longer life, but is expensive. The major disadvantage of batteries is that many heavy metals are processed. These heavy metals have a disastrous impact on the environment, making it of great importance is the batteries regularly check for leaks. Batteries also provide DC, while most household apapraten on alternating current. A DC-> AC converter is therefore required.

Zeolites
This technique is being developed. Zeolite is an alkali-rich mineral water in its crystal structure has included (so called “crystal water”). Once the mineral is heated, this water is’ broken sweat and heat is stored in the mineral. Once again water is added, this stored heat is again issued. Because the rate of water added is government feasible, the energy release of the mineral estate adjustable. Today synthetic zeolites are particularly suitable for energy storage. Because these are relatively expensive, is currently investigated the applicability of pure natural zeolites.

Water
Water can be used in various ways for energy. The first and most well known method is simply to heat the water (see solar). The thermal water can then be used in the household. A second method is to use water pumps. This pumps the water during periods of low energy to a higher level. During periods of high energy consumption, the water via a water turbine led back down. The disadvantage of this method is that the efficiency of water turbine restrictive. A third method, still in experimental stage, is to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. The energy of the sun can be used for this process in motion. In a special fuel cell oxigen and hydrogen back to together. The energy released by this reaction, can be used again.

Day, night and seasons
The sessions day and night are caused by the rotation of the Earth around its own axis. This is always a part of the Earth to the sun, while another part of the Sun is trained. In the section to the sun is the day, while in the part of the sun aimed night. The Earth is 24 hours over a axes rotation, a period which we also call a day. While always a day lasts 24 hours, last day and night but not always equally long.

The reason that day and night is not the same all year long, has to do with the inclination of the earth’s axis. The axis the Earth (the line across the Arctic, Antarctic Earth around) is because under an angle of about 23 ° from the plane in which Earth orbits the sun. During one revolution around the Sun (one years), changing both the slope and the direction of the earth’s axis is not. This ensures that the north and south side of the Earth during the alternating years when that side is turned towards the sun. This causes what seasons. If the Netherlands in summer, the northern hemisphere is turned towards the sun. With us over the long days and warm, while the southern hemisphere short and cold, it is winter there and the sun has trouble on the earth’s surface to warm.

The seasons in the Netherlands
The higher the sun, the greater the amount of solar radiation. This is reflected in the temperature in the summer and much higher than in the winter. There are in orbit around the Sun four defining points of interest. The zonhoogten expressed below are valid for the Netherlands (Utrecht specific):

* The Spring Equinox: March 21. The day and night are equally long everywhere on Earth. The sun is directly above the equator and continues its path towards the Tropic of Cancer. It is a sun height spring of 38.2 degrees.
* The zomersolsticium: June 20. The sun is above the Tropic of Cancer and the days in the northern hemisphere at their longest. It is a sun height of 61.4 degrees in summer. The days are shorter from now again.
* The Autumn Equinox: September 23. The sun is directly above the equator and continues its way towards the Tropic of Capricorn. It is a sun height autumn of 37.7 degrees.
* The wintersolsticium: December 21. The sun is above the Tropic of Capricorn and the days in the northern hemisphere at their shortest. It is a sun height winter of 14.5 degrees.

Sunhours card
The coastline of the Netherlands is on average much brighter than the interior. This has to do with the familiar cumulus clouds, which in the spring thanks to the rapidly warmed ground (and hence rising air) especially over land forms. Seashore does this phenomenon is much less, because the sea is still cool by the underlying winter. In addition, the inland sea breeze to blow away any clouds. This surprising sun hours map of the Netherlands, the island Texel is the sunniest place in the Netherlands! Click for a larger version of the card: