Solar panels with their own hands: the principle of operation of the device

Today, many owners of country houses are seeking alternative energy sources. Installation of solar panels is gaining its popularity. However, not everyone can afford to buy expensive equipment. Therefore, many are wondering how to make solar panels with your own hands? The correct answer will be revealed in this article.

What is a solar cell?

Solar cell - a semiconductor device that converts solar radiation into electrical energy. The main objective of this system is a reliable, cost-effective and uninterrupted power supply to the house. Such devices are advisable to install in areas where there are shortages of supply from the main power source.

The main advantages of the solar battery are:

• easy installation of the device which does not require the laying of cables to the supports;
• the system does not require time-consuming in its service;
• power generation has no adverse impact on the environment;
• design has no moving parts;
• quiet operation;
• electricity supply is independent of the distribution network;
• a long period of operation of the system at the lowest cost.

solar Disadvantages:

• system extremely laborious manufacturing process;
• solar panel occupies a lot of space;
• device is very sensitive to contamination;
• Battery does not work at night;
• Device performance is directly dependent on weather conditions, namely solar and cloudy days.

The principle of solar battery

The system works via photovoltaic cells that are connected in sequence. Each phototransformator consists of two silicon wafers that are different conductivity type. A coated phosphor, whereby there is formed an excess of negatively charged electrons. Another plate coated with boron, which leads to the formation, in the layer of missing negative charge particles, so-called "holes".

The operating principle of the inexhaustible source of alternative energy is as follows: sunlight reaches the negatively charged plate, which leads to the formation of additional active "holes" and electrons. The panel coated with phosphorus, an electric field is present, by which a potential difference. Positively charged particles flock to the topsheet, and negatively charged directed into the bottom. It creates a constant tension. It turns out that a converter operates like a battery. constant current arises in the circuit when it is joined to the load. Each battery is covered with a thin copper veins, diverting current and sends it to the destination.

The current strength depends on certain parameters:

• photoconverter size;
• insolation level;
• photocell type;
• the total resistance of devices that are connected to the solar panel.

Variety of solar panels

All the solar panels can be silicon or film. Panel, which serves as the basis for the silicon, are divided into types:

• polycrystalline;
• single crystal;
• amorphous.

Polycrystalline solar battery is a square device dark blue. Its surface has a nonuniform impregnation of silicon crystals. Despite the low efficiency of 18%, this device has the ability to generate electricity during cloudy weather, making them irreplaceable in areas where sunlight is diffused prevails.

Monocrystalline solar energy converters represented by black panels with chamfered corners, which used pure silicon. All devices of the cell in the same direction, which allows to obtain the maximum efficiency of 25%. The disadvantage of such batteries is that their front side must always be facing the sun. If it did not have time to climb, to hide behind the clouds and dipped below the horizon, the solar panel will produce a weak current of power. This is the most expensive, but for maximum performance, the type of device.

Each amorphous battery consists of a plurality of the thinnest layers of silicon, which are obtained by spraying tiny particles on the glass material, a plastic or foil. Such layers fade quickly enough that after six months leads to a drop in efficiency of operation of the device to 15-20%. The efficiency of such converters is only 6%. They are the cheapest and are able to work even in cloudy weather. However, the maximum service life of 2 years.

Underlying film battery is not a solid substrate made of metal or glass, and polymer film. Therefore, they are available in rolls, which allows the battery to spread over large areas. Due to their design, they can be cut into different shapes and sizes part, put solar panels on the roof of the house with smooth curves. They are compact and lightweight. Roll cover much cheaper than silicon, which is used for the manufacture of expensive material. However, such models are less powerful. Buy them today quite difficult, because the production is only growing.

All solar cells, regardless of the type of device equipped with controllers that monitor the charge level of the panel. They redistribute the received energy, directing it to use the source directly or stored in the battery.

Solar panels for private homes

This alternative to traditional power supply is very practical. In addition, the price of the device is significantly different from the cost of electricity. Having made a solar panel for the house with his own hands, the owner will be able to optimize the power consumption and thereby reduce its own financial costs. Many people want to understand in advance how much it will cost the installation of solar panels for private homes. This requires preliminary calculations, which defines the necessary power equipment and its functioning.

You should start by calculating the amount of energy that is required to provide housing. Creating a full-fledged station should be guided by the battery in the 150-250 watts, for a country house will have enough panels of 50 watts.

Now it is necessary to calculate the total capacity of all the appliances to the time of work per day. The resulting value is the minimum energy requirements for a given household.

This value is the basis for the subsequent determination of the amount of solar panels and the number of accessories, which includes batteries, inverters and controllers.

Useful advice!By total electricity demand should add another 20%, which is spent in the batteries themselves.

Another important aspect is the insolation, t. E. the amount of solar energy that falls on the single unit area of ​​the panel. This value is individual for each particular region. Get it could in the literature or on specialized meteorological sites.

The energy rate is divided by the value of insolation. The resulting number is divided by the total capacity of solar installation. The resulting value is the number of batteries needed. It is important to get the maximum number of panels. After all, in different months of the amount of sunlight is different.

Useful advice!Since sun exposure is constantly changing, the calculations should be carried out on a monthly basis.

For example, if you want to find out how many solar panels you need for the house of 100 square meters, where the station will feed the light bulb, laptop, TV, satellite dish, microwave oven cookers, perform all of the above calculations. As a result, the solar power station is approximately equal to 1000 W, which involves the use of solar panels 4 rated at 250 watts.

Panel must be placed on the south part of the roof, which must be in perfect condition and can withstand a solid cargo. There should be no nearby trees or other objects that provide shade.

Such a system can be used not only for electricity. Gaining popularity heating solar panels of a private house. This allows you to get away from the expensive services, associated with the central supply, get rid of dependence on utilities, and get year-round heat for a long period of solar service power.

Installing such a system is suitable only for those regions, where the sun shines for at least 20 days per month. If the sun is not enough, the system has provided a complete home heating, it can be used as an additional source of free. Correctly picked up a system of solar panels to heat your home will pay for itself in 3-4 years.

Solar panels for the home: consumer reviews

Thanks to the numerous positive reviews on alternative energy sources is possible to dispel the myths that concern potential wishing to establish solar panels.

Many people think that such expensive equipment itself does not pay for the entire period of the installation. However, practice shows that with proper installation of solar panels in compliance with all the rules, you can provide a private house with electricity for at least 25 years. And the cost of equipment will pay for itself in 3-4 years.

The next myth implies poor performance of solar panels in cloudy weather or in the winter time. However, consumers' views converge in that the maximum activity solar collectors are able to demonstrate during the stay of the sun at its zenith in the cloudless weather. But when the sun hides behind the clouds, the work of the panels will take place, but not in full. The plant is completely ceases to work at night, when sunlight is absent completely.

Solar Opponents argue that the solar collectors is quite fragile and can not withstand the high loads generated by nature. However, consumers' responses prove the opposite: the solar panel can withstand even large hail.

Related article:

Solar panels for houses: the cost and feasibility of installing

Requirements specifications for the installation of solar panels. Features selection and installation. Overview of manufacturers.

The next myth comes to snow, which can block the access of light to the system. However, there is the danger of frost has, for which will cling to the snow and create barriers. To avoid this, you can place the battery on the house vertically, then we can avoid a lot of moving light.

And the final myth for the Chinese solar cell production. Despite the very considerable range of products, factories in China often produce high-quality goods. Especially it concerns the production of solar collectors and heat pipes, the production of which 90% is concentrated in China. This product has a high specification and is certified not only in their own country, but also in Germany.

Numerous positive reviews on the Internet proves that an alternative source of power is good not only for private homes. Many successfully use solar panels for apartments that are set at balcony. They can be fixed directly on the glass or glazing of the frame, which will play the role of tinting.

Solar kits 3 kW to the country from 60,000 rubles

In the country, as a rule, are small power electrical appliances, where a limited number of batteries required and low frequency of their use. If the country is no centralized power supply, it is advisable to install a set of solar panels, which will generate electricity for free. However, to get a gratuitous pleasure initially have to spend money to buy the necessary materials, the cost of which is paid back in just a few years.

For the production of 1 kW of electricity is required set capacity greater than 200 watts. According to numerous reviews solar power for homes in the country 800 watts performance can be fully autonomous power supply object. The cost of such a system will cost from 80,000 rubles.

Standard kit solar power to give consists of panels 200 W, 40 A charge controller, an inverter 3 kW, two accumulators 200 A and other ancillary items. The price of this kit starts at 60,000 rubles., And the approximate payback period is 3-5 years. However, it is the most profitable way to generate electricity for facilities without central power. It is less expensive than using a diesel generator.

According to the reviews of the owners, solar panels for the house on a country site better complement two or four power modules 200 each. It depends on the amount of energy consumers, duration and frequency of their use. If the power is not enough, it can be extended by adding solar panels.

Many people purchase a kit for the private sector, where there is a centralized power supply, as an additional source of energy. Numerous reviews of Solar Housing show that in this case it is possible to save on payment of electricity bills.

How to make solar panels with their own hands

When you can not buy ready-made solar plant, you can create it with your own hands. Here you have two options: buy ready-made modules and connect them to the battery with an inverter or solder bar yourself. The first way to build a fast, but more expensive. The second option requires a certain skill collector, which must be very careful with the fragile solar cells.

To create a solar panel for the house with his own hands must prepare certain materials.

The first major components to create solar cells is a set of high-quality solar cells. Today it is possible to buy items from polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon. More popular are the latest solar cells, which are ideal for home energy.

Useful advice!All the necessary elements for the assembly should be purchased from the same manufacturer. Since the materials of various brands differ significantly, which would complicate the assembly of the whole structure.

For the connection of solar cells require a set of special conductors. fit aluminum corners, resistant to weathering for future manufacturing of the battery case. Case size depends on the number of photocells. As topcoats photocells better to use a transparent polycarbonate or acrylic, which prevent the penetration of infrared rays. As additional materials needed mounting hardware, copper electrical wire, Schottky diodes, silicone vacuum stand and kit for fastening screws.

In addition to FEP, you must buy an inverter 12 to 200 V for the house, which converts direct current to alternating current. For slow accumulation and expenditure of power required steam gel or AGM batteries. An equally important element is the controller required to disconnect the battery from the battery at the time of its full charge and turn it on to get a new batch of electricity.

It is also possible to collect the solar panel with your hands improvised. To do this, fit diodes, transistors or foil. Operation of the solar cell diode occurs as a result of direct solar rays voltage of about 2.5 V. However, when the sun is not enough, this figure begins to plummet, and diodes are themselves begin to consume energy. The use of such batteries is ineffective.

The device of the foil is better suited for the production of thermal energy. Also, the foil is an ideal substrate material for solar cells. The most effective is a solar panel, assembled from transistors. The greater their number, the higher the capacity of the device. The upper part of each transistor must be cut, pour the powder. Terminal devices serve as contacts. Such a battery is powered phone is charging. For more serious measures its power is not enough.

Solar panels for the house with his own hands: step by step instructions for making

After all necessary elements are prepared, you can proceed to the assembly structure which includes the following steps:

1. Creating a skeleton of aluminum parts with low bumpers and hardware, the size of which depends on the number of converters and their areas. It should be taken into account the distance between the solar cells is not less than 5 mm.
2. On the internal faces strips should be applied sealant.
3. Lay on the frame of a transparent sheet material, tightly glued to the nip of its contour.
4. After complete drying of the sealant via hardware to fasten the frame and a transparent surface.
5. Spread out on a flat surface all the photocells "minus" a battery-side up.
6. Via soldering tool each FEP align conductors of equal length. This is most easily done when the unit is on the glass.
7. All the elements are interconnected in series as a "snake".
8. Recent contacts must be soldered to the bus (silvering wide conductor).
9. To prevent the decline in the quality of lighting at night is necessary to create a "middle point" with bypass diodes, which are installed on the plus side. To do this, fit Schottky diodes.
10. Lay on the transparent conductor plane with photocells.
11. Lubricate all FEP output and connecting wires silicone adhesive.
12. Close design of the rear panel.
13. Connect the solar panel to the battery, the solar battery charge controller and inverter.

Useful advice!To between the load and the individual elements of the battery are not short circuit occurs, you must install fuses.

Almost every homeowner tends to get free electricity. Installation of solar batteries is the most acceptable option. With this device can create a primary (non-centralized electricity), and an additional source of electrical energy. The system is environmentally friendly and safe to use. The main disadvantage - the expensive equipment. However, its cost will pay for itself within 3-5 years.