In today’s world, most people are adopting the idea of utilizing sustainable energy to power their homes. Still, as you may already be aware, solar panels are not inexpensive. Have you ever thought about how to make a solar panel with household items?
If yes, then you came to the right place because here I will tell you everything about making your solar panels at home with the help of household items.
As we all know, solar panels harness the solar energy from the sun and convert it into electrical energy in a very sustainable manner. It also helps to reduce your home’s energy costs because solar energy is free. It does not emit any harmful substances into the environment.
But solar panels require a higher initial payment before their installation, which can sometimes be a problem for those who have a small amount for investment and small business owners. To overcome this problem, I have found the solution: to make solar panels at home without any higher cost. After making solar panels you need to know at which angle you should place your solar panels to get the maximum output. For this, you need to know how to calculate the tilt angle.
This article will help you make solar panels at home with the help of household items. Given below is how you can make your solar panel.
- With the help of aluminum foil.
- With the use of a soda can.
- With the help of CDs.
- With the help of blades.
Best way to make a solar panel with household items:-
Making solar panels with the help of aluminum foil
There are some items you are required to make a solar panel with aluminum foil. They are
- Glass
- Aluminum foil
- Copper wire
- Insulated electrical wire
- Soldering iron
- Wire cutters
Step 1- Attach the copper wire to the glass: First, you should get a square glass. Next, you should attach the copper wire (with the help of glue) to one end of the mirror and extend the wire to the other end, then again attach the wire to the glass.
Repeat this step until you are done with all of your glasses.
Step 2- Cover the glass with aluminum foil: After the completion of step one, now it’s time to cover all your glasses in aluminum foil. Here is a tip: “Always cut the aluminum foil larger than a glass piece so it can cover the whole glass.” Always leave the glass ends with copper wire visible to your sight so you can easily attach them to power your devices.
Step 3- Test the solar panel: After completing the above steps. Now, it’s time to test your solar panels. For this purpose, connect the copper wires of your panels to the voltmeter. Keep your solar panel under direct sunlight and check the voltmeter energy reading. If the current is detected, then your panels are working.
Now, you have successfully made your solar panel with the help of aluminum foil.
Making solar panels with the help of soda cans
There are some items you are required to make a solar panel with a soda can. They are
- Soda cans
- Silicon adhesive
- Plywood or sheet metal
- Black spray paint
- Polycarbonate sheet
- Tubes for air intake and output
- Exhaust fan or air pump
Step 1- Cut your soda can: The first step is to cut off the top of each can and remove the bottom fins. The way the cans are cut can create a turbulent airflow, increasing the amount of heat collected inside the panel.
The number of cans you need for your solar panels depends on how big you want your system to be.
Step 2- Attach the soda cans: Now it’s time to attach them, one on top and one alongside the other, to form a big sturdy block. You should attach the cans with the help of silicon adhesive because it has an extraordinary resistance to endure temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3- Make a wooden or metal frame: Make a wooden or metal frame of the right size to hold all your soda cans. The back of that frame can be made of wood or metal, but the front has to be made of glass or polycarbonate to maximize sunlight absorption.
Here is the tip, spray your cans and frames with black paint. It can help your panel absorb more sunshine.
Step 4- Install the tubes: Install the intake tube at the top of the frame and the outtake tube at the bottom.
Step 5- Test the solar panel: The final step is to attach the exhaust fan to the intake tube to draw cool air from the room into your panel. Connect the second fan to the output tube to recirculate the warmed air into your living area.
Now, you have successfully made your solar panel with the help of a soda can.
Making solar panels with the help of CDs
There are some items you are required to make a solar panel with CDs. They are
- CDs
- Cardboards
- Zener diodes
- Copper wire
- Insulated electrical wire
- Glue
- Soldering iron
- Wire cutters
- Voltmeter
Step 1- Stick the copper wire to the CDs: Add the copper wire to the CD’s center hole with the help of adhesive, stretch it back to the outer end of the CD, and bring it back to the center. Secure the wire with the use of adhesive.
Repeat this process until the CD is fully covered by copper wire.
Step 2- Attach the Zener Diode: You must attach the Zener diode to the gaps between the copper wires. Just solder the Zener diode’s ends to the ends of the copper wires. Leave one end unconnected, as it will be used to connect the insulated wires.
Step 3- Connect the insulated wires: Next, we will connect the insulated wire to the copper wire, which was left unconnected in the previous step. Just add the insulated wire to the end of the copper wire, and it’s done.
Step 4- Test the solar panel: To test this, we have to put our homemade solar panel under the sun and use the voltmeter. Now, connect the insulated wires of your solar panel to the voltmeter. If everything is correct, then the voltmeter will read the energy reading. This means your panels are correctly made.
Now, you have successfully made your solar panel with the help of CDs.
Making solar panels with the help of blades
There are some items you are required to make a solar panel with blades. They are
- Blades
- Cardboard
- Copper wire
- Glue
- Voltmeter
Step 1- Attach the blades: The first step is to add the blades to the cardboard with the help of adhesive. Create bifacial DIY solar panels by placing blades on one side of the cardboard and some on the other. The blades have to be placed near one another.
Step 2- Connect the Blades: Now, it’s time to connect the blades using copper wires. For this purpose, we must attach a copper wire on one side of the panel and repeat the same on the other.
Here is the tip, you can also use aluminum foil instead of copper wires to connect the blade.
Step 3- Test the solar panel: Finally, we can test this panel with the help of a voltmeter. Place your panel in direct sunlight. Add the two wires from your panel to the voltmeter and check whether it shows the current readings.
Now, you have successfully made your solar panel with the help of Blades.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Solar Panels-
- Why should we use silicone adhesive in our solar panels?
As we know, solar panels are placed under direct sunlight; that’s why we always suggest using silicon adhesive in our homemade solar panels. The silicon adhesive has a high resistance to temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Why do we require a voltmeter for our solar panel system?
We require a voltmeter for our solar panel system to check the current readings flowing through the solar panels. With the help of a voltmeter, we can check whether our solar panel system is working. It also helps in analyzing the workings of our homemade solar panels.
- How long do DIY solar panels last?
A regular solar panel can last up to 25 years but still requires timely maintenance. Hence, DIY solar panels are made in homes with the help of household materials, which are subject to requiring care because the quality is not guaranteed. As a result, we are still determining the exact lifespan of DIY solar panels.
Conclusion
Solar energy is improving daily with the help of coming technological advancements. As we all know, solar panels are still expensive. That’s why I have put down all the information regarding making solar panels inexpensively with the help of household materials.
I have explained the 4 ways for everyone by which you can make your solar panels step by step with the help of aluminum foil, soda can, CDs, and blades. You can choose one of the above methods according to your suitability.
I hope you liked and enjoyed reading this article as much as we did.
Ray is an avid reader and writer with over 25 years of experience serving various domestic and multinational private and public energy companies in the USA.