What you Need to Create Homemade Solar Panels

A step-by-step guide that includes training videos. Materials to build the enclosure and solar cells (wood for the frame, clear Plexiglas for the cover and solar cells you can buy online at solar shops). Tools to assemble the solar panel.

Homemade Solar Panel Instructions
The best guides for building your own solar panels can be found online. They have step-by-step instructions that you can print out along with video tutorials that demonstrate how the various parts are to be put together.

Supplies for Building Solar Panels
Solar panels are a passive way to create electricity and each panel is made using a simple frame that holds a substrate on which the solar cells are mounted, along with a clear cover that allows the sunlight to reach the solar cells, creating the photovoltaic reaction that generates electricity. You can get the wood for the frame and substrate, and the Plexiglas for the cover from a hardware store. The solar cells and wiring are available online through solar panel wholesale dealers like the Solar Shop.

Tools for Building Solar Panels
You need a circular saw to cut the wood for the substrate and frame. A drill and some deck screws to assemble the frame. You need a soldering iron and flux to assemble the solar cells. You will use a multi-meter to test the circuit in direct sunlight. Once the solar panels are generating electricity you will seal the Plexiglas to the frame using a caulking gun and silicone caulk to weather from getting inside of your solar panel. At this point your homemade solar panel is ready to generate electricity for you.