How to Make Your Own Solar Panel

Are you one of the millions of homeowners who are trying to find ways to lower the steadily climbing numbers on your electric bill? Have you been seriously considering building and installing a system of solar panels on your home? Do you need help in learning how to make your own solar panels? You are certainly not alone. There has been enough interest from do it yourself homeowners for information, that a plethora of effective step-by-step instructional guides have become available in book stores, at building supply stores, and on the Internet. With one of these guides you can learn how to make your own solar panels at minimal cost. Armed with this knowledge, some components, and a little free time, you can end up saving as much as 80 percent on your cost of electricity.

Many misconceptions about solar energy are grinding through the rumor mill. One is that it is quite expensive. This is not true, as discussed below. Another is that building one is too difficult for the average homeowner. This is another myth. With one of the popular do-it-yourself guides any homeowner with a modicum of handyman skills can build a panel in a few weekends.

The typical homeowner pays about $150 per month for his electric service. A savings of 80 percent is not a trifle! It's more like $120. Even half that figure would make it worth the time, money, and effort required to make your own solar panels. The long term cost savings would quickly repay your initial investment. What other household cost can be reduced by a similar percentage with such ease?

Building a solar panel yourself can be done for about $200 if you acquire all of the components yourself. If you buy a do-it-yourself kit, you can expect to pay from $350 to $500. Either choice will save you money, and Uncle Sam will even give you a tax credit. A commercially manufactured and professionally installed solar power system could cost you upwards of $3000, and that is for a basic system.

Keep in mind that a basic single-panel system will not provide the amount of power that you'll need to get off the power grid. It will take an interconnected array of panels integrated into a system. You can add additional panels along with the necessary controllers and interconnections required.

Once, you've successfully built and installed your first panel, however, you'll have little problem building and installing more. Once you've expanded your system to permit you to disconnect from the electric grid, you'll never see another electric bill. You'll be generating your own electric power, reducing the nation's dependence upon foreign oil, and saving the environment for your grandchildren.