Solar energy is energy from the sun that has been harvested through the use of panels and other such devices to convert the suns energy into thermal or electric energy. There are two ways to harness this, either directly through photovoltaic cells, or through concentration of the solar power. The most popular way of harvesting this energy is through the use of solar panels. Research and development of these panels has been ongoing for decades, and today, they have reached near perfection. Being used on a large scale, they are not commonly seen on homes, cars, even calculators. Since they are incredibly expensive, you can now have your very own do it yourself solar panels.
These types of panels are popular for homeowners who want to have their very own small scale solar panels to energize anything from fluorescent lights to air heating systems. The size of your solar panels will depend on how much power you need to harness. If you want to get in on the action and create your own basic solar panels, below is a step by step guide on how you can do this:
Power Screwdriver
• First off, here are the things that you will need for this project:
o Basic woodworking tools, such as a saw, drill and screwdriver
o Silicone caulk, which is silicone based filler and sealant that is used to make edges watertight.
o Wood glue
o For the wiring: wire cutters, wire strippers, soldering iron, and a solder
• Step number 1: obtain the solar cells themselves. The easiest way to do this is through internet shopping, because a lot of people are currently selling solar cells there at a cheap price. Make sure that the one you choose to buy has enough panels for the size of do it yourself solar panels that you are planning on building. Never ever buy anything marked as "grade B cells," because there is a tendency for these to be already broken or not as efficient. Try to look for cells that are pre-tabbed, as this will be useful to you later on in the process.
• Step number 2: building your container. While you can choose to use any kind of material for your solar panel container, the easier to work with is definitely wood. Properly layout your cells before creating the frame. Save some wood as you will need this later on for creating the substrate. Cut out the dimensions and glue it together, or use screws. Paint it any color you wish, but make sure that you drill a hole for the wires from the panels to come out of.
• Step number 3: wiring the cells together for your do it yourself solar panels. Wiring 36 cells together can give you as much as 18 volts of power. This is where the pre-tabbed feature of the cells will come in handy to you. Because of this, all you actually need to do is to solder them together. If you did not get pre-tabbed cells, make sure you solder them together before gluing them onto the case.
• Step number 4: this is where the silicone caulk will come in. A dot in the very center of each panel will be enough caulk, because this will give enough wiggle room for the wood to expand and shrink alone with the weather it experiences. This is especially important if you are planning to put your do it yourself solar panels in a place that has no shade. Lay out your cells where you had originally planned them out to be. Glue each cell in place and allow it to properly dry before proceeding with the next step.
• Step number 5: put the wires through the hole that you had drilled earlier on. Put some caulk onto the hole so as to avoid moisture getting in through extended use. It may also be wise to put a connector on to end of the wire, but this connector will depend on what you plan to use the do it yourself solar panels for.
Special Price!!! Black & Decker LI4000 3.6-Volt Lithium-Ion SmartSelect Screwdriver with Magnetic Screw Holder
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Black & Decker LI4000 3.6-Volt Lithium-Ion SmartSelect Screwdriver with Magnetic Screw Holder Feature
- Lithium-ion battery-powered screwdriver with magnetic screw holder for basic home repairs and assemblies
- Six-position clutch has visual indicators for easy prevention of stripping
- Charger holds accessory bits and can be wall-mounted
- LED light for increased visibility in dark areas
- Includes a 2-year manufacturer's warranty
Black & Decker LI4000 3.6-Volt Lithium-Ion SmartSelect Screwdriver with Magnetic Screw Holder Overview
Black & Decker Lithium Screwdriver with SmartSelect Technology LI4000 DrillsBlack & Decker LI4000 3.6-Volt Lithium-Ion SmartSelect Screwdriver with Magnetic Screw Holder Specifications
Ideal for around-the-house jobs, the Black & Decker LI4000 3.6-volt lithium-ion SmartSelect screwdriver with magnetic screw holder is an ideal tool for basic home repairs. Perfect for professionals and weekend warriors alike, the LI4000 prevents stripping, stays charged for up to 18 months, and boasts a compact, portable design. | ||||
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 Quick and easy torque selection. View larger. |
 Patented retractable magnetic screw holder. |
Drive Screws Without Stripping
Perfect for a range of household jobs, this compact, ergonomic driver delivers 70 inch/pounds of torque at 180 RPM for efficient, comfortable performance. Use it for furniture assembly, lighting projects, and a range of other projects, including shelf, towel bar, and cabinetry installation.
The LI4000 has two specialized features that prevent stripping by preventing overpowering of delicate fasteners. The first is a six-position clutch with visual indicators, and the second is Black & Decker's exclusive SmartSelect technology, which allows for quick and easy torque selection. An added bonus, the LI4000 features a magnetic tip that prevents you from accidentally dropping screws.
Chock-Full of User-Friendly Features
The LI4000 also includes a forward/reverse switch with an easy-to-read indicator window and a built-in LED work light that provides visibility when working in low-light or enclosed areas.
For further convenience, a mountable charging base neatly holds accessory bits and an LED indicator makes it clear when it's time to recharge the battery.
Lithium-Ion Battery and Energy-Star Charger Provide Performance
The LI4000 is powered by an efficient, rechargeable 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery that holds its charge longer than traditional batteries to deliver reliable performance job after job.
The included battery charger is Energy-Star rated, which means it meets strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. Battery chargers with the Energy Start rating have the potential to save more than one billion kilowatt hours of energy per year and 0 million in related costs in the U.S. alone. Moreover, if every American used energy-efficient chargers, we could prevent the release of more than one million tons of greenhouse gases into our environment, which would be equivalent to taking 150,000 cars off the road each year.
Along with the Energy-Star rated battery charger and 11-piece accessory set, the LI4000 screwdriver is backed by a two-year warranty.
What's in the Box
LI4000 Screwdriver; charging cradle; and 11-piece accessory set.
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