A homemade solar panel can supply power to your home appliances. By using the sun’s radiation, you can cut your monthly energy bill. Solar panels can be made in a modular fashion, and you can install a panel today and add to it in the future.

For a DIY homemade solar panel project, you’ll need the following:

  • Wire crimping tools
  • Sheet of plywood
  • Wire cutter
  • Soldering iron
  • Solder, silver or 60/40 will do
  • Sheet of glass
  • Drill
  • 7/32 drill bit
  • Heavy duty cobalt steel jobber’s twist drill bit, wire gauge size 26, 3”L, 1c” L flute
  • Copper wires
  • Screwdriver
  • Machine screw, high speed steel hand tap taper, 10-24, H3 pitch diameter, 4 flute
  • Reamer
  • Plastic sheet cutter
  • Pliers
  • Hacksaw
  • Solar cells.

The solar cells, which you can buy online, are the most important components of the solar panel.  The number of cells you will need will depend on the amount of energy you want to generate.

The procedures for building a DIY homemade solar panel are easy to follow but require you to work with some power tools.

  1. Lay down the solar cells in rows on top of the plywood with the cells facing upward.
  2. Once you have the right configuration, cut the plywood to size. Then place the solar cells onto the plywood and secure them in place with silicon glue.
  3. Drill holes in the plywood sheet for the wires that will connect the individual cells. Make sure the copper wires can fit through the holes.
  4. Connect the solar cells according to the instructions that came with them. Typically the cells will be connected in series, but some DIY homemade solar panel configurations are placed parallel.
  5. After connecting the individual solar cells, put in place a backing board so that the wires are held in place and sealed tight. This is to ensure that the connections will not loosen over time.
  6. Place a sheet of glass on top of the solar cells to protect the cells from the harshness of Mother Nature.
  7. Frame the assembled pieced as if you were framing a photograph.
  8. Seal the edges of your DIY homemade solar panel to prevent moisture from getting in.

You are now ready to connect the solar panel to your home’s electrical system. You might need a certified electrician for this phase of the project.