Discover 3 Design Flaws To Avoid While Building DIY Solar Panels

This entry was posted by outside_voices on Tuesday, 1 December, 2009 at

As with projects where a person has little experience, it won’t be uncommon for mistakes to be made when building a DIY solar panel for the first time. This is quite normal as a person goes through a learning curve.In pointing out the most common mistakes that beginners make, an experienced DIYer’s advice can be quiet valuable. In a similar fashion this article attempts to do the same – shorten your learning curve.

Common Mistake #1: Poor planning and design – Battery storage capacity and number of solar cells required

This is obvious to anyone who has been involved in construction projects. Fact is that most of us are guilty of this. Raw estimates do not provide a basis on which we can expect accurate results. How silly. Launching into a project with no forethought may give the appearance of saving time but you will pay for it down the track.

Even the smallest most insignificant step requires proper calculations. You’ll want to make certain that you have enough storage capacity for the power your generate?

Common Mistake #2: Improper design and materials for solar panel casings

Your solar panel will be placed outdoors where it is exposed to the elements. Therefore it is important to design a solar panel casing that has enough structural support and is strong enough to brave the wind, heat and precipitation. The problem for most beginners is that they have no clue. Without the correct design and dimensions they will get a weak solar panel frame. Because of this many of them construct flimsy frames that cannot withstand a strong gust of wind. It may be apparent to you that solar cells can break easily. Caution and care would not go amiss as you handle them. The panel frame needs to be really strong in order to withstand any bending or breaking during site installation.

Common mistake #3: Failure to Seal Your Solar Panels

Over time without the right seals water vapor will seep in. They corrode metallic parts and encourage mould to grow. This is the time when some of your DIY solar panels projects break down. The correct type of sealant will prevent vapor from getting into the recesses of your solar panel.

By knowing and avoiding these 3 pitfalls, you are already on the way to building a successful DIY solar panels project. Pitfalls or mistakes may be encountered but most of them can more than likely be easily fixed. They will not promote the success of your project. When building your first DIY solar panel keep these points in mind. To help avoid these and other pitfalls get the help of an experienced DIYer with this highly recommended DIY solar panels guide.

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