First Step: Making a frame to hold the solar cells
Making a frame for your solar panel is the first step.The internal solar system parts will be shielded by this frame from thermal and mechanical stresses. Due to their extraordinary fragility, solar cells require support from a frame in order to be protected. There are mounting attachment points on the frame as well. The frame shouldn't have any jagged edges, and it should be completely earthed, mechanically and electrically conductive. It can be constructed out of plywood, glass, wood, or plastic.
Second Step: Purchasing solar cells
Silicon, a semiconductor material, is used to create solar cells. These solar cells generate solar energy into direct current (DC), which an inverter subsequently transforms into alternating current (AC). Our dwellings are powered by AC current. The best solar cells are produced by either American, Chinese, or Japanese companies, while there are many different solar cell manufacturers. Solar cells made by American producers are more expensive and of higher quality. The quantity of cells you buy will depend on the amount of power your solar panel is intended to produce. The following are some considerations that should be made when buying solar cells.
- Purchase extra solar cells because they are quite brittle.
- Wax is frequently applied to solar cells by the manufacturer during shipping for protection.
- The cells can be cleaned of wax by submerging them in hot but not boiling water.
- You may simply purchase solar cells online from various merchants, or you can build them from scratch at home.
- It shouldn't cost more than $1–2 per watt for each cell.
- Different solar cell sizes were available, with the average solar cell being about 6 inches across.
- It generates 1.75 watts per unit.
- You can purchase larger solar cells if you desire additional power.
- The cost of monocrystalline solar cells is marginally higher.
- Polycrystalline solar cells are the option with the best cost-to-efficiency ratio.
Third Step: Tabbing the solar cells
The method of tabbing solar cells joins
separate solar cells collectively to form a solar module. Pre-tabbed
solar cells are available, however they are more expensive. The
procedure of tabbing a solar cell is crucial, hence the appropriate
safety precautions should be performed before doing so. Here are a few
examples of the precautionary measures:
- Wear gloves at all times when working with solar cells.
- Since solar cells are highly delicate, they should be handled with extreme care.
- Wear a mask and safety glasses while soldering to protect yourself from fumes and flying solder.
How to tab the solar cell
Soldering the wire to the solar cells' contact terminals allows for solar cell tabbing. Below is a list of all the steps involved in tabbing a solar cell:
- Your solar cell should be placed with the negative side up on a spotless surface.
- The two vertical lines that go up and down the solar cell should be rubbed with the flex pen. Contact strips are what these are known as.
- Cut the tabby wire into parts, having in mind that each piece should be twice as long as the solar cell's height. Your cut pieces of tabbing wire should be 2 × 2 = 4 inches long if your solar cell is 2 inches high.
- Place the tabbing wire on the contact strips after grabbing it. Solder is already applied to the tabling wire. Solder the tabbing wire to the solar cell by heating the soldering iron.