Build Your Own Solar Panel

Phillip Hurley, "Build Your Own Solar Panel"
Wheelock Mountain Publications | 2006 | ISBN: 0971012520 | 145 pages | PDF


Converting solar energy to electricity via photovoltaic 
cells is one of the most
exciting and practical scientific discoveries of the 
last several hundred years. The use of solar power 
is far less damaging to the environment than burning 
fossil fuels to generate power. In comparison to other 
renewable energy resources such as hydro power, wind, 
and geothermal, solar has unmatched portability and thus
 flexibility. The sun shines everywhere. These 
characteristics make solar power a key energy
 source as we move away from our fossil fuel 
dependency, and toward more sustainable and clean 
ways to meet our energy needs.

The sun is a powerful energy resource. Although very
 little of the billions of
megawatts per second generated by the sun reaches 
our tiny Earth, there is
more than enough to be unlimited in potential for 
terrestrial power production.
The sunlight that powers solar cells travels through 
space at 186,282 miles per
hour to reach the earth 8.4 minutes after leaving 
the surface of the sun. About
1,368 W/M2 is released at the top of the earth’s 
atmosphere. Although the solar
energy that reaches the Earth’s surface is reduced
 due to water vapor, ozone
layer absorption and scattering by air molecules,
 there is still plenty of power for us to collect. Harvesting photons for use in homes, 
factories, offices, vehicles and personal electronics 
has become practical, and economical, 
and will continue to increase in its importance 
in the energy supply equation.

In my opinion, the most exciting aspect of 
photovoltaic power generation is
that it creates opportunities for the individual power 
consumer to be involved in the production of power. 
Even if it is only in a small 
way, you can have some control of where your energy comes from.
Almost anyone can set up a solar panel and use 
the power – independent of
the grid and other “powers that be.” Batteries
 and super capacitors for the electronic devices that we 
use on a daily basis can be 
recharged by this natural and renewable energy resource. 
Doing so cuts down on pollution
 and makes life better for everyone.Practically 
every aspect of our lives will be touched in a 
positive way by the increasing use of solar electric power.




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