Maintaining a balance between concise design, simplicity, and a fundamental understanding of solar energy and other photovoltaic concepts.

Public Notice: The intention of this hub is to be an informational source only. Please consult with a licensed professional prior to starting a photovoltaic (PV) project.

As a green enthusiast, I can say firmly, yes! Anyone that is willing to dedicate the time and patience can design a working, stable solution. That said, with all the incentives to go green these days, consumers are starting to ask questions about the cost of installing a solar energy system. Bottom line, unless you are willing to pay thousands in upfront cost, the best way to install a solar system is to do-it-yourself (DIY).

Nevertheless, designing your own solar system is time consuming, tedious work. Countless hours can be spent building solar panels, which vary in pricing depending on how smart you shop for photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.

Designing efficient solar panels is a three-step process.

1. Know your needs - Understanding your current energy needs/usage in Kilowatts per hour (KWh) prior to purchasing anything will only add to your savings. It will also assist you in identifying non-efficacious energy appliances that you may consider replacing prior to installing your photovoltaic (PV) system.

2. Know your DC~AC conversion rates - For example, designing a panel of 30 cells in a series, positive~negative~positive, connection, each PV cell rated at .5 volts, will produce 15 "standard" volts of output (30 x .5) per panel. Note: Industry ratings my differ from actual output depending on factors such as panel design, PV source exposure, and external temperature.

3. Know your limitations - Always consult a licensed professional if you are not familiar or comfortable with any phase in the design process.

Once you have a working panel it is time to connect your system. Fortunately, this is a very simple setup, the most complicated part of this installation is configuring your panels and wiring to your inverter/s. Of course, the biggest rub of this entire process is what you can afford to pay for your inverter. Inverters vary in efficiency and cost, so do your research and be sure you know what the voltage output of your solar panels is going to be prior to purchasing. Tip: I highly recommend using pure sine inverters.

How do I connect my solar cells to the panel?

The solar cells must be connected, using a low heat soldering iron, in a series - positive~negative~positive, circuit. Be sure to note that your soldering points are clean and test your amp/voltage output frequently.

How do I identify the positive and negative poles on the solar cells?

The conductive, top, side of the cells are positive and the bottom are negative.

Is this process safe, or should a licensed professional install my system?

It the intention of this hub to be an informational source only, always seek advice from professionals first.

How do I "tab" my solar cells?

First, be sure to clean your connections prior to soldering your tabbing wire to the solar cells. Second, using a series - positive~negative~positive - circuit design, connect your cells with your low voltage soldering iron. Finally, test your voltage/amp output frequently. The best time to catch a bad PV cell is prior to connecting to your series array.

What are Underwriters Laboratories(UL) photovoltaic standards?

Fundamentally, UL maintains safety standards for installing and designing photovoltaic systems. Researching these safety standards while still in the design phase is definitely worth the time and investment. In the United States, most rebates require that your photovoltaic system be UL certified. For more information visit the Underwriters Laboratories(UL) website.