Build Your Own ?

     I have brain overload, just attempting to understand what I am reading.  In my head, the use of solar panels should be complex and complicated.  My head is wrong.  So I am attempting to reprogram myself to accept the truth.  The truth of the 21st Century.

     I have found a few sites (I should say a few hundred) that are simple enough for even me to understand.  I will combine a couple of them to show their concepts of how to build your own.
This from EHow -
     Solar panels can generate significant energy for your home if you are in an area that gets lots of sunlight. Many commercial solar panels are very expensive but you can build your own solar panels and save yourself a lot of money. Homemade solar panels are typically less efficient and produce less power than commercially available panels, but you can build them in an afternoon. 

Things You'll Need

Solar cells

 Flat-tabbed wire

 Insulated copper wire

 Lumber

 Plexiglas

 All-weather paint

 Silicone sealant

 Solder and soldering iron

 Drill

 Tools

        1.   Solder two lengths of flat-tabbed wire to the back of each solar cell. Each length of flat-tabbed wire should be twice as long as the solar cell is wide. Be careful when handling your solar cells because they are fragile.

        2.   Cut a sheet of plywood to the size you want your solar panel to be. Apply two coats of all-weather paint to the plywood. Draw a grid on your sheet of plywood to guide placement of your solar cells.

        3.   Lay your solar cells out on the plywood base in the position you want them. Solder the flat-tabbed wires from the back of one cell to the top of the adjacent cell. Repeat the process to string your solar cells together across the length of your plywood backing. Make as many strings of solar cells as you need to cover the face of your plywood backing. Ensure you leave a 3-inch border around the edge of your panel free for your border.

        4.    Carefully lift each solar cell and place a single drop of silicone sealant in the middle of the cell and then gently but firmly press the cell into place. Allow your sealant to dry. Wire each string of solar cells to the next by attaching the positive lead to the negative lead of the next string. You will be left with one positive lead and one negative lead for the entire panel. Solder these leads to lengths of insulated copper wire.

        5.   Cut one by 1-inch boards into lengths sufficient to form a border around the edges of the panel backing. Apply a strip of silicone sealant around the edge of the panel backing and press the border boards into place. Drill pilot holes through the backing into the boarder boards and drive screws through the backing and into the boarder boards to hold them in place.

        6.    Drill two holes through the border boards and run the wire leads through the holes. Apply silicone sealant to the holes to hold the wires in place and prevent water from entering your solar panel. Drill a drain hole in the bottom border board to allow condensation to drain out.

        7.   Apply a strip of silicone sealant to the top edge of the border and place a sheet of Plexiglas cut to size on top of the panel. Carefully drill pilot holes through the Plexiglas and into the panel border and then drive screws through to hold the Plexiglas in place. Allow your sealant to dry and place your panel in the sun. Run your leads to your home power system.

Even in this video, it all looks so simple.

So what do you think?  Ready to try your own?

     I think I will continue to shop for a reasonably priced unit that is ready to use.  Please let me know if any of you have built your own.  I would love to hear and share your story.