Green DIY Energy Video Review – Soldering of Solar Cells Together
In the 3rd video of the Green DIY Energy’s “Build your own solar panel for less than $100”, it will show you how to solder all the solar cells together.
As recommended in the video, here a list of tools you will need for the task:
1) Solder iron
2) Solder coil
3) Flux
4) Metal pin
5) Eye protection
6) Respiratory protection
When you are trying to solder all the solar cells together, it is important to be very careful. The PV cells are extremely fragile and can break easily.
Avoid touching the front or the bluish surface of the solar cell. If you accidentally touch it with your fingers, it might leave a mark which is quite hard to remove. It may not affect the performance of the PV cell so much, but it will create a glare which will be very annoying.
Since the cells are fragile, it is best to solder them together on a soft surface. You can make a soft surface by getting a piece of plywood and cover it with a towel. The towel will provide a soft surface so nothing will scratch the cells.
In the video, the host Bryan Clark uses an arrangement of 4 cells across x 9 cells down. Meaning, he will be soldering the solar cells in series of 9 cells downward. That will consist of 1 roll. The idea is to make 4 rolls of 9 soldered solar cells.
If you have never used a soldering iron before, this video will be a great learning piece. You get to learn how to use the solder iron, when to use the flux, how to put the solder in the hot iron tip and also how to lay the melted solder on the solar cells electrodes.
To solder the PV cells together, you want to solder the electrodes from the front of the cells to the contact points of the second solar cells. You’ll understand the process when you watch the video.
If you have never done this before, it will take some time to solder the first couple of solar cells together. As you get a hang of it, it will take less time to do the soldering. Next, all you have to do is repeat the process.
Read the Green DIY Energy review post on this blog for more information.
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Related web sites:
1) 10 Easy Steps to Build a Solar Panel Under $100
2) How To Make Do It Yourself (DIY) Solar Panels
3) Electronics Tips – Soldering Techniques
