Once you have your solar cells soldered together into an array, you will need to build an enclosure that protects the brittle cells from extreme weather.
In order to build a solar panel enclosure you will need the following materials;
-45 ¾ inch by 22 ¼ inch piece of plywood
-45 ¾ inch by 22 ¼ inch piece of plexiglass
-3/4 inch by ¾ inch by 135 inch wooden molding
-Silicone Caulk How Can I Make A Solar Panel
- Using the ¾ inch by ¾ inch wooden molding, create a perimeter around the plywood
- Place the pegboard that you've created with the solar cells attached, inside the frame and secure it to the plywood
- Cut a hole in the plywood so that you can pass the wire from the solar array through
- Next, solder the blocking diode and electrical jack to the excess tabbing wire sticking out of the frame. Make sure that positives are connected to positives on the blocking diode and electrical jack, and the negatives to the negatives. Retest the entire array before adding the electrical jack.
- Cover the entire setup with the plexiglass. Secure the plexiglass to the frame and seal the edges with the silicone caulk.
Make sure that the box does not get obstructed from the sun at any angles. This depends on the angle you mount your solar panel setup and how you construct the box.
How Can I Make A Solar Panel - How to Make a Solar Panel Enclosure