Supplies

• The primary supply is solar cells. Fortunately, these do not have to be costly. Monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cells can be purchased in bulk from wholesale distributors for under $200 (and sometimes under $100) per package, with package sizes ranging from 10 cells to 50 cells. Those looking for a particularly good deal can even check online sources such as eBay for slightly damaged solar cells, which can be just as effective as undamaged cells, as long as they are still in working order. You will need plywood to construct the panels themselves, pegboard, plexiglass, and a tool for soldering.
  
  

Steps

• Decide how many solar panels you want for your home and purchase the right number of solar cells. It doesn't hurt to purchase a few extra cells in case you need them -- and because the solar cells usually come in bulk, this might be as simple as purchasing an extra package of cells. After that, construct the panel, which is a shallow box of plywood. Mount the pegboard insider the shallow panels and begin aligning the solar cells atop the board. Attach the solar cells with silicon, and solder them together gently, connecting them correctly to ensure that a useful voltage results. Measure the voltage output from the cells to make sure that they are working properly. Once your panels are complete, cover with the plexiglass to keep the solar cells protected from the elements.
  
  

Considerations

• Each solar cell has wires attached to it. Once you have constructed your solar panels, create a hole in the underside of the panel to pull the wires through. Additionally, it is a good idea to attach a blocking diode to each panel to prevent the energy from reversing back into the solar panel once the sun goes down and ultimately wearing out the batteries too soon. The blocking diode forces the energy to continue flowing in one direction. Check the size of the panels and the energy that you expect from them when adding a blocking diode, because an overheated diode can cause a fire.