• It is relatively easy to construct a solar panel to generate power for a home or other building.solar-cell image by carsten jacobs from Fotolia.com
  
  A solar panel, or photovoltaic module, is a flat, manufactured surface covered with interconnected photovoltaic cells capable of conducting light energy from the sun and converting it into electrical energy that can then either be stored in a battery or expended to perform some sort of work. Solar panels are still relatively expensive and complicated; however, you can obtain all the raw materials necessary for their manufacture.
  
  

Solar Cells

• The solar cells, or photovoltaic cells, are the key components of a solar panel. They do the actual work of converting light energy from the sun into electrical energy. Solar cells are generally made up of several common materials: A conductive metal, an insulating material, wiring, light-focusing components and, of course, some sort of framework for holding these all together in the proper fashion. In order to construct an effective solar panel, it is usually best to buy professionally manufactured solar cells rather than trying to build them yourself.
  
  

Cover

• The cover of the solar panel is also important because it needs to protect the panel from the elements while also being able to adequately transmit sunlight to the solar cells underneath. Glass or clear plastic is usually used for the cover.
  
  

Plastic Sheeting

• Sheets of hard but flexible plastic are used to hold the solar cells in place.
  
  

Plastic Bars

• Plastic bars, often made from acrylic or a similar polymer, are used to hold arrays or rows of solar cells in place.
  
  

Diode

• A single barrier diode is used to prevent electricity from flowing back into the solar cells.
  
  

Copper Wire

• The copper wire is used to transmit electrical energy from one place to another.
  
  

Adhesives, Sealants and Solder

• Several different types of sticky materials are needed to connect the various pieces of the solar panel together. A regular, super-adhesive glue can be used for many purposes such as attaching the plastic components together. Solder is used to connect the metal components, such as the wires and diode. And Silicone is used to seal the entire package together into a weather-proof panel.