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DIY Solar Panel Project - Make your own solar panel
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The picture shows 4 of the main components that make up the panel with the exception of a sheet of glass/Perspex. 1) Wooden tray 1000*500*65mm 2) Snake of 12mm copper pipe 3) Slab of Rockwool insulation 4) 2mm thick aluminium plate |
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Paint the wooden tray thoroughly with wood preservative to protect it from insects and the weather. Each corner of the wooden tray has a small 20mm thick triangle of wood. The triangles support the aluminium absorber plate and create a space behind it for the insulation and tinfoil (see below) |
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To reduce the amount of heat that escapes from the back of the panel, fit a Rockwool slab snugly into the tray then cover it with kitchen foil. Place the aluminium absorber plate on top of the tinfoil so it rests on the corner supports. Secure it with screws at each corner through oversized holes that allow for heat expansion. |
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Make the copper pipe snake by soldering cut lengths of pipe and corners together. If soldering isn’t your strong subject then fabricate if from “bendy” copper pipe. Make sure you don’t kink it by forming the corners around a clay pot or tin can. Try and get about 4.5 loops that run the entire length. |
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Pass the ends of the snake through two predrilled holes in the wooden tray; one hole at the bottom for the input and another at the top for the output (hence the 4.5 loops) Secure it to the aluminium plate using the halves of pipe clips (see picture insert) and self tapping screws. |
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Use plenty of clips so the snake is pressed firmly against the aluminium absorber plate. It’s very important to get as much contact between the pipe and plate as possible so there’s maximum conduction of heat. Fit a thin strip of wood around the inside edge of the tray to support a glass/Perspex sheet. |
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Paint the pipe and the aluminium absorber plate with mat black metal grade paint. Don’t use too much paint or you’ll insulate the pipes with it! Finish off by fitting a sheet of glass/Perspex with silicon. Attach a hosepipe to the bottom input pipe then regulate the flow of water to achieve a reasonable temperature rise. |
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Please be very very careful as any water left standing in a panel can boil after just a few minutes sunshine. Build it at your own risk! If you’d like some help or more information send me an email diypanel@mysolarshop.co.uk |
