In part 4 of our solar panel tutorial we look at what DIY solar panels materials we will need in addition to the major components outlined in previous steps. This includes both the materials and the tools required to complete the task at hand.

Materials

– PV Cells;
- Timber for our backboard;
- Timber or prefab frame for our sides;
- Plexiglas or quarter inch UV acrylic sheet for our cover;
- PV tinned wire to connect our cells;
- Solder;
- Silicone to attach our cells to the backboard and to seal joins to make our panel water tight;
- UV protective paint for timber;
- Rosin flux pen to ensure a good connection between tinned wire and our PV cells;

Next, we need to make sure we have the right tools.

Equipment

– Soldering Iron;
- Wirecutters;
- Screwdriver;
- Saw;
- Caulking gun for silicone;
- Volt multimeter to ensure cells are funtioning;
- Electric drill;
- 12ml or quarter inch drill bit;
- Paintbrush;

Now that we have our shopping list, we can get down to business in the next mamoth installment of our solar power tutorial, how to make a solar panel at home.