Sourcing Parts For Your Homemade Solar Panels

If you're ready to build your own solar panel, your two largest concerns are probably 1) finding simple, thorough, step-by-step instruction for how to do so, and 2) building the panel as cheaply as possible.

Luckily, sourcing the parts for your solar panel has become not only easier, but markedly cheaper in recent years.

Solar cell technology has been around long enough now that there is a high inventory of used solar cell material on the market. As old solar cells get damaged and replaced, more and more used material becomes available.

For example, if you search for used solar cells on ebay, you should find a large selection of solar cell "lots" to choose from, in varying condition. Just scroll through and bid on lots that look like they're not too damaged (you can still build solar panels with damaged solar cells). These kinds of solar cell lots can often be had for only a few dollars!

In addition to that, you can often find used deep cycle batteries (the kind you will need to store the electricity generated by your solar panels) for cheap from used boats, golf carts and fork-lifts.

Ready to slash your electricity bill with homemade solar panels? Click here to check out our favorite solar panel instruction site.