Build Your Own Solar Panel

I just had an idea. I think it should be possible to buy used lighting fixtures and retrofit solar power and LED light to them to make your own outdoor solar garden lights. I am not sure that it would save you any money. That would depend on several factors not the least of which is personal taste. If function is more important than aesthetics, you might do well to watch out for sales on basic plastic lights at Walmart. If you want some kind of Victorian wrought iron thing, you might save money by purchasing used lights from an architectural salvage company and retrofitting your solar. Build Your Own Outdoor Solar Garden Lights continued ...

Are you wondering how to build solar panels to satisfy your curiosity or do you want to build something for practical off grid living? Either way, the basic principles are the same. A solar panel is simply a number of solar cells connected together and housed in a rigid weatherproof structure. How to build solar panels continued ...

Photo Credit: basykes

Used solar panels are a little bit like used cars with one very big difference.  The rate of depreciation is a big unknown with solar panels whereas depreciation is the major consideration with used cars.  Some of the earliest solar panels still function with a measurable but small drop in efficiency. More on used solar panels...