In this way rain or dew will not cause short circuit to the battery. Otherwise rust may eat into metallic parts rapidly and your battery may lose its charge. This material is aesthetically pleasing and will not rust easily. However you got to ensure that your area has no hail before using glass as cover. Then make a waterproof cable-penetrator for wires to run out and connect between the solar panel and your outdoor appliance. However while leaving them in the open, you must shelter them from precipitation, dew and moisture. Battery If you place your battery outdoor, it enjoys the advantage of being near to your outdoor appliances without lengths of wire running in and out of the house -- this is a hazard to children and is also unsightly. (Referencing to physics, Power is the product of Current and Voltage) When the temperature gets higher the forward voltage drops further -- which is good.. What you should be using is the Schottky types. After learning these tips (by implementing what you've read), you will be fully-equipped to build professional-quality DIY solar panels for yourself. It is also a good conductor of heat. But as you apply these ideas to your project, the effect that they have collectively will bring about a significant improvement. This is particularly important since excess heat lowers the efficiency of the solar cells. On the other hand you won't have to "sell your barn" in order to implement these tips. This means less power is wasted. These few tips may seem trivial on the surface. This kind of diode has a lower forward voltage drop than the usual p-n junction diode. The Solar Panel Frame Aluminum is one of the best materials to use for your solar frame. In the worst case, a short circuit might occur. This is because larger proportions of sunlight eventually reach the solar cells when non-reflective glass is used. The quality of your DIY solar panels can be improved by making a few tweaks. Hence it removes additional heat that would otherwise be accumulated inside the solar panel. To prevent this, you can simply put the batteries into a waterproofed electronics housing. Because you'll discover which parts of the solar panel to improve on and how to do it so its inevitable you end up with a top-quality solar energy system. Solar Panel Cover Instead of using ordinary glass or plastic that can get scratched easily, non-reflective glass helps to improve the solar panel's efficiency and maintainability. Of course I'm assuming resources like money, time and skills are not lacking. Diodes There are many different types of diodes to choose from. If this is what you want, this may be the most important article you'll read.