Go to Otherpower.com Home Page Go to Forcefield Shopping Cart Go to Wondermagnet.com Home Page
Front Page - [Homebrewed Electricity-- (wind) (solar) (hydro) (steam) (controls) (storage) (mechanical)] - Classifieds - Site News
Everything - Newbies - [Remote Living-- (housing) (heat) (light) (water)] - Reviews - Diaries - Our Products
making solar panels


By fireofenergy, Section Solar
Posted on Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 04:52:27 PM MST
Solar light

Hi, I made some small panels using 1x3 inch cells for a solar light. I simply encased it all between two pieces of glass with silicone. After about a year, it seems the only thing that went wrong is the tape holding the batteries and Cree led under it. I assume that the sealed in silicone approach will last "forever" but know that the ordinary window glass will break as soon as a pine cone or something falls on it.

I can't figure out how to buy tempered glass.

Is there any suppliers that anyone here knows about? You can't cut it either, huh?

I figured out how to make it auto on at dusk using two transistors and a few resistors (and oms law). Now I want to make a larger stained glass version using the 3.6 amp cells on Ebay. I'd hate to give up just because I can't find tempered glass.

Thanks
making solar panels | 2 comments (2 topical)

Re: making solar panels (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by dnix71 on Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 01:55:35 PM MST

Tempered glass is made from regular glass, but once it's heat treated you can't cut it.

You might find tempered glass already framed. You would have to make your solar panels to fit. We used to sell motivational lithos framed in tempered glass. It was made in large quantities to match the frame/litho.  We threw away a dumpster load after too many got broken shipping. We use polycarbonate now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EZMHEI

If you shop WallyWorld or Target, they sell "pyrex" glass cutting boards for $10 and up.

Those are tempered glass and reasonably clear. Make your solar panel that size and frame it.

http://www.hollidaypictureframes.com/products/Glossblackmetalframe.phtml

Will cut to your specified size. The frames we buy for lithos assemble easily with a flat-tip screwdriver.



Re: making solar panels (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by thirteen on Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 11:56:47 PM MST

a windshield place might be able to get you some tempered glass and safty glass. It might depend on the size you are after. Just an idea


making solar panels | 2 comments (2 topical)
Display: Sort:
Menu
· create account
· How to use the board
· FAQs
· search the board
· Google search the board

Login
Make a new account
Username:
Password:

Total Views
  98 Scoop users have viewed this posting.

Related Links
· Also by fireofenergy

Powered by Scoop
You must be a registered user to post here. It's easy and free, and the link is on the upper right side of your page.
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Postings are owned by the poster, but may be deleted or moved at the ADMIN's sole discretion. The Rest © 2009 Forcefield.
You can Email the board ADMIN here. PLEASE include the username you signed up with!