Cheap, Cheap, Cheap... Part 2

[wannabelikeward]

I am not working at all lately (oilpatch in alberta is slow right now), so I have lots of time and no money.  So for my first stab at solar I am gonna buy some cells, or broken peices and put a 70W to 80W panel together.  Why the heck not?!!! ( he says now!)  Copper strip to connect them, some solder, some wood, some glass or plexi, etc, etc??  I will figure that out later!  

Found this on the almighty ebay:

++++++Batch of broken solar cells...build a photovoltaic panel! This is a batch of broken solar cells. At least 60 broken cells are included, weighing between 70 and 100 grams. Average of 60 square inches of cells in each batch. Complete instructions on how solder together a panel are included.++++++

Not sure if these are the right type to sort-of-kinda-easily connect ( as in I know it won't be easy, BUT, is it doable???).   About $30 CDN plus shipping.      

I am going to try to attach a pic so as you know what I am talkin' aboot.

I would really suggest this type post be posted as a Diary. This whole "Ebay Cells" thing has been discussed to death, frankly. Be lots easier to follow updates there, also. If you post a copy there I can put this one to rest if you would like to do it that way.

TomW

[wannabelikeward]

[wannabelikeward]

So I am not sure if an amount like this will get me to the 70-80W mark.  But, is it maybe worth buying just for the practice. See what amount of juice I can get out of this set up??

[wannabelikeward]

oh ya,  By the way - if Ghurd or Sheets or Kurt or Hank or nothing to lose or anyone else is lookin' in, thanks for the help so far.  I am going thru all the postings to do with this subject, dang eyes are going fuzzy!!

[wdyasq]

Note the number of remarks and those positive.

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/2/27/32023/4057

Need I say more?

Ron

[coldspot]

I'd NOT try that but if you really want to then-

Look here for broken cells

"http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/products.asp?dept=1174"

I'd be very shocked if you could get 20 watts let alone 70-80 like you want.

Maybe you should look at real panels and see how large a 50 watt panel is and then you might understand how large a 70-80 will be.

$0.02

And not worth that

lol



PS:

I started with a bag of broken cells.

now it's a box of broken cells with a few wires.

wind power is funner but I did buy some real panels and will be getting more down the road as $'s let happen!

[ghurd]

I am not trying to be negative.

DIY PVs don't seem to work out very well. Usually.

"Cheap, Cheap, Cheap"  I don't think so.

Figure the cost of all the parts, and all the shipping.

All the gas for looking for cheap or free glass etc.

All the hours involved.

The small amount of money saved doesn't look like that much, considering the time involved.

Then find 3 people who made their own panels, more than 3 years ago, that still work like they should.

The odds your panels will work any better or longer than someone elses DIY PVs is honestly... slim to none.

Say you build a 75W PV for $300 (High? Don't for get gas, shipping, etc).

And that money could have been put toward a factory 75W for $500.

Savings = $150.

Loss = $300 when the panel fails.

I expect most people would have made more power and for a longer time, if they would have spent the hours building their PVs working part time at McDonalds until they made enough money to offset the $150 savings.  Then just bought factory panels.

I could be wrong.

G-

[ghurd]

(Change $500 to $450)