Which cells to use?

[amiklic1]

I need some solar cells to make my own homemade solar panel, so I would appreciate if someone could give a links to the following:

I need 12V panel.

Where to look for the cells?

What type of cells is the best for homemade ( some 100 - 120 watts panel is what I'm looking for).

How to connect and complete the panel??

Also, I would like to find some online shop that ships worldwide, because I'm from Croatia.

Thanks!!!

[Psycogeek]

i just got here myself.

some people bought from this guy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3240&item=5961098980

these are definatly seconds, some probably good, some Dust :-)

i got mine from a guy who was selling on e-bay also, he had a web store, just opened, and luckily he packaged them verry well.

i still suspect that he was sorting seconds, but the ones i got (and paid for) were all 100% cells, and so far have at least 90% of the output stated.

you can run a search there by following this link.

http://search.ebay.com/solar-cells

then look for something that has a lot of total WATTS, like add the Volts, to the Amps they list.  that way you dont get stuff that is to tiny to build big things with.

like 5Volts at .2 amps = 1watt for that cell

or .5Volts at  2 amps  = same 1 watt, you just configure the pannel differently.

the ones i found were about .5v at 3A and were 3" x 6"

good luck finding anyone that will ship to croatia, they would prefer that you come pick them up at thier homes :-)  our postal services arent capable of delivering things in one piece , let alone these things :-)

[pyrocasto]

Well the supplier of the majority of the website just got lost unfortunantly. I think you can still buy one pound lots, but he's almost out if he isnt already.

Sad time in the DIY solar area. :`(

[Jeff7]

It's simple to get solar cells, according to him - that is, if you have room and transportation for a few tons of them.

The companies won't deal with small lots - anything in the pounds. If you want several tons, and can arrange to transport it yourself, then you might be in business if you can talk to the right person at the company.

The eBay seller happened to be near Evergreen Solar, so his connections were fairly close to the source.

So what we need is someone with access to a large truck, and lots of garage space, who has connections at a solar manufacturing plant, who's willing to sell decent solar cells at a damn good price.

Simple, right? sigh

Wish I lived near one of Seimen's plants (or Shell solar, whoever owns them now). They have some nice looking solar cells too. Standard silicon ingot process though, not this nifty ribbon method that Evergreen uses.

[pyrocasto]

If I had the cash I would be MORE than willing to do that. I would love to actually. As for transportation just a couple of U-hauls should work. I've got a big box truck(well my company ) and a forklift, but no way to transport them(plus have to get permission from the chief(padre)).

Maybe I'll be able to do it in a few years or something.

There is  a Seimen's plant near here but I'm not sure what they make.

[Jeff7]

Just a little update, eBay seller cusdn appears to have gotten another small shipment of cells in.

[robfirth]

Is there anyone else that lives by a solar cell manufacturing plant? And has a lot of space? I promise I don't, unless you could prove me wrong...but I can't find a solar cell manufacturing plant in the whole state of Louisiana. They all seem to be in California.

[ghurd]

The is one in AZ, and I think one in New England too.

[robfirth]

Evergreen solar is in Marlboro, Massachucetts

And I am sure there is one somewhere in california..

[ghurd]

Many are imported, like GE, BP, UniSolar, Sunwize, some of the Photowatts,...

But it would not suprise me if there were one in CA.

[robfirth]

I found out that Shell Solar "grows" ingots in Vancouver, Washington, and manufacture solar cells and modules in Camarillo, California.

[robfirth]

UNI-SOLAR has 2 plants in Michigan. One in Troy and one in Auburn Hills. They also have a third plant that is currently under construction (Auburn Hills as well).