Author Topic: DIY Solar panels - anything new?  (Read 27824 times)

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(unknown)

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DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« on: January 20, 2010, 04:18:46 PM »
I just received 110 "grade-b" tabbed solar cells (enough to make 3x 36 cells panels) after buying them on impulse almost 3 months ago, and now I'm in the process of deciding what to do with them.  Build a panel, or re-sell the cells?  


First I saw the success stories,  like

1-Tom_in_NH,


2-Mike in Arizona (http://www.mdpub.com/SolarPanel/index.html)  

      Difference with Tom: has 3/4" between the backing and the plexiglass)


3-Hans in the Netherland (http://home.kpn.nl/maas5455/indexhowididit.html)

      Difference with Tom: Use glass at the front and the back of the panel. Interesting.


4- This guy (http://pyronet.50megs.com/RePower/Homemade%20Solar%20Panels.htm) says not to use fiberglass resin (because it doesnt hold moisture out) but an aluminum epoxy type sealer called ALUTHANE.  He also uses double sided-tape to hold the cells instead of the usual silicone blob and connects the cells in a way that makes repairing easier.

He uses 3/4" plywood backing with 1 1/2" rails all around.


Then I realized that the only person that came back to tell us about durability is Tom, and that durability isnt all that great.


Is it because of mistakes that I could learn from, or are DIY solar panels doomed?


Comments?

Thanks,

S.

« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 04:18:46 PM by (unknown) »

morglum

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2010, 04:49:05 PM »
not to self: another project using glass on both sides:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~hante/zonnepaneel.html
« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 04:49:05 PM by morglum »

ghurd

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2010, 04:50:50 PM »
Hi S.


Volvo Farmer 's experiences will help too.


I personally do not believe cells can be held solid and weatherproof at the same time in a DIY panel.

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2009/1/23/163227/642


I personally DO believe people make a working PV, get excited, post a story with their month of success proving it is great, and pics.

When it fails, they are not excited to post a couple sentences or any pics.

And I believe that is why you can not find very many stories about how "I made my panels 5 years ago and they still work great".

G-

« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 04:50:50 PM by ghurd »
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TomW

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2010, 05:01:38 PM »
G;




I personally DO believe people make a working PV, get excited, post a story with their month of success proving it is great, and pics.

When it fails, they are not excited to post a couple sentences or any pics.


Well said!


Seems applicable to VAWTS, too.


Just an observation from my couple of years reading most everything through this site.


Tom

« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 05:01:38 PM by TomW »

Volvo farmer

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2010, 05:16:50 PM »
I've had about 250 watts of DIY panels up and running since September 2006. When the sun shines, they make power. They get moisture in them from time to time, but I've opened up some small vents in them and a few days of sunshine will drive the moisture out. PS, my "100W" panels ended up being about 60W panels.


My final determination was that the money would have better spent on commercial panels, but it can be done and mine have been working for over three years.


http://fieldlines.com/story/2005/2/26/11119/5985

http://fieldlines.com/story/2006/9/12/05630/1438

http://fieldlines.com/story/2006/9/16/05931/0581

« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 05:16:50 PM by Volvo farmer »
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morglum

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2010, 06:27:39 PM »
Thanks everyone again for these valuable tips.


I'll see if I can sell them.  Yet, I'm curious to see what I could do with them, even though I'm quite the opposite of a handyman :)

« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 06:27:39 PM by morglum »

morglum

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2010, 06:30:58 PM »
Question:  Is "plate glass" the glass used for greenhouse, ie hard and lets a lot of light through?  Asking cause I just saw two large panels 1/4" thick for sale locally :)


Thanks!

« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 06:30:58 PM by morglum »

TomW

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2010, 06:46:24 PM »


Question:  Is "plate glass" the glass used for greenhouse, ie hard and lets a lot of light through?  Asking cause I just saw two large panels 1/4" thick for sale locally :)



I bet "Plate Glass" has a green tint on the edge which means it has iron in it [I think] so not the best choice to let through all the light? I have heard this mentioned as a negative solar application property before.


Sometimes you use what you can get / have, too.


Perfect may not be your goal.


Just thoughts on it.


Tom

« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 06:46:24 PM by TomW »

Volvo farmer

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2010, 07:09:03 PM »
I used tempered double-pane window glass, it is nowhere near 1/4 inch thick. If you can find an old tempered glass double pane window that the seal has broken on, it would be a good candidate.
« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 07:09:03 PM by Volvo farmer »
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independent

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Re: DIY Solar panels - anything new?
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2010, 01:08:05 PM »
"howlet" bought a laminator and made/makes solar panels. He and his wife, i think, made a number of them. He made some really interesting comments about this and took it seriously. Seemed to be interested in making a successful project out of it as opposed to doing-something-on-the-cheap. Look them up, i emailed them awhile ago and got some sage advice on the matter (bought some ready-mades). No doubt someone else (auction) will buy them off you if you think you made the wrong decision. Personally with the prices of panels the way they are right now, I personally can't think of a reason to make them
« Last Edit: January 21, 2010, 01:08:05 PM by independent »