I'm going to try a solar panel...Hmmmm

[Saltwater]

I've been doing loads of reading about solar panels and wind turbines.  I do plan on purchasing a wind turbine sometime after the home remodel is done.  

As far as solar panels, I thought I would give it a try and make one.  I have found some good ideas, and some not so good.  I now have 100 cells waiting to be put to use.  Wife won't let me start making the panel until I get the bathroom done....

I realize I won't be able to hook this up to a future grid tie inverter (legalities), but I can charge batteries.  I suppose the main goal is just the accomplishment of making one that works.  If it does, I'll more than likely make a few more to power my barn lights and an outlet.

If anyone has helpful suggestions, I'm all ears.

Jeff

[wooferhound]

Too cool and good luck, many have tried and failed.

I think I would actually try one too if I stumbled onto the right solar cells. I started out with a 9 watt raw panel that I bought as surplus and had to build a weatherized enclosure for it. I used that panel for 14 years and I still have the panel. All I used it for was a light and a fan at the computer desk. It was so cool to have that small amount of power.

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/6/10/20567/9536

Now I have 90 watts and I have about ten different 12 volt items running off of it, plus adding more loads every week it seems. Upgraded to an 8D deepcycle 225 amphour battery too. I still think it's totally awesome to have this new small amount of power. 100 watts of solar is a fairly good amount of power to actually use I think.

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2009/1/7/222041/6802

[claychps]

I am a Newbie too and just got done building my third panel to go along with my HF 45w setup. I put an add at the clubhouse of a local golf course/trailer park for used golf cart batteries. Just picked up 6 today to go along with 6 I got last week. Had to charge the heck out of them with variable amperage, but have got 4 good ones so far.

  I am not the best at soldering ( recovering alky, shake a bit,lol)so the best way I have found to connect the cells for a panel is with the adhesive copper conductive tape. I just cut it too length, cut it in half and apply it to the long line on the negative side and carefully use my fingernail to make sure it is affixed good. Then just flip the cell over and use a strip to attach to the solder pad on back. My bus bars I am able to solder and the copper tape takes solder very well. Mounted on peg board for air circulation,then plywood, a frame for it to sit in and plexi for a cover. How long it will last in the weather I don't know, but I live in the desert, not much rain, just huge temp swings. Anyway, good luck. I love being able to be on the computer running off the inverter. Next will be the TV and some lights.

Robert

[Norm]

Where can I get adhesive copper tape?

....Wish I had kept that copper ribbon coil

that I had from an old microwave even...

[Opera House]

When I search SOLAR PANEL on ebay the foil rolls, bedding compound, backing all show up.

[claychps]

I got the tape from Amazon. Description JVCC CFL-5CA 1/4" by 36 yds (copper). Used some more today on a perf board for a battery monitor circuit I built from a schematic I found. Has a lot of uses.

Robert

[Saltwater]

I'm looking forward to trying this.  I will have to let everyone know if it works.  I'll try to remember to take pics during the process and post updates.

Jeff

[NeilR]

Good luck with your panel. Im also going to give it a try.

I have some questions that those of you who are more experienced might be able to help me with.

Since each cell is .5 volts and I understand this does not vary. Based on my logic, if I wanted a 12volt panel I would assemble 24 cells in series, 48volt panel 96 cells etc etc. However I see 80 cell panels that are rated for a 12 volt system. I asusmed this is a 40vdc series connection in reality. This is confusing. Can someone assist with an explaination please?

I have recently aquired, for free, a Trace 3.3kW 48vdc inverter and 32 NEW deep cycle batteries with a 20hr rating of 75Ah. Also a rack cabinet to house the batteries. Quite a find. Just being at the right place at the right time. I would now dearly like to put it all together with some solar panels and wind generator for charging.

Regards

Neil

Australia

[ghurd]

A 12V panel should have 36 cells.

A 12V battery is charged at 12.6V but charges to about 14 or 15V (28~30 cells), then 0.7V diode loss (2 cells), wire losses (4 cells).

Most 80 (72?) cell panels are able to be connected for 12 or 24V in the box on the panel.

G-

[NeilR]

Thank you Ghurd.