Author Topic: so close yet so far- diy solar panel  (Read 29032 times)

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(unknown)

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so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« on: February 14, 2010, 10:43:24 AM »
Hey everyone,


    Just when I had given up on building my own solar panel, here comes this dual pane solar window asking to be converted to a solar panel.


     The only problem is that I can't really fit 36 cells in there.  Would 30 do?


In "theory", 36   3"x6" could fit, 11 cells  high by 3 wide +  3 other on their side (because the window is wide enough to accomoda  3.5 cells wide.


Thing is, it doesnt really fit.


30 would be very easy though..  Afraid the voltage would be too low.


Is tthere anything that could convert my 15V to the 18V I'd like to have to charge a battery?    I'm assuming I need 18V because most DIY solar panels use 36 cells.


Thanks

« Last Edit: February 14, 2010, 10:43:24 AM by (unknown) »

Airstream

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Re: so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2010, 12:27:55 PM »
I am of the opinion home made panels should be designed as sub panel units - as in four "three" volt panels each with nine or ten cells, or two "six" volt panels each with eighteen cells, etc. If it were me I'd put eighteen cells in the window and keep looking for another window..
« Last Edit: February 14, 2010, 12:27:55 PM by Airstream »

RCinFLA

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Re: so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2010, 01:05:28 PM »
Depends on what temp you want to take.  In hot summer, with panel hitting 60 deg C, the voltage per cell will drop to about 0.42 vdc.


The reason for 36 cells for a 12v battery charge is due to temp.  The 36 cell panel will drop to about 15vdc in hot summer.  Add in some wire loss and controller voltage drop and you just make absorb voltage level.

« Last Edit: February 14, 2010, 01:05:28 PM by RCinFLA »

Airstream

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Re: so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2010, 06:24:53 PM »
^^ What he said is Gospel
« Last Edit: February 14, 2010, 06:24:53 PM by Airstream »

morglum

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Re: so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2010, 07:16:59 PM »
thanks guy.


18 cells - "6 volt" its gonna be


too bad though, the window will really look empty..

« Last Edit: February 14, 2010, 07:16:59 PM by morglum »

Ungrounded Lightning Rod

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Re: so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2010, 02:13:35 PM »
dual pane solar window


Solar window?  As in tinted or coated glass?  Or as in totally clear?


"Solar window" for a dual-pane unit usually means an infrared-reflecting coating.  They want to keep the house cool so the air conditioner has a lower load and/or the people don't cook while they're in the room with the view.


Silicon solar cells run largely on the infrared these windows reflect.  So such windows are not a good choice for making a panel.


Ditto for the glass facing on a heat-collector, for much the same reason.  (If you're building a solar energy collector why face it with a window that bounces back about half of what you're trying to collect?)

« Last Edit: February 15, 2010, 02:13:35 PM by Ungrounded Lightning Rod »

Sr WiNdTeCh

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Re: so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2010, 03:10:48 PM »
What has happened that your not going to make a DIY panel anymore? I'm in the process now... I have all 36 3x6 1.7w cells soldered up, I'm just waiting for the EVA sheet to arrive before I hit it with the heat gun then seal it in LEXAN and aluminum framing.... It's my first panel... What was your experience?
« Last Edit: February 23, 2010, 03:10:48 PM by Sr WiNdTeCh »
<<<------- cLiCk HeRe FoR mY sEtUp!

morglum

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Re: so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2010, 07:23:39 AM »
oops! sorry , just meant plain normal dual pane window.

« Last Edit: February 24, 2010, 07:23:39 AM by morglum »

morglum

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Re: so close yet so far- diy solar panel
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2010, 07:25:04 AM »
Hi,


   I ended up selling the cells, as all  the feedback I've seen on couple-year-old DIY solar panel said "it died, I should have bought a commercial one".


See this thread: http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2010/1/20/161846/738


I also personally emailed a couple of the other DIYers with web sites..


I'll go the solar water heater route instead, or maybe the hydro route.

« Last Edit: February 24, 2010, 07:25:04 AM by morglum »