Documenting building a homemade solar panel from solar cells that would have otherwise been thrown out. Learn how to build your own similar panel @ Instructables.com Details: 36 Cells were used in series Thats ~19 volts @ 3.5 Amps the panel measures 41.5″ x 23″ And yes, its completely awesome.
Areas of Interest
-
-
Interesting Articles
- How do I know when I can recycle a computer component, and when it's safe to throw it out?
- How much, an average if possible, does it cost to install a windmill?
- Do you think everyone should do there best to recycle?
- Powerful Solar Power Charger Enough To Get Laptop Going
- The Fascination of Kite Power
- PARABOLIC TROUGH REFLECTOR SOLAR WATER HEATER GREEN POWER
- Homebrew Solar Panel 60Watts
- My Solar Power Set Up - Part 6 - Building a Panel - Conclusion
- 3 FRESNEL LENS SOLAR HEATER SUN COLLECTION GREEN ENERGY
- Homemade Solar Food Dehydrator
- Repower America - Bill Nye, The Science Guy
- Infinia Stirling Solar Generator
- Solar Furnace
- Start a Revolution / Clean Energy SmartPower.org Contest
What We Are
ALTERNATIVE battery BUILD Center Certification Clean cost Earth Efficiency efficient Electric ENERGY Environmental First Free Geo Thermal global GREEN GRID Heat homes House installation Jobs Leed light nuclear Panel plants POWER pump Recycle Recycling renewable roof School Solar sustainability Sustainable Technology TURBINE Video Water Wind Windmill
Efficiency for the panels, is probably under 20% and will only improve with solar paint tech. whenever it just happens to become available.
That is awesome. Plus nice music
You mentioned that these solar cells would “otherwise be thrown away”. Who is throwing away 3 x 6″ .5 volt multi-crystalline silicon cells…I want to raid their garbage…these cells easily cost at least $ 1.50 each. What did you use as your substrate? Did you weather proof the cells using EVA or a substitute? What did you weatherproof the wood frame with, Alumathane or just paint? Looks nice, just curious.
No one is “throwing them away” I wish, I meant they were defective ones that are being sold off for pennies on the dollar to places like electronic-goldmine etc. as substrate i used a high density fiber board sealed with several coats of primer/sealant and then several coats of a gloss paint. the cells themselves are not weather proofed but the encasement is designed such that flexing/warping with heat and moisture shouldn’t be disastrous.
Continuing due to word limit…
Also about 3 days after I created this video I destroyed the inverter i was using, tuns out the dc side filter cap was only rated to 16 volts and it blew. I replaced it but I think when it popped a couple of the Vregs burnt too and maybe even the transformer coil.
So I just ordered a new inverter and a low-end charge controller so that I can “do it right” this
time.
Overall its been a pretty exciting project, learned alot.
Thanks for the questions!
Thanks for the Specifics…I hear you, there is a lot to think about. I’m currently in the process of building (6) 63 watt 18 volt panels myself and I’m just trying to gather as much information as I possibly can. I plan on taking my garage off the grid using (4) 32 Ah 12 volt deep cycle lead acid batteries w/ an appropriate charge controller and an inverter for the garage door opener.
That’s awesome, yeah I guess you have to take into consideration a ton of stuff like weather, I live in Phoenix Arizona so 300+ days of sun and super low humidity makes wood an ok encasement but if you live somewhere super humid it probably wouldn’t hurt to go with some kind of PVC or other non-warping material. I also had some issues with the thin (1/8in) acrylic sheeting I used expanding slightly in the sun which I didn’t expect. Sounds like your setup will be pretty awesome when its finished.
Nice video! I plan to build my panel using the same methode as you did. Having a bettery between your panel and inverter will self regulate closer to 12V. Your next inverter will be happier that way…
What 440 repeater were you getting?. Wonder were you are.
James
Norwich UK
Its a 440 repeater linked to a 2meter @ 147.120, i don’t remember the exact freq off hand, I’m in AZ, east mesa to be more specific
Did you tin the tabs with solder?
I actually tinned the bus lines on the panel using a flux and then heated the tabs and moved them into the tinning on the panel.
Great job. Yes, it is “awesome” to harvest energy from the solar system’s largest fusion reactor to power our needs. Free self renewing energy available to all who are willing to harvest that energy! Are you going to make more panels?
Good job. The kids will get hooked. Best to get them hooked on good stuff like this while you can.
all that for 1 light bulbs worth of power?
One?!
Still using incandescent bulbs?
tsk tsk.
I am about to embark on a 216 cell 6X6″ project I’m not to keen on the wood idea. But… I will get that sorted out soon
It will be 18 volt strings Gathering info is 1/2 the fun! Thanks to all like yourself that has posted.
I keep wondering about moisture and if some natural vent that is filtered so bugs cant get in etc. Ive seen some that pot or coat the cells what a learning curve
I already have three inverters including a killer 1800 pure sine I found on Ebay for a steal.
Good Video Man!
killer
Isn’t 19 volts a little high as input to the HT? I have an IC-T7H and it uses 11 volts. What HT are you using?
Dennis KC9PYD
Its going through an inverter and DC transformer first so the HT is only actually getting 12 volts
Hey, check out my website at ScientificallyGreener(Dot) com and get all the new and improved Equipments to build or buy your own solar panels and wind energy turbine systems ScientificallyGreener(Dot) com is a website that sells the most modern environmental products available
did you get humidity in the panel if so how did you remove it
What is the cheapest place to buy the solar cells at?
lol nice vid man
rocking science style
i think unless you are gonna spend a lot on a bulk shipment from a company i think your best bet is to search for solar cells on ebay..i just ordered 108 6×6 cells for 200
lol yah…these new bulbs and everything makes solar very promising