How to Build Solar Panel, Info on DIY Homemade Solar Cells?

george — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:40:14 GMT

How to build solar panel, need info on diy homemade solar cells?

How difficult is it to build your own solar panels or wind turbine kits?
Do you have any experience with this or know how I could build my own solar panels without having to sell body parts to cover the costs?

RE: How long can you leave a solar battery charger ...

karen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:47:26 GMT

Well after my first quote for home solar power installation ($26 000) I nearly had a coronary.... but yes, you can build your own solar panel or wind generator, in fact I would rather recommend it.
There are some excellent ebooks that will show you how with the help of diagrams and videos.

With a little research we found a good guide for diy solar and wind installation. We found it very helpful - it's quite personal and caters for people with little diy experience. There are videos and diagrams showing how to build your own solar energy for less than $200. And considering our original quote we were extremely happy using this system.

You can find more info at how to build solar panels and wind turbines .

We started first with the solar cell (we have now finished 2 solar panels) and are 90% done with the wind generator.

A nice surprise is that they also offer help in getting financial rebates from the United States Department of Energy - this is for people who invest in renewable energy, and of course diy solar power.

Hope that helps so good luck and have fun, we are.

RE: How long can you leave a solar battery charger ...

tys — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:48:17 GMT

I don't think there would be any danger of overcharge, those panels only put out about 1/2 to 1 amp anyway.

But if the battery is 7 or more years old, it would be better to go to Costco and get a new one for $50 or so, than to buy a solar battery charger. Or if the battery is new, then your car has a short in it someplace that is discharging the battery, like the rear window defroster or perhaps one of the lights. In that case, you should spend your money fixing the short.

Good luck!

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RE: How to Build Solar Panel, Info on DIY Homemade Solar Cells?

gestech — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:53:27 GMT

These claims of effective solar electric systems for "$200" are simply scams. Likewise for wind power. $200 will barely purchase a 50 watt panel. When balance of system components (BOS) are also considered, the costs are much higher. To minimimize costs, if you are a DIY, purchase all professional components and install the system youself. If you buy panels, wire, frames (ground mount best), charge controllers, inverters and batteries separately and build the system yourself, you will be on the low end of the $3 to $5 per watt for equipment, and generally twice that for total professional design and installation. The only people actually benefitting from the $200 systems are the folks selling the plans. We have 200 sf of thermal panels, and 1000 watts of grid tied PV panels on two single axis tracking arrays. Our total expenditure for both systems is on the order of $20,000, which is on the exteme low end of current cost ranges. As for the "$200" kits for PV or wind, just consider that an Outback MX60 charge controller costs $500...enuf said.

RE: How to Build Solar Panel, Info on DIY Homemade Solar Cells?

estella — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:08:17 GMT

Best solar panel to get for my house?

For solar panels on my roof.

What components are needed other than the solar panels?

How do I hook it up to my home's electrical system?

How much electricity would I generate?

Thank you!

RE: How to Build Solar Panel, Info on DIY Homemade Solar Cells?

zen — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:55:58 GMT

You can try the Solar Panels - How To Build Your Own Solar Panel audio book.