DIY Solar Panel From Cells?
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Alexander Ross
Aug 22, 2016, 10:56:22 AM8/22/16
to reading-...@googlegroups.com
looking into getting 2x50w and/or 1-2 100w solar panels.
remember reading up years ago that you could buy packs of cells and make
up your own panel for a lot less money.
"monocrystalline solar cell" search on https://www.aliexpress.com looks
promising. Any other places people would recommend? I’d like to buy
really efficient cells.
Anyone done this, thoughts, advice?
What materials to make the panel from? Plywood? Aluminium? Laser cut
plastic? I’d like to make it light weight but also weather proof.
*Wood has water soak up issues... but light weight?
*Au backing with other material for the rest? solar cells kept cool but
oh, got too electrically isolate cells from a Au backing!
*Plastic
**UV? damage and brittleness over time?
**Will it block sunlight that the solar cells use if used as cell
protection window? I need to test this, come to think of it. :)
Or do i buy a panel case kit, would that be more economical and better?
if so from where? the options i found on evilbay, were well... i felt
more like going diy looking at them and there price.
If someone can get hold of solar panels at a bulk rate due to there work
or something, and if i could piggy back and get 1 or two that would be
great :).
Looking into options. Thanks muchly for any help.
remember reading up years ago that you could buy packs of cells and make
up your own panel for a lot less money.
"monocrystalline solar cell" search on https://www.aliexpress.com looks
promising. Any other places people would recommend? I’d like to buy
really efficient cells.
Anyone done this, thoughts, advice?
What materials to make the panel from? Plywood? Aluminium? Laser cut
plastic? I’d like to make it light weight but also weather proof.
*Wood has water soak up issues... but light weight?
*Au backing with other material for the rest? solar cells kept cool but
oh, got too electrically isolate cells from a Au backing!
*Plastic
**UV? damage and brittleness over time?
**Will it block sunlight that the solar cells use if used as cell
protection window? I need to test this, come to think of it. :)
Or do i buy a panel case kit, would that be more economical and better?
if so from where? the options i found on evilbay, were well... i felt
more like going diy looking at them and there price.
If someone can get hold of solar panels at a bulk rate due to there work
or something, and if i could piggy back and get 1 or two that would be
great :).
Looking into options. Thanks muchly for any help.
Alexander Ross
Aug 22, 2016, 11:09:06 AM8/22/16
to reading-...@googlegroups.com
On 22/08/16 15:56, Alexander Ross wrote:
> If someone can get hold of solar panels at a bulk rate due to there work
> or something, and if i could piggy back and get 1 or two that would be
> great :).
Edit: by piggy back i mean join in, add too. Please don’t be hurt by the
> If someone can get hold of solar panels at a bulk rate due to there work
> or something, and if i could piggy back and get 1 or two that would be
> great :).
words piggyback it was not meant to give ill will, just a smile. However
if it gave ill will then i apologize, for i’m sorry. On reflection, I’ll
use a different word and thinking next time.
mikethebee
Aug 25, 2016, 12:52:43 PM8/25/16
to Reading Hackspace, maillist_...@aross.me
Hello Alexander,
I don't think anyone is going take 'piggy-back' in any way than your intention.
Re: the solar cells. Member Sylvain demonstrated a homemade panel a while ago (see pics attached) That one produces 1.5V with the cells connected in parallel. Sylvain was working with solar doing technical consultancy, I'm not sure if he still is, he was along last night to the open evening for a while and so he is keeping in touch and would be a good person for you to talk to. He did a workshop in 2013 which was live-streamed and recorded (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqftCAPdoyM)
I have left the panel by the test equipment in case you are interested, It normally lives in the cupboard with the conference display stuff.
Hope that Helps,
Mike
I don't think anyone is going take 'piggy-back' in any way than your intention.
Re: the solar cells. Member Sylvain demonstrated a homemade panel a while ago (see pics attached) That one produces 1.5V with the cells connected in parallel. Sylvain was working with solar doing technical consultancy, I'm not sure if he still is, he was along last night to the open evening for a while and so he is keeping in touch and would be a good person for you to talk to. He did a workshop in 2013 which was live-streamed and recorded (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqftCAPdoyM)
I have left the panel by the test equipment in case you are interested, It normally lives in the cupboard with the conference display stuff.
Hope that Helps,
Mike
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