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  • All Set to make a Solar Panel. Require some informtion

    Hello friends,

    I'm all set to make my own first Solar Panel. For that I have got the following stuff.

    1. Solar Cells - 3x6 = 150 nos
    2. 150ah Lead Acid Battery = 2 nos
    3. Tabbing Wires/ Flux
    4. Soldering Machine
    5. Controller
    6. Misc. Items.

    My question is that, I have a plan to make a big Panel using 144 cells in 4 rows of 36 cells. Which should generate 18Volt. I am a bit confused on the ampere ratings. I might be using a wrong formula. How much current in Amperes would this configuration generate?

    Also, since I have a charge controller, do I still need a blocking diode to protect it from discharging the current?

  • #2
    Originally posted by mcc View Post
    Hello friends,

    I'm all set to make my own first Solar Panel. For that I have got the following stuff.

    1. Solar Cells - 3x6 = 150 nos
    2. 150ah Lead Acid Battery = 2 nos
    3. Tabbing Wires/ Flux
    4. Soldering Machine
    5. Controller
    6. Misc. Items.

    My question is that, I have a plan to make a big Panel using 144 cells in 4 rows of 36 cells. Which should generate 18Volt. I am a bit confused on the ampere ratings. I might be using a wrong formula. How much current in Amperes would this configuration generate?

    Also, since I have a charge controller, do I still need a blocking diode to protect it from discharging the current?
    Just having four rows of 36 cells does not determine what the panel output will be. If you wire the four rows in series (up one row, down the next row which has the cells mounted in the other direction) will give you 18x4=72 Volts, at the same current as a single cell.
    Wiring them in parallel (all cells mounted in the same direction and all of the bottom cells connected to one lead and all of the top cells connected to another) will give you 18 volts at four times the current you would get from one cell or string of cells.

    What is the power output per cell? For two 150AH 12 volt batteries in parallel you should have a panel or panels capable of generating at least 300 watts.
    SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

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    • #3
      Save yourself a lot of money and time, just buy them.
      MSEE, PE

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      • #4
        Sorry for little information. I am planning to tab 36 cells in series, which will generate 18v and making four rows of 36 cells and connecting them in Parallel. So the panel would generate 18v.

        The cells I bought are here Plus 40 more cells.

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        • #5
          You have to rethink your planned configuration of cells. You are looking at 2'x9' size of panel.Check what size of glass is readily available at an economical price.

          Comment


          • #6
            Glass is not an issue. I already got a quote from someone for the plexiglass and its well with in budget. Local things are quite cheap here. All I am concerned about the usage of blocking diode and ampere this gonna produce.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by axis11 View Post
              You have to rethink your planned configuration of cells. You are looking at 2'x9' size of panel.Check what size of glass is readily available at an economical price.
              Originally posted by mcc View Post
              Glass is not an issue. I already got a quote from someone for the plexiglass and its well with in budget. Local things are quite cheap here. All I am concerned about the usage of blocking diode and ampere this gonna produce.
              No you really need to rethink this panel size. At this size it will be next to impossible within reason to build a panel rigid enough to withstand moving it from the table to wherever it is to be installed
              NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

              [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

              [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

              [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

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              • #8
                Ok. Then I can build two panels instead of one and join them in paralell to create the same current?

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                • #9
                  build 4 36 cell panels and put them in parallel
                  Last edited by Naptown; 12-14-2012, 03:48 PM.
                  NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

                  [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

                  [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

                  [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Alrite. So my question is, Blocking Diode is necessary when using charge controller?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by mcc View Post
                      Alrite. So my question is, Blocking Diode is necessary when using charge controller?
                      no they are built into the charge controller
                      But with 4 panels or strings of cells in parallel you will need fused between each string
                      NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

                      [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

                      [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

                      [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

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                      • #12
                        What should be the fuse ratings?

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                        • #13
                          Also, since its a small solar panel. a PWM controller would be sufficient?

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by mcc View Post
                            What should be the fuse ratings?
                            Generally I use 125% of the Isc rating on the panel

                            Originally posted by mcc View Post
                            Also, since its a small solar panel. a PWM controller would be sufficient?
                            As long as the voltage is say about 18V charging a 12V battery. If say you were to put the panels in series then a MPPT would be required. (well not required but you would be cutting your panel output to the batteries by 75%)
                            NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

                            [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

                            [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

                            [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I'm sorry but I did'nt get the MPPT vs. PWM point.

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