Are DIY Solar Panels Worth it?

[tsupyo]

Interesting that you think building from scratch and installing a large array solar system the same as changing your oil or building a shed. Seems you don't even have the ability to go to the home page on this forum, go to the right side of page and click 'home solar panels'. Not a lot of magic involved, just common sense. For a DIY guy you seem to need very detailed instructions. Common sense would also dictate you get a basic grasp of the size system you want before even thinking about building or purchasing the parts involved.
Intelligent questions here get intelligent answers. If you want facts then GIVE some facts. What th ell you trying to do anyway? What is your system goal?

Actually whats more interesting is that from what I wrote you got out of that I equate solar systems to changing oil and building a shed, which is not what I said...nor what I was even remotely implying... Further, if you missed my meaning then thats on you to figure out. To continue, you are assuming I didnt go and research from this forum site as well as many others to find this magical solar panel...which I did...and gee...possibly may have been why I said I'm tired of contending with this mythical contraption everyone is so bent on saying exists...which does not...not for that price at any rate. You site common sense? Really? I would ask you to use more of it before replying... My questions are intelligent, but seeing as how I'm receiving some pretty stupid responses, my patience is beginning to grow sparser by the word... I have given facts and so far I have yet to see any facts substantiated on the side of commercially built solar panels. To address what I am doing, I have already stated that a few times now...my goal? Well gee maybe its so my oil gets changed quicker or my shed is made sturdier? Or perhaps its so I can realize free power in a cost effective manner? I'm not sure why I have to state this, when its fairly obvious...

Try this
google search solar panels under$1 a watt.
at least 10 hits came up on the first page from reputable suppliers and manufacturers.

It isn't hard but does require about 35 seconds of work on your part.

Hmmm...first few hits are advertisements of which do not lead me anywhere close to a magical ~$1/W solar panel, however a few links down the page does net some valid resellers of solar panels, none of which comes close to $1/W. They were closer to double that... So, any other sarcastic crap you feel the need to publish on this thread or can we get to the brass tacks of yet another point I'm proving...where's your facts on where this solar panel is at because so far...I'm not seeing it...

Rich, you are 100% correct but I think he finds it easier to bloviate.

I have a half dozen links for such things - just takes a little time watching and searching.

Please help me out then russ...because apparently you not only have a magical $1/W commercially made solar panel, but your computer magically nets results mine does not when doing the same exact thing.

[FloridaSun]

Rich, you are 100% correct but I think he finds it easier to bloviate.

Bloviate? had to look that one up. You're being uncharacteristically generous, Russ... gob****e seems more fitting
thanks for the vocabulary update

[russ]

Try this
google search solar panels under$1 a watt.
at least 10 hits came up on the first page from reputable suppliers and manufacturers.

It isn't hard but does require about 35 seconds of work on your part.

Rich, you are 100% correct but I think he finds it easier to bloviate.

I have a half dozen links for such things - just takes a little time watching and searching.

[Naptown]

I respect your opinion, but my aspirations are a tad loftier and I am after a large array. Frankly, any DIY build (generally speaking) is not a warrantied thing, but yet millions of us DIY are still changing our own oil and building our own sheds...amongst other things. I will not ever accept that comemrcially built is better than DIY. There may be times when its more feasible given circumstances that make it better, but in the end if you are not a large corporation DIY is and always will be the way. So, there's my opinion. Now that opinions have been covered, lets get back to facts. I'm tired of contending with this magical panel thats somewhere around $1/W (or less) has a 25+ year warranty and practically radiates electricity especially when its a solar eclipsed day with a hurricane and tornado blowing in from all directions. Facts people, lets start putting some cards on the table. Where are these panels? I've looked and I'm not finding them...

Try this
google search solar panels under$1 a watt.
at least 10 hits came up on the first page from reputable suppliers and manufacturers.

It isn't hard but does require about 35 seconds of work on your part.

[FloridaSun]

I respect your opinion, but my aspirations are a tad loftier and I am after a large array. Frankly, any DIY build (generally speaking) is not a warrantied thing, but yet millions of us DIY are still changing our own oil and building our own sheds...amongst other things. I will not ever accept that comemrcially built is better than DIY. There may be times when its more feasible given circumstances that make it better, but in the end if you are not a large corporation DIY is and always will be the way. So, there's my opinion. Now that opinions have been covered, lets get back to facts. I'm tired of contending with this magical panel thats somewhere around $1/W (or less) has a 25+ year warranty and practically radiates electricity especially when its a solar eclipsed day with a hurricane and tornado blowing in from all directions. Facts people, lets start putting some cards on the table. Where are these panels? I've looked and I'm not finding them...

Interesting that you think building from scratch and installing a large array solar system the same as changing your oil or building a shed. Seems you don't even have the ability to go to the home page on this forum, go to the right side of page and click 'home solar panels'. Not a lot of magic involved, just common sense. For a DIY guy you seem to need very detailed instructions. Common sense would also dictate you get a basic grasp of the size system you want before even thinking about building or purchasing the parts involved.
Intelligent questions here get intelligent answers. If you want facts then GIVE some facts. What th ell you trying to do anyway? What is your system goal?

[tsupyo]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Building panels for uses of 100 Watts or less makes perfect sence for someone like me. Anything over 100 watts, like using in a large array is just silly. To many points of failure and no UL listing or a waranty make it just insane to even fathom. Now remember this is coming from me, I have built many panels and am making some right now. All of my panels serve small purposes for me like outdoor lights, small fans in my solar thermal heaters, and soon running small pumps in solar hot water systems and rain capturing system as well.

My point is for small uses, building your own is great fun and cost effective. For anything large scale it just makes more sence economicaly and logisticly to buy factory built.

I respect your opinion, but my aspirations are a tad loftier and I am after a large array. Frankly, any DIY build (generally speaking) is not a warrantied thing, but yet millions of us DIY are still changing our own oil and building our own sheds...amongst other things. I will not ever accept that comemrcially built is better than DIY. There may be times when its more feasible given circumstances that make it better, but in the end if you are not a large corporation DIY is and always will be the way. So, there's my opinion. Now that opinions have been covered, lets get back to facts. I'm tired of contending with this magical panel thats somewhere around $1/W (or less) has a 25+ year warranty and practically radiates electricity especially when its a solar eclipsed day with a hurricane and tornado blowing in from all directions. Facts people, lets start putting some cards on the table. Where are these panels? I've looked and I'm not finding them...

[green]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Building panels for uses of 100 Watts or less makes perfect sence for someone like me. Anything over 100 watts, like using in a large array is just silly. To many points of failure and no UL listing or a waranty make it just insane to even fathom. Now remember this is coming from me, I have built many panels and am making some right now. All of my panels serve small purposes for me like outdoor lights, small fans in my solar thermal heaters, and soon running small pumps in solar hot water systems and rain capturing system as well.

My point is for small uses, building your own is great fun and cost effective. For anything large scale it just makes more sence economicaly and logisticly to buy factory built.

[SunEagle]

Sounds like you found the place I bought them from...good...enough of the accusations...So far as I know, no one has or is building panels with these solar cells, so how can you outright say - they wont/dont work? Again, this is a discussion and seeing as how these cells have not been made to endure the elements beyond what they actually produce, I think its a tad quick to make a decision and despite your opinion, I'm not going to stop what I'm doing, so again...please contribute positively or in some way that is not an outright judgement.

I see that you are a person with convictions and need to see things for yourself to be proven right or wrong. That's ok by me. I wish you luck with your project and pray that you don't get hurt or go broke in doing so.

[tsupyo]

I finally did find some 6 x 6 solar cells with the 0.5v and 8.1amp ratings on eBay. One place that was selling was Polish and mentioned the cells were Grade A and made in Germany.

I caution you that you can't always believe what an eBay seller is telling you. Most companies do not make Grade A cells to be sold individually. Those are usually the ones that didn't pass inspection and are then sold for a much lower value which is why they are very cheap to buy in quantity.

Also you mentioned that the cells were metal. Unless you have found a different source every one of the 6 x 6 cells I found being sold on eBay are either a Mono or Poly crystalline solar cell that is on some type of back-plate (may be metal or something else). The cells are still semiconductor material and will crack, fade and degrade over a period of time depending on how well they are mounted and protected from the elements.

I admire your decision to build your own solar panels but I think you need to understand some of the pitfalls of doing this. The panels (no matter how well you construct them) may still be made from below grade components. Also due to local and national codes (there to protect people from harming themselves or others) will not allow you to sell or install anything that can affect others. The UL listing is just one form of information to tell you that the manufacturer has gone to some length (and cost) to make sure their product is safe and reliable.

Sounds like you found the place I bought them from...good...enough of the accusations...So far as I know, no one has or is building panels with these solar cells, so how can you outright say - they wont/dont work? Again, this is a discussion and seeing as how these cells have not been made to endure the elements beyond what they actually produce, I think its a tad quick to make a decision and despite your opinion, I'm not going to stop what I'm doing, so again...please contribute positively or in some way that is not an outright judgement.

[Naptown]

sure pm me the specs and a picture of the front and back of the cells

[tsupyo]

Tsupyo
No offence but having been around here a while many of us have seen many many half baked ideas come across in the diy PV panel arena. So yes we are a bit skeptical. The interest in the cells you say you have that are metal are certainly intriguing as this is not the norm and sounds a lot like some technology that was tried and failed.

I understand, and thats why I am continuing in this discussion. I am trying to get past the cynicism and criticism to approach actual discussion. I am a very persistent indivisual and I can tolerate abuse to get at what I want, so no offence taken and in many ways I can appreciate the necessity of trying to weed out the trash. If you would like I can PM to you a link of the cells I'm referring to. You can decide who to further forward them to, but out of respect for someone who is a tad guarded I'd appreciate it if you not make it public. If these cells are not good enough to withstand the elements then the people selling them do not need the extra sales.

[SunEagle]

I finally did find some 6 x 6 solar cells with the 0.5v and 8.1amp ratings on eBay. One place that was selling was Polish and mentioned the cells were Grade A and made in Germany.

I caution you that you can't always believe what an eBay seller is telling you. Most companies do not make Grade A cells to be sold individually. Those are usually the ones that didn't pass inspection and are then sold for a much lower value which is why they are very cheap to buy in quantity.

Also you mentioned that the cells were metal. Unless you have found a different source every one of the 6 x 6 cells I found being sold on eBay are either a Mono or Poly crystalline solar cell that is on some type of back-plate (may be metal or something else). The cells are still semiconductor material and will crack, fade and degrade over a period of time depending on how well they are mounted and protected from the elements.

I admire your decision to build your own solar panels but I think you need to understand some of the pitfalls of doing this. The panels (no matter how well you construct them) may still be made from below grade components. Also due to local and national codes (there to protect people from harming themselves or others) will not allow you to sell or install anything that can affect others. The UL listing is just one form of information to tell you that the manufacturer has gone to some length (and cost) to make sure their product is safe and reliable.

[Naptown]

Tsupyo
No offence but having been around here a while many of us have seen many many half baked ideas come across in the diy PV panel arena. So yes we are a bit skeptical. The interest in the cells you say you have that are metal are certainly intriguing as this is not the norm and sounds a lot like some technology that was tried and failed.

[russ]

Located in Dallas, Texas? Ask Sunking about how to go about it.

Now for a little more about the magic cells you supposedly sourced - so far the blather runneth deep between you and free energy.

[tsupyo]

Interesting. We (some of us anyway) seem to be having this conversation concerning DIY panels and United Laboratories (UL) certification in two different threads with the same person.

I commented first in this thread not knowing there was an "Introduce Yourself Section", but in any case the other thread is where I introduced my self and explained what I was doing and I suppose more or less explained myself, more out of courtesy because frankly I dont really need to explain myself.

Are you the manufacturing source of these metal solar cells and are you trying to find out what it takes to make them to sell to others? At least that is what some of your questions lead me to beleive.

No...I'm as I have previously stated...a DIY trying to justify DIY methods to a crowd who (in some ways justifiably so with all of the frickin spam that surrounds everything these days) seems bent more on criticism and cynicism rather than actual discussion.

Methinks the poster needs to come up with a few more facts regarding plans and the cells or we can call BS on the entire concept.

No offense Russ, but what ever your opinion is, its irrelevent to my aggenda and project. I'm simply interested in facts so please contribute (or not) to the discussion.

Plastic has more heat expansion than glass but (not sure how much more), so glass is better. For 8" square solar lights, I get away with a glass/silicone/glass sandwich.

Excellent point FOF. My most recent trip to Home Depot yielded almost the same bit of intuition. The Glass/Glass "sandwich", from a cost perspective and from a durability perspective.

If I could find cheap tempered glass and cheap aluminum, I would try making large panels that way, Oh, and whether to use two pieces of glass or one with that clear resin stuff (and all that extra time trying to keep air bubbles out, etc) but small homemade glass 4v and 6v panels are great.

I live in a big city where materials are both abundant and fairly cost effective. I'm looking at all Aluminum manufacturers currently and I'm so far liking the priceing I'm finding. Nothing solid yet as to what I'm goiong to buy because I'm still guaging the hows and whys, but I definitely have a plan in mind.

From there, I think it went bad with the combination of the silicone and the moisture causing degradation to the solder joints.

Well, my experience with solder and the elements is that a good solid solder point which is protected (well enough) holds a pretty long time so all I can say is I'm confident in my sodlering skills.

Plastic and wood would warp, contract, expand and then let all kinds of moisture in. Good luck

Yeah, I'm trying hard to stay away from plastic and wood. It would appear that metal and glass are what stands up to the elements. Great points and I I emphatically agree with your quote.