Where can I get solar panel frames for mounting solar cells?

[RifRaf]

indeed this is true, though for 4mm float glass verses low iron the difference is less than 3% . Low iron has about 91.7% light transmission and float glass about 89%. Quoted from http://www.stegbar.com.au/pdf/data_s...on%20Glass.pdf.

The cost saving is huge though, about $110 per square meter for toughened glass plus freight was the best i could find in AU, then add a solid aluminium frame that is not easy to make anywhere near as strong as a door and you are getting close for $300 for a frame the same size as a door, verses about $40 for a complete used door. spent the savings on proper encapsulant and a few extra cells and have ended up with panels i am proud of.

[Mike90250]

Sadly, shower doors and patio doors, while a cheap source of tempered glass, are not the low-iron, High transmissive glass, and your panels will be 5-10% below what you expect.

[RifRaf]

try the junk yards or recycling places, look for glass sliding doors, get untinted ones and they will pretty much all be toughened glass, good stuff will have a label and standard that hard to beat. the frames are A1 and they can fit alot of cells http://rifraf.dyndns.org/solar/21-cells_on_glass.jpg 60 x 6"x6" cells

those frames even have nice handles running the full length to make a very solid mounting.

[Jason]

Found this place that sells in big quantities

http://www.sf-dz.cn/

[Mike90250]

Hi All
Well I have seen them listed on ebay and with info on them.
So you can see what they look like and maybe find something locally.

Yes to why not DIY panels, is the high voltage your worried about or amps..?
Or they just don't hold up...?
Ernie

3) They are not UL or CE certified/listed, and whatever the completed panel touches, will have it's insurance voided (homeowners, business, whatever), if the fire inspector sees a 200w GT inverter plugged into a wall outlet and a homemade panel(s) connected, there is no insurance coverage, even if the cause was fire ants in the city electrical box.

Any business selling "parts to make a usable frame/panel" is also liable. That includes the scams on fleabay, you will never track them down so they can share in your losses.

[Eherst98]

Solar panel Frames on ebay..

Hi All
Well I have seen them listed on ebay and with info on them.
So you can see what they look like and maybe find something locally.

Yes to why not DIY panels, is the high voltage your worried about or amps..?
Or they just don't hold up...?
Ernie

[solarwindal]

Let us know if you find suitable supply. Thanks, Solarwindal

[russ]

Take a panel (say BP) apart and take the section to anyone that does aluminum extrusion - they can probably copy it at minimum expense.

[solarwindal]

Thanks
This is a great forum, you hear the pros and the cons of DIY. I would like to share how I built mine. I'm sure I will buy mine for more complex projects, but all this one has to do is keep my RV batteries charged when I lose ac power when I'm not around, which happens a lot in South Florida from lighting surge.
I only visit my RV about every 3 weeks 60 miles away, I'm tired of losing everything in my fridge when the power goes out, the fridge will drain the batteries in about 2 weeks from keeping the gas valve open.

36 cells: I first went and purchased enough 1 1/4 aluminum angle to build a 29"X36" frame, I cut all to 45 degree angles and then I cut 4=1 1/4 long pieces of the angle for corner supports, then since I don't have a way to weld aluminum without taking it to a welder I bought JB weld and welded it all together and boy is it solid, I next bought from HD a 4X8 sheet of 1/8th inch hard board white one side, I cut two pieces 29X36 and laminated then together, and then installed my cells, I used 1/2 X 1/2 inch hardwood squares and glued them in between the rows on the hard board, I then had a piece of 1/8 clear glass cut for $39.00 29X36, I sealed everything all together, then I bought a cheap vacuum gauge off E-Bay for $15.00.
Their is a lot of talk about moisture damaging the panel, so I am going to pull a vacuum and remove all the air and see if I get a longer life out of my DIY panel+ I already had some aluminum prep and zinc primer, so I painted my frame to avoid oxidation. Of course the jury is still out to see if it all works, But I will post the good or bad, mine is putting out 19.5 volts with no load.
My total cost with caulking and the controller, frame, board, cells, wood aluminum, gauge and hardware about $165.00. To compare a store bought @3.00 per watt X 63 watts= $190.00, so I saved $25.00, big deal, at least I know a lot more about solar now. I think one has to get their hands dirty first before they appreciate factory made panel.
This is just my opinion.
Thanks
GREAT FORUM
junodale

Where did you get your aluminum? Thanks= Solarwindal

[solarwindal]

Yes, Thank you Mike, I know all of this. Like I said before, Im just after a supplier of frames. I've found the extrusions I need, Im just after an easier option, maybe a kit. I've got a few samples from China flying it's way over to me so I'll see what they are like and report back.

Hello everyone. This is very helpful, reading all your thoughts. I'm also trying to source the same framing you are. I'd appreciate knowing what source you do have. I'm actually in the glass business and know of several aluminum suppliers but not the profile we both seem to be looking for. I can tell you that once we find it we'll be able to buy it in 12-16 foot lengths and cut it to our needs. The metal has a profile that accepts screws from the adjoining piece once the two are mated in the corner. Just like the B P panels I've bought. It's very easy once we've got the right material. Over the years i've seen window frames, shower door frames, and storefront frames using this simple joinery. I doubt if B P or any other panel provider will share their source with us. Competition. Looking forward to figuring this out. Solarwindal

[elect41]

Aluminium Frames

IF this is helpfull take a look at this video,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcR3wMO5Wuc

[Mike90250]

I think one has to get their hands dirty first before they appreciate factory made panel.

Congratulations ! Enjoy it.

Mike

[junodale]

DIY solar panel frame and panel build

Thanks
This is a great forum, you hear the pros and the cons of DIY. I would like to share how I built mine. I'm sure I will buy mine for more complex projects, but all this one has to do is keep my RV batteries charged when I lose ac power when I'm not around, which happens a lot in South Florida from lighting surge.
I only visit my RV about every 3 weeks 60 miles away, I'm tired of losing everything in my fridge when the power goes out, the fridge will drain the batteries in about 2 weeks from keeping the gas valve open.

36 cells: I first went and purchased enough 1 1/4 aluminum angle to build a 29"X36" frame, I cut all to 45 degree angles and then I cut 4=1 1/4 long pieces of the angle for corner supports, then since I don't have a way to weld aluminum without taking it to a welder I bought JB weld and welded it all together and boy is it solid, I next bought from HD a 4X8 sheet of 1/8th inch hard board white one side, I cut two pieces 29X36 and laminated then together, and then installed my cells, I used 1/2 X 1/2 inch hardwood squares and glued them in between the rows on the hard board, I then had a piece of 1/8 clear glass cut for $39.00 29X36, I sealed everything all together, then I bought a cheap vacuum gauge off E-Bay for $15.00.
Their is a lot of talk about moisture damaging the panel, so I am going to pull a vacuum and remove all the air and see if I get a longer life out of my DIY panel+ I already had some aluminum prep and zinc primer, so I painted my frame to avoid oxidation. Of course the jury is still out to see if it all works, But I will post the good or bad, mine is putting out 19.5 volts with no load.
My total cost with caulking and the controller, frame, board, cells, wood aluminum, gauge and hardware about $165.00. To compare a store bought @3.00 per watt X 63 watts= $190.00, so I saved $25.00, big deal, at least I know a lot more about solar now. I think one has to get their hands dirty first before they appreciate factory made panel.
This is just my opinion.
Thanks
GREAT FORUM
junodale

[timmyraa2]

Yes, Thank you Mike, I know all of this. Like I said before, Im just after a supplier of frames. I've found the extrusions I need, Im just after an easier option, maybe a kit. I've got a few samples from China flying it's way over to me so I'll see what they are like and report back.

[Mike90250]

Ok, Well we'll see. Do you know of any supplier who supplies frame's?

You will need to look for a "Aluminum Extrusion" in the right profile. Lip to hold the glass in,
ridges to stiffen it, and hold the backing sheets. Needs to be pre-cut, then anodized to stop corrosion. Look at a pre-made panel, and see the profile you need. You might find something at a picture frame shop, but you need a specialty item.
And the the backing material.
The sealer.
The vacuum heat press.
Materials need to have a complimentary thermal expansion coefficient.
If a warranty, then an insurance bond, to stand behind it for 20 years
A PV cell supplier. The stuff on eBay is all 2nds, fails spec.
Lead free solder that can take daily heat cycles for 20 years.

A whole bunch of stuff, and not even electrical testing and grading yet.