Hola! From Costa Rica

[artagnan]

Hi guys,

I am Victor , live in Costa Rica, and got interested in solar energy after reading the book Powering The Future by Daniel B. Botkin (Recommended!)
Got my fist DIY kit from Amazon 44 cells 3x6 policrystaline and after doing a 36 cell panel got an 70 Watt panel (ca. 20v 3.5A).
Now I purchased about 650 cells in ebay (about $800 in total) and the plan is to slowly turn my house to solar, using grid tie inverters.
$800 might seem to most as a small price, but for CR income is a small fortune, so I need to get smart and do things right from the start to create durable panels. So any help will be appreciated!

Regards,

Victor

[Sunking]

Beautiful country, but tropical and will be more than a challenge for you I am afraid. Good luck.

[Mike90250]

Welcome.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but I generally believe DIY panels are very likely to fail, from moisture getting trapped inside. Some of the panel builders here have their favorite ways, so I'll let them guide you, as I just say "don't do it".

How does your utility company handle Grid Tie systems, do they need inspection or pre-approval ? Electrical permits?

[artagnan]

Thanks!

Beautiful country, but tropical and will be more than a challenge for you I am afraid. Good luck.

Tropical? nah just like 85% humidity... this is when the flood goes away

[Sunking]

I have been to Costa Rica once for a day several years ago on a cruise ship. Beautiful place and hope to return someday. What I remember is it was hot and sticky and impossible to dry off as the humidity was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and the rain clouds covering all the mountains and the afternoon down pour. Reminded me of Hawaii with a jungle.

[artagnan]

Thansk!

Welcome.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but I generally believe DIY panels are very likely to fail, from moisture getting trapped inside. Some of the panel builders here have their favorite ways, so I'll let them guide you, as I just say "don't do it".

How does your utility company handle Grid Tie systems, do they need inspection or pre-approval ? Electrical permits?

Any advice is great! thanks. All the do 's and don't 's will be appreciated!. Good thing is that were I live, does not rain that much, and we get a lot of sun and never above 30C 86F degrees.

I need to investigate further about our Electrical supplier. In CR we only have one, which is a government agency. For now I know that I have to fill some papers that are for people that generate less than 10kw. And they have the usual guidelines, visible breakers, safety device to break the flow, and all cables/materials under the safety voltage and amps parameters, everything grounded. I will need to have the approval and revision of a professional and they will need to approve the installation also.

There is something called "Distributed Generation" which is a law that will pass or has already pass our legislative chamber, and it will regulate and allow people to do its share. Right now almost all CR electricity comes from Dams, which are the least pollutant of all generations, but they do destroy the environment and have a great impact on people, communities and indigenous communities.

In my case I will take it slowly, learning and viewing the results..

Thanks again for your replies!

Victor

[Sunking]

For now I know that I have to fill some papers that are for people that generate less than 10kw. And they have the usual guidelines, visible breakers, safety device to break the flow, and all cables/materials under the safety voltage and amps parameters, everything grounded. I will need to have the approval and revision of a professional and they will need to approve the installation also.

Victor I do not know about CR building or electrical codes OK. But what you describe sounds pretty much like we have here in the USA and it might be the show stopper for you. Here in the USA all components have to be listed by a recognized by a third party testing agency, and here in the USA that mean Underwriters Labs. No DIY panel in the USA a can be certified or listed, and if your country has similar requirements you are dead in the water.

[artagnan]

Victor I do not know about CR building or electrical codes OK. But what you describe sounds pretty much like we have here in the USA and it might be the show stopper for you. Here in the USA all components have to be listed by a recognized by a third party testing agency, and here in the USA that mean Underwriters Labs. No DIY panel in the USA a can be certified or listed, and if your country has similar requirements you are dead in the water.

Hmm thanks for the info. Yes you are right. In order to go in parallel with the grid I would need equipment that complies with UL1703 and installation according to IEEE1547 and NEC2008, inverters less than 10kw and UL 1741 certified. So I can't go grid tie with my home made panels.

wonder where they sell those UL stickers just kidding.

Then my second plan to take over the world will involve putting the panels in my office and hydroponics greenhouse which will be separate rooms from my house and without electrical connection with the grid. Uff but my main argument with my wife about spending money in solar cells was the electrical bill reduction... oh boy I am in trouble :O

It will be though a fun experience, since I like building stuff, so I will have lots of power to run 12v water pumps

Thanks again for the info!

Victor

[Sunking]

Hmm thanks for the info. Yes you are right. In order to go in parallel with the grid I would need equipment that complies with UL1703 and installation according to IEEE1547 and NEC2008, inverters less than 10kw and UL 1741 certified. So I can't go grid tie with my home made panels.

Well Victor that is all you really need to know to make a decision, do not waste your time and money trying to make your own panels if you can't use them.