DIY Solar Panel

Creating a solar panel out of broken re-used solar cell pieces. I ordered a pack of these from http://siliconsolar.com (3$ for a bagful of them - you can order here). In addition, you will need some conductive copper mesh (available at most art stores), glue gun + sticks, a multimeter and a conductive pen (or any sort of conductive brush-on - I got my conductive silver pen here). In this tutorial I will try to explain the best technique I found to connect these broken cells, in order to create your own CHEAP solar panel.

Step 1 Get the solar cells

this is how the cells can look like when they arrive

Comments

[HestiaBHN]

Questions:
It is a fascinating project I would like to try. But I would need a whole lot more detail and pictures. Not skipping any steps.

Step 2 Connect the pos. and neg. multi meter clips to where/what on the cell?

Step 5 is really confusing. Needs more detail. It looks like you took tabbing wire and soldered it in one long strip across the negative face of the bits. Then placed the whole string of bits on a large piece of copper mesh. So that only accounts for the positive to pos. and neg. to neg. Is there some other wire that goes over and under the bits? Could you please add pictures of attaching the where the positive and neg. parts are also?

Step 6 & 7 it looks like the wire mesh has been cut into strips maybe a few inches long goes over and under--connecting pos. to neg. That makes it a little more clear. But Now it no longer looks like the tabbing wire is connecting pos to pos and neg. to neg.

Step 9 looks really pretty. But wouldn’t the bits on the back side never get sun?
Step 10 . It looks like we are back to a large piece of wire mesh.

I'll check out some other DIY solar panel articles and add that info to your idea of using broken bits. As an artist I think I can make a really unusual and attractive solar collector. Thanks for the idea!

[rlaws]

Really nice images i have also seen these type of images on the following websites.

Diy Solar Panels
Diy Solar Panels

[wtbskill]

This is great. I also found another good site on how to make solar panels if you guys are interested in how to do it yourself from scratch. You can go here for good DIY solar panels information. Hope it helps.

[mariomario64]

Could you explain the functionality of your last photo? thanks

[the cat expert]

When you check the solar panels in step 2, what are you looking for?

[nmax1]

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[john1968]

thanks...it is pretty good website

[PenaChris]

the man

[malaskadora]

HI, I'm from philippines and energy cost is quite expensive. It's good to know that this kind of technology is growing. However, here in my country doesn't seem too interested on this. I want to build or make one for my own. I need your ideas about this, and I reckon if you could help me on this one.

http://build-home-solar-panel.com/

I saw this site and I need your inputs. I want to have at least one guide for now. Thanks in advance!

[Paulus44]

Hi, I am from Cagayan de oro city and look also for solarpanel material. Where can I buy that? If you know an address, please let me know. I have solarcooker and busy to make a vertical windmill.

[bbuenaflor]

It is as expensive everywhere else. you can check sulit.

[PenaChris]

bne

[geekdude]

ive heard of people pressing rocks and bits of glass bottles and stuff into concrete for sidewalks I but you could do the same thing with these. mix em in with black pebbles and they would look right at home. Then your sidewalk could be generating electricity. you might want to coat them with epoxy  or put them under bits of broken glass because the wair and tair of being a sidewalk might break them down. also you would want to make doubly sure your wireing is right because when the concrete dries you wont be able to fix it.

[shoffman3]

There's a guy working on this already - but he's taken it to the logical ultimate conclusion: http://www.solarroadways.com/main.html

[Da Person who plays paintball.]

Also, I read the ``our vision`` thing, their idea for EV`s to recharge in parking lots, we could find a way to make tires conductive, so they leech power off the road.

[gneal]

I just bought some new solar flood lights. But what if it is an overcast day? Do they still work?

[emiller17]

Great question. Your solar flood lights should work just fine even when it is overcast. Typically they will store excess energy that can be used when it is an overcast day.

[qwerty156]

mmm solar!
Good job! Solar+recycling=WIN!
Check out my solar panel blog!
mysolaradventures.blogspot.com

[gantsa]

(removed by author or community request)

[emmick4]

They aren't SELLING them. you can download them for free. they don't need permission.

[Darrell Knight]

I am by no means a liberal, and could give a rats derriere about 'green' power. But as an Ultra Conservative, I do like to save money when I can. This is a very neat site, thanks for the info.

[JohnDaniel]

Has anyone heard of or tried out some of the solar panel kits you can use to make solar panels at home? I have been looking into this but a little nervous about trying this type of project. My neighbor sent me to this site; Solar Panels Make At Home and I checked it out. Just looking for some feedback before I dive in.

Thanks

John

[Elian_gonzalez]

This is great would you be opposed to this Instructable being featured on my small business's Solar blog?

Mike Mikula,
InfluenSol LLC

[alex young]

hello how is everyone. Can I use ordinary 60/40 solder to solder up my cells together to make a panel

[aaa7z5]

Hey, very interesting guide! I am searching for an easy to use system for making your own solar panels, I like DIY but I am not extremely hands-on.. My friend pointed me towards "Gridless Energy" where there are comparisons for affordable systems for building your own solar panels. Check it out if you are not sure where to start!

[larawaller]

I love the fact that so many people still think solar power is science fiction, yet everyday another MW or 2 is being installed. So much activity in this industry that it's expected to reach 1GW in the USA by the end of the year.

diy solar panels

[HRobinson]

Just joined and just found this posting ... you guys have some interesting stuff on this website! ... please excuse my ignorance but doesn't the glue act as an insulator or is there a conductive glue we should be using?

[dagenius]

You don't actually want it to conduct--you already have the conductive ink, and existing connections to do that. If the cells were encased in conductive glue, then they wouldn't have any output (short circuit).

[MillenniumMan]

heh heh... Go to the post office and tell them that your solar panel came to you broken and you want them to buy a new one from the company, then order their most expensive one :)

[Manchester Counselling]

Hi, isn't that just a little underhanded. That said, what a great way of reusing something that most folks would throw away and replace. Keep it up Manchester Counselling

[formweaver]

Recent experience tells me that isn't as easy as you might hope. We received one broken panel and it took much effort and many weeks before we were able to get them to replace the broken one, dealing with the seller and the post office. It was not fun. So be sure you know their policies, and if they are shipping it insured.

[lukethedog]

Never mind that the Postal Service will ask for your receipt and proof of purchasing insurance. Duh !

[catdawg426]

Nice instructable! But I have the same question as george16888. What wattage could we get out of these?

[Andy the Making Solar Panels enthusiast]

Very useful tips to build cheap solar cells. Superb. Though as a newbie the whole process of making, sounds a little complex to make a meaningful amount of power. I found an another affordable and simpler way to making solar panels from damaged solar cells.

[chaitanyak]

awesome! i didn't even know you could buy old broken solar cells! will order a bag soon!

[jonnyds]

Where can you get the panels and silicon?Build solar guide Diy solar panels

[thepelton]

Another source for solar cells. www.sciplus.com part # 37731 4.5vdc solar cell @ 50mA 8>) Don

[lukeyj15]

i thought that amps or mA was for measuring current

[ndonart]

It is. Every circuit has 3 basic values: Voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R). V=I*R. Amps is current. More cells (battery, solar, generators, etc) = add voltage in series, add amps in parallel. Resistance is variable depending on material, length and thickness.

[Green Silver]

I bought four 3cm square solar cells fixed into those solar garden lamps from my local £ shop, I'm using them to build a solar Mendocino motor, maybe if I get it right I'll do an Instructabe on my project.