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The idea behind this project was to make a simple solar collector / panel that was modular so smaller panels could be made with readily available inexpensive materials and be scaled up for more productive installations. I anticipate this being the first of at least three instructable. This instructable will only cover the collector portion of the system. The concept being a modular system, the air intake and discharge portions of the panel will be seperate pieces (the second instructable) and/or a connecting collar to join to panels (the third instrucable).
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Signing UpStep 1Materials
Materials can be substituted with what you have available, I was able to make two panels with mats kicking around the garage. I did have to buy "glazing" which was a $9 piece of plexiglass. Keep in mind that much of the "efficiency" gained from one of these projects comes from how inexpensively you can make it.
3/4 ply wood - $12 per 4' x 8' sheet: You can 6 panels from a full sheet of plywood.
Radiant barrier - $15 per 16" x 25' roll: Not a necessity but I had it available so I used it, you can get 12 panels per roll.
1" foam insulation - $9 per 24" x 96" sheet: You should get at least 40 panels out of a sheet if have to buy it.
1" OD tubing - $35 per 100' roll: 1" outside diameter is the important part. It takes about 30' feet per panel I used some black PVC drain pipe stuff. Electrical conduit or any other type of available tubing should work, you will have paint your tubing flat black if it is not black already.
1/4" plywood - $6 per 2' x 4': Scraps work great, but out of a 2' x 4' piece you have enough to make about twelve panels.
"Glazing" - $9 per 18" x 24" piece of plexi glass: Probably the most expensive piece on the panel, any available glass should work. There is plenty of info out there about glazing and efficiency but remember the low cost is part of the efficiency in this project so dropping a C note on thermal panes is not advisable.
2" screws - if you are reading this I am sure you have these kicking around your work bench.
3/4 ply wood - $12 per 4' x 8' sheet: You can 6 panels from a full sheet of plywood.
Radiant barrier - $15 per 16" x 25' roll: Not a necessity but I had it available so I used it, you can get 12 panels per roll.
1" foam insulation - $9 per 24" x 96" sheet: You should get at least 40 panels out of a sheet if have to buy it.
1" OD tubing - $35 per 100' roll: 1" outside diameter is the important part. It takes about 30' feet per panel I used some black PVC drain pipe stuff. Electrical conduit or any other type of available tubing should work, you will have paint your tubing flat black if it is not black already.
1/4" plywood - $6 per 2' x 4': Scraps work great, but out of a 2' x 4' piece you have enough to make about twelve panels.
"Glazing" - $9 per 18" x 24" piece of plexi glass: Probably the most expensive piece on the panel, any available glass should work. There is plenty of info out there about glazing and efficiency but remember the low cost is part of the efficiency in this project so dropping a C note on thermal panes is not advisable.
2" screws - if you are reading this I am sure you have these kicking around your work bench.
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Oct 11, 2011. 1:13 PM
zazenergy
says:
zazenergy
says:
this is really helpful. I look forward to the accompanying Instructables!
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