DIY solar panels

If you're really cheap, buy a finished module. There is no way to make a durable module by buying individual cells, building the frame, soldering, and enclosing in acetate, and expecting a less expensive result.
I did research it and the cost/benefit just isn't there.

There's Cheap
Then There's Foolishly Cheap

Many solar voltaic cell connections are reliable only when wave soldered.....you don't want to know.

Then you need bedding material...

A frame...

And cell covering...

And wuwee many off-spec individual cells get sent to market

Kinda what I figured... thanks guys.

Are you putting these home made panels on the RV?

160 watts $129 at SolarBLVD


Individual cells:
https://www.solarblvd.com/index.php?cPath=128_130

Not necessarily. Just a experimental introduction to solar.

Here is an interesting article on recent history in panels manufacturing, prices decline and other things.
All happened very fast and well organized.
Link

KMLsquared wrote:
Not necessarily. Just a experimental introduction to solar.

When it comes to "reliability" over time in an outdoors setting like a solar panel will exist in there is no shortcuts to be had.

Yes, you can buy off cuts pretty cheap, the problem becomes of how do you "water proof" the cells and junction points reliably.

Also to get the most bang for the buck you need low iron glass AND it needs to be tempered to resist breakage and have more strength than plain plate glass. The Low iron glass allows more energy through the glass..

Low iron and tempered glass is not easily found and is not cheap when found..

To keep moisture away from the cells and junctions you need to encapsulate the cells.. Finding reliable low cost materials for this purpose is not easy or cheap..

Then you have to build a frame for the entire panel to fit into..

The there is the time involved, I don't know about you, but my time is not cheap or plentiful..

By the time you get all the materials, assemble the thing and get into working order you will have spent 10x or more than a ready built unit..

And you will have another trade off.. Most homemade panels even when all the work has been done correctly and with all the correct materials will most likely fail within a couple of years of assembly..

If you want to dip your toe in the solar arena just buy a lower wattage factory made panel..

HERE is a link to a Renogy 50W panel for about $90, just add a cheap PWM solar charge controller and you are instantly in the solar biz!

For $140 you can get a 100W Renogy panel HERE and once again just add in a cheap PWM solar charge controller and you are in the solar biz..

Or, you can get a 100W Renogy solar panel "KIT" which includes 100W panel, PWM controller, 8ft of wire, brackets HERE for about $200!

I doubt you will be able to buy 100W worth of cheap solar cell "cut offs" and make it reliable for any less than those panels above..

KMLsquared wrote:
Sorry if this has been covered before. I searched and could not find anything.

Has anyone taken the time to buy the individual solar cells and solder them together to make a panel? I've seen many individual cells on ebay and many videos on you tube about making them yourself but never any talk on here about it. I'm really, really cheap.

I was thinking about the same thing. My research screemed don't do it.

Thanks everybody for the feedback. Storebought panels it is!

KMLsquared wrote:
Thanks everybody for the feedback. Storebought panels it is!

Good choice, one that you will not regret the next day..