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..
