Help with a Little Project & Understanding the Materials Involved

[inetdog]

I short them out so
the rest can work.

Ah, the infamous bypass monode.
(A single terminal device that both ends of the cell connect to.)

[KrazyK3nn3dy]

Bcroe; that's along the same lines of what I was thinking to test the cells. Thank you.

I live in Florida and everyone wants to pay you with sunshine (it is the Sunshine State after all), so I couldn't help but want to take it literally (I do understand that DIY generally, if not always, ends up costing more than pre-manufactured panels [not to mention the strict building codes here, so I'm not going to be trying to power my home from solar]). God forbid anything bad were to happen here, I don't want to have to rely on anyone but myself, and I needed another hobby besides playing video games. So I thank all of you for being patient with me and helping me to better understand what I'm getting myself into. Any other words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Should I bother with adding bypass diodes for a small experiment? If so, how many cells should I bypass at a time (can I get away with bypassing two or should I bypass each one)? If so, is there 4Amp diodes, or is a 6Amp ok (the cells are supposed to produce 2Amp and I'm not going to be running any in parallel [unless that would be better due to faster charging with less voltage])? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!!

[bcroe]

Bcroe; that's along the same lines of what I was thinking to test the cells. Thank you.

I live in Florida and everyone wants to pay you with sunshine (it is the Sunshine State after all), so I couldn't help but want to take it literally (I do understand that DIY generally, if not always, ends up costing more than pre-manufactured panels [not to mention the strict building codes here, so I'm not going to be trying to power my home from solar]).

Should I bother with adding bypass diodes for a small experiment? If so, how many cells should I bypass at a time (can I get away with bypassing two or should I bypass each one)? If so, is there 4Amp diodes, or is a 6Amp ok (the cells are supposed to produce 2Amp and I'm not going to be running any in parallel [unless that would be better due to faster charging with less voltage])? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!!

Some recommend a bypass diode for at most 18 cells; reducing the number of cells
per diode might improve efficiency a bit. I wouldn't use diodes at more than half
their rating, unless you are using fan cooling. Bruce Roe

[KrazyK3nn3dy]

Ok, thank you all for your help. I'll probably have more questions as I start to actually put this thing together. Thanks again, and I am always open to other suggestions if anyone has them.

[doadcma]

I think I see where you are getting off track. There are basically two PV cell types.

1. Silicon is the primary type used as it is the most efficient, reliable, and last a fairly long time. Each cell is for all intent and purposes is a very thin delicate slice of GLASS of 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 inches. They have to be protected in a glass laminate and rigid frame. These are the type DIY like yourself can get and try to build a panel.

2. Thin Film uses a special type of Ink or Paint they layer on to a substrate like a sheet of plastic film. It is flexible and can be molded. DIY cannot build them.

So if I get this right you want to use Silicon cells to make a flexible panel? The answer is No Way, its very fragile glass. As any DIY has found out, you have to buy twice the amount of cells to make one panel because they break half of them just soldering them together and get laminated before breaking them.

Only way to do this is with Thin Film panels like the one you have pictured. There are a ton of 2 to 10 watt panels out there an deven more already made USB chargers. Thin Film is not DIY. There are no cells to buy and assemble, just finished panels.