DIY Realistic

[Uechi Kid]

Well I've been looking around this very helpful forum for a few days. I got this wild hair a few weeks ago and thought I'd really look into Solar electric to supplement our on grid use. Then I found that you can make your own panels for a fraction of what you can buy them for. I'm retired so I have some time on my hands.
Question:
If i could make quality panels that were weather tight, and created a plan for installation that was professional and safe. Would my local inspector approve installing home made panels?

[Mike90250]

Would my local inspector approve installing home made panels?

No

To connect panels to a UL approved GT inverter, the panels, and the wires need to be approved too. (even the little grounding lugs!) Inspectors are picky about that.


If you wanted to attach the panels to a garden shed to charge a weed wacker, and the shed is not insured, fine. Anything attached to a insured structure, needs to be UL or something, certified.

So far, without a $20,000 laminateor, homebuilt panels will never be water vapor sealed. Building a panel for the fun of it, great learning tool.

[Sunking]

Well I've been looking around this very helpful forum for a few days. I got this wild hair a few weeks ago and thought I'd really look into Solar electric to supplement our on grid use.

Well then you will not be using any home made anything on a grid tied system.

Then I found that you can make your own panels for a fraction of what you can buy them for.

Well then I am afraid you have been misinformed. You might be able to shave say 10 to 20 % off a commercial made panel, but you will being using inferior grade cells what they call Grade B which are factory rejects, and if you did get grade A cells, your home made panel would fail within a year or two forcing to make another one which will put you behind economically using a commercial made panel in the first place.

[Uechi Kid]

So the claims that Sylgard 184 will completely seal the cells is incorrect? Bummer! And bummer that everything must be UL approved. But I had my suspicions, that's why I asked.
Thanks

[Sunking]

And bummer that everything must be UL approved.

While I certainly understand your disappointment, you have to realize when you install a grid-tied system you are not only putting yourself at risk, you are also putting the public at risk.

[MarineLiner]

Well I've been looking around this very helpful forum for a few days.
.....
I'm retired so I have some time on my hands.

[Uechi Kid]

[QUOTE=MarineLiner;10204]

[MarineLiner]

If I'm not mistaken, in California you need four years of experience in a trade to be able to get a contractors license.
.....
Thanks for the information.

Another try, join work with someone who had license.
To do the "rebuild".

[Uechi Kid]

Another try, join work with someone who had license.
To do the "rebuild".

Now that's a thought. This old fart could do that.

[Mike90250]

.....
Can start with "rebuilding" used certified panels, controllers, inverters ?

Only if you are a UL certified factory (ie - OEM), would your rebuild hold up to your insurance company. Sorry.

[Uechi Kid]

Only if you are a UL certified factory (ie - OEM), would your rebuild hold up to your insurance company. Sorry.

Now there you go again, bursting my bubble.

[MarineLiner]

It's ok,
where there's a will
then there's a way.
We can join work also with our friends from China.
They have good products to be distributed world wide.
And they eager to tell us what to do.
The problem with me, my will is not strong enough to marketing chalange. I feel shy.

[muskrat]

comercial panels cheaper

I've built a couple of small panels and it was indeed enjoyable but the kicker seems to be the sealant for the cells. You can get the cells and tempered glass for under a dollar but any sealing system that's of commercial quality seems to run another 50 to 75 cents per watt. You can get unisolar panels for $1.20 a watt from sunelec.com and evergreen for about $1.75 a watt.I'm probably going to buy some more cells to play with at some point to make a charger for my kindle. Some of these small charging devices have a very high dollar per watt cost. I like the Idea of a garden shed with a lawnmower charger! Alas how many inventions have been stifled by insurance companies! What's a few houses burned down compared to lost opportunities;unless of course it's your house!

[Sunking]

What's a few houses burned down compared to lost opportunities;unless of course it's your house!

Or when it is your loved one who died trying to save some idiots house who fooled around with something they have no idea about.

[MarineLiner]

I've built a couple of small panels and it was indeed enjoyable but the kicker seems to be the sealant for the cells.
.....
You can get
unisolar panels for $1.20 a watt from sunelec.com and
evergreen for about $1.75 a watt.
I'm probably going to buy some more cells .....