Newbie needs ALOT of help Plz

[ynothd]

ok, i have looked online for months now untill im so confused...... i want to build my own solar panels, i have that figured out. AFTER that im kinda lost, i know what i need as far as components for the system.... but, 12v, 24v 48v? and how many panels do i need? what set up for a battery bank? i want to pull my home lighting from off the grid first then start to add other systems off grid, till im totally solar powered. im working on a solar water heater system now, im doing good with that. but need to figure out the solar power for electircty systems. is there an average home system blueprint? im kinda an energy hog so, i'll have to up it some. there is just my wife and I but we have 2 small grandchildren 5 days a week and my son and his girlfriend ocasionnally. im NOT very knowlagable with electronics but not a dummy either, so if well explained, not just a scematic i will get it. thanks for any help that can be givin'

[russ]

Solar water heating is great. Solar air heating potentially even better. Both can be good DIY projects

Solar PV is not a DIY thing for 99 plus % of the population. With present panel costs it is cheaper to buy anyway.

[ynothd]

thanks for the reply, the water heater im building will also heat my home so that will bring my electricity use down alot. but also want to get the lights and a few other things off grid. also building my own panels is what i can do to save money, ebay has the cells very cheap? so why wouldnt i do that instead of buying a store bought panel? i can build 3 for what 1 cost?

[Naptown]

Well to start if you live in the US or generally ny first world country they will not allow you to mount or connect DIY modules to your home or connect in any way to the grid. All components must be UL or equal listed. Second by the time you go through the trouble to build you can seriously buy for less and have something that will last for 25 years or more with the UL listing and a warranty. Most DIY panels fail in the first couple of years due to the difficulty of the diyer to properly encapsulate the module so unless making your own costs less than 1/5 than to buy in the long run you are better off buying the modules.
Lastly If you mount diy modules on your house and god forbid there be a fire your insurance company will deny any claim as the PV system does not meet code due to lack of UL modules.

[russ]

, ebay has the cells very cheap? so why wouldnt i do that instead of buying a store bought panel? i can build 3 for what 1 cost?

Not a chance in hell of building 3 for what one factory panel costs - you can find panels for less that 1$ per watt DC everyday now.

The cells of ebay are rejects someone scavenges and resells as prime - some are not too bad and others are junk.

Rich pointed out several items but a biggie is that they should not be placed on your dwelling and can not be connected into the household electric system - no UL listing.

People rant and rave about this but the rules are there for good reason.

[ynothd]

well where the hell are you buying them for that price? i havent seen them like that?... Solar electricity is expensive and cutting that cost without government help will likely take a very long time. Energy Secretary Steve Chu on Friday said his agency is offering $27.3 million to nine companies through a new initiative that he said will help cut down solar electricity pricing dramatically by the end of the decade.

The new initiative, called SunShot, is the latest effort by the U.S. Department of Energy to make solar electricity cheaper to produce (using solar panels). The goal is to cut the installation cost of a large-scale solar power project, from equipment to labor and a built-in profit margin for developers, to $1 per watt without government subsidies by 2020.

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/sunshot-...olar-at-1watt/ I cant wait a DECADE for this.... lol

[russ]

Unfortunately, though Chu is a very bright man it seems that the good secretary is fed some large doses of BS by his green and political assistants.

That program, same as many others by the administration, is handouts to supporters more than development. You want to keep a dog loyal you keep giving it treats.

They have big meetings, sit around with their head in the clouds and make silly statements at the end of the day.

The are several places on the net where I have recently seen prices of less than 1$ per watt - even at 1.50$ per watt you won't make a DIY panel to match factory panels.

[4321loco]

well where the hell are you buying them for that price? i havent seen them like that?... Solar electricity is expensive and cutting that cost without government help will likely take a very long time. Energy Secretary Steve Chu on Friday said his agency is offering $27.3 million to nine companies through a new initiative that he said will help cut down solar electricity pricing dramatically by the end of the decade.

The new initiative, called SunShot, is the latest effort by the U.S. Department of Energy to make solar electricity cheaper to produce (using solar panels). The goal is to cut the installation cost of a large-scale solar power project, from equipment to labor and a built-in profit margin for developers, to $1 per watt without government subsidies by 2020.

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/sunshot-...olar-at-1watt/ I cant wait a DECADE for this.... lol

I saw sunelec sell 210 watt ul certifed AStock for under 180 or .78 per watt, thats under a dollar..even there laminates are cheaper then building ur own panels, but the evergreens are best bargain

[tenbux1970]

I saw sunelec sell 210 watt ul certifed AStock for under 180 or .78 per watt, thats under a dollar..even there laminates are cheaper then building ur own panels, but the evergreens are best bargain

Was looking at those,and the Canadian Solar panels myself.Are there any drawbacks to either of those companies? I have also seen "cosmetic" panels from good companies that are pretty cheap.I do not want to buy 3rd rate panels,but those seem attractive now.

[Naptown]

well where the hell are you buying them for that price? i havent seen them like that?... Solar electricity is expensive and cutting that cost without government help will likely take a very long time. Energy Secretary Steve Chu on Friday said his agency is offering $27.3 million to nine companies through a new initiative that he said will help cut down solar electricity pricing dramatically by the end of the decade.

The new initiative, called SunShot, is the latest effort by the U.S. Department of Energy to make solar electricity cheaper to produce (using solar panels). The goal is to cut the installation cost of a large-scale solar power project, from equipment to labor and a built-in profit margin for developers, to $1 per watt without government subsidies by 2020.

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/sunshot-...olar-at-1watt/ I cant wait a DECADE for this.... lol

Take the price of a factory UL module and deduct 30% from the cost plus whatever local and state incentives there are.
No compare that cost to what you could build one for and see how that works out. ( NO UL listing no incentives)