How to Build a Solar Panel - Part 1 of 3 (New)step by step buying everything off ebay

[@CharcoChoc]

I found you after i watched America Unplugged. Your episode was the best I've seen so far.

[@markobarrows4304]

Man you have my full respect. This is one of thee greatest HOW-TOs I have ever seen

[@diederichabels8119]

Great to see that... I made it too. Using inplix handbooks :)

[@zxcvbnmmification]

Mark, Thanks for taking the time to show us in detail how to make a solar panel out of raw parts. I appreciated the informative step by step method and enjoyed the video. I hope to build a system using your frames before too long. -Jeff

[@xapplimatic]

I build my own solar panels (self taught with assistance from KZbin) and guess what? They work totally fine. You just have to look up videos for each particular step of the process.,. It takes too long to do one video because of the length limits that KZbin puts on videos (or used to anyways). This guy's videos are pretty good. There's hardly anything done commercially that can't be done a bit differently at home. Have faith. It really works!

[@pjamesbda]

Thank you for NOT baiting us with "info" secrets and the usual ..."you too can be energy independent." And then sell us how to BS that should be open source, like this. This is a great video and I will seriously consider your frames.

[@lawrencepappageorge4136]

Actually one of the better dyi vids I've seen on solar panel building. Good job Mark thanks!

[@Airmanmx1]

my new favorite video. Will most def be doing business with you my man. Thank you. I have seen other videos but this one is down to earth and for that I will do business with you soon. Live well my friend!

[@alexermerson]

Factory panels weren't available as cheap at the time this video was made, but even now that they can be bought as cheaply as they can be built DIY, it's still good to have working knowledge and experience in building your own.

[@HerminiePA]

I went to the Habatat for Humanity surplus store. You have one in your area. I found a very fine piece of tempered glass from a storm door, complete with reinforcing border, which I purchased for $2. Yes that was two dollars. Now, I ended up making a much larger solar panel than is good for a first time, but it came together well--using Mark's instructional video.

[@jlwnapache]

I have been interested in this technology for a while! It's amazing how far this technology has come, knowing that you can get all of this and do it yourself. You just need to do a lot of research on making your grid. Because you still have to connect it to your home. This is not for beginners! If you know an electrician utilize their knowledge.

[@cheapsolarpanels1]

I just want to come back here and say "Thanks" for the parts list. Not paying attention when I first watched the video, I just realized that I need the parts list :)

[@markp0177]

Hello.A 3x5 cell will be around 3 amps.You have to tab and solder tabing to back then put in sun and test with a amp meter. Mark

[@Vantlor]

Just got my first frame with glass from these guys. Came fast and was pre-caulked too! Now to see if I cant get it working with the cells I have etc and then order more :)

[@markp0177]

I have used the dow 6010 and I like it the best. When you set it in the sun you need to put another piece of glass or plastic on the back to make a hot box. It will get over 200 deg and will set up.

[@markp0177]

I use one .5kg sylgard per 36-3x6 cells. I have the best results when the weather is a little cool. I warm the glass just a little, pour the encapsulant and viberate the table. I cover it with a piece of card board and leave it alone for days. I then put it in the sun upside down and cover the back with a larger piece of glass. The sun will heat it up to over 200 degrees. I leave it like that for 2 or 3 days before I put it on my arry. I do get a few small air pockets but it does not matter.

[@cpgagain]

Hi Mark, I've tabbed around 75 cells now and for me I find the easiest way to get the tabbing wire to stick on the bottom side is to extend the flux beyond the three tabbing points, not a lot but just a little bit. This seems to allow more of the wire to be soldered down and decreases your chance of having a tab point not stick. I run the soldering iron on it similar to how you tab the front of the cell. Just wanted to share this since I've trashed a handful of cells figuring out how to solder back of cells successfully

[@nibalalazawi6492]

hello john how much did it cost you to make your own solar panel >> and do you know how much a simple solar panel for a shelter would cost .

[@cpgagain]

nibal alazawi it all depends on how large you want to make it. Get your frame from Mark0177, tempered glass from a local glass store, encapsulating fluid from www.mlsolar.com (cheaper than from DOW), and grade A cells from ebay.

[@markp0177]

@jayerrick I just lay it on the back while the sylgard is still wet. Around 3 hours after I pour. Then I wait a few days and set it in the sun upside down with a piece of glass on the back to hold in the heat and let it heat cure for a couple of days. Mark

[@xx1shot1killxx25]

Who’s here from America unplugged and very helpful mark

[@dockspa]

thanks Mark!!! I set it out there and hopefully in this 100 degree heat it will cure! You have been a big help and your products are well make my friend! Brian

[@marcos22571]

love the clear silicone sealer on the outter edge!

[@greenenergybuilder]

I am very happy that people are interested in creating their own solar energy. Whether it's to save money, or they economy, it's good that people are becoming more self reliant.

[@magna59]

Very impressed by your willingness to show / share all this knowledge, but then you are selling frames, and panels. I must admit having found another Ytube piece ( and a blog ) from some one who has been off grid for I think 20 years and was talking about failure of panels, but just percieved it as part of the process, but some seemed to fail / degrade quite quickly. I'm sure life & output will has improved with more up to date product, and homebuild does reduce the cost.

[@Engar92]

Before I found your videos and learned about Slygar I found directions to use EVA (laminating sheets) and a heat gun to encapsulate the cells. Ever tried it? I already bought it so giving it a go soon. If it works it is about 1/20th the cost of Slygar.

[@HerminiePA]

Here are my numbers: Glass $2 from the Habatat for Humanity surplus store. It was a big one, enough for 80 solar cells. Frame from Mark Patrick $60, Sylgard 184 from Ellsworth Adhesives, $100. Solar cells from High Tech Solar = $116; Small parts, wire, silicon caulk = $25. The cheap but high quality glass is what got me started.

[@jwwm2]

Love it. Man, you make this look like child's play.

[@Cowcharge]

Best step-by-step video I've seen, thank you.

[@markp0177]

Where I live the green houses use a glass that does not let it all the sun. Glass used for houses is a low "E" glass. The best for solar panels is a low Iron, but it cost too much for what little extra you are getting in power. I use 1/4" clear tempered, It is 4 times stronger than regular glass.

[@xapplimatic]

Best caulk I ever found is DAP 3.0 CRYSTAL Clear w Microban. Expensive sure, but nothing transmits light better, dries faster, doesn't dry "rigid" or too flexible but more like 'almost hard' which is great to give some room for cells to expand and shrink with heating/cooling day/night etc and not crack, water tight, and doesn't stink up the area like this beauty. It can be hard to find. Lowes and Home Depot both carried it, now only one does I think in store. It's best I've found for solar.

[@markp0177]

Well this panel is around 55 watts so you will need to build around 60 panels. I buy my cells from MLsolar off ebay. I trust and have been pleased with his cells and encapsulant. I do have a hybrid system, but not with wind, with hydro. I have another video showing my home made hydro system. It is now over 12 years old and still works great. There are two systems to chose from off grid and grid tie. Grid tie is cheaper but if the power goes out you have no power. I have a off grid system.

[@cheapsolarpanels1]

These 3 parts series is amazing.

[@kjacks540]

Great vid, helping people in this field is what is going to help save us all! Thank you so much for spreading the knowlage! Going to try to make my own, Ive been looking to set up panels to run my saltwater fish setup.

[@markp0177]

@jmugrad1 The glass size is 26 1/2" x 32". The frame size is 26 1/2" x 32 3/4" It is for 36-3x6 cells.

[@markp0177]

@mubavoice Hello. Tiny air bubbles sometimes happens when you mix it. I cover my panel with card board to get dust out and set it a side for 3 days. Most of the air bubbles come out on their own. Then I set it in the sun still up side down with a extra piece glass on the back to hold in the heat. The sun will heat it up to over 200 degs. I leave it in the sun till the sylgard is totaly set. This works every time. Mark

[@OfftoShambala]

there is nothing sexier than a man who makes stuff that helps you save money on the use of modern convenience while minimizing the carbon footprint ... you are hotter than a rockstar!

[@orlandoescoro7519]

Praise God !!! Mark congratulations God Bless and more power !!!

[@m276923]

At home it is summer, and you can't imagine how hot it becomes,while at the same time electricity production is always lower than demand especially in the summer season when everyone would run their air conditioners thus causing black outs that go for not less than 3 hours at a time and this happens once or twice a day and on a daily basis.

[@markp0177]

You can use your extra power to heat water instead of a heat sink. I use glass to solder on because it is flat and clean. The soldering iron does not damage the cell. The flux I use is for solar panels and works well.

[@markp0177]

It is around 13 to 16% on the cells. You have to charge batteries or you can run a 12 volt 3 amp water pump straight from the panel.

[@markp0177]

Set the panel outside upside down in the sun and cover the back with a extra piece of glass or plastic and it will heat cure in two days. Mark

[@SurvivalHunterNM]

Mark, Great video. Great content. Great filming. You'd make a great teacher. Thank you.

[@markp0177]

@mustgetlife Yes it will work. It just breaks easy. Tempered glass is 5 times as strong. Old sliding glass doors work good for 108 cell panels too.

[@s65maniac]

A regular backyard pro--heck yeah! Thanks for the vid! You should use rivets for your frame hardware to save time and cut cost. Once you've got the silicone down, there's no need for replaceable hardware right? And even with rivets you can just drill the heads off, should they need to be removed.

[@AnOhioPatriot]

Great video series! 3 questions. 1- Wouldn't it be faster & cheaper to use sized aluminum pop rivets instead of the stainless hardware? 2- Do you sell just the 90 degree clips & fasteners? 3- Do you silicone the front side of the glass at the frame? Thanks

[@markp0177]

I use to use low iron glass. It does let in around 7% more light but it cost twice as much. It will takes years at just 7% more to payoff. Spend the same money and build two with regular glass.

[@VoteLib3rty]

Looks good. I think I'd try suction cups to put the glass in and pop rivets for the frame. Nice video.

[@markp0177]

Go to my web site for prices affordablesolarframes dot com

[@johngiag2011]

Hi Mark, thank you for all the info in this video. Is there any video showing how to install the panels to the Battery. And from the battery to the inverter? Thank you

[@markp0177]

Hello. Contact me at [e-mail]

[@markp0177]

@Knockreaghimages Well the mono is one crystalline and the poly is many crystalline. The mono will last longer. They will both work.

[@markp0177]

This panel makes around 60 watts. When you the cells it will say in the ad what the wattage is for each cell.

[@markp0177]

@HMHMPetroleum We build custom frames. The problemwith 36 cells long is the glass will be over 10' long and just 9" wide. A little hard to ship glass that long. I have made frames for two rows of 18.

[@markp0177]

@anthward1972 Yes it has to be tempered glass. Plex will make the cells crack. The encapsulant is called sylgard 184 or cell gaurd.

[@markp0177]

@LiteNRG1 No do not use a polycarbonate if you encapsulate. It expandes more than the cells do in the heat. It will crack the cells. Mark

[@justgivemethetruth]

Very nice, simple and elegant design. I heard someone badmouthing these projects because he said the solar cells you can buy are seconds and most are warped, etc. What I want to know is have you done any measurements over time to compare reliability with this process and a panel you can buy? I like the idea, but it is a major investment of time and money? One other question ... what happens in a hailstorm - and stats on that?

[@michaelbehm6571]

Watched you on America Unplugged. Thx for the tips Mark.

[@1948drut]

mark , can you show a little more detail on the wiring , both the cells and the buss wires , where to place them and help me understand what is needed voltage or watts

[@dockspa]

Ok, I just had a screen over it but will try another piece of glass to make the hot box. Thanks again. Brian

[@harshshah468]

Mark, Thanks a lot for the tutorial!! Can you provide with an entire kit of things needed to make one panel like you made in video; i.e. including frames, silicon, cells, wires, everything?? How much would it cost? Thanks!!

[@markp0177]

Plexi glass expands in the heat of the sun and the cells do not expand. So it will pull the cells apart. You can use regular glass. I use tempered glass because it is 4 times as strong.

[@dracwula]

U should add protective tape on the aluminum frame to avoid shorting out the cells and degrading its characteristics while working your soldering linkage and cell arrangements... Parallel linked cells adds higher current flow and simultaneously damage them cells connected depending how long it shorts out some people do not know this .... Just a suggestion.

[@Caddywoman]

Your videos are GREAT. I have 36 3X5 cells I am going to make using your panels. My only question is concerning the diodes. There are multiple sizes available. What size should I use and how do you determine the size. Thanks

[@tcscearce]

Just a tip for ya from experience in electronics, alcohol works very well for cleaning circuits with flux on them, and dries quickly! Not sure which is less expensive though. Thanks for the videos, I will watch further to see what kind of power you get out of them, and to all the naysayers, sure you can use the power company which is supposedly "cheaper" but these baby's pay for themselves. Combine solar with wind and maybe even aquatic methods and you can damn near beat the power companies.

[@markp0177]

I see. I am not sure if it would take the heat and then a quick rain. Do you have any glass you can test first. I am replacing 3 windows at my house in a week. I will take one piece out and put it in the sun then put some water on it and I will let you know what happens. Mark

[@markp0177]

@salmanokz Hello. You can find these products on ebay. My email address is [e-mail]

[@markp0177]

You can buy solar powered cell phone chargers really cheap on ebay. To build your own you need to find the smallest cells you can and them build your frame and glass around 36 of those cells.

[@markp0177]

Hello,Watch the last video. You don't have to worry about water proofing. Once you encapsulate you can use under water. Mark

[@markp0177]

@EuroSon99 Hello. This is not anodized, just normal 1/8 thick aluminum. It is good enough and some of my panels are over 5 years old and still look the same.

[@markp0177]

@dodadoda8 Hello,sometimes the tabbing will lift the silver off the face of the cell and will never resolder. I don't use those I just grap a new one. If you can see that it is still white under the tab then it will resolder with crl flux. The cell with the lifted tab may still work. Mark

[@markp0177]

6mm tempered glass will work great. 25 volts is within your inverter voltage range, so 50 cells will be perfect.

[@markp0177]

This is true unless you live outside the power grid. It is a great backup for long term power outages.

[@gher6957]

I love your tutorial video. my only question is this, can I use rivets instead of stainless screws?

[@xapplimatic]

Honestly, ¼" tempered glass is the best thing to use if you don't want broken cells. Cost can be similar to Lexan (or less than) for larger sizes depending on who you source it from and if it is a common on-hand size or not.

[@mrpoliceemsfire1]

thank u for making this video it helps because i am doing a 2 acers full of solar panles

[@markp0177]

Hello. I have several old panels that I made years ago and they work and look just as good as my new ones. The panels you buy the glass is only 1/8" thick. 1/4" glass is four times stronger and has a much better chance of surviving a hail storm. People will always bad mouth someone else to make them selfs look better. The process I show in this video is the same way NASA makes panels for outer space.

[@houstonecholo]

yea Man Your Just AWESOME... i really enjoyed learning from ya!! i love your incorperation of your tools!!!

[@klassikalbeat68]

hey nice video thanks for making.what type of solar cells u used?

[@georgeskinner8188]

Hi Mark. I'm looking for a pure sine wave inverter. This one is new to me. When you have time look at it please and tell me if you have ever heard of it and what you think of it if you have. I still love the panels I have build with your direction. Keep up the good work.

[@markp0177]

Yes that is a good Idea if your panels are in a high risk area

[@markp0177]

@Caddywoman Hello. The diode should be a little larger in amps than what the cell is rated in amps. Mark

[@juliocuellar7014]

Hi mark. Love your video. Also like you share your knowledge with everyone with these awesome solar panels. Got a question, what size is the glass, and does it have to be exactly the size of all the cells put together forming the big rectangle?

[@markp0177]

It is called sylgard 184 and it is a encapsulant made by dow chemical.

[@bylefjild]

Thanks Mark and I'm a bit ashamed, because in the meantime I have read all your replies to the plexiglass question and found out you answered this question several times... If one can indeed use regular glass, the panel would become much cheaper.

[@markp0177]

@mccunecp Hello. It is clear tempered glass. It is not low "E" Glass. This glass will last a liftime uv will not hurt it. Mark

[@Cronicclown666]

awesome job very educational you took care of all the questions i had thank you sir

[@markp0177]

@sqhschief Hello I do not offer the finished panels. I do not have the time to make them. The out put is around 18 to 21 volts and 3 to 3 .5 amps so around 60 watts. Mark

[@markp0177]

Well most solar panel glass on the market is only 1/8" thick. 1/4" tempered glass is 4 times as strong as 1/8" glass. So it has a much better chance of surviving a hail storm, and it depends on the size of the hail

[@anthward1972]

Hi, great stuff. You've inspired me to have a go at making some panels myself. Does it have to be glass that you use or is it possible to use clear perspex? What's the name of the liquid you use to encapsulate the panels?

[@SANTVANI1]

Hi Mark. I am US citizen from India. I am 70 years old, but, with the grace of God, I am very energetic. I intend to promote happy, healthy and prosperous life of lower and middle income groups families in rural India. As one of activities for this mission, I want to provide law cost energy to these families. After seeing your vedios on solar panel, I feel can solar panel project in India with your help and guidance. At present I am in Indiaand returning to US in February. I am settled in US.

[@ViajandoPorMexicoEnFamilia]

I know that you said it before but it is really a monocrystalline cell? It looks like a polycrystalline and where did you buy it? Nice video good work very awesome

[@millerandlu]

I built a whole home solar & hydro system using a gel filled battery & 2nd hot water heater for the run off -primary H20 heater was gas ( instead of using a heat sink, wire a hot water heater into a system.You are then preheating the H20 & saving on gas-natural or propane depending on where you live).I am wondering why you would solder the cells on the glass & how much damage/loss is done from an iron,or butane pencil torch?Also wouldn't flux that is non-self cleaning be a better choice?

[@bylefjild]

Flux is used to help the solder make a better connection. It cleans the surface, so to speak.

[@Knockreaghimages]

Hi Mark, Brilliant Video. Am going to give it a shot. I got monocrystalline cells. Whats the difference between mono and poly? Thanks

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

Hello sir. I don't understand why you silicone the glass in place before you screwed the panel together.

[@cyb3rm4n14c]

I made my first solar panel thanks to this series of videos that you post here on KZbin, but I don't have a vibrator table so my panel have some air bubbles :-/, and the sylgard 184 are too expensive and one last thing, is that I'll need to use several panels and they'll be located on my roof, so it could be very difficult for me to use a hose to cool it down, because I live in Costa Rica and here the sun starts shining since 9 a.m until 4 to 5 p.m. when the panels could became really hot :-

[@lakke2120]

Hi Mark, I've been watching your videos for some time now and I think I'm ready to make a panel. Could you tell me what type of panels to buy and should I buy already tabbed panels. thanks

[@markp0177]

It will still work in that kind of heat. It works better in cold weather. If you build it the way I show you and put nothing on the back it will be fine. Where do you live?

[@docbang1]

Looks great! Up until there's a hail storm the same year you build them... Then you're glad you have an electric company to appeal to. Electric company power is still too cheap (and dependable) to compete with. All this alternate power sources are a great hobby. Educational, science projects that might actually be of benefit if a major event happens (storm, theobama's third term, zombie apocalypse...) but your money is better invested into equities than thrown at this hobby.

[@99CheeseBalloons]

Ah. The main benefit I see to it is protection from things like hail or a basketball. Glass can break; plexiglass does not. So, you COULD mount the plexiglass 6 inches above the panel for added security from the aforementioned elements?

[@markp0177]

@facundosagardoy Hello. You can not use plexi glass. It expands faster than the cells in the heat and will crack the cells.

[@stew1351]

wow! this is very helpful! good job mark!