Comments on: How I built a solar panel for $100 – You can too

By: Mcneri

Mcneri — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:32:45 +0000

Thank you for this elaborate article. I think you should write it as an ebook for easy distribution especially to developing countries that may have cell phones but no sustained electricity.

By: Clayton

Clayton — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:57:30 +0000

I think this is a great article and easy to understand. Depending on your situation, a 50 dollar difference between making your own and buying one could be a big deal, plus there is an amount of satisfaction of making things yourself. I would probably buy one because I am not as technically skilled shall we say, but it’s nice to know that if I needed to it’s right here.

By: GW

GW — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:07:04 +0000

Back in the 80′s when panels were super expensive, I built a solar panel myself. I used wood and similar materials as mentioned above. That was a big mistake. Within a short period of time the elements caused the wood to warp and the plastic parts to decay. Moisture was a problem also. To say the least, the panel was unfunctional within a very short period of time. So I can’t recommend putting one together unless it has a perfect seal and the components can’t decay from the elements.

By: Ed moore

Ed moore — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:43:21 +0000

We need more input on HOW TO OBTAIN THE LESS EXPENSIVE CELLS!

By: FinanceDad

FinanceDad — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:17:17 +0000

Cool concept, just not very economical like others have said.

By: Casey

Casey — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:03:04 +0000

I applaud the effort that leads to understanding the system and creating something with your own hands. Price aside, it’s usually the most satisfying route. I echo the previous comment though that purely on a time and money comparison, this doesn’t necessarily work out. New amorphous, or ‘thin film’ panels, are widely available now (60W for about $120). It should be noted that the author used crystalline cells, and a crystalline panel would be more expensive. Overall, looks like a good project. You should post it on Instructables.com!

By: Hollis Miles

Hollis Miles — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:24:32 +0000

I like the effort, and I like the move to go solar, but did you really save that much money? Solar Panels are priced by the watt, and even at the high price of $5/watt, you’re still only saving $200 to have a product without a warranty, and with a lot of work. You can get them even cheaper than that.

I’m not knocking your post though, I like knowing how to do it, I just don’t think it’s much more efficient.

By: Rod

Rod — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:21:33 +0000

Did you make the windmill?

By: » How I built a $100 solar panel

» How I built a $100 solar panel — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:11:50 +0000

[...] http://www.off-grid.net/2009/12/08/how-i-built-a-solar-panel-for-100-you-can-too/Powered By WordPress Tabs SlidesAKPC_IDS += "16,";Popularity: unranked [...]

By: newoffgrid

newoffgrid — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:49:49 +0000

Great article, wish there were more like it out there. Keep up the good work and this society might survive afterall.

By: Real Self Reliance » The Self Reliant Digest #21

Real Self Reliance » The Self Reliant Digest #21 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:56:49 +0000

[...] How I built a solar panel for $100 – You can too – I’m totally stoked to try this out sometime. [...]

By: Lornkanaga

Lornkanaga — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:13:00 +0000

I remember reading this a while back, but since it’s been so long I look forward to reading part II!

By: mainah

mainah — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:39:41 +0000

There should be more articles like this here. I used to be a techie in a former life, so I could understand what was written, and so should most other people.
Now, this is a practical idea:

“The type of paint and color was scientifically selected by shaking all the paint cans I had laying around in my garage and choosing the one that felt like it had enough left in it to do the whole job.”

Waste not, want not, as the old saying goes….