I finally got some time on my hands and started soldering my new solar panels myself. I laid them out on a table to find the best configuration for the cells. I will have to make two panels, each with 18 cells in order to make up the correct voltage and wattage. I will take pictures later and upload them.

Anyway, I cut the wood and started soldering the tabs on the cells. Then I started to solder the cells together in series to add up the voltage. They are each 0.5 volts. 36 cells will make up 18 volts, which is the correct voltage for a solar panel to charge 12 volt lead acid batteries. I am making two panels of 18 cells instead of one large one so that they wont be too large. Each panel will be about 18 inches by 22 inches.

More details and pictures later.

I finally got all the materials together for my solar panel. Plexiglas at Home Depot was the most expensive single part, at $12 for a plate. I needed two of them. Also got some wood trim at only 98 cents a piece to use for the framing of the panel.

Plywood at Home Depot, precut is only about $5 each. I need two of everything because my panel will be too large otherwise. I will make two identical panels, each putting out 9 Volts.

In the above pictures, I got all my tools ready and started soldering - finally. I had to use a weight to hold the solar cell in place and another weight to hold the tabbing wire down while I soldered it into place.

Hopefully I will have this project finished soon.

I just moved to the country!

Now I can put my solar panels outside in the full sunlight and really begin testing. I had to have them in my sliding glass doors because my landlord would not allow me to put them outside anywhere.

Well, now I have an apartment on 1.5 acres of free, wild land in the mountains. When I get a warmer day, the panels are going outside in the full sun. I will set up sunlight tracking systems for maximum energy output during the daylight hours.

I was only getting some light directly on the panels during the mid day in my old place. This provided enough energy to power a couple energy efficient lights and my netbook in the evenings.

With solar tracking, I should get about 870 watt hours of energy during the ten hour long winter days and up to 1300 watts during the summer months.

I have an idea to increase the energy output even more. If you look up "Bedini Motor" or "SSG" on the internet, you will find a sort of "free" energy generator. It takes a small amount of energy to run it and puts out larger amounts of energy into batteries. I have been experimenting with this idea for a few years now and may try using solar energy to power the Bedini motor, which will charge batteries.

Above is a picture of a roller skate wheel generating electricity using the Bedini concept.