| It you are keen to create your own Solar Energy | | | | with 25 year performance guarantees. DIY solar |
| House you may well have considered DIY solar | | | | panels have no guarantees and will probably last |
| panels. Well, while I applaud your desire to have a | | | | just a few years at best. |
| solar energy house, let me warn you that you will | | | | - With any home made solar panel there is a risk |
| not save money by making your own solar | | | | of fire from poor quality soldering. If your DIY |
| panels. Lets look at why. | | | | solar panel ignited and resulted in fire damage to |
| Cost of a DIY Solar Panel | | | | your house, your insurance company might be a |
| Lets ignore the cost of your time. Here is a list of | | | | little reluctant to pay out for a fire caused by a |
| the materials required: | | | | solar panel that did not have UL certification. |
| - Clear plexiglass or low iron solar glass 2ft x 4ft | | | | - And the final nail in the coffin of a home made |
| x 1/4in $34 or more | | | | solar energy house: in the US, home made solar |
| - 3/4in 2ft x 4ft plywood panel $23 | | | | panels will NOT qualify for the significant rebates |
| - Solar cell kit (eBay) $119, comprising: | | | | and tax credits that are available. |
| - 50 Solar cells each 3in x 6in, 1.75w, pre-tabbed | | | | If you want solar panels for your solar energy |
| - 10ft tabbing wire and 10ft bus wire, | | | | house and want a system that is safe, reliable, |
| - Flux pen and solder | | | | qualifies for rebates and will really cut your |
| - Peg board 2 panels 2ft x 2ft $5 | | | | electricity bills, forget DIY. DIY can be a great |
| - Clear silicone caulk/sealant $3 | | | | introduction to understanding what it means to |
| - Junction box $5 | | | | have a solar energy house, but it is not a viable |
| - Paint, stainless screws, wood for frame $10 | | | | alternative to factory made solar panels. |
| - Diodes $3 | | | | Make a Solar Panel as a Science or DIY Project |
| Total cost $202. Take off $20 for the 10 extra | | | | However, if you want to make your own solar |
| solar cells that are not required, gives a total of | | | | panel as a science project, this can be fun, |
| $182 for the materials to make a 60 watt solar | | | | satisfying and very rewarding. On completion you |
| panel. This works out at $3 per watt. | | | | will also have a solar panel you can show off to |
| Cost of Factory Made Panels | | | | your friends and something you could use to |
| If you do a casual search on the Internet, most | | | | provide light for a yard, shed or outbuilding. |
| solar panels work out at $5 - $7.50 per watt. But | | | | If you want to make a solar panel as a science |
| we ferreted around and found a 120watt panel | | | | project, consider buying one of the "how too |
| for $358 retail, equivalent to $2.98 per watt. | | | | make solar panels" guides. Some of these are |
| There are also a number of wholesalers willing to | | | | very good and do an excellent job of showing |
| sell direct to the public, and minimum order | | | | you (they have some very good videos) what to |
| quantities can be as low as two panels. We found | | | | do, how to do it and when to do. Yes, a guide will |
| a 225watt solar panel wholesale for $549 (min | | | | add $40 - $50 to the cost, but that could be |
| order 2 panels), equivalent to $2.44 per watt. | | | | money very well spent, just don't fall for all the |
| Warnings & Dangers of DIY Solar Panels | | | | marketing hype! |
| Also, if you are thinking about making your own | | | | Conclusion |
| solar panels to cut the cost of your solar energy | | | | If you want a solar energy home and to reduce |
| house, please be aware of the following: | | | | your electricity bills, forget the DIY route. But, |
| - In the US, you will NOT be allowed to connect | | | | although you won't save money or reduce your |
| your home made solar panels to the grid. If you | | | | electricity bill, making a solar panel as part of a |
| want your solar energy house to be connected to | | | | science project should be very satisfying and |
| the grid, you must use solar panels with UL | | | | educational. If you do not want to spend the $40 |
| certification. Many countries have similar | | | | - $50 for one of the DIY solar panel guides, there |
| regulations. | | | | is a lot of information on the Internet. I wish |
| - Commercially manufactured solar panels come | | | | every success with your Solar Energy House. |