So I like the idea of doing this, but was wanting a more lightweight portable solution. I like the silicone encapuslant idea, as it will mitigate some mechanical stress. I was wondering what would be an appropriate plastic covering. Could a thin acrylic sheet, poly carbonate (or any alternative) be bonded to the silicone? Also can silicone bond well to Alumium?
Hello. Thank you for your videos, they helped me a lot. I may need some lighter and more malleable alternative for encapsulation and I've seen someone use transparent duct tape, do you think it will work? What is the importance of the silicon in the encapsulation, would I need it anyway? Thank you!
hi, I bought your silicone. Unfortunately, the panel does not give me voltage, at most 0.4 volts. Maybe the problem is in the junction box. I did as in your video that you completely filled the junction box with silicone. I did the same thing. Maybe this causes contact problems?
Hello Grzegorz. Do you still sell the silicon ? I cant find your shop in ebay anymore. Or can you tell me which kind of silicone i can use and where to look for it if you dont sell it any more. Dziekuje Tomek
that type of use plastic bag to avoid sticking with the silicone? not nylon. I do not know the various types of palstica, it is in stores Building? What is its name ?
Hi, what is open formula or short name of chemical formula. For example Sylgard 184 or silicone elastomer or thermo silicone or etc. ? How many years it can protect our cells? 5 years or 25 years or more? Best regards.
hello sir, i live in india, i learnt to build a solar panel from your video, here sylgard (silicone) is not available in market and so is en sil 216, dow corning silicon is available but its very thick than silicon which you have used. pls guide me. thank you.
Anand Khasnis Hello sir. I am happy to hear that You have found my videos useful. Please visit my store we send silicone worldwide - stores.ebay.pl/SOLAR-POWER-DIY Also quantity and shipping discount is available. Best regards Greg M
Two questions: What is the purpose of encapsulating the cells? Aren't you screwed if the glass panel is broken by hail or a kid with a BB gun? Just how would you replace the glass??
+bulruq Hello. If You dont encapsulate cells panel will stop working due to oxidation and condensation. This is tempered glass so it is not easy to brake but there are no things vandals cant destroy. My panels (shown on video 9pcs) are on the roof 14 m up so far so good it is 8 months now. After 1 year i will make a video about it.
Why not encapsulate with vacuum, argon, and cover with plexi glass not tempered that can break. And you can't replace any cells in 25 years just loco in your investment. Doesn't make sense.
Hello. No because the back side is not covered (after removing plastic sheet) and silicone can out gas ethanol (reaction byproduct) if You would close it in between two sheets of glass it could cause problems. Regards Greg M
The only advantage for this if you want to buy the cells and apply them to a non standard surface like some sort of vehicle etc... like a boat, you would just epoxy them to the canopy etc... doing so you would reduce weight and be able to cover more area with cells since you have a 5in panel to fit instead of something like 24in+ where you will waste around the edges... also they are flexible so after putting the epoxy down they conform to the canopy... more aerodynamic. the main problem with them is they won't last as long as a glass covered panel.
Can we use any kind of plastic sheet? I'm afraid the silicone/encapsulant would stick too much for the plastic to be removed and was surprised that it didn't in your video.
Hi. Epoxy resins have a big shrinkage, will brake your cells and connections under the high temperature. Glass and silicone have very low temp. shrinkage that why we using it. If You want to build long lasting panel You need materials that do not shrink nor expand, that is a key to successful project. All best Greg
the silicone looks like it's designed for solar application and looks like it has decent specs but the datasheet does not include a spectral response or reflectivity. Sunpower cells have a pretty wide operating band of ~300nm to ~1100nm which is what helps give them their high efficiency along with Sunpower's 'dog-bone' interconnect. If the silicone has a crappy response then you would effectively narrow the operating band and cut-out wavelengths that would otherwise be converted into electricity. The use tabbing wire in this module will also reduce efficiency do to it's direct current resistance usually ~0.1ohms for a 72 cell array. The perks of this method is that it's cheap and easy but your panel efficiency and degradation vs time curve will suffer.
Grzegorz Mucha what cell, specifically, did you use? I'll be interested to see that video. Do you have a way or recording the power output over the duration of the day?
mostly company use EVA encapsulation and eva encapsulation not support UV spectrum like 380nm.if they allow then solar cell will be burn in UV light so they blocked uv 300nm to 380nm.sunpower (PERC solar cell) and other 6inch solar cell(PERC) capture 300nm to 1100nm.if we encapsulation with eva then solar panel efficiency will be down but if we encapsulation with silicone then efficiency will be boost because silicone support UV(300nm,to 1100nm) and less cell micro cracks and good work in 50 degree temperature and less solar cell degradation.
I loved this video. But, what is the transparency ratio fo silicone? Doesn't it reduces the luminosity over the cells? Instead of using weights on center of board to remove bubbles wouldn't be better put the board inside a vaccum chamber? Thank you very much.
Anderson Lima Hi it reduce luminosity about 5% and yes You can use vaccum chamber but nat everybody have it :) idea is to make profossional looking and long lasting panels in a simple way without expensive tools. Thank You for kind words.
Very nice video! Could you let me know where I can buy the solar cell, silicone and the tempered glass? I tried the link in your earlier reply but it's not working. Thanks!
Hello sir. Thank You for your kind words. At the moment on line store is close due to my 6 month contract abroad, it will be back on line in 4 weeks i sell silicone only right now - my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbayBeta&CurrentPage=MyeBayNextSelling&ssPageName=STRK:ME:LNLK:MESEX Best regards Greg M
Thanks for your reply. Somehow this link just leads me to a sign-in page which jumps to my own page after I sign in. I'm trying to buy some silicone, sunpower solar cell and tempered glass very soon. Could you give me some information? Also, do you know how thick the silicone layer will be? Will it vary cell by cell using your method? Thanks!
Hello. Try now - www.ebay.com/itm/SOLAR-CELLS-SOLAR-PANEL-ENCAPSULANT-0-55L-Cell-encapsulation-1-2-POUNDS-/252431767909?hash=item3ac61b1965:g:9J8AAOSwLVZV7VzM Cells You can buy on ebay there is a lot of sellers offering sunpower cells. Tempered glass You can get in local glass shops, it is used for roof windows, doors, greenhouses ect. I don't know how it is in your country but here it is easy to get it. regards Greg M
Hello. Panels showed on video are mounted on my house roof over two years now and working very well. In a spring i will make a new video to show how they look like after 3 years of using in harsh condition. All best Greg
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 1 By the star when it descends, 2 Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred, 3 Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. 4 It is not but a revelation revealed, 5 Taught to him by one intense in strength - 6 One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form 7 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon. 8 Then he approached and descended 9 And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. 10 And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed. 11 The heart did not lie [about] what it saw. 12 So will you dispute with him over what he saw? 13 And he certainly saw him in another descent 14 At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary - 15 Near it is the Garden of Refuge - 16 When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it]. 17 The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit]. 18 He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. 19 So have you considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza? 20 And Manat, the third - the other one? 21 Is the male for you and for Him the female? 22 That, then, is an unjust division. 23 They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance. 24 Or is there for man whatever he wishes? 25 Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first [life]. 26 And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves. 27 Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter name the angels female names, 28 And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all. 29 So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life. 30 That is their sum of knowledge. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided. 31 And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth - that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward] - 32 Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him. 33 Have you seen the one who turned away 34 And gave a little and [then] refrained? 35 Does he have knowledge of the unseen, so he sees? 36 Or has he not been informed of what was in the scriptures of Moses 37 And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations] - 38 That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another 39 And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives 40 And that his effort is going to be seen - 41 Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense 42 And that to your Lord is the finality 43 And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep 44 And that it is He who causes death and gives life 45 And that He creates the two mates - the male and female - 46 From a sperm-drop when it is emitted 47 And that [incumbent] upon Him is the next creation 48 And that it is He who enriches and suffices 49 And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius 50 And that He destroyed the first [people of] 'Aad 51 And Thamud - and He did not spare [them] - 52 And the people of Noah before. Indeed, it was they who were [even] more unjust and oppressing. 53 And the overturned towns He hurled down 54 And covered them by that which He covered. 55 Then which of the favors of your Lord do you doubt? 56 This [Prophet] is a warner like the former warners. 57 The Approaching Day has approached. 58 Of it, [from those] besides Allah, there is no remover. 59 Then at this statement do you wonder? 60 And you laugh and do not weep 61 While you are proudly sporting? 62 So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].
Err how to bodge and ruin perfectly good solar cells... Those cells should touch each other with minimal ammount of connection length and that resin will prevent light entering the cell. Nice one Einstein. How not to make a solar panel. You Cowboy yeeehar
Best DIY panel I have ever seen. Nice!
the best video (homemade solar panel)
So I like the idea of doing this, but was wanting a more lightweight portable solution. I like the silicone encapuslant idea, as it will mitigate some mechanical stress. I was wondering what would be an appropriate plastic covering. Could a thin acrylic sheet, poly carbonate (or any alternative) be bonded to the silicone? Also can silicone bond well to Alumium?
thanks for the instructions! it worked perfectly!
You welcome i am happy to hear that my method is helpful.
It makes sense sealing the top of the cells because you can get all the bubbles off.
Anybody got suggestion for a type of sealant for vacuum infusion that could work with a thin polycarbonate outer protective layer instead of glass?
I was thinking of vacuum but then you don't need epoxy. You just need a film
very nicely done!
I bought last year, your product is travgabr (ebay) and in the week I use it for my first solar panel
Hello. Thank you for your videos, they helped me a lot.
I may need some lighter and more malleable alternative for encapsulation and I've seen someone use transparent duct tape, do you think it will work?
What is the importance of the silicon in the encapsulation, would I need it anyway?
Thank you!
Is that step is a must if i want to build portable foldable solar panel?
hi, I bought your silicone. Unfortunately, the panel does not give me voltage, at most 0.4 volts.
Maybe the problem is in the junction box. I did as in your video that you completely filled the junction box with silicone. I did the same thing. Maybe this causes contact problems?
Hello Grzegorz. Do you still sell the silicon ? I cant find your shop in ebay anymore. Or can you tell me which kind of silicone i can use and where to look for it if you dont sell it any more.
Dziekuje
Tomek
sir,purpose of using fishing line is to hold the cells in place,but it is not clear on the video,kindly elaborate.thanks
Hello sir can I use murtisil silicon for this please help me
why there is no series or parallel connections?
Where is the tabbing wire on the front side
that type of use plastic bag to avoid sticking with the silicone? not nylon.
I do not know the various types of palstica, it is in stores Building?
What is its name ?
Can you give us a link to the silicone, that you use?
Why are you putting blocks on top glass
Hi, what is open formula or short name of chemical formula. For example Sylgard 184 or silicone elastomer or thermo silicone or etc. ?
How many years it can protect our cells? 5 years or 25 years or more?
Best regards.
Hello i have send You an answer on your email.
Regards
Greg
Glass warps may crack cells
hello sir,
i live in india, i learnt to build a solar panel from your video, here sylgard (silicone) is not available in market and so is en sil 216, dow corning silicon is available but its very thick than silicon which you have used. pls guide me.
thank you.
Anand Khasnis Hello sir. I am happy to hear that You have found my videos useful. Please visit my store we send silicone worldwide - stores.ebay.pl/SOLAR-POWER-DIY
Also quantity and shipping discount is available.
Best regards
Greg M
Two questions: What is the purpose of encapsulating the cells? Aren't you screwed if the glass panel is broken by hail or a kid with a BB gun? Just how would you replace the glass??
+bulruq Hello. If You dont encapsulate cells panel will stop working due to oxidation and condensation. This is tempered glass so it is not easy to brake but there are no things vandals cant destroy. My panels (shown on video 9pcs) are on the roof 14 m up so far so good it is 8 months now.
After 1 year i will make a video about it.
+Grzegorz Mucha That makes sense, thanks!
You welcome!
bulruq is
Why not encapsulate with vacuum, argon, and cover with plexi glass not tempered that can break. And you can't replace any cells in 25 years just loco in your investment. Doesn't make sense.
Hello! Which material can we use to keep the panel flexible? Like those ones we can buy on ebay, aliexpress... thanks!
there may be crosslinking problems closing with the glass?
Hello. No because the back side is not covered (after removing plastic sheet) and silicone can out gas ethanol (reaction byproduct) if You would close it in between two sheets of glass it could cause problems.
Regards
Greg M
What was your total cost making one panel?
Almost as much as buying a commercial one, because he used epoxy and special glass.
The only advantage for this if you want to buy the cells and apply them to a non standard surface like some sort of vehicle etc... like a boat, you would just epoxy them to the canopy etc... doing so you would reduce weight and be able to cover more area with cells since you have a 5in panel to fit instead of something like 24in+ where you will waste around the edges... also they are flexible so after putting the epoxy down they conform to the canopy... more aerodynamic. the main problem with them is they won't last as long as a glass covered panel.
Can we use any kind of plastic sheet? I'm afraid the silicone/encapsulant would stick too much for the plastic to be removed and was surprised that it didn't in your video.
Hello sir. Yes any kind of smooth plastic it will not stick to it, no worries
nice video
why do we even need to add a glass. can epoxy alone not do?
Hi. Epoxy resins have a big shrinkage, will brake your cells and connections under the high temperature. Glass and silicone have very low temp. shrinkage that why we using it. If You want to build long lasting panel You need materials that do not shrink nor expand, that is a key to successful project.
All best
Greg
Hi what are the dimensions of the glass? thanks
Hello it is 115cm x 65cm but You can use a bit smaller one, those on video were left overs from different project, so i used them.
the silicone looks like it's designed for solar application and looks like it has decent specs but the datasheet does not include a spectral response or reflectivity. Sunpower cells have a pretty wide operating band of ~300nm to ~1100nm which is what helps give them their high efficiency along with Sunpower's 'dog-bone' interconnect. If the silicone has a crappy response then you would effectively narrow the operating band and cut-out wavelengths that would otherwise be converted into electricity. The use tabbing wire in this module will also reduce efficiency do to it's direct current resistance usually ~0.1ohms for a 72 cell array. The perks of this method is that it's cheap and easy but your panel efficiency and degradation vs time curve will suffer.
Well. It is 3 years now on my roof now all working fine, i will make a wideo about it soon.
Grzegorz Mucha what cell, specifically, did you use? I'll be interested to see that video. Do you have a way or recording the power output over the duration of the day?
mostly company use EVA encapsulation and eva encapsulation not support UV spectrum like 380nm.if they allow then solar cell will be burn in UV light so they blocked uv 300nm to 380nm.sunpower (PERC solar cell) and other 6inch solar cell(PERC) capture 300nm to 1100nm.if we encapsulation with eva then solar panel efficiency will be down but if we encapsulation with silicone then efficiency will be boost because silicone support UV(300nm,to 1100nm) and less cell micro cracks and good work in 50 degree temperature and less solar cell degradation.
ggggggg you got a data sheet on a silicone material and shows the band pass?
Sunpower maxeon B grade cells, yes i will mesure output.
Where to buy this material to paint
Hello. You can get it here - www.ebay.com/itm/252681483153?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1561.l2649
I loved this video. But, what is the transparency ratio fo silicone? Doesn't it reduces the luminosity over the cells? Instead of using weights on center of board to remove bubbles wouldn't be better put the board inside a vaccum chamber? Thank you very much.
Anderson Lima Hi it reduce luminosity about 5% and yes You can use vaccum chamber but nat everybody have it :) idea is to make profossional looking and long lasting panels in a simple way without expensive tools.
Thank You for kind words.
Ok. Thank you very much.
Friend I want to buy this encapsulant if it will not become yellow and crack in sunlight.
Hi I have 2 questions
-What is the thickness of your glass?
-What kind of plastic sheet have you used?
+Nantel Louis Hello sir. I used 4mm tempered solar glass and building plastic sheet.
regards
Greg
where to get materials and brand name
please visit our store for materials stores.ebay.pl/SOLAR-POWER-DIY?_rdc=1 or send us an email with list of things You need.
sir,can i use acrylic resin for encapsulation?
Hello sir. To my knowledge You can't use it. It has high shrinkage, after exposure to the sun all You cells will crack.
Best regards
Greg
Hello,
where did you buy that silicone?
Thank You
Hello. Yes directly from me for more info please contact me at greenshop27@gmail.com
All best
Greg
Very nice video! Could you let me know where I can buy the solar cell, silicone and the tempered glass? I tried the link in your earlier reply but it's not working. Thanks!
Hello sir. Thank You for your kind words. At the moment on line store is close due to my 6 month contract abroad, it will be back on line in 4 weeks i sell silicone only right now - my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbayBeta&CurrentPage=MyeBayNextSelling&ssPageName=STRK:ME:LNLK:MESEX
Best regards
Greg M
Thanks for your reply. Somehow this link just leads me to a sign-in page which jumps to my own page after I sign in. I'm trying to buy some silicone, sunpower solar cell and tempered glass very soon. Could you give me some information? Also, do you know how thick the silicone layer will be? Will it vary cell by cell using your method? Thanks!
Hello. Try now - www.ebay.com/itm/SOLAR-CELLS-SOLAR-PANEL-ENCAPSULANT-0-55L-Cell-encapsulation-1-2-POUNDS-/252431767909?hash=item3ac61b1965:g:9J8AAOSwLVZV7VzM
Cells You can buy on ebay there is a lot of sellers offering sunpower cells. Tempered glass You can get in local glass shops, it is used for roof windows, doors, greenhouses ect. I don't know how it is in your country but here it is easy to get it.
regards
Greg M
Thank you
Hello good afternoon I'm from Brazil and I wonder if over time this cilicone is yellow and the low time efficiency of the cells?
nice
Is this not goibg to turn yellow and reduce efficiency in less then a year!?
Hello. Panels showed on video are mounted on my house roof over two years now and working very well. In a spring i will make a new video to show how they look like after 3 years of using in harsh condition.
All best
Greg
here is somebody on the other side.
bom D+
Epoxy gos cloudy after a while use uv epoxy
Quran chapter 53 The Star
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
1 By the star when it descends,
2 Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred,
3 Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination.
4 It is not but a revelation revealed,
5 Taught to him by one intense in strength -
6 One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form
7 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon.
8 Then he approached and descended
9 And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.
10 And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed.
11 The heart did not lie [about] what it saw.
12 So will you dispute with him over what he saw?
13 And he certainly saw him in another descent
14 At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary -
15 Near it is the Garden of Refuge -
16 When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].
17 The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
18 He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.
19 So have you considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza?
20 And Manat, the third - the other one?
21 Is the male for you and for Him the female?
22 That, then, is an unjust division.
23 They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance.
24 Or is there for man whatever he wishes?
25 Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].
26 And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves.
27 Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter name the angels female names,
28 And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.
29 So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.
30 That is their sum of knowledge. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided.
31 And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth - that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward] -
32 Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
33 Have you seen the one who turned away
34 And gave a little and [then] refrained?
35 Does he have knowledge of the unseen, so he sees?
36 Or has he not been informed of what was in the scriptures of Moses
37 And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations] -
38 That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another
39 And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives
40 And that his effort is going to be seen -
41 Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense
42 And that to your Lord is the finality
43 And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep
44 And that it is He who causes death and gives life
45 And that He creates the two mates - the male and female -
46 From a sperm-drop when it is emitted
47 And that [incumbent] upon Him is the next creation
48 And that it is He who enriches and suffices
49 And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius
50 And that He destroyed the first [people of] 'Aad
51 And Thamud - and He did not spare [them] -
52 And the people of Noah before. Indeed, it was they who were [even] more unjust and oppressing.
53 And the overturned towns He hurled down
54 And covered them by that which He covered.
55 Then which of the favors of your Lord do you doubt?
56 This [Prophet] is a warner like the former warners.
57 The Approaching Day has approached.
58 Of it, [from those] besides Allah, there is no remover.
59 Then at this statement do you wonder?
60 And you laugh and do not weep
61 While you are proudly sporting?
62 So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].
Ok
Whahaha!
Err how to bodge and ruin perfectly good solar cells...
Those cells should touch each other with minimal ammount of connection length and that resin will prevent light entering the cell.
Nice one Einstein.
How not to make a solar panel.
You Cowboy yeeehar