How to Make Inexpensive DIY Home-Built Solar Panels with Damaged Solar Cells from Ebay

Photo: Michael Davis, with permission

I laid out the cells on that grid pattern upside-down so I could solder them together. All 18 cells on each half panel need to be soldered together in series, then both half panels need to be connected in series to get the desired voltage. [...]

I used a low-Wattage soldering iron and fine rosen-core solder. I also used a rosen pen on the solder points on the back of the cells before soldering. Use a real light touch with the soldering iron. The cells are thin and delicate. If you push too hard, you will break the cells.

Here's what the solar panel looks like from the front.

Photo: Michael Davis, with permission

Here I am testing first half panel outside in the sun. In weak sun through clouds the half panel is producing 9.31 Volts. YAHOO! It works! Now all I had to do is build another one just like it.

I drilled a hole in the back of the panel near the top for the wires to exit. [...] Each solar panel in a solar power system needs a blocking diode in series with it to prevent the panel from discharging your batteries at night or during cloudy weather. [...] I added a polarized two-pin jones plug to the end of the panel wires.

Here is the finished product, producing 18.8 volts and 3.05 Amps in the sun.

How much did it cost?

Photo: Michael Davis, with permission

Not bad, though of course there's a lot of labor needed to actually build the thing, and you need the skills in the first place. Not a project for everybody, but those with the courage will certainly have a lot of fun.

This is just a quick overview of the project. If you want more, please visit Mark's website linked below. There's a lot more details and more photos about how he built his inexpensive solar panels.

If you like this article, you can follow me on Twitter (@Michael_GR) and Stumbleupon (THMike). Thanks.

Via How I built an electricity producing Solar Panel

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