Solar Panel Research

Construction and Programming

(Videos)

Materials and Frame

Soldering

Encapsulation

(Blog)

MPPT - See attached parts list ($40)

Materials

DIY

3"x6" 36 @ 18V, 3.4A (64.8W)

$19.71 - Aluminum 27"x33"

$43.36 - Glass 26.5"x32"

$69.99 - 40 Solar Cells

3"x6" 72 @ 36V, 3.4A (129.6W)

$26.60 - Aluminum 33"x52"

$100.61 - Glass 32.25"x51.5"

$109.99 - 80 Solar Cells

Common
$57.99 - Sylgard 184 Encapsulation Gel (covers two 36 panels or one 72 panel)

$5.00 - Clear Silicon Caulk (good for a few panels)

$5.00 - Nuts/Bolts/Hardware

Summary

64.8 Watt Panel (before shipping)

    $133.06 + $77.99 = $211.06

    $3.2 per watt

129.6 Watt Panel (before shipping)

    $247.20 + $77.99 = $325.19

    $2.50 per watt

Kits

$106.99 - 2 x 65W Kits (total $313.70 @ $2.41 per watt)

$89.99 - 130W Kit (total $296.70 @ $2.28 per watt)

Batteries

Suggested Golf Cart Batteries

Calculation

Notes

- "Equalize batteries once a month."

- READ ALL THE LINKS

- "I run my fridge off an inverter a good part of the time. I have 340 watts of panels here in Florida. An 800 watt inverter will carry a fridge easily."