PV Gap

Jessie Said:

How can I build my own solar panel for electricity?

We Answered:

Unless you have a silicon fab in your basement to make silicon wafers, you aren't making your own solar panels and there is nothing about this idea at all that will be "cheap".

Your entire idea may be nobel on one level, but it also points out just how uninformed on the subject you are. As an example of what I mean, buying the solar panels is not actually a problem, but it is apparently the only part of the problem you can get your head around, so this is where you are starting with your questions.

Let me throw out a few things for you to consider. First, solar panels tend to be fairly expensive. The absolute cheapest I have ever heard quoted are in the several dollar per watt range and when bought in small quantities, it will likely be up to around $10 per watt.

I have no idea what you want to power, but lets just say you want to run a TV using solar. A TV can easily use 200 watts or more of power, so in the small quantities you are talking about, they could cost $1000 to $2000! If you actually have visions of powering more than this, just add more $$$.

Now, do you realize the solar panel puts out unregulated DC and to run most things, you will need regulated AC so now you need a certain type of inverter. Add some more $$$.

I'll further guess that you want to actually connect this to the power in your home in some fashion. No utility company in the country will allow you to connect your contraption to their power unless it meets their standards and the work is done by a licensed electrician. More $$$.

The fact is, the only way any of this is economical viable for anyone is because of the incentives that the various levels of government and utilities are currently offering. However, attempting to do it on the "cheap" as you are will also doom you to not being able to qualify for any of the incetivives which are out there.

Here is an installer in AZ who does this work and does it correctly such that you would qualify for the various incentives. Pay special attention to the costs.

Tiffany Said:

what type of motor can use solar panel electricity and how does it work?

We Answered:

There are many variables here .. an electric motor... solar panels produce dc electricity and depending on size and quality determines voltage and amps ... you are gonna need batterries if u plan on operating this car not in direct sunlight
4 good size panels can power a house of 4 for the majority of electrical needs,now houses are AC not dc so a good inverter also comes into play


If your powering an RC car with a solar panel off of a garden light u would probably get a little return for the garden lights are generally led which require a lot less volts and amps ...

Eric Said:

How powerful is the solar panel in terms of electricity generation?

We Answered:

Using a solar panel to provide domestic power requirements has been likened to filling a lake with an egg cup. Sadly, one decent size (and very expensive) solar panel will only provide enough power to light one standard light bulb

Marc Said:

will TXU pay us for having a solar panel putting out electricity?

We Answered:

The only way to be sure is to contact your electric utility and ask them. Some places pay you for excess, some don't.

Generally, you will need to have an agreement in place with them. Not only is it legally required, but the following can happen if they don't know you've hooked up solar:

Say your meter reads 53002 in March. When they take the April reading, it reads 52809. The main office will get these numbers, and assume the meter reader made a mistake, correct the March reading to 52002, and charge you for 807 kWh. After all, since you don't have solar hooked up, there's no way the meter could go backwards, right?

Christian Said:

which is most cheapest and efficient solar panel to generate electricity?

We Answered:

Best/most efficient and cheapest are never the same.
cheap means making compromises on performance, reliability etc.

Using electric for heating is very wastefull, and nothing short of an industrial sized photovoltaic instalation will be able to deliver the power reqiured for a typical 2-3kW electric heater or stove. 6m2 of most efficient/expensive pv would produce enough for a hairdryer in good conditions. plus most heating demand is at night, so large battery needed. Better to use solar thermal design and heat stores.
Even a fridge/heat pump has high start up currents that would need careful design and a large battery to deliver.