PV Gap

Francisco Said:

how many panels of solar cells i need to produce enough electricity for running a house's devises and machines

We Answered:

It depends on what you want to run. There are systems out there that will run your entire house "off the grid" with very few panels. In this situation you can have as few as one panel up to 3 or 4 to run the whole house.

Then there are panels that will only run things like a small appliance or cell charger.

It really depends on your needs and your budget. The bigger and more expensive the system

Sonia Said:

Do any of you build solar panels from recycled solar cells ?

We Answered:

I am

Marjorie Said:

Is there a difference between Solar Cells and Solar Power/ Panels?

We Answered:

Solar cells are in solar power/panels

Gail Said:

What is the difference between tabbed and untabbed solar cells for a solar panel?

We Answered:

One has a means of attaching leads, or has leads for your electrical connection and the other you have to fabricate a means of making a connection to your cell's conductive strips.

Depending on the amount of current the cell is to produce at peak will be your limiting factor, but something as simple as conductive tape (adhesive RF shielding for example) can work. Securing it could be done if you install them in a rabbeted frame to accept the panel and locate your conductive foil at each pole of the cell. Then a simple matter of securing a brass screw through that conductive tape with a simple wire loop under the head of the screw makes for a simple secure connection. While you could try to attach wire with a low wattage soldering iron, there are some instances where the cell could be damaged from the heat application.

Since it sounds like your cells will not be weather resistant, you will need to make a weather resistant frame for them, which makes the above a very simple method of attachment. .

Kathy Said:

WHAT ARE THE SOLAR CELLS IN SOLAR PANELS MADE OF?

We Answered:

solar crystals from the illuvian forest

Phillip Said:

I need help finding solar panels/cells?

We Answered:

These guys have tons of solar cells.
http://www.plastecs.com/

If you connect them + to - in series that will increase the voltage.
Each cell is approximately 0.5 Volts.

If you connect them in parallel, + to + and - to -, that will increase the current.

If you have cells connected in series and one cell is covered I'm not sure what will happen. If they are connected in parallel and 1 cell is covered then the output current drops by the amount of the covered cell.

Shane Said:

What are some things that are powered by solar cells?

We Answered:

Nothing. PV cells don't pack much of a punch on their own. They're only used to create modules, and modules are only used to create arrays. Even a calculator requires a small array. Basically, if you were to use a PV cell alone it wouldn't be for the purpose of providing power. You would need to use it as a light sensor because there simply isn't anything that will run on that low of voltage.