PV Gap

Penny Said:

How can I build my own solar panels to install on my roof to power all home appliances?How many panels I need?

We Answered:

You can't really make these, they require special machinery and chemicals.

You need to buy them, plus batteries plus charge controller, plus an inverter. Get a set of arrays with 3-4 times, more capacity than you need to cover you at night and when the sun isn't shining.

Depending on your power requirements, this will cost $20k to 50k.

Your roof has to be large, facing south, and with nothing in the way to shade any of it from the sun.

You cannot be completely independent of the power company, as there are long periods when there is no sun, and to keep your house powered during those intervals would require a large number of large batteries. If the utility company allows, you can be setup so that you sell power to the utility when you have excess power, and when the sun is not out, you buy power from them.


First thing you want to do is calculate your power consumption. You can look at old utility bills to get the number of kW-hrs. Get numbers over a year, as winter use is different from summer use.

good luck, contact me if you want more info.


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Bradley Said:

Possible to build a solar powered home extension?

We Answered:

If you are building from scratch, you should consider installing radiant floors or wall panels. You can then use solar heated water to heat the whole floor. That would be MUCH more efficient than trying to heat it with solar electricity. Radiant heating only needs about 100 to 120 degrees F, solar can easily heat that, or at least partially, greatly reducing the amount of energy needed to heat the building.

If you have any space on the roof left over, then you can install a smaller solar electric array.

Minnie Said:

solar panels selfmade?

We Answered:

first of all NEVER pay a single penny for ne book ever !

now ..what ur trying to do isnt really possible easily..so i suggest dont

if u want to run ur house on green energy...start with saving some by using simple methods like painting walls and roof with special coatings and paints to reflect the sun

u will be surprised at the amount of savings in cooling costs

if u can..i made a house on a small plot of land outside of city all out of mud...its a wonder material

a local architect helped me..i saved on const.costs a lot and the house is naturally cool..

drive less..walk or cycle more

use roof top as a carefully maintained home veggie garden ..free veggies and cooled roofs

try these..for more write to me at atul292@gmail.com

Jenny Said:

haw to build solar panel at home?

We Answered:

You can build a solar panel like the solar panels used in solar hot water heaters. Get a black bottle or a plastic bottle and wrap it with black book covering. Fill it with water and then put it in the sun. After about 90 mins, the water will be very hot!

If you then pour the water into your electric kettle, you will save energy because the water has been pre-heated.