PV Gap

Rodney Said:

I am making a solar panel to warm my pool water with black pipe Is it alright to run the water throw it all?

We Answered:

I'd put a valve on it, it might actually get too hot and if you can't cut off the water flow it will be lot a bathtub. Plus you may get a leak or crack and valves would be helpful.

Vera Said:

Could you melt silicon and dope it yourself with boron / phosphorous for making solar cells for a solar panel?

We Answered:

There are a few university labs that are capable of the kind of precision and cleanliness required. . Silicon doped at .001% is hopelessly contaminated. You would still have to form the oxide insulation layer, etch windows in it for contacts and vacuum-deposit ultrapure metal for electrical conduction. About the best you could manage in a home lab would be a simple diode.

James Said:

how is making a solar panel?

We Answered:

Solar panels use silicone cells to capture light and turn the electrons into energy which we can use for electricity. The cells are connected together and housed in a solar module coated with glass, which we commonly call a "solar panel." Most solar cells are grown from monocrystalline silicon which are primarily produced and assembled into solar modules overseas. The materials and cost of doing this yourself for one panel would not be practical. If you need a single solar panel to charge a battery, you would be better off buying a single module on ebay or from a local installer who may have unused modules.

If you are interested in powering your home with solar electricity, you can contact an installer such as Sunlight Solar Energy (www.sunlightsolar.com) to learn about rooftop or ground-mounted solar arrays for your home or business.