Solar power

[MBG]

In my quest of making ways to generate power (for free). I am researching about solar panels. What all goes into these things?

Anybody know more about these things?

[murphy625]

Much the same as all power generation.. Not that I am an expert or anything..

Solar panel, some type of battery storage, some type of voltage regulation, and of course the old power inverter to turn the DC into something usefull for the house.

I was looking into this a while back.. what I discovered is that it is cheaper to use a wind generator instead of solar panels.

Sorry im not much help
Murphy

[MBG]

Looks like I need to "sandwich" the glass, Ethyl Vinyl Acetate and Tedlar (or I can use aluminum). I need to use a vacuum

[MBG]

thanks murphy at least I Get some response. But I am actually talking about producing the solar panel itself. I could wire up everything else but I want to make the panel itself.

I belive it is the vacuuming that is going to be difficult. Cause if bubbles in caught in it could be disasterous to the panel.

[murphy625]

HUH? You want to manufacturer your own solar cells??

What How ??? You plan on making your own junctions to convert photon into electron??
Your way above me.. Ouch..

Murphy

[MBG]

yes that is what I plan on doing. It is going to work like this diagram

[MBG]

Are you willing to help? I am going to do more research on it.

[MBG]

First thing I belive I am going to get and start out with is some good low iron glass because I found out it allows the most light to pass through.

[MBG]

and it doesn't distort the spectrum of light

[murphy625]

My understanding is that solar cell efficiency is dependant upon the number of junctions per square whatever..
Current technology is attempting to set a silicon atom atop a carbon nanotube and then squeeze a gazzillion of them onto the panel.. (I think I read that in popular science magazine somewhere)

What kind of manufacturing technology do you have access to? My understanding is that the same technology that makes computer chips is currently also used to make solar panels.

Murphy

[MBG]

I only own a cnc machine shop but I am willing to experiment with any machines. I am just doing this as a hobby and wnat to learn about this to be more "ahead" of the future. I don't like depending on the electrial companies for electricity. I am very interested in this and the manufacutring process.

[murphy625]

To my knowledge, (and this is only a guess), to manufacturer a panel requires several million dollars in equipment. I have never seen or heard of anyone doing this in a garage or home shop type setting.

However, have you thought of wind power? I investigated this one the most.. The average house, located in a decent spot, needs only a 20 foot diameter wind prop/rotor to generate all the electricity required to run an efficient home.
A 20 foot generator is not out of the range of a home shop.. And they produce power so long as the wind blows.. Even at night...

Murphy