Comments on: Step-by-step DIY Solar Cell Soldering: Green Power Science

By: Hank Moore

Hank Moore — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:24:24 +0000

You might want to tell people that their hands should be as grease free as possible before handling the tabbing wires. It can be a bear to solder oily or greasy metal. Have you ever tried soldering cells with a gun versus iron?

By: Majrblkout

Majrblkout — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:09:41 +0000

My first solar panel is finished and the 36 cells in series are producing between 18 and 20 volts DC. Now, I’m reading about how to run big wires under a sidewalk.
The outside back panel is built from a 2′ by 4′ panel of quarter-inch plywood, which is 1/4 of a full 4′ by 8′ sheet. It is simple to have cut at a major hardware store. This was glued and nailed to a 1″ thick frame made from oak tomato stakes, for strength. Holes slightly smaller than the nails were drilled to avoid splitting the frame.
A 2′ by 4′ pre-cut panel of plexiglass was secured to the frame with clear silicon caulk as the final step. To avoid trouble, I did not cut or drill holes in the plexiglass.
Rules of soldering were followed, such as: Use a low wattage iron for small stuff and a high wattage iron for big wires. Keep the iron clean and “tinned”. Whenever possible, melt the solder by touching the place to be connected with the end of the solder and not by touching it to the iron. Keep the soldered connection perfectly still until the solder has solidified. A good solder joint should look smooth and shiny. A bad joint usually looks rough and grainy. Only use solder that contains rosin flux on electronics. Acid flux is for plumbing. Practice on something inexpensive.
Before turning the connected cells over and sticking them to a plywood substrate panel with a small blob of silicon I carefully applied a two rows of masking tape to the bottom, or positive side of them to avoid damage.
I don’t have any fancy equipment and my solar panel doesn’t look as neat as some I’ve seen on the web but it is sturdy and it works!

By: Going Green

Going Green — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:46:30 +0000

That is AWESOME and excellent advice. Would you be willing to share pictures or any other thoughts about what you’ve learned in the process? Would love to know more about how this went for you in building your own panels…

By: Majrblkout

Majrblkout — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:49:39 +0000

I have just finished connecting 36 solar cells together. Out of 50 cells, I broke 5. I have a 35 watt soldering iron and believe it gets too hot after awhile. Using a lower wattage iron or a controller for it would be better. I think the excess heat ruined a couple of the 6 contact places on the back of one of the cells. After watching the videos that came with my cells I’m sure that just about anyone can do this. The person in the video obviously has no formal training or experience with soldering and I commend him for making the video anyway! Being a retiree from 36 years repairing printed circuit boards helped me a little.

By: Brice

Brice — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 00:34:52 +0000

Great!
Excellent intro video has helped me. Keep it going I see it helping others too. Thanks

By: irvin queen

irvin queen — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:25:19 +0000

Hi;
Do you have step by step instructions for making Amorphous Solar Cells for sale. I am am Technically able to follow the steps. I teach at a local High School. Please advise. I am intereste in making my own Amorphous Solar Cells (Thin film). Please reply.
Thank you
Irvin queen

By: daran oloyede

daran oloyede — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:37:57 +0000

HI,
I`m so happy to be one of ur fance, infact the web site was so intrested, to some extent that i can now bost building my how sola panel and generate an affordable elcetricity for my family. through the guaid aquiring on this web sit. i real using the meadia to appreciate all ur endless effort. to bring such opportunity to my door step. wishs u long live and more discovery. bye frm daran.

By: samandulgu

samandulgu — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:11:22 +0000

thanks a lot for sending me all these step by step guide,am so greatfull to be a member of green power,am trying to save ,for to oder some of the kits,like silver solder lead free,coated tin wire,tabbing wire.am feeling great all these days ahead.