Solar Energy

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Braelynn
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:08 pm
Occupation: student
Project Question: Solar Energy
Project Due Date: jan. 19
Project Status: I am conducting my experiment

Solar Energy

Post by Braelynn »

I'm doing my science fair project on Solar Energy. I need to know where I can find a good, cheap solar panel that isn't very expensive. Better yet, how to make one. If someone could help me with this it would be greatly appreciated.
BennettBerke
Former Expert
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:36 am

Re: Solar Energy

Post by BennettBerke »

A project on solar energy could be very interesting.

Here is a link to the Real Goods website that shows some typical components to a solar system and what they cost. You could use this site to look around and see what you might purchase before deciding whether you should try to make something yourself.

Good luck on your project.

http://www.realgoods.com/category/solar ... lectric.do
Braelynn
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:08 pm
Occupation: student
Project Question: Solar Energy
Project Due Date: jan. 19
Project Status: I am conducting my experiment

Re: Solar Energy

Post by Braelynn »

Thank you so much for your help. That website is very helpful. I have one question. Is it possible to build a solar panel? And if it is, is it cheaper then buying one?
davidkallman
Former Expert
Posts: 675
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:38 pm

Re: Solar Energy

Post by davidkallman »

Hiy Braelynn,

One way to make your own solar cells is at:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2009506/h ... _tutorial/

Looks complicated, dangerous and expensive (in small quantities) to me. In my humble opinion, biting the bullet and buying the panels sounds better (unless you need a large quantity of panels, which I don't think you do).
Cheers!

Dave
Braelynn
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:08 pm
Occupation: student
Project Question: Solar Energy
Project Due Date: jan. 19
Project Status: I am conducting my experiment

Re: Solar Energy

Post by Braelynn »

Thanks so much for your help.
ChrisG
Former Expert
Posts: 1019
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:43 am
Occupation: Research Hydrologist
Project Question: n/a
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Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Solar Energy

Post by ChrisG »

Braelynn,
Here is one way to build a cheap and simple solar cell (and battery).
http://scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/echem2.html
The current is very low, so if you need a cell to power some device, this design might not suit your needs.
Good luck!
Chris
Braelynn
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:08 pm
Occupation: student
Project Question: Solar Energy
Project Due Date: jan. 19
Project Status: I am conducting my experiment

Re: Solar Energy

Post by Braelynn »

Thanks so much. I have another question. I'm charging batteries for a certain time using solar energy. Do you know if it will ruin the batteries if I don't let them fully charge?
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