home made solar panels

openedHand · 02-10-2012, 09:40 AM

Instead of a glass front cover can thin stiff plastic be substituted?

joecaption · 02-10-2012, 10:09 AM

Lexan can be used but would have to be think enough so it would not sag.
Never use cheap plexaglass, it yellows, is effected by UV and will craze.

**Gary in WA** · 02-10-2012, 05:12 PM

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects.../sunspaces.htm

And, welcome to the forums!

Gary

shanmarsh999 · 05-03-2012, 10:42 AM

Excellent post, I have made all the panels that I use on my boat and a solar water heater. I have also made a water maker that works off of solar, it will produce about 8 to 10 gallons of water a day, just enough to keep the tanks full. I have also made a solar oven and dehydrator for food.

Missouri Bound · 05-07-2012, 09:20 PM

Twin walled polycarbonate works well, does not yellow and provides an insulation factor. Imagine a piece of corrugated (cardboard) but clear. I've used it for 15+ years and absolutely no yellowing.

C Alan Co. · 05-17-2012, 10:44 PM

What does a good piece of twin polycarbonate run in price?

Missouri Bound · 05-17-2012, 10:53 PM

Obviously it depends on the size. Check with Polytex, they are a greenhouse manufacturer.

garethcooper9 · 07-20-2012, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanmarsh999

Excellent post, I have made all the panels that I use on my boat and a solar water heater. I have also made a water maker that works off of solar, it will produce about 8 to 10 gallons of water a day, just enough to keep the tanks full. I have also made a solar oven and dehydrator for food.

Solar oven. Very interesting. How did you do that?

Dana Lynn · 08-14-2012, 10:06 PM

ok, Guys,

How well are your solar panels working and how much of a savings have you realized after recovering cost of project?

02-10-2012, 09:40 AM	#1
openedHand Newbie Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1	home made solar panels Instead of a glass front cover can thin stiff plastic be substituted?

02-10-2012, 10:09 AM	#2
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,830	home made solar panels Lexan can be used but would have to be think enough so it would not sag. Never use cheap plexaglass, it yellows, is effected by UV and will craze.

02-10-2012, 05:12 PM	#3
Gary in WA Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 8,845	home made solar panels http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects.../sunspaces.htm And, welcome to the forums! Gary __________________ Clothes taking longer to dry? Clean the dryer screen in HOT water if using fabric softener sheets. They leave a residue that impedes air-flow, costing you money. Clean the ducting in the last six months? 17,000 dryer fires annually!

05-03-2012, 10:42 AM	#4
shanmarsh999 Newbie Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2	home made solar panels Excellent post, I have made all the panels that I use on my boat and a solar water heater. I have also made a water maker that works off of solar, it will produce about 8 to 10 gallons of water a day, just enough to keep the tanks full. I have also made a solar oven and dehydrator for food.

05-07-2012, 09:20 PM	#5
Missouri Bound Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Almost Arkansas Posts: 2,764	home made solar panels Twin walled polycarbonate works well, does not yellow and provides an insulation factor. Imagine a piece of corrugated (cardboard) but clear. I've used it for 15+ years and absolutely no yellowing. __________________ Do you want it your way or the right way? To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

home made solar panels