Comments for Making Your Own Solar Panels

Comment on Solar Panels? by frozen

frozen — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:22:22 +0000

Go up to the attic and see if there are wires or pipes coming from the panels. Could be you have a solar water heater. They are more common. Your hot water system will have a circulating pump controlled by a thermostat.

Electric solar panels will generate DC which will not be usable in a standard house unless it is converted. Solars usually are used in conjunction with batteries.

Comment on How do you build a solar panel yourself? by DevilGod

DevilGod — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:13:09 +0000

Inexpensive is a relative term
If you got few millions of dollars burning your pockets then maybe, otherwise forget about it.
What kind of appliances are you planning to run ? I hope not the stove… That would require craploads of panels.

Comment on Homemade Swimming Pool Solar Heating System by hieronymus1927

hieronymus1927 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:01:13 +0000

Sihutchuk , times have moved on a bit 2m2 superconductor flat plate £200 from us.

Comment on Homemade Swimming Pool Solar Heating System by hieronymus1927

hieronymus1927 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:36:55 +0000

@sihutchuk Er! Times have moved on a bit sihutchuk. You can buy a 2m2 flat plate retail for £335 retail and
£200 trade in the UK. Guaranteed truth because I sell them.

Comment on Homemade Swimming Pool Solar Heating System by hieronymus1927

hieronymus1927 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:30:13 +0000

Sihutchuk, That looks like a normal garden hose your using. Will it not crack if left in
the chlorine and the sun? How long would you estimate it would be before you have
to replace that bargain 50m2 hose for £3. Is the board marine ply? Will it be cost effective over the long term? Sorry to put a negative spin on your efforts but the public may need to know if all that effort is in vain and will only last a few years.
I do admire your recycling though.

Comment on Homemade Swimming Pool Solar Heating System by hieronymus1927

hieronymus1927 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:04:59 +0000

Nails are also too close to garden hose. Will get too hot in the sun and maybe melt an already volatile hose.

Comment on Homemade Swimming Pool Solar Heating System by crapmanism

crapmanism — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:59:01 +0000

Great Video!!!
Especially with the painting black idea, as it is much cheaper than buying an extra solar hose. So here is my question:

Does it give an better effect on the heat, if i use a riffeled / corrugated hose?

Comment on Homemade Swimming Pool Solar Heating System by sihutchuk

sihutchuk — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:11:54 +0000

@hieronymus1927 …….but I’m not trade! I’m just one of the multitude of people who don’t have £400 knocking about (if I could persuade you to sell to me at trade price – which by experience I doubt!). On the assumption I have to pay retail price flat plates are still over £300 each by the time they’re delivered.

Re your concern about cracking…. no the hose hasn’t deteriorated in any way over three seasons. The hose doesn’t get too hot anyway because the pump is continually circulating it

Comment on Homemade Swimming Pool Solar Heating System by bigboybrims

bigboybrims — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:43:04 +0000

have just made one but what size and make pump did you use? many thanks

Comment on Homemade Swimming Pool Solar Heating System by fukpolitics1

fukpolitics1 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:15:52 +0000

dude good idea. what time of year does it not work?