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  • Very nice video ★★★★★ I have built 4 solar panels at home...

    It's so cheap and easy when U DIY,

    I have posted step by step plan, I hope it helps many people

    ★★★

  • Salut j'aimerais si vous le pouvez avoir le descriptif sous-titré que je puisse le traduire par la suite en diverse langue. Le Québéc francophone vous remercie

  • @MrClubMontreal Sorry. I can only read English

  • @markp0177 sorry my search engine results but all I said " I would like if you can HAVE the description subtitled What I can thereafter Translate language diverse. Francophone Quebec Thanked You" thank you for answering

  • Thank you so much for posting this, it is great to see good people sharing this valuable knowledge for the benefit of the world. I had one question, approx how much labor time does it take you to complete a 72 cell panel?

  • @thedmt88 Well I do a little at a time. Maybe 4 to 5 hours

  • This is the best DIY video for solar panels i have found on the entire Internet !! This man could have made money just by selling the DVD with this information, yet he made it freely available ! Thank you, very kind person.

  • I enjoy your video instructions. At your convenience, I think you should shoot a video on the construction of your vibrating work table, that your refer to in your videos. So those of us who follow your videos and want to build solar panels can construct them properly with the assistance of the use of a vibrating table and how its built and where to get the parts. Looking forward to seeing your video on the vibrating work table. Thanks, Dave

  • @sodbuster1x I will try to shoot one soon. I just used a old 1/4 hp motor and welded a off set weight to the shaft. It is realy simple. Mark

  • Thinking about the heat issue - could you devise a pool heater setup? Running a pump through a hose underneath your array, to reduce the heat of the panels and increasing efficiency? Just a thought...

  • @DesignCBTs You will use more power with the pump than you will save. Mark

  • @markp0177 couldn't you use some sort of back flow valve so when the water heated up at the back of the panel it would push forward on it's own so you wouldn't need a pump

  • @Bonznumber1 Yes you could use a closed loop system and then it would work on a thermo siphon. But it is a lot of trouble.

  • Your videos are probably the best, most thorough I've reviewed - Thanks for the fantastic work!!!

  • Just wondering if you could use automotive clearcoat and spray it on.its a good uv protectant.?you might have to spray it on pretty wet but i think it could work.?

  • @onebigkahuna69 Well maybe. I have never tried it. I don't know how it will hold up after 20 years.

  • With your obvious resources how come you're not off the grid? 

  • @betadynamics . I am still on the grid. I have cut my power bill by 1/3. Still a long way to go.

  • good vid thanks !!

  • hey man can you tell me what i need in words like what a good website i can read b/c im better if i read it it so if there any way you can tell me in words what you did all three videos?and what i need and etcc..

  • @verOneDoesIt420 Hello. I can send you a wiring diagram.Contact me at my email address. markel38@aol.com.  Mark

  • you sound Texan to me, not from Chicago :P

  • @SophosVII Hello. I am from Alabama. Mark

  • Awesome vid! So the sylguard makes the backside rain proof? Does that mean that my wires and diodes at the back can be drenched in sylguard as well?

  • @picnic366 Yes the encapsulant makes the back rainproof and you can cover the diode and wires with it too. Mark

  • Hello Mark, Just to know, ho much Sylguard are you use with your frames in 36/ 6x6 and 72/6x6 cells each one. 1 kit for 36 or more, and 2 kits for 72? Hope read yor answer soon, thanks in advance;

    EDGAR.

  • @EgyPonce Hello. I use one container per 36-3x6 cells or two for 36-6x6. Mark

  • @markp0177 Ok, many thanks... maybe i need 3 or 4 container to 72 cell 6x6. Good job.

  • @EgyPonce Yes 4 containers

  • cool video I like this when I was in high school we used clear fiberglass resion to incapsulate the pannels in worked pretty good it was for a solar car project rc car it worked pretty good but if I decide to build my own solar system I will have to go this route sounds a lot chapper than finding one already built again gre4at video.

  • Hey, i happened to buy lot of 125 3x6 cells, could you tell me how should i make these? Should i make one big panel with 7 AMPS and 36volts? This should be 24 volt panel then. 24v/10amp controller and im done? CORRECT me when im wrong :) Ill look your ebay, might use encapsulant for this project.

  • @Thomashamka You can make 3-36 cell panels or 1 72 cell and 1-36cell. Your voltage will be determined by how you wire it up. 2 36 cell panels in series will give you around 36 volts to charge a 24 volt system. Yes you will need a charge controller to protect your batteries. mark

  • @markp0177 Thanks alot. I think ill make 1- 72 cell and 1-36 cell panel then.

  • I'd like to lay a sheet of aluminium on the back of the panel before the silicon dries so I call pull some of the heat off the panel. Can this be done without shorting out the panel? Will the material you mixed up conduct heat?

  • @moffett8 I would not lay aluminum on the back,I think it would cause trouble over time. The encapsulant expels the heat very well. Mark

  • I really enjoyed all of your videos. The way you put them together is so simple it's getting me to thinking that I should start getting it all sooner than I thought I could. It'd be a nice hobby too. What is you're eBay storefront name?

  • @matthewetchie @matthewetchie My ebay name is markp0177 .  Mark

  • sorry for the questions.. i have one last... at the back of the panel.. the negative side,,, what u use to cover this..or with the sylgard 184 is suficient? is very dificult for me explain the question my english is not good

  • @Juani2392 Hello. The sylgard is sufficient for both sides of the cells. Mark

  • Im making a similar panel,. im from argentina,. can u tell me what kind of Glass u used.. how many mm?? ..

  • @Juani2392 Hello. The glass is clear tempered and 6.35mm

  • @markp0177

    ah, i see u make this panel the day 8/10/2010.. how is actually.. the panel.. it worked good? u had any problem??

  • @Juani2392 Hello. The panel still looks new and work the same. It maesures 27" by 32" or 685.8 x 812.8 mm

  • oh and how many inches has the aluminum frame of the panel,

  • Thanks for the Video. I am from India, and I am planning to put up a solar panel with the 5” x 5” solar cell having panel size of 30” x 30”. How much Sylgaurd 184 will be required to spread on this solar panel? Somehow I got Sylgaurd 184 kit through a friend. It’s a 1.1KG pack. Will that be enough to spread on a panel with 30”x30”?

  • @mubavoice Yes that should be just enough Sylgard for your panel. Mark

  • i was thinking about building my own solar array, but i was wondering,

    how much did it cost you for you 1KW array? how much per watt?

    Thanks

  • @Derek519425 Hello. I am not sure how much I paid for my system. I built it a little at a time.I found good deals on the batteries and the #3 wire I got free after a hurricane back in 1979. Some of my panels are made out of glass that I got for free off old sliging glass doors. Mark

  • @markp0177 i see,

    i will be looking forward to a video on how to connect the solar array to your main breaker,

    that is the one thing im still worried about, it is possible to have the array connected to my breaker without it pushing the meter back if i don't use the electricity? if so, i would love to see a video of that :D

    Thank you.

  • @Derek519425 Hello. I do not have a grid tie system. I charge batteries that run my inverter.If the power goes out for a long time I will still have power. We have hurrricanes hear. With grid tie you will not have power if it goes out. Mark

  • @markp0177 so, if i understand correctly,

    you only use the power from your panels, if you plug something into your inverter socket?

  • @Derek519425 I have my inverter wired into my attic to a few toggle switches. My inverter runs 2 refridgerators and some lights. I can switch back to the grid if My batteries get low. Some times on a cloudy day I may only run one refridgerator. Mark

  • @markp0177 i am sorry, but i have one more question,

    Selling electricity to the grid from a diy solar system is not exactly legal,

    so, is it possible to connect it to your home grid without putting power to the electric company's grid, and yet saving the power in the batteries, to be used at first priority in your home?

  • @Derek519425 Hello. Well with a grit tie inverter their are no batteries. You can have two systems one that charges the batteries and then switch it by hand to the grid tie. It is not exactly legal here to have a grid tie system. The power company wants to but a meter on my system at my cost and only pay me 5 cents a kwh. I pay 13 cents a kwh from them. Mark

  • very cool :)

  • Hi, Mark.

    Great video!!!, Thank you very much. I am in Thailand "the land of Sun and Smile". Always HOT or HOTTER. Learn so much from your video. Thanks again.

  • thats frikkin cool man. I got a suggestion for your awesome home set-up, get a thermostat connected to an electrical relay tied to a water sprinkler system, and have it just turn on and automatically water the panels when they get to a certain temperature. great vid, you definitely know what you're doing, big ups man, nice

  • Thanks for your videos. They are going to be a great help When I put mine together this yare. Or in the next 2 week. Just woundering, how many batteries do you have on this system? And, what is the wattage on the inverter you have on them?

    The only inverter I have right now is 750 Watt. I have had it for years. I was looking at some of the 8000 watts for about $700.00

  • @kg4bga I have a 5000 watt inverter and around 2000 amp hours in batteries. See my other video on batteries. The sound did not turn out that good on this video.

  • Mark, great video! The way to get the bubbles and stuff out of your encapsulate, take a hair dryer and blow it over the encapsulate and it will remove all bubbles and smooth out the encapsulate. try it you'll see.

  • hi mark again! i'm trying to make the solar panel, how is the best way you have to get the air bubble out of the panel, did you try with seeing the air bubble from above on a glass table and move the cells so the bubble could go out, or with syringe suck out them? thanks!!

  • @facundosagardoy Hello. I have tried a syringe but it broke the cell. I look from under the panel" that is why I have a hole in the table" And push out the air very carefully. I also vibrate the table for around a hour then I cover it with card board and I leave it alone for days. Next I set it in the sun upside down with a extra piece of glass on top. This will heat it up to over 180deg. I let it stay in the sun for two days before I use the panel right side up.

  • Hi Mark, great video series.

    Why you are switching to Dow 6010 from Sylgard 184, is it better?

    Also by using your method described in the video for applying the Sylguard do the air bubbles pretty much work their way out on their own? I have seen some videos where people had rather large gawd awful air bubbles trapped, was that because they applied it wrong?

    It would be interesting to see your vibrating table but isn't there a risk of the cells moving together with the vibration?

    Thanks again!

  • @Treped Hello. I like the dow 6010 because it is a little thinner and leaves less air bubbles. The vibrating table helps remove traped air. It only vibrates a little so the cells do not move. The large air bubbles may need a little help to remove. I some times press down on the cell to chace the large air buble out. If the cell is warped up a lot I hold it down with a little silcone.

  • Outstanding! I like your style of instruction. I am going to build panels like yours and I have a few Q's. (1) will you explain or maybe a short video on making a vibrator/shaker table? (2) What size diodes are required? (3) Can you tell me a good source for the Dow 6010 encapsulant/sealant? Many thanks for all your assistance and info.

  • Hello. I wire the cells in series and the panels in parallel. I charge batteries that run my inverter.

  • @markp0177 is this the best method for a off grid house, and can you go into detail (via making an example) on how much power would you want to have in excess for the batteries

  • sorry that last comment was vague, can you message me, i just need to figure out how many amps would be needed to supply the battery bank, if you can give me an example of how you set everything up that would be awesome, again thank you

  • @Bartrum2009 Hello. Well, start with a 5000 watt or more inverter and at least 1000 watts of panels. Then you can add more panels or a wind turbine later. Also start with 4 golf cart batteries and add more later. This is the best off grid system that I know of. How many amps you need depends on how many you use.

  • Hey Mark! just want to say first off, BRAVO. You motivate me but I have one puzzling question...Parallel or series, which one would I use for an off grid type configuration. Is it possible to wire the solar cells in parallel and if so How would I about setting a series panel and a parallel panel to achieve the voltage and amps I need to run my house and battery bank. I noticed your only doing series to setup up the cells, how do you achieve enough amps to put into your house in order to run it?

  • You mentioned 2, 2 what size (volume or weight)? I am looking at sources for this and you seem to be using a convenient size to mix and pour. I would guess its still a equal part mix?

  • for a panel using 36 6x6 panels, how much of this liquid would be required to properly setup this panel? saw your frames on ebay.

  • @lostatsea99 Hello. It will take two. I now use dow 6010

  • @lostatsea99 Hello. It will take two. I now use dow 6010

  • By sharing your videos you are doing so great to humanity. Thank you so much.

  • also where do u get the silicon cells?

  • how much does this cost to make one panel?

  • @the4armedmonk You can find the cells on ebay. I can make a panel for $150

  • Thanks for a great display of knowledge. You have taken a lot of the mystery out of the building of solar panels.

    Terrance, Canada

  • Have you tried PV-6010 encapsulant (also made by Dow?)

  • @gr8mikeY Yes I like dow 6010 better. It leaves less air bubbles. Mark

  • @markp0177 Good! glad to hear that since it is what I have coming.

  • Hello there

    how much you sell your system for!!

    how many panels do I need for my House!!!

  • @giftsfromtheholyland Sorry I do not sell the finished panel.

  • @markp0177 you said you do sell the frames so I need to buy the frames so I can make my own panels

    or you dont sell the frames any more!!!

  • Thank God, I finally found someone who gives clear description of building panels. Everyone else just filmed themselves doing it and didn't explain anything they were doing. Yours should be the only one. Everyone else should have their ass kicked for wasting peoples time.

  • I love your videos. I have 1 question. Do you normally not put a back on there, just rely on the set Sylgar? I know you mentioned that on the ones you sell you put a backing, but is the set up Sylgar good enough for protection? I'm in California and we just had a change of earthquake/wind tolerance laws and supposedly starting this year I can't use aluminum frames, do you think a complete fill with Sylgar reinforces the aluminum enough so that it doesn't bend under heavy wind?

  • brilliant videos Mark, well done

  • You are a genius, Mark !

  • all 36 cells are connectid each after each?

  • Hello I was wondering if it mattered if the sylgard goes between the cells and the glass because I didn't see if you put anything to stop that from happening.

  • @Torbox1 you want the slygard to go between the cells and the glass... thats was why he was shaking it or putting that table of his on vibrate...

  • Hi Mark. How long can this panel last for? How long before the encapsulation begin to turn yellow or deteriorate? Thanx

  • Mark... thank you! How did you make your vibrating table?

  • Mark,

    Wiring & connection blocks, can be covered up well with some grades of hot glue, and this can then be removed, if needed, with lighter fuel (petrol). An electric drill with a chuck key placed in it can act as a vibrator, to even out the silicon potting compound.

  • what size amp diodes are you using

  • nice job...thanks

  • One of the most helpful videos I have seen on youtube. Thanks Mark and good luck to you!

  • realistically what kind of power savings do you get using a grid tie inverter with a few panels?

  • Hello, please what kind of glass is thick and the glass is .. thanks

  • Greetings mark, you said you also make and sell:- what's your price range? With shiping to the UK:- Good to see you've gone for quality by the way.

  • One question, is is hail proof? have You made any tests?

    thanks

  • Hello. My array will cost around $2500. Mark

  • how much woud it cost me to make a big solar panel like the one u was cooling off but for my roof n

  • hey mark, i have just bought a frame+glass from ya and was wondering what you did to protect the terminal block/diodes/wires from the weather. Thanks for helping out !

  • @phamx190 Hello. I have done nothing to the terminal block or diode and so far so good. I think you could cover with the silcone. Mark

  • Hi Mark

    Your videos are the best I seen.

    A question could you not stick the cells down with Sylgard and then coat the whole panel later?

  • @theinsoleman2 Hello. Yes I think you could. As long as the sylgard is total set.  Mark

  • Can you please send me a copy of this video? I find it very interesting and would like to share it with colleagues.

    Let me know1

    Thanks!

  • @aamine1986 Hello. Go to my website and we now offer a cd in high def. Mark

  • Good thing I found this video before I tried using EVA. This looks pretty simple enough. I'm looking at making my first panel. With the Sylgard, do you only use 1 container of the mix? have you tried using more than that? I'm sure it's not needed, just curious. Are you just using a terminal block for the wiring?

    Great Video, Thanks!

  • @W4ABN Hello. Yes one container per panel and I am using a terminal block. Mark

  • Just purchased your frames and glass.  A quick question if I may; what batteries do you use for storing power? Also, I suspect you use a grid tie system, how much has this 1 kilowatt solar system reduced your electric bill monthly in terms of $/month? Thanks for these awesome videos bro, cheers from Tennessee!

  • @sqhschief Just to update; I received my order with fast shipping via UPS. I was surprised to see that it was already assembled, thanks!

  • THE GREATEST 3 videos about solar panels I have ever seen. I will be checking your website now for the frames and glass! :)

  • Hi,

    I really appreciate your high quality approach to building PV panels. I was going to use acrylic backing and lenses until I saw your video. Since the encapsulated panel does not look like you can test or replace individual cells after assembly, have you ever had a panel go bad? Can you say how stable the cells are after they are sealed up? Do you have any statistics for the failure rate after assembly?

    Thanks so much.

    Tim in NV

  • @timlar7 Hello. I have no statistics. I have not had one go bad. You can cut one out and redo but I have never done it. I allways check each cell before I encapsulate. Mark

  • HI,

    your videos are the best i have found so far on the web.

    When I use this frame for 36 cells.

    Should i divide cells into two sets of 18 cells connected in series and then connect both in parallel. the rating of each cell is 0.6v 8+a. Therefore in parallel i would get 10.8v 18+a from the panel.

    or; should i put all 36 cells in series then i would get 21.6v 8+a from the panel.

    what do you suggest is the best way...?

  • @cellulatrends Hello put 36 in series,you should get 18 to 21 volts. Mark

  • @markp0177 On your personal array, what size are the four big panels you have on there, how many cells do they hold? Do you sell that size glass and frame? Thanks!

  • @sqhschief Hello. My arry has four 108 cell panels and yes we do cell those size frames. I do offer the glass in bulk in the south east only. It is hard to ship glass. Mark

  • @markp0177 I'm having an issue with lots of small air bubbles staying on the cells, also some fairly large ones. Is this anything to be concerned about? I didn't use a vibrating table, but I didn't think it would have so many bubbles. Thanks in advance!

  • @sqhschief Hello this is nothing to be concerned with. You don't want to mix air in when you are mixing. Vibrating the table helps. Also warming the glass a little before you pour helps. I have air bubbles at first but the next day most are gone. Mark

  • HI,

    your videos are the best i have found so far on the web.

    When I use this frame for 36 cells.

    Should i divide cells into two sets of 18 cells connected in series and then connect both in parallel. the rating of each cell is 0.6v 8+a. Therefore in parallel i would get 10.8v 18+a from the panel.

    or; should i put all 36 cells in series then i would get 21.6v 8+a from the panel.

    what do you suggest is the best way...

  • If I'm going to use a vibrating table, how long should I leave the panel?

    Thanks in advance

  • @hhittini Hello I vibrate for about an hour and then leave it alone for a few days. Next I heat cure in the sun for 2 days. I lay a extra piece of glass on the back and put in the sun. It will get over 180 deg. Mark

  • Hello Mark, great videos. I have a question I hope you can help with. If I buy 72 cells and want to create one 12V panel, seems to me that I have to do different wiring. I guess two halfs (36 cells) in series and then those 2 sets in parallel on the same piece of glass? I'm not sure how I would connect bus wires to my 72 cells. Would be great if you could provide some wiring help on your web. Do you think you it's easy to explain in a simple youtube video comment? I would really appreciate that.

  • @TheOzembuch Hello Yes two set of 36 in parallel. You will connect to the diode with a #12 wire and the neg bus with a #12 wire and then connect the two pos #12 together and the two #12 neg together. Mark

  • @markp0177

    Thanks for reply Mark, I've been trying to connect my 2 sets of 36 cells in one glass in parallel but no luck. I'm getting around 18 Volts, but my amperage is not doubled. Somehow I'm getting same amperage as I get with just one 36 cell panel which is just above 4 amps. I should be getting double that right?

    Here is what I did. I created 2 sets of 36 cells and tested both, came up 18 V and 4 amps. Then I connected positive ends together and negative together, of each set.....

  • ...shouldn't that work fine? I'm doing something wrong but don't know what. I'm still getting 18 Volts and just above 4 amps from all 72 cell panel (2x36)

    So I haven't even gotten to connecting the diode and terminal.

  • @TheOzembuch Hello .It sounds like you did it right. Did you use a diode for each 36 cells? You should have double the amps and 18 volts. What are you useing for your load when you test? A battery or a resistor? If battery the battery my be full and not take 8 amps. Also try a different meter. Mark

  • @markp0177

    I haven't used any diode yet, I was first trying to test it and then continue with diode and encapsulation. To test it I'm using 500W workshop light underneath the panel which is laying flat , I think this works good since I'm getting right reading on each 36 cells set. The meter is really good, no problem there.

    So you're saying using 1 diode for each 36 cell set on minus cable ? I was going to use 1 diode for the whole 72 cell panel connected to minus pole, wouldn't that work?

  • @TheOzembuch Hello. One diode one for each 36 cells on the positive side. I would double check the meter something not right. Mark

  • Hi Mark,

    Your instruction video on solar panels 3 of 3 is the best I have seen of all the DIY and I have been researching for the last 2 years. Keep up the good work. If Sylgard 184 works well you have made my day. Looking forward to your future instructional videos. Thank you so very much.

  • Hi Mark , that was impressive videos you have made for us - truly appreciate

    can i please ask which store you bought cells on ebay ?

    Accept my advance appreciation

    Thanks

  • What kind of cost am I looking at for a DIY 10KWhr setup? I see most commercial systems are in the range of 40000$.

  • @donaldsodav290 Hello. You can build it yourself a little at a time for around $3 a watt with the inverter. I add a few panels every year. Mark

  • markp0177 - thanks. I'm considering using a solar junction box for added protection about 100mm x 100mm mounted on the glass, but I'd need to make the glass about 100mm wider to mount this. We don't get hurricanes in Sydney Australia, so I don't expect to remove them. With the solar junction box, they just unplug anyway. Great video.

  • How do you protect the terminal block and its connections from long term weather damage? I can't see it lasting 30 years without protection.

  • @rhjames Hello. well mine are only 3 years old and if they go bad I can replace. I could encapsulate but I take mine down for hurricanes. Mark

  • If I'm counting correctly it looks like you have several panels that have 108 3x6 cells in each. 12 rows long 9 rows wide. I don't see anything for sale of that size on your website.

  • @dusty311 Hello, Yes we offer 72 and 108 cell panels on the website. Mark

  • Hello,Yes I think it would work but it won't last. Mark

  • question: If only looking to secure the cells to a top sheet, without concern for water tight enclosure.. would any silicone resin work ?

  • So the professionals don't use sylgard.....but instead use EVA. Do you know where I can get information on applying EVA?

  • @djzailant Hello,No I do not know where to get info. I have seen it used on youtube. You lay it on the glass then put cells on eva then another layer of eva then tedlar. Then you put in a heated evacuation chamber to 400 deg. Mark

  • Big question, which is more affordable to apply, the EVA or the slygard? I see most professionally made, if not all, use EVA as their encapsulation material.

    I also see in their specifications, they use a back foill (black or white UV protected), whats that?

  • @djzailant Hello, The eva is cheaper and that is why the professional use it, but is hard to use for the do it yourselfer.The backing material is is simpley for more protection. Mark

  • Thanks heaps for the vids.  Your frame and encapsulation system looks great.

  • do i have to use sylgard184 cant i use a varnish or something?

  • @Madcow800 No the varnish will yellow and won't expand with heat and crack the cells. Mark

  • tgreat videos, I am glad some one finally showed the proper way to make a solar panel that will last more than a couple years. Where do you get your sylgard at? are there any other products out there that would work?

  • @onesojourner I buy my sylgard on ebay. I have not found anything else that will last. Mark

  • Hi Mark, thanks for the great videos. Are those cells mono's. They have that look but I am not expert. Thanks.

  • @Engineer245 Yes they are mono. Mark

  • THANK YOU!

    I live half the year in central america and built 4 of my own panels. I probably made every mistake possible. You have finally given me the information I needed. I will be contacting you soon. Thanks again for a real video on how to the this!

  • Your voltage and current test are a good real life example of values and procures.

    BEST EXAMPLES I HAVE SEEN. THANKS

  • thanks found eco-iq, are the diode placed in series one on each lines?

  • @eloid777 No, one diode per 36 cells

  • Comment removed

  • @markp0177 can you explain why one per every 36 cell?.. is the diode place on positive lead?

    For larger panels ie 100 w or more would you still use one diode every 36 cells