Solar cells soldering: How to solder solar cells

[BananaTimeIsNow]

How long would you say it would take to solder about 10 cells in series? I'm working with a team of about 4 and we have to solder 300 cells

[RickLaviolet]

What type of solder and flux are used with monocrystaline cells? The kit I purchased did not specify and did not supply enough. The flux appears to contaminate the cells on the positive side and does not adhere. How do you deal with contamination of tabs? Nothing sticks to the tabs once the sour. I am guessing SN96AG4 solder but I don't know the flux type. I have read bismuth solder is best because of low temperature.

[Twisted86]

Is there a "best" solder you should use? I have 6x6 cells and 7 SHOULD equal 5.6v but I only get 4.8v in direct sun. I am just curious if the normal solder I used might be resisting a little.

[99knight]

what was the thing u applied on solar panel before soldering

[Kuasar137]

@99knight it's a flux pen

[DavidSlavinSky]

Нужно отдать должное человеку, потратившему столько времени не только на изготовление солнечной батареи, а еще и на подробное описание с фото и видеоматериалом всего процесса изготовления. Желаю здоровья, успехов и удачи!

[ortsa123]

whenever i solder tabbing wire to the cell it bends and often causes the cell to crack running from the tabbing wire diagonally. iv already wasted several cells doing this and the few that havent cracked are pretty bent and it looks like im going to just crack then when i solder the other sides. what am i doing wrong?

[mumbleye]

soldering these things together is one of the most frustrating things i've ever attempted, i failed. can't wait til solar film becomes affordable... when pigs fly

[qcages]

where can purchase that colophony rosin? And what type of solder are you using?

[joemiked]

maybe im confused ..?..but arent you suppossed to solder the rear of the panel to connect with another?

mike d.

oakland ca

[qcages]

@joemiked You solder tabbing wire from front to back. The tops of the cells are negative, the bottoms are positive. The cells only produce 1 half volt each, so they are soldered together in series, negative to positive, in oder to get a higher voltage to charge batteries/run inverters. The most common DIY solar panel is made with 36 cells in series, which is just a little more than needed to reach the 12volt mark. At 12 volts you can charge batteries and run your power through inverters.

[PiercingKnight]

I bought 6x6 Multi-Cryatalline solar cells that are supposed to be 4 watts, .5 volts and 8 amps. But when I measure the amps using multimeter the highest I ever get for amps is 3.5, even when sun is highest in the sky. Is this normal to get only half amps when measuring solar cells with meter or are these no good and I should return them? Anyone know?

[beancube2010]

Sorry, wrongly placed my suggestion. Take a look of Solar Energy Concentrator at /watch?v=QHYbO53L_YY and /watch?v=pLQ4EtWVDdM and use your own imagination to build some next generation solar panels.

[beancube2010]

1 sq. meter of direct sunlight have a potential of 1KW. Concentrators like this create high heat, we need some high heat solar cells to work with them to generate electricity. How about plugging solar cells onto some rotatable rods so cells on them can roll off using small DC motor for air cooling? I guess this can definitely cut down cells cost for any project dramatically. Sunlight concentrators can collect a lot of useful sunlight even when the day is no so bright.

[niettevragen]

Is there any shop in Holland to buy those ? :(

[basantakhanal1]

i need to do project so i am looking to buy all raw materials. do u know from where i can buy it. I am in TEXAS, USA.

thank you

[KidEh1980]

I read that you aren't supposed to use solder on the strips, just on the underside, but I notice you use it here. Which way is right?

[x11115]

is there anyway to get the electric company to buy back the electricity with home built solar panels?

[KidEh1980]

It depends on where you are. In a lot of places you need UL or similarly certified panels if you are hooking your panels to the grid. You can also get someone from the electric company to sign off on your panels for something like $75/panel.

[framelocator]

Pardon me,but is that popcorn popping in the microwave I hear in the background?

[Kuasar137]

It's a rain :)

[Kuasar137]

@framelocator It's a rain :)

[carolshorty]

what is the initial pen-like material that you line the white strips with?

[Felipecabesas]

@carolshorty thats a flux pen, and it helps to get the tabing wire stuck to the cell, and to clean it from any material

[MeEncantaKiley]

@carolshorty i think it is a flux pen

[Felipecabesas]

I can't even get the tab wire hot eneough, my soldering iron can't even melt the solder.

its a 25watt, you think I need a new one?

[Kuasar137]

No. You just need new solder with less melting temp.

[kc7fys]

@Felipecabesas An iron with a higher wattage allows you to work faster with fewer reheats of the joint, and less chance of 'cold solder' joints in the process. 65-85 watt irons are cheap and readily available.

[Kuasar137]

@kc7fys An iron with a higher wattage can damage your cells!

[need4speed402]

that is such a butifule soldering job your just like a pro!!!!!

[Felipecabesas]

Hi, does the left over Tabing wire go in the bottom of the next P.V. cell or on top?

[need4speed402]

it dose

[TaylorHolmes]

wtf is that noise?

[Kuasar137]

It's a rain :)

[tonerduckpin]

what kind of rosin flux are you using?

[Kuasar137]

It's a "colophony"

[MrStig444]

@Kuasar137

hey

[nts9]

Great job. thanks for the demo.

[LOOPPEY]

Ok it's been some time now do you have video of finishing your panel? Was it a flop? I would like to see it.

[Kuasar137]

Panel is not ready yet. I have no time to make it now. I'll upload new video later.

[LOOPPEY]

Thanks