is this something to be considered?

[bookwormom]

question to the experts.
I know beans about it and someone could tell me anything about it and I could not tell the difference. I am good at assembling things and this sounds simpler than putting together hive frames, putting in wax foundation, etc.
would you say this is probably a rip off and beware? I got an e mail with this info.


http://www.homemadeenergy.org/watch-now-mb/caamail

[DavidOH]

First off my Web of Trust gives a Bright RED rating on this website.

(Web of Trust: http://www.mywot.com/ )

Watching the video: They are telling a lie!
Soldering is a skill. It will take a little practice to get good connections every time.
It will take time to put them together. It's not worth the effort to me.

I looked at that before. No way will I be building my own.
The manufacturers can do it well, inexpensively, and warranty their work for 20 years or more.

Here is an instructible that will show you how:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Build-A-Solar-Panel/

From his instructable: "how to build a 63 watt solar system"
" I spent was around $400-$500, which includes the battery, charge controller, and deep cycle battery. So I saved a large portion by building my own solar system, since a commercial solar panel would have cost $400 on up for just the solar panel itself. "

Wrong! Backwoods Solar Panel $195, Shipping $25,
Comes with a 20 year performance warrantyS-SOLAR65 65W, 12V Module $25 $195.00

If you want to try it don't buy from that website. Try someone with a good rating on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/72-Short-Tabbed-3x6-Solar-Cells-Diy-Panel-Kit-w-Wire-/110690157938?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c5a5c572

[nadja]

I live on solar and can tell you that unless you are really good, clean and neat with soldering, you are just throwing away your money. As DavidOH said, check out ratings, and best bet would be to buy from someone on ebay. But not likely that you would either save money or get the same quality as a pro unit.

[patience]

No way would I build my own panels. And I've been actively doing electrical work, and some electronics, most of my life. I am really good at soldering, yet I know how production soldering works (designed a standing-wave solder bath almost 40 years ago), and I cannot compete with automated soldering.

That's not the end of it, either. Waterproofing the unit is a real biggie, and not just any caulk will work, from what I've read. Physically building the mechanical part of the panel, the backing, frame, and assembly I would be confident doing, but I have many years in metal fabrication.

Why do it to save a few bucks? With the time spent, it would be more profitable to get fast food job and buy the panels.