I was wondering, assuming that you could attain these resources, if you could essentially form your own sheets of the 2 different types of silicon.

There are a few university labs that are capable of the kind of precision and cleanliness required. . Silicon doped at .001% is hopelessly contaminated. You would still have to form the oxide insulation layer, etch windows in it for contacts and vacuum-deposit ultrapure metal for electrical conduction. About the best you could manage in a home lab would be a simple diode.

Answer these three questions, please:

When so solar panels generate power, day or night?

When do people usually charge the batteries of their electric cars, day or night?

Since cars charge at night and solar power comes in the day, where does the electricity that charges your car come from?

P.S. Another question you should ask yourself that goes along with this theme: When do you turn the lights on in your house?
I hope you see that the point of this question is to make people realize that solar power isn’t all they thought it was. I already know the answers to these questions.

Your questions point to a real–but not insoluable problem. That being that we need a source of electric power for electric cars that DOESN’T depend on conventional–that is,mostly coal powered–electric generation.

There are a number of options. Being able to carge from solar panels located at ones workplace is one.

Another–we are getting much better and more cost-effective battery storage technology. We may well be able to store solar energy that can then be sued to charge cars (and run homes–at night.

The key isn’t being able to do this–that’s easy. The tough part is to figure out how to do it cost-effictively. But don’t dismiss these–or a number of other ideas that are being worked on..

But–your "questions" are a great capsule summary of the problem–nice post!

See http://gregable.com/2007/09/apartment-solar-what-is.html

I want to buy a solar panel and some other device X that will let me smoothly power appliances from X. X will use power from the solar panel first, and then from the grid if there isn’t enough. I don’t want a battery system due to the costs, if there is too much power from solar, I’ll just waste it in this system. What is X that I would need to buy or how would I build X?
Some of the answers so far pointed out that my plan is a bad one for cost reasons. I’m well aware that it isn’t going to save me any money. Leather seats in my car don’t make it go faster either. Still, I’m interested in playing with the technologies in a bigger way than a little toy car or something. The DIY part is the main interest, not the saving money or environment.

2n2222 is right about the power you could get from the panel not being enough for what you want.

There’s also the fact that you need an inverter to convert the DC from the PV cells to AC for the fridge and that everything between the inverter and power point is mains voltage and therefore deadly.

There’s also the need to have the grid connection completely shut off during a power outage so that you don’t accidentally feed power into the grid while someone is fixing the power lines (otherwise you may end up killing a maintenance worker and getting charged with manslaughter).

i am constructing a solar water heater now as one of the requisites in our curriculum and I’m wondering what is the cheapest way of constructing it?

Use rock wool, or polystyrene these are the cheapest material for insulation

I hear it’s one of the harder tints to work with. What’s a good place to purchace some online?

Solar Guard is tint that is stiff. It is hard to heat shrink and will not last as long as other films. You would be better off to go to a professional and have them put a high performance lifetime warranty film on for around $150.00 I have put tint on with an old high school friend and he sells many brands but prefers Llumar or 3M for the best quality and durability

Most households spend thousands each year on expensive electricity-bills – most of them don’t even know that Diy Solar Energy Generator can easily save them up to amazing 80% on that irritating expense. Surprisingly (or not), this technique can successfully operate almost any home-appliance. Take two minutes of your time in order to find out more and understand how it can help you.

Short background

So, what is the secret of this Diy Solar Energy Generator? – Well, it is about downloading one of these user-friendly guides that explain in simple words how to create Solar-Cells at minimal cost & effort. It is important then to choose the right guide; make sure it offers clear instructions, video tutorials, diagrams, and technical support. Anyway, here are just a few advantage & advices that may help you to know more about this subject.

Important advantages

Finally, when looking for the bottom-line, we easily identify the following benefits:

* Leaves us almost unaffected by any possible energy crisis.
* Excellent backup to your conventional elec. sys. in case of power failure.
* Knowing that we are doing our part to conserve the planet.
* Helps the environment.
* Increases the value of your home by thousands.

Advice

Nowadays it is possible to get deep cycle batteries at no cost, so you can store your energy for free.

Quick summary

Diy Solar Energy Generator is definitely one of the most revolutionary inventions that enable us to say goodbye to our elect. expenses once and for all. One thing is clear – there are many other benefits provided by this remarkable idea, simply because as individuals we no longer need to depend on the authorities to supply these needs. It is time for an action, so at this point it is highly recommended to test it so you could instantly explore the wide range of benefits that it provides.

Jason Gilford
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/diy-solar-energy-generator–the-easy-way-715467.html

One of the best things you can do for your self is to us DIY Solar Panels for your home. It not only saves money but its very environment friendly too. There will be no fuel problem and hustle for health problems. You can use the solar energy for residential, commercial and industrial power. It is also used in power pumping stations, power telecom equipment. So let us introduce our lives to this thing popularly called Green Energy…

DIY Solar Panels are assortment of photovoltaic cells that can actually create alternative energy source that we call solar energy from sun. What works for this system is maximum exposure of sun and moderate temperature. A solar panel produces a clean and environmentally friendly source of solar power. A solar panel is typically installed on a rooftop or stand alone mounting racks, depending on your requirement. The highlighted factor that should always be kept in mind is that the solar panel system should be located at a place where it can absorb maximum exposure of sunlight without any shading. Shade can drastically reduce your solar power production of your solar panel, which in turn reduces your total amount of solar power for your solar house. Logically speaking sunlight is the source through which is acting as a fuel for our solar panel so how its going to work without it. That’s the point that should be dealt logically.

DIY Solar panels are effectively required for manufacturing a solar cell. Therefore, extra care and consideration should be given to this fact that the panels are manufacturing correctly, because this high consideration will result in highest efficiency of the final outcome of solar electricity generator.

These days its real simple and convenient for us to buy the kits from market which helps us in building our DIY Solar Panels. It doesn’t require high investment, but now its quirt within budget. But then again, before even buying those economic kits we should give some thought to our requirement as well. Its very important that first you do you home work about the solar panels. First off, make sure you have enough room on your roof to actually install the DIY Solar Panels. That’s actually very crucial part of the whole process, that you should have enough space for the panels. Again logic is that the amount of electricity that you want to generate is directly going to be associated by the wattage corresponding to the DIY Solar Panels. There are kits available in market beside the huge amount of guides that we can get from everywhere through various sources of information. All these are comprehensive and easy to understand. Genuinely for the consumers who want to cut short their electricity bill.

pratibha
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/diy-solar-panels-678012.html

Imagine heating your pool 10 to 15 degrees without using an ounce of electricity or gas. How? With Our Solar Heating System! This Energy & Money Saving system collects the suns rays, converts them to heat and keeps your pool comfortably warm. Best of all, it installs easily in line with your existing pump and equipment. When you install the lightweight, polypropylene solar collector in areas that get full sun most of the day, the pool water circulates through solar channels and returns to your pool nice and warm. (4×20 collectors come as two 2×20 collectors) Kit contains one solar panel along with a diverter valve and a roof/rack mounting kit with enough straps for (4) panels. Fittings accept flexible hose but can be adapted to rigid PVC pipe. Comes with everything required for do-it-yourself installation. Sizing 15 x 30 pool – 2 collectors, 16 x 36 pool – 3 collectors, 20 x 40 pool 4 collectors. Features up to a 10-year warranty.

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The Eton SOLARLINK FR360 does more than keep you connected. This new spin on a top selling classic incorporates our award winning design and standard feature sets into a sleek easy to use package. It is a multifunctional, compact companion ready for any adventure. When emergencies or outdoor adventures take you off the grid, you need a device that can fill multiple needs. The Eton SOLARLINK FR360 is a compact unit that you can easily store in a safety kit or toss in your rucksack and take anywhere. It has a high-quality AM/FM tuner, providing you with news, entertainment and public service announcements. Not only that, but it also integrates a NOAA Weather Band receiver that brings you weather forecasts, alerts and other emergency messages–information vital to backpackers and travelers. Now with a handy rotating telescopic antenna, the SOLARLINK FR360 also includes a powerful solar panel and digital tuner/display for precise tuning and optimal reception anywhere. If that wasnt enough, we also added an AUX-in for the pure enjoyment of music from an iPod or mp3. Its perfect for any room in your house or any outdoor venue. Solar/Hand Crank Generate energy to power this sleek unit by simply setting it under the sun or with a few turns of the hand crank. Free yourself and ease your mind with self-powered radio broadcasts anytime anywhere. Digital Tuner/Display for precise tuning on any band weather its AM (520-1710 KHz), FM (87-108 MHz) or NOAA weather. USB phone charger charge virtually any phone or small electrical device with this added feature. AUX-IN & Headphone Jack simply plug any iPod or mp3 player and take your music with you. Listen to your music without distractions Flashlight 3 built in LEDs to light your way through the dark. The technology featured in the SOLARLINK ensures that you will have everything you need whether you are hitting the beach or climbing the highest peaks. With its digital tuner, Alarm/Clock functionality and auxiliary input for use

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Solar Powered Door Light – - Solar powered light helps brighten your front door, side door, garage entry door, back door. No wiring necessary! No electric usage! DIY installation. Ideal for any exterior residential entryway, this solar powered light is simple, decorative, and cost-effective. Four

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