Questions
I receive a lot of questions from people every day who are excited to get started on their first panel, but just want to know a few things before they purchase the guide. So I have listed the most common questions below, along with my answers.
If there is anything else you would like to know, please contact me through the contact link at the bottom of this page.
Q. Is it as easy as has been advertised? I’m a no- brainer when it comes to ‘scientific’ things. Is there much science to harvesting solar energy?
A. We have included many pictures and video instructions to help you make your panel. The guide has been developed to make things as easy as possible. If you need help along the way, just email me and we I’ll get back to you with a well researched answer.
Q. My main concern is what materials are used? Quite often the suppliers of these type of materials are scarce.
A. Most of the components needed to make your own solar power system can be purchased at your local hardware store. Some parts (like the individual cells to make up the panel) can be bought at specialty shops or online. (eBay is the cheapest). Inside the membership area, you’ll get access to a parts list and the best places to buy each part.
Q. I am not sure how you get the solar cells do you explain how to make them from scratch or buy solar cells . I am sure we cannot make solar cell at home which uses silicone as the base material if I am correct.
A. Yes, that is right. Part of our guide teaches how to wire together individual solar cells to make up an entire solar panel. The cells, and the other components you will need, are listed in the members area, along with the cheapest places to buy them.
Q. Is your advice likely to be of use to us or is it aimed more at the suburban home looking for a small system?
A. The system you will make is quite scalable, you only need to add panels and batteries depending on the amount of power that you would like to generate, there’s no limit.
Q. How can a solar panel put out enough power for home appliances?
A. The solar panels out out DC power which then connects to a battery (or battery bank) to store it, and an inverter to change the current to AC. This is the type of electricity that you need for powering home appliances, lighting, etc. When solar panels are added together, you can generate as much power as you need.
gary streight said:
hi,
i have bought you manual for making solar panels and at one time watched the series of videos that came with it. i am now ready to start building and will use the manual as a guide however i would like to show the videos to my son who will help me. is it possible to resend the video to me?
cheers, Gary Streight
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi Gary,
I’ve just sent you an email which contains a link for you to get instant access to the Guide and Videos.
[Reply]
John said:
I know you are selling panels but what about mounting, inverter, cabling, backfeed disconnect, and special fees associated with setup. Could you explain a little more about what the costs with these?
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi John,
I’m not actually selling panels, but rather step-by-step instructions on how to build your own for much cheaper. The D.I.Y. Solar Power Guide also has detailed info on mounting, inverters, charge controllers, cabling, etc.
[Reply]
andres tanzarelli said:
me interesa pero no se leer en ingles yo solo hablo espanol , queria saber si tienen todo en espanol, desde ya muchas gracias
I am interested but not read English I only speak Spanish, wanted to know if you have everything in Spanish, from already thank you
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi Andres,
Thanks for your comment. We don’t currently have a Spanish version of the D.I.Y. Guide but I’ll definitely look into it to see if there is a big enough demand.
[Reply]
KEITH said:
WERE DO I GET BRASS SHAVINGS ?, DO THEY HAVE TO BE BRASS ?
[Reply]
Bob Burlison replied:
Try a bath & sink fawcett manufacturer and any brass plumbing or fitting manufacturer.
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi Keith,
You can also use steel wool or a wet sponge to clean the tip of your soldering iron / gun.
[Reply]
andres tanzarelli said:
Esta bien solo queria introducir al mercado hispano pero veo que no hay manera , gracias
This well just wanted to introduce the Hispanic market but I see that there is no way, thanks
[Reply]
ross fockler said:
one of your ads suggested getting batteries very cheap, how so?
i don’t have a web site
[Reply]
Bruce Cousineau said:
Hi,Can you tell me what size panel (sq.ft.) do i need to build for the roof of my 36 motorhome that would power-up the 110volt. TV set and i could use the on board converter. Thanks Bruce
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi Bruce,
This calculator will help you find out what size panel you need in Watts, based on your appliances:
http://www.freesunpower.com/system_sizing.php
[Reply]
John Brookbank said:
If i wanted to take a double pane window and use just the sealed part to put my solar cells in then put back in frame would that make for to hot of area for the cells and would that protect the cells and give them longer life if i used inclosed area, it would be cheap frame to get and all so would be around the size of one sliding door ??? I liked your site have not bought your book yet, Thank you for your time John
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi John,
Sounds great! You’re thinking outside the box. We’ve actually been testing recycled aluminum windows – which can greatly reduce the panel cost. You can configure the solar cells in any way you like to fit your ‘box’.
[Reply]
mark said:
I am now in Afghanistan and will be here for 23 May 2011 and very interested in you products but I will not purchase till I return to the US.
One question I have is this…..how do I figure out how many panels I would have to build to be completely off the grid? I have a typical US 220 volt service for my home with a main breaker of 200 amps.
Can you tell me how many panels I would need?
I will purchase your products when I return, this way I will have the 30 days of free stuff when I can use it. Hopefully your piece will still be the same. I know about advertising and that you would like me to purchase now but this will not happen.
I would appreciate the info I asked about so I can start planning for my future build of the solar panels.
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi Mark,
This helpful calculator will do the trick:
http://www.freesunpower.com/system_sizing.php
[Reply]
Edgar said:
Mark
Do you realize that you’ve just started a Revolution?
I can help you with the Spanish version if you want since I’m interested in the project, I live in UK but I am from Cuba. So tell Andres that help could be on the way.
Like I said before in my email I am concern about UK weather conditions. Do you think that the panels will work right with lots of snow on top and not too much sunlight (short day hours on 6 winter months)?.
Solar panels Companies are already advertising their products 75% off…
No matter what happen next, you’ve already made it.
It is really great!
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi Edgar,
Re. snow, here is one solution that I have come across:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10156471-54.html
Thanks for the encouragement, I’ll be in touch!
[Reply]
Bob Burlison said:
This is from a former tech writer for the F-16. However my deg is from 1975 (LED light out, not solar cell light in). Scanning 60 of the 90 pages on diodes to get my head straight on which side, P or N faced the Sun, I found no answer. But this time I am not trying to patent, so I can buy cells already with the Sunny-side-up. As I recall you get 25 watts per sq foot at noon on the equator. So thanks for the cell sources to wire in series for volts and parallel for amps.
QUESTIONS: Does your convertor remain online 24/7 feeding pwr back into the grid when in excess, or switch in and out with the sun? Does the control box adjust for intensity of light to keep a 12 – 13 volt charge on the batt. Who are the manufacturers of the solar panel-to-AC interface components? All I need is their schematics and theory. FINALLY, for many reasons, I am not up to tackling any project…demoralized. You are young and enthusiastic. $119 parts & materials + $50 estimated labor at min wage + $30 pack & ship = $199 per panel.
Sales tax should be rebated by “green” Gov’t. WHY DON’T YOU MANUFACTURE? KEEP PRODUCTION BELOW DEMAND BUT DON’T INFLATE PRICE. WITH PROFIT SAY $209 PER UNIT, YOU STILL BEAT THE COMPETITION AND MAKE A TIDY PROFIT AND FRIENDS.
[Reply]
Thomas said:
I bill you for all the people I sent you. your cost 1 new book and a viedo. LOL But for real, I didn’t get the every month payment and how long it was for. And Two 150 off road new trucks 4×4 ford.lol
[Reply]
Thomas said:
Mark how do you know that the panel you have set up gives you the required power for your house need. or better still how do you determine the amount of power the solar will give that will suite your required power that you need for your house. Pls. tell me
[Reply]
Mark Wells replied:
Hi Thomas,
Below is a really good, free calculator that will help you to find out how big your system will need to be, based on your energy consumption:
http://www.freesunpower.com/system_sizing.php
[Reply]
FOLU OMOGBEJA said:
I”VE BEEN LOOKING THIS SOLUTION TO POWER PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. MY PROBLEM NOW ARE [1] HOW TO GET THE CELL PANELS TO ASSEMBLE. [2] I”AM GOING BACK TO AFRICA, NIGERIA; WHAT OTHER MEANS OF PAYMENT DO YOU WANT, SINCE WE DO NOT OPERATE CARD PAYMENT. [3]IF PAY IN AMERICAN DOLAR, CA IT BE SHIP TO NIGERIA? [4] HOW CAN YOUR COMPANY HELP ME SET UP A REPUTABLE SOLAR COMPANY IN NIGERIA OR WEST AFRICA.
THANKS
[Reply]
Russell said:
Can the step by step videos be purcased instead of
downloaded?
[Reply]
Harry Lynn said:
G’day Mark,
I’d like to put solar panels on a rental property, but am concerned about the Public Liability Insurance situation. If I make my own panels is there a problem in that area ?
Cheers
Harry
[Reply]
Alcides Heredia said:
Hi Sir
I just want by the plans. I do nt want to buy any membership.
How much is it?
Sincerely,
Alcides Heredia
[Reply]
Daran Pratt said:
I tried to buy your “install solar panels” special, but the link didn’t work.
Can you help me?
[Reply]
Build SOlar Panels From Scratch said:
I have been in need of this type of information for some time now and finally found it here. Excellent stuff you’ve got here, finally someone who gets it.
[Reply]