Comments on: Is it true that one can build his own Solar Panels to Reduce Energy Dependence by 80% for less than $200?

By: ericnutsch

ericnutsch — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:08:59 +0000

No,

First off, building solar photo voltaic panels yourself is a much more complex than one may think, you must buy the chips, solder on tabs and fabricate a clear and ridged casing. Production solar panels are made from tempered glass,encased in epoxy and are very durable.

Secondly, Solar photo voltaic panels require an inverter to turn the power into AC and an electrician to safely attach the system to your home or business.

Lastly, you have to want solar pv because you feel you are doing your part to protect the environment. By simple power calculations one will find the payback of a solar pv system to be approximately 70 years.

Good question
References :
Mechanical Engineer
Aurora Power & Design
http://www.aurorapower.net/

By: c2builder

c2builder — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:31:59 +0000

NO.

Roderick and others are correct. It’s a scam and a big one at that. You’ll find these guys on Ebay. Follow their links, they have almost identical websites and testimonials. Then google some of the names to find the other side of the story. You’ll hear about gluing together broken solar cells to make these things.

Also search Ebay for "solar panels". Note that they sell for about $4 to $7 per watt (that’s from memory and might be wrong). Those panels are well made, the cells themselves are protected from weather etc. And to really power a frig, you need an inverter. I’ve seen low cost ($25) inverters at Fry’s but they won’t power a frig, even if you had enough solar cells. A friend’s cheap inverter is all apart on my workbench now. Seems it blew some caps.

And the 80% figure they give obviously depends on how much power you’re currently using. How could they promise that without knowing how you live? Do you have a hot tub, use a lot of A/C, use an electric dryer? They didn’t ask that, did they?

Looks like two of them have found this list. ugh.
References :

By: l

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:03:59 +0000

yes my dear friend….The Earth4Energy kit suggests one of those popular alternative energy devices that prove to drop home energy costs by 50-80%. The kit also shares information on where to purchase free batteries required for your project. These batteries store the alternative energy making it a portable energy resource. You can take them anywhere, for any use!
You can use this system to power up basically any appliance you have in your home: fridge, washing machine, computer, TVs, lights.

Moreover, you can even take this with yourself when you go camping, because it’s highly portable.
References :
http://earth4hope.blogspot.com/

By: Green N

Green N — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:21:59 +0000

Yes it’s true and the Earth4Energy guide will show you how
you can do this.

The guide includes step by step video with clear instructions.

You can read guide review here:

http://recomended-prods.com/earth4energy/review
References :

By: roderick_young

roderick_young — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:57:59 +0000

Here is my favorite analysis of these sites: http://www.nlcpr.com/Deceptions6.php

But even without the technical detail, think about it. If it were possible to easily make something to generate that much energy for $200, don’t you think there would be guys walking around the neighborhood, selling it for, say, $1000? There’s a reason why the price is $10k or $20k today for a practical system.
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By: revolve

revolve — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:28:59 +0000

Absolutely wrong

Because they can built solar energy with cost of less then 50$ is enough to make start

"Reduce electrical bills at 80% by using solar systems "

HURRAY UP
References :
http://earth4energies.blogspot.com/

By: Mark in Time

Mark in Time — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:59:59 +0000

Only if you are Amish!
References :

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:32:59 +0000

Jean,
it is possible. Batteries are almost a must for anything more than just a light bulb, and they can be expensive….. I found some info that might help you. One site actually claims that they can show you how to get those expensive batteries for FREE. Testimonials are there as well, and several people have done exactly what you are asking about.
Here is a link that gives their top 3 picks. Home4energy (at the bottom) is the one that has info on free batteries

http://greenenergy.50webs.com
I hope this helps.
Pat
References :

By: hipp5

hipp5 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:46:59 +0000

While those kits *technically* work, they ARE NOT worth it. For $200 you will produce a solar panel that MIGHT give you 60w of DC power. That’s enough to power one lightbulb. The problem is, it’s DC power and our households run on AC. Sooooo, even if you can produce power with these things, you still need a DC to AC inverter, and they are not cheap.

Solar panels cost so much because the technology required to power more than a single lightbulb is quite expensive. Plus, there’s the cost of the inverter.

So basically, if it seems too good to be true, it’s too good to be true. Otherwise we’d all have $200 solar panels on our houses.
References :

By: dooberheim

dooberheim — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:38:59 +0000

It depends on how much energy you need to replace. If you live in a country where all you need to power is a laptop or cell phone, and maybe a light or two, then $200 can let you do that. If you have a regular 1500 sf, 3 bedroom,two bath house with air conditioning, then $200 won’t even touch 1% of it. In fact, $20,000 won’t reduce your energy dependence by 80% without some serious convervation and efficiency.

DK
References :