"He Didn't Build That" I Did... (Part 2)

My finished tool/storage shed with solar panel on the right side

How To Install A Solar Panel

Before proceeding to our topic of installing solar panel, let me give you a brief introduction about solar panels and their types.

A solar panel (also solar module, photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel) is a packaged connected assembly of photovoltaic cells. The solar panel can be used as a component of a larger photovoltaic system to generate and supply electricity in commercial and residential applications. Each panel is rated by its DC output power under standard test conditions, and typically ranges from 100 to 320 watts. The efficiency of a panel determines the area of a panel given the same rated output - an 8% efficient 230 watt panel will have twice the area of a 16% efficient 230 watt panel. Because a single solar panel can produce only a limited amount of power, most installations contain multiple panels. A photovoltaic system typically includes an array of solar panels, an inverter, and sometimes a battery and or solar tracker and interconnection wiring.

A solar panel or photovoltaic module, is composed of individual PV cells. This crystalline-silicon panel has an aluminium frame and glass on the front.

A solar cell (also called a photovoltaic cell) is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. It is a form of photoelectric cell (in that its electrical characteristics-- e.g. current, voltage, or resistance-- vary when light is incident upon it) which, when exposed to light, can generate and support an electric current without being attached to any external voltage source. (Source: Wikipedia)

Types of Solar Panels:

1. Monocrystalline silicon (mono-silicon or single silicon) - the most efficient type of solar panels. They convert sunlight into more electricity than the other types below. As a result of their high silicon content, they’re also more expensive, but you need fewer of them. That’s the reason why they’re ideal for roofs, because fewer solar panels means lesser load bearing weight.

2. Polycrystalline silicon (multicrystalline or multi-silicon) - have lower silicon levels than “mono” panels. In general, that makes them less expensive to produce, but they’re also slightly less efficient. Their overall construction design can often make up for the efficiency loss, so they’re also good for roofs.

3. Amorphous silicon (thin film) - inexpensive to make and can absorb sunlight even on a cloudy or rainy day, but not efficient as compared to the first two above. They are usually installed on ground structures and not on roofs. This is the type of solar panel that we are going to install.

There are two more types of solar panels: BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics) and solar hot water (thermal) panels. BIPV’s look like real roofing tiles such as solar shingles. They have good aesthetic looks, but good looks cost a lot more. Also, they are less efficient than conventional PV.

Now that we're done with the crash course on solar panels, let's get down to business.

Tools You Need:

1. Electrical Pliers/Wire Cutter
2. Flat Head and Phillips Screwdrivers
3. Electric Drill/Screwdriver (optional)
4. Wire Stripper/Terminal Crimping Tool - this is a must have tool if you are a novice

Schematic/Wiring Diagram:

Wiring diagram from solar panel to junction box

The solar panel kit comes in 3 pieces, rated at 15 watts each for a total of 45 watts with its own connecting wires, 20 feet in length (gauge #16). This is good for short distance only from solar panel to solar controller/voltage regulator because as you go farther, there is a higher voltage drop along the wires. Here is what you need to do to minimize voltage drop:

1. Cut/splice the wires to desired length using wire cutter/splicer.

2. Connect positive to positive (red wires) and negative to negative (black wires).

3. Attach the connected wires to wire connectors/terminal block and place them inside a PVC junction box.

4. Use an insulated 3-wire extension chord (gauge #12), usually comes in standard 25-foot and 50-foot length, and cut to desired length from the PVC junction box to the location of the solar controller/voltage regulator.

5. Connect the positive wire (red) from the junction box terminal to the positive terminal of the solar controller/voltage regulator. Then connect the negative wire (black) to the negative wire (black) of the same component.

6. Use gauge #4 wire, 3 feet in length for connecting the solar controller/voltage regulator to 12-volt DC battery and from battery to inverter (see wiring diagram). Make sure the positive wires and negative wires do not touch each other, as this will cause short circuit causing damage to your expensive components, especially the inverter.

The color of the wires vary depending upon the source or manufacturer, so pay close attention to what kind of terminal you connect the wires to. Simple rule is: positive to positive and negative to negative. I can't emphasize well enough about this simple rule, but this is very important.

Before starting any of the above instructions, make sure you cover the solar panels first to prevent electricity from flowing through the wires while you are working, and to prevent damage to solar panels just in case the wires accidentally come in contact with each other.

The inverter (left side) which converts DC to AC power is connected to two 12-volt deep cycle lead acid battery (2nd battery not yet connected) with a rating of 105 amphours. The battery is connected to the solar charge controller or voltage regulator that came with the kit, as well as two light bulbs. 

On the left side is a 1000-watt pure sine wave inverter which I bought from Amazon.com and on the right side is a 7-amp solar charge controller that came with the kit. As you can see the output voltage is 12.5 volts DC. 

The front panel of the solar charge controller is equipped with USB port and three other ports (6-volt, 9-volt, 12-volt) for charging cell phones, laptops, car battery and other portable DC devices. You only need a 300-watt inverter for this particular set-up, but I opted for a higher output size for future use, as I plan to install more solar panels in the near future.

There you go folks, you have just learned how easy it is to install a solar panel. Maybe next time, we can build the solar panels ourselves from new or recycled solar cells. You will be surprised how easy and simple it is to build one.

Next time I will cover cost benefits and payback calculations of solar panels based on my experiment. Hope I shed some light on this topic, as I tried to discuss this in layman's terms as much as I could. If you have some questions, you can post them under the comments section of this article below.

"He Didn't Build That" I Did... (Part 1)

How I built my solar-powered shed:

Solar-powered Shed

I built this shed, (12 ft. x 10 ft.) 3 years ago for storage purposes and to keep my power tools in a safe and convenient place. I installed solar panel for observation and experimental purposes and to provide the much needed electricity for my toys: CB radio, small TV, Hi-Fi stereo, ceiling fan and for charging my cell phone. It also provided power for my Koi pond's waterfall pump and filter.

If you are interested in building a similar one for storage purposes and for any purpose you may want, here is how I did it:

1. First find a convenient area in your backyard or sideyard (whichever is convenient for you), and make sure you level the ground where you are going to put your floor slab.

2. For this size which is 120 square ft. (12 feet long and 10 feet wide), I used 3 pcs. 4"x4"x12' lumber, each of which is placed on top of 4 pcs. concrete hollow blocks to prevent the wood in direct contact with the ground. I also sealed and cured them before hand prior to installation. You can also use 4" thick concrete slab for your flooring foundation, it's up to you.

3. Then I placed on top of them, a 2"x6"x10' floor joists spaced 16 inches apart and across the 4"x4" floor slabs. After that, you nail down your flooring. You can use a 5/8" plywood or MDF. I just used a 1/2" MDF which is a lot cheaper, available from your local Lowe's or Home Depot.

4. By the way I'm doing this myself and before I knew it, I forgot to take pictures of the initial stages of my construction, so don't get confused. Just follow the procedure as numbered. After laying down and finishing the floor, start framing the wall studs. You can just use three studs per 4"x8" std. size MDF, but in my case I followed the CA building code of 16 inches between studs, i.e. 4 pcs. of 2"x4"x8' per std. size MDF.

5. Next step is to install the rafters for the roof. At this point, I needed some assistance because it's hard to do this part on your own. Spacing is 2 ft. between each rafters.

6. After all the rafters are in place, nail down the MDF board in place. Staple the #15 black felt roof deck protection as shown in picture, and then install metal flashing to protect roof from water damage. 

7. Next nail down asphalt roofing shingles (different styles and colors) of your choice, in an overlapping manner and in alternating positions (as in laying down concrete hollow-blocks).

8. Nail down MDF wall boards and ceiling vents (optional).

9. Install doors and windows and any decorative wall finish of your liking. There you go, you have completed building a wooden storage shed. Now, it's up to you if you want to paint it or leave it as is. I recommend that you paint your completed project with matching color with your house to give it a more aesthetic look, and to protect it from early wear and tear brought about by the harsh environment.

Next time, I am going to discuss how I installed the solar panel (as shown above), and how much it cost me to install one.

Journey To Success - A Poem

Success can't be measured by accumulation of wealth but by the numbers of true friends you got and how you impacted the lives of others without expecting anything in return. To me, that's the real success...     by: Victor Perlas Vizarra

Can success really be measured

by the time spent on a journey

and how we get there at any cost?

Does it count at all

no matter how noble or wicked

our intentions maybe?

How do you measure success?

Some may measure it by fame;

while others gauge it by fortune.

In this world with various standards,

neither a yardstick nor a barometer

can really measure fame and fortune.

Plaques of recognition and awards

hang on the wall of a simple abode,

and the joyous laughter inside

filled their hearts with contentment.

They maybe deprived, but their spirits are free.

Look at the mansion on the nearby hill

lavishly adorned with glittering lights,

yet it looks gloomy and haunted.

Deafening silence filled the air,

as if lost souls-- there reside.

They maybe wealthy, but prisoners within.

We can take the road less traveled,

and expect tranquility at journey’s end.

We may choose to plunge into the abyss

and expect nothing more--nothing less. 

We may have fame, fortune and accolades,

yet emptiness still exists within our restless souls.

Success itself is a journey;

getting there is all that counts.

There maybe be roadblocks along the way,

and curve balls in each and every turn;

no matter which road you take

it doesn’t matter after all.

For success to some-- is just a state of mind.

A Democrat or Republican: Enlighten Me

Source: cutcaster.com

Are you a full bloodied Republican or a Democrat? Let's find out...

Sing with me the following lyrics which I created last night inspired by exchanges of comments to a thread in FB by my friend, Wendell Fabul. Let's hear it, to the tune of one of my favorite songs, Tequila Sunrise - by The Eagles.

  

    

       ENLIGHTEN ME

                    

                    I                                                       

G                                                                               

It’s just another election year                              

D                                       Am                             

Black propaganda is on the rise                          

D7                  G                                                 

“The days go by.”                                                     

                                                                             

 G                                                                         

I can’t really fathom why                        

D                                   Am              

The science behind politics        

D7                   G                                                   

Enlighten me.                                                                    

                                                                             

Refrain:                                                                

Em                          C                                           

Every time when election comes                        

Em                   C          Em                                  

Candidates go out of town                                   

Am                                       D7                           

Seekin’ out your precious votes.                          

                                                                             

( Repeat: same chords as I )                                    

                      II                                                    

Candidates would spend billions

While hungry folks are in the millions

It bothers me.

                       III

We’re still crunching on the numbers

When asked on his budget plan

It puzzles me.

                       IV

It’s just another show of blatant lies 

And you still trust this kind of guy

Enlighten me. 

              copyright 2012 Victor Perlas Vizarra  All rights reserved.

If you are out of tune, then you must be a Republican just like Paul Ryan who is out of sync with reality.

I have no party affiliations and just having some fun listening to the issues at hand from both Democratic and Republican parties. Have you noticed the big difference between the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention? I did. If you do please share them with me, and I appreciate any comments you might have about my new composition.

Wine Tasting

At Berrywine Plantations, Mt. Airy, Maryland

It was Labor Day week-end and there was nothing much to do, so we decided to go to Berrywine Plantations in Mt. Airy, Maryland for wine tasting. I maybe not a wine connoisseur, but it doesn't hurt to pretend like one. You don’t need to make any reservation except for special events and other personal arrangements. We just walked-in and paid five dollars per head for a choice of 12-wine, tasting only.

First on our list under the Dry White Wines category was Chardonnay - a lightly oaked, crisp, dry white dinner wine which is $18.35 per bottle. Next on our list was Terrapin White - a semi-dry, fruity, Sauvignon Blanc style white wine which is $11.01 per bottle.

There were three more under the Dry White Wine category, but we opted to go ahead and try the Dry Red Wines: Black Raven - light bodied, soft red, Bacione - Italian style dinner wine, Cabernet Sauvignon - velvety, dry red dinner wine with rich fruit background, Merlot - soft, dry, red dinner wine, Chambourcin 2007 - oak-aged, rich, full-bodied red wine and 2007 Red Skins - estate bottled, oak-aged, full-bodied, dry red. The price range for these wines are from $12.84 - $20.18 per bottle. We tasted all of them except the Bacione and the Chambourcin.

Next on our category list are the Semi-Sweet Dessert & Picnic Wines. There were six wines under this list but only one caught our attention--Skipjack, at $12.84 per bottle. Maybe it was because of it’s name, or because we have tasted similar German Reisling style, which we usually buy from the nearby Fort Detrick commissary. 

We had tasted seven wines at this point, and Aida was already throwing the wine back into the bowl. I had no idea if she didn’t like the taste, or the spirit of the wine was getting into her. I asked her to give me her wine instead, so I can drink it. We have a local saying that goes, “Matapon na ang bigas, huwag lang ang alak.” It means, “It doesn’t matter that you spill the rice, but not the wine.”

The next category are the Semi-Sweet Pure Fruit Wines: Peach - good with ice cream, cheese and fruit, Plum - great with Asian foods and dessert, Raspberry - serve with chocolate desserts, Blueberry - serve over ice cream, Strawberry - medium bodied, great with cheesecake and Blackberry - medium bodied, luscious fruit. The bartender said that these wines were concocted from fresh pure fruits and without any mixture of grapes, with the price ranging from $12.84 - $14.68 per bottle. We tasted the first four wines only and reserved the last wine for the next category.

The twelfth and last wine that we tasted was the Indulgence - estate bottled, semi-sweet red wine with chocolate at $14.68 per bottle, under the Specialty and Dessert Wines category. There were eight more wines in this category, but we can only go as far as twelve, which was what we paid for.

We decided to buy a bottle each of Red Skins, Peach, Raspberry and Indulgence. We had to buy two bottles of Skipjacks to avail ourselves of the 7% discount on 6 bottles. There is a 15% discount on purchases of 12 or more bottles. 

Berrywine Plantations, Inc. Linganore WineCellars at Mt. Airy, Maryland

After we secured the wines in the car, we took some pictures and enjoyed the scenery. Afterwards, we bought some steamed crabs on our way back home and enjoyed the rest of the evening with soft music and candle lights, and of course the wine.