DIY Solar Resources?

TihSon writes "I'm building a large shed out back and I want to power the lighting using a surplus solar panel. In searching for information on how to go about this, I have found a lot of rough DIY guides for various projects that are close to my goal. But none seem to explain the reasoning and theory behind using solar panels, so hacking their project to suit my own needs could be pretty much hit-and-miss. I don't want to do a hacked-up job, and future solar projects are not out of the question, so something a bit more in-depth is required. Do you have suggestions for books or Web sites you have used to learn the ins and outs of using solar panels? Something that starts with basic theory and ends with the ability to wire a house would be perfect."

Well?

[Anonymous Coward]

I someone please shed some light on this issue.

Re:No, no, no

[ScrewMaster]

Want a DYI project?

I presume you meant a "Do Yourself In" project, which is what usually happens when people who don't know what they're doing attempt to rewire their homes.

Why *IS* this so hard?

[f2x]

Seeing this question and various responses makes me sad. I've seen this song and dance repeated time after time. Don't forget to queue the people who keep trying to cram a kitchen sink into everything. ("Why not use wind?", "Better leave this to the professionals!", "It's as easy as 1, 2, ...1536. Profit!")

Photovoltaic technology has been around for decades, and yet manufacturing a simple solar cell to trickle out a couple of watts is regarded as black magic, wrapped in ignorance, surrounded by controversy. It always begins with the assumption that you just "happen" to get hands on photovoltaic panels.

"Surplus solar panel"? Obviously these mystical artifacts either grow on trees or have to be pumped out of shale, because no one seems to know how to make them from scratch. In any event, think of it like an array of conventional self-charging batteries that only works in daylight.

Next, you'll want to take what energy you can get out of it and store it into something that has a more reliable on-demand containment... Let's call it a battery! It must be new technology because Chevron owns the patent on all of them and thus prevents us from freely whizzing around in electric cars. Oh, and disposing of them when they expire requires an act of congress to transport them to a cave inside of Yucca mountain.

The charge controller can almost be ignored. They just pop out of the ground when you need one. This gets placed between the solar panel and the battery. Pick up the wireless version if possible to keep things simple.

Finally, you'll want to go out and buy a bunch of proprietary light fixtures that are manufactured by an obscure gnome in the land of "Walmartia". In the event that one of the fixtures ever goes bad, you must then go to "Lowesia" to find a whole new set of proprietary fixtures since the "Walmartian" gnomes only live for about a year.

Good luck with your project, and be sure to purchase futures in petroleum based technologies. That bubble won't burst without your support!

Re:No, no, no

[wellingj]

All Americans suck because they attempt to rewire their homes.

Re:How did the person that knows learn?

[Bill, Shooter of Bul]

The person that knows learned by burning down two houses, a third burned down, then sank into the swamp, but the fourth worked.

Re:Well?

[CopaceticOpus]

Everyone is missing the obvious here. Simply remove the roof, and the sun will light the interior directly.