Closing in on Solar One

For any who have interest in my solar project, below is an excellent link that I used almost exclusively:

www.diypvsolarenergy.com/basic-solar-panel-design/

With few exceptions, I followed this site in the construction of my panel. I havent put a lot of notes next to my pictures....I really didnt have any intention of making this site a do-it-yourself tutorial for building solar panels. Just some pictures of my project to show that anyone can do it....lol. Cost?

5/8" Exterior Plywood $3.84 Lowes
.08x4'x2' Plexiglass $19.37 Lowes
Pegboard $3.39 Lowes
37 each 3"x6" Solar Cells - Kit $55.30 Free Sun Power
Galv. Screws $5.00 Lowes
Silicone Caulk approx. $1.00
Paint Free
12 Gauge Wire Free
Project Box approx. $3.00 Radio Shack
Wire Terminals $3.86 Radio Shack

Plywood, pegboard and caulking compound pro-rated costs.
--------------------------------------
total $94.76

So there you have it. $100 for what should be approximately a 60 watt solar panel. As you can see in the pictures below, outdoors I am measuring over 20 volts in bright sun. But, I must be doing something wrong in my attempt to measure amperage, because the multi-meter is not registering anything. Perhaps I need to run this to ground to get a reading?





Over 16 volts inside the house.





Drilling the plexiglass for the attachment screws.









The "project box" from Radio Shack in place on the back of the panel. I guess project box is nothing more than a fancy word for junction box.






Over 18 volts even in the shade.