Anyone got a good way of representing mini solar panels?

[Bako]

As it says on the tin. Anyone know of a good way to represent photovoltaic/solar cells in miniature form? I'm wanting to make some smallish ones for some roof.

[Braz]

Should be quite easy to scratch build. Either some styrene that's prescribed with squares, or scribe some cardboard with a ballpoint pen or cut and glue some card squares/hexes to the panel shape you chose. Cut off the corners (hexen shape) to make it look more high tech. Mount on a stand (mechanism to track the sun) or slightly raised off a roof.

IMO the trick will be the paint job. Lighter gray background panel with the cells painted Navy/Royal Blue combo with a very high gloss varnish.


Also see this at Antenociti's for pre-made panels:
http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/gbu0-prodshow/gotsolarpanels.html

[DD-Chris]

My local hobby shop has smoke grey transparent plastic sheets. i would think that this, given a black paint job on the underside could work well too. or even if you find a decent PDF and glue that to the underside of the smoke plastic sheets.
good luck with it, and please post your progress !

[carlos marighela]

I've seen a shiny, darkish metallic blue card stock in a few newsagenets and stationers. I was thinking of using it for windows at one stage but I think it woukd be ideal for solar panels. Just make frames using some plasticard or sprue.

[Cory]

Try taking some photos of a bright blue sky and then cutting the panels from the developed negatives.

[Anpu]

Antenocitis workshop has some
 Link: http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/gbu0-prodshow/gotsolarpanels.html

Anders

[Gluteus Maximus]

As a lazy git, I'd just get photos of real ones, re-size them and stick 'em in place.

But then, I'm no good at modelling  

[Bako]

Thanks all. Suppose I should have been more specific about the realism though. I had been thinking of shiny paper or painting the look on with a mixture of blues and some blended with silver to get the shiny-fleck look with a healthy dosage of gloss atop.

Also see this at Antenociti's for pre-made panels:
http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/gbu0-prodshow/gotsolarpanels.html

Do want. A shame they're too large in length x width for my needs otherwise. Styrene isn't something I can easily get, so's regular card would be the more affordable option.

As a lazy git, I'd just get photos of real ones, re-size them and stick 'em in place.

But then, I'm no good at modelling  

I might just, mate, I might just if any of the other ideas fail faster than the Titanic.

[OSHIROmodels]

I had to do this for a university project on the international space station.

Get some shiny blue card and some clear acetate. Find (or poach) a solar panel image from the internet and print it out on the acetate and then make a frame to attach the two together. The blue from the card will show through the transparent-ness of the acetate and give some stiffness. I would recommend the frame because you can't really glue the two surfaces together without maknig a mess and the frame will allow the two to be attached without gunk inbetween.

cheers

James

[Sangennaru]

well if you want a more modern-looking one, you can just print the resized version (as gluteus said) covered with some transparent plastic...

[AndrewBeasley]

How about the ones from XMARX http://www.xmarx.com/products.html


From the Xmarx site without permission 

Direct link to the page is here but it takes awhile to load

Andrew

[Bako]

I had to do this for a university project on the international space station.

Get some shiny blue card and some clear acetate. Find (or poach) a solar panel image from the internet and print it out on the acetate and then make a frame to attach the two together. The blue from the card will show through the transparent-ness of the acetate and give some stiffness. I would recommend the frame because you can't really glue the two surfaces together without maknig a mess and the frame will allow the two to be attached without gunk inbetween.

cheers

James

Any idea where I could get some acetate sheet? And I'm afraid I don't fully get what you mean by that last bit. What order are these three materials layered? Lack of sleep getting to me, methinks.

[OSHIROmodels]

Acetate should be available from either an art shop or a stationers, it's used for overhead projectors.

There are only two layers and basically the shiny blue card layer is first then the printed acetate is laid on top and a frame is made around the edges binding the two together.

Another option is to use double sided tape to stick the two layers together, you could either use a trim around the edge or cover the whole surface. It's probably best to stick them with tape first and then cut out the shapes.

I haven't got any photos of my international space station because it was made before digital cameras  And the original prints are in the attic somewhere (which isn't really an option).

I hope that makes more sense 

cheers

James

[Braz]

You can also get clear plastic from toy (thank you Barbie), food or electronics packaging. It's thicker and stiffer than acetate so can be used for different things also.

[Bako]

There are only two layers and basically the shiny blue card layer is first then the printed acetate is laid on top and a frame is made around the edges binding the two together.

Ah, okay now it makes sense. I'll have to try the stationary place, unfortunately our only art shop cleared out and closed for good due to illness on the owners part. So how easy is it to print on acetate? I've heard it can be either laser or ink-jet printers but I've only heard.

You can also get clear plastic from toy (thank you Barbie), food or electronics packaging. It's thicker and stiffer than acetate so can be used for different things also.

Yup, that's what blister packaging's for.