6 October:  I go all the little panels a part from their plastic casings.  I got  some 1 x 2 strips of wood and a piece of plexiglass.  At first I thought I would make a 3 x  6 panel.   Since then I decided to go to a 4 x 5 20 cell panel.  Using the window molding around each cell I created the basis for the panel afterward i used JB weld to connect  a piece of plexiglass in front of the cells. at the edges on the molding.  I solder the 4 cells in each row in series and the 5 rows in parallel and then attached a pair of wires to the panel.  

I got a piece of pegboard and cut it about 2 inches on each side larger than the panel.  I attached the 1 x 2 strips to the pegboard around the outer edge.  I ran the wire from the solar panel through the back of the pegboard frame.   I inserted the plexiglass solar panel into the pegboard frame and secured the panel in place with some screws placed at the edge so that the panel can be accessed in the back, if needed.

As a temporary solution to get the frame up on the roof I used 2 6 inch pieces of 1x2 to a third  crossmember as well as the outer edge of the frame.  In order to make the frame stand at angle to the sky I attached a piece of string to hold the triangle in place.

I put the panel up on the roof and ran the wires down to my existing voltage regulator.

Meanwhile out on the Internet, GreenPowerScience is working on a do it yourself Stirling Engine.

MORE TO COME