Glass solar panels
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:01
ThreadID:
53399
Views:
2202
Replies:
8
FollowUps:
12
This Thread has been Archived
blue one
Afternoon all,
Last weekend a mate's solar panel fell over in the wind down at Limeburner's flat and smashed the glass panel. Lucky for him it still seems to be working. (Multimeter on the output both amp & volts)
Is there some way he can return the panel to new with a tougher glass panel, or is it toasted?
I have seen this happen before and the poor bloke chucked it into the bin as he was told the replacement glass panel wouldn't replace the dry environment that was manufactured.
Cheers
Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:18
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:18
If its still working I would source a bit of perspex and replace the glass that broke.
AnswerID:
281225
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:18
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:18
make sure you take the brown papaer off the perspex though or it may not work
FollowupID:
545570
Follow Up By: disco1942 - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 20:53
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 20:53
Anything except the correct glass will degrade its performance. There are only a couple of glass manufacturers that produce glass that does not attenuate the ultra violet (UV) radiation. Ordinary window glass or other "transparent" alternatives do not pass much of the UV radiation. The visible light spectrum is only a part of the radiation that excites the solar panels.
If you can not replace the glass with the original type you will be better off just using some Araldite to seal up the crack.
PeterD
FollowupID:
545617
Follow Up By: blue one - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 04:00
Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 04:00
Thanks Pete I will let him know.
FollowupID:
545672
Reply By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:21
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:21
Another one.... Hhhhhmmmmm...?
AnswerID:
281226
Follow Up By: blue one - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:25
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:25
Yep saw it happen 2 years ago at
Lawn Hill. It just stopped working. We tried to follow the tracks and they all looked intact?
Anyway it was b_ggered.
Cheers
FollowupID:
545571
Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 18:02
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 18:02
We seem to have had a few reports lately of the glass breaking on solar panels in what would be considered "normal situations"?
It does make one wonder if they are robust enough for our typical travel/camping environment? It's a lot of cash to throw in the bin for a broken glass.
Mike Harding
FollowupID:
545578
Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:11
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:11
Umm
Maybe the posts are placed by 'uni-woteva' panel owners ...
Mainey...
FollowupID:
545638
Reply By: blue one - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:22
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:22
LOL
Ta
AnswerID:
281228
Follow Up By: blue one - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:28
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:28
Bonz,
Do you need to use any of that silica pouches to suck up the moisture once you have sealed the panel?
Cheers
FollowupID:
545572
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 20:51
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 20:51
well I reckon that'd be a worthwhile addition, I have one here I just chucked in the bin dya want it?
FollowupID:
545614
Follow Up By: blue one - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 04:01
Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 04:01
Bonz,
I will ask him
Ta
FollowupID:
545673
Reply By: stocky - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:54
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 17:54
smear some neutral cure silicone over the cracks in the glass - better than nothing
AnswerID:
281232
Follow Up By: blue one - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 18:00
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 18:00
Nah mate,
All the glass fell out.
it would have been like a jigsaw puzzle.
Cheers
FollowupID:
545577
Follow Up By: disco1942 - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 21:02
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 21:02
In that case ignore my suggestion above. If the glass is not recoverable then try anything. a half efficient pannel is probably better than nothing. Use this panel to supplement a new one.
Solar panel glass is capable of surviving the heaviest hail storm but an impact when they fall over is another story. This is one of my major objections to portable panels. You are better off installing a bigger panel than needed for angled operation and laying it flat. When you do that you have it operating all day and not just when you remember to put it out.
PeterD
FollowupID:
545621
Reply By: stocky - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 18:07
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 18:07
LOL!
Well you didn't specify! :-)
But it does work if you have just "cracked" your glass - used it a few times to salvage otherwise buggered panels :-)
*usually* the panels are contained in between two sheets of a plastic membrane as
well - and heat sealed - so moisture shouldnt get to the actual cells - will depend on the individual panels manufacture method though.
Cant hurt trying some new glass :-)
AnswerID:
281234
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 19:19
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 19:19
You would need to 'Laminate' a sheet of clear perspex onto it. This would require a lot of silicone so you get a clear joint similar to making a fish tank.
It is important that you keep it rigid as you may have already noticed that the cells are now flexing and will break.
It is not possible to remove the broken glass.
What size is the panel ? It may not be worth the cost and effort.
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
281247
Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:16
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:16
"perspex" changes the solar characteristics, tempered glass is a better choice
Mainey...
FollowupID:
545639
Reply By: Member - Brian (WA) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 21:45
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 21:45
Did mine last sunday also. Trying my insurance to see if I can make a claim.My glass bleep tered.Had it out today, its still works at about 50%.Would not like to travel with it. Mine was just 3yrs old.
Cheers Brian
AnswerID:
281273
Reply By: blue one - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 04:03
Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 04:03
Thanks all.
I will pass on the information.
Cheers
AnswerID:
281304