PV panel renovation - Page 2

jeff5may · 06-20-16, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevehull

Jeff,

My panels are 265 watt full size panels and are shattered throughout the cover- a tube of 5 minute epoxy superglue isn't going to go very far! There are also some areas where the glass is missing.

Any "pour on" products (thinking floor leveler here) that might do the trick?

Thanks,

Steve

The product you use is dictated by your approach. If you are going to do a "seashell table" pour-over, you want a product that pours on like paint (not super viscous) and cures mechanically tough. Scientists call this "encapsulation". Read this:
Here Comes the Sun: Epoxies and Solar Energy | MasterBond.com

Here is a listing for 5 gallons (only 1500 dollars):
http://www.tequipment.net/MG-Chemica...xjcBoC8w3w_wcB

If, on the other hand, you plan on stacking another pane of glass or plastic (plexiglass comes to mind) over top of your broken cover glass, you will not need the mechanical toughness. A thin layer that sticks well is all you need. Most of these products are silicones, acetates, or urethanes. Scientific term is 15 kinds of "lamination" or "bonding". Easiest method: pour and spread LOCA (they also make sheets like window tint-not cheap), get rid of bubbles, allow to cure.

Most mass producers use PVA or EVA thermoset sheet (same stuff they make laminated windshields with) if they don't use epoxy. They use a Megawatt-size, supermassive vacuum lamination machine. Looks like a huge panini press or xerox machine.

Check out all the youtube videos on homebrew vacuum lamination presses.

oil pan 4 · 06-21-16, 12:21 AM

You can get 2 part solar panel specific epoxy from ebay. I got some a few years ago.

jeff5may · 06-22-16, 06:34 AM

Here is a silicone-based product (originally) made by Dow corning:
https://www.amazon.com/QSil-216-Poun.../dp/B00E29HOMC
only $30 a pound.

Edit: AHA! Found a more robust site with multiple items together:
http://americansolarsupply.com/store...=0&sort=normal

Maury · 07-09-16, 10:36 PM

Thanks to all for the info. I use structural epoxy for wood and fiberglass projects, and it is not very heat or UV resistant, so good to know this stuff is available.

06-22-16, 06:34 AM	#13
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Here is a silicone-based product (originally) made by Dow corning: https://www.amazon.com/QSil-216-Poun.../dp/B00E29HOMC only $30 a pound. Edit: AHA! Found a more robust site with multiple items together: http://americansolarsupply.com/store...=0&sort=normal Last edited by jeff5may; 06-22-16 at 07:19 AM..

06-21-16, 12:21 AM	#12
oil pan 4 Land owner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NM Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 12 Thanked 127 Times in 107 Posts	You can get 2 part solar panel specific epoxy from ebay. I got some a few years ago.

07-09-16, 10:36 PM	#14
Maury Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Tuscon, AZ Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks to all for the info. I use structural epoxy for wood and fiberglass projects, and it is not very heat or UV resistant, so good to know this stuff is available.