Solar cells vs extreme cold

Piwoslaw · 01-24-10, 04:03 AM

I got a solar flashlight from Santa this Christmas, and the last two days saw the first rays of sun since then, so I put it out the window. The temperature was quite low (-15*C, 5*F), but at least the sun was shining

When I it got dark I brought it back home and noticed "bubbles" on one edge of a few of the solar cells:

These didn't go away after a night in the warmth. Today is even colder (it was -25*C/-13*F this morning), so I decided to keep the flashlight indoors.

Could the extreme cold have caused the lamination to separate from the cells? I have an old AA battery solar charger (the top of a solar garden lamp) that's pretty beat up: the lamination is cracked and seems to be separating. This charger has been in the sun in extreme cold and heat, has been tied to my backpack while hiking and tied to a kayak during a water trip, so I'm not sure whether its state is caused by temperature alone.

Does anyone know how temperature can effect solar cells?

Ryland · 01-24-10, 04:21 PM

It's not a problem with the cell it's self it's a problem with the cheap epoxy that was used to encase the cells, solar cells like the cold and are not hurt by the cold, as long as it's not blocking the sun from getting to the cells and that air is not getting to the electrical connections you should be fine.

01-24-10, 04:03 AM	#1
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 961 Thanks: 188 Thanked 110 Times in 86 Posts	Solar cells vs extreme cold I got a solar flashlight from Santa this Christmas, and the last two days saw the first rays of sun since then, so I put it out the window. The temperature was quite low (-15C, 5F), but at least the sun was shining When I it got dark I brought it back home and noticed "bubbles" on one edge of a few of the solar cells: These didn't go away after a night in the warmth. Today is even colder (it was -25C/-13F this morning), so I decided to keep the flashlight indoors. Could the extreme cold have caused the lamination to separate from the cells? I have an old AA battery solar charger (the top of a solar garden lamp) that's pretty beat up: the lamination is cracked and seems to be separating. This charger has been in the sun in extreme cold and heat, has been tied to my backpack while hiking and tied to a kayak during a water trip, so I'm not sure whether its state is caused by temperature alone. Does anyone know how temperature can effect solar cells? Attached Thumbnails

01-24-10, 04:21 PM	#2
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	It's not a problem with the cell it's self it's a problem with the cheap epoxy that was used to encase the cells, solar cells like the cold and are not hurt by the cold, as long as it's not blocking the sun from getting to the cells and that air is not getting to the electrical connections you should be fine.