solar cells and water (rain)

[Simon]

Well as some may remember i have me a nice pack of 40 x 1.8W solar cells that yes i have still not got around to using. My main obstacle I think is what to cover them in ? I'm worried that perspex may discolour and I'm not sure i want to use glass although I suppose in the end I'll go get some perspex.

A thought did occur to me though: So what if the cells get wet ? does water damage solar cells ? I mean once the sun comes out again they'd dry off pretty nippy. I presume that as I'm the only nutter to consider this, water on solar cells is NOT a good idea ?

[sacherjj]

I've not seen solar cells for mounting that didn't have a clear potting or covering.  That should have no problem with water.  I would be concerned if you put up a raw cell, due to any impurities in the rain depositing on the raw cell.  It seems like it could effect it over time.

[Simon]

yes that would be one drawback - acid rain

[Simon]

Is there a transparent potting compound I could use ?

[Zero999]

Why not use a varnish or lacquer?

[Simon]

well not sure about varnish, If I'm covering them I might as well go the full hog and make them mechanically protected too. After all commercial panels are potted essentially. Of course there was that plan to give them some air space and air cool them so maybe I should just get some plexiglass

[Mechatrommer]

i vote for glass or perpex. permanent cover will make modification impossible to solar panels.

[Fraser]

Not persex. Use clear Polycarbonate sheet or even the clear (untinted) cellular polycarbonate that is used for a conservatory roof.

In manufacturing even fingerprints on the unprotected cells are a problem and cotton gloves are worn. IMHO rain in direct contact with the cells will produce contamination of the cell material destroying it, and electrolytic corrosion of the contact strip surfaces (rain is quite dirty and not pure water).

In three words....keep them dry 

 

[Vertigo]

if they are going to be exposed to rain, also consider: snow, hail and other things falling from the sky such as bird crap.
which i believe is more acidic then acid rain.
whatever u use, it might be good if it can stand up to aggressive cleaning materials, cuz that bird crap can be hard to get off.

[bilko]

Your local glazier should be able to supply you with toughened glass, its not that expensive and you can get it cut to exact size

[sacherjj]

And one other thing to consider if how to keep the temperature down.  I believe it is still the case that cells performance drops pretty bad with increases in temperature.  Not sure if this is done in commercial cells or not.  I guess there could be a problem with spiders and such, getting in and mucking up the works. 

[scrat]

And one other thing to consider if how to keep the temperature down.  I believe it is still the case that cells performance drops pretty bad with increases in temperature.  Not sure if this is done in commercial cells or not.  I guess there could be a problem with spiders and such, getting in and mucking up the works. 

I agree. Keep them closed. You can still take them cool by mounting on a conductive panel and making it dissipate.

[hannobisschoff]

if they are going to be exposed to rain, also consider: snow, hail and other things falling from the sky such as bird crap.
which i believe is more acidic then acid rain.
whatever u use, it might be good if it can stand up to aggressive cleaning materials, cuz that bird crap can be hard to get off.

Nice thinking there. I would've forgotten about it.

[scrat]

if they are going to be exposed to rain, also consider: snow, hail and other things falling from the sky such as bird crap.
which i believe is more acidic then acid rain.
whatever u use, it might be good if it can stand up to aggressive cleaning materials, cuz that bird crap can be hard to get off.

Nice thinking there. I would've forgotten about it.

Maybe half of the world would've forgotten about the snow, at least!

[Mechatrommer]

but not the bird crap, and spiders

[Sionyn]