MJLorton Solar Power and Electronic Measurement Equipment Forum

Solar Power => Solar Power => Topic started by: SeanB on December 06, 2015, 08:56:40 AM

Title: What to do when a solar panel breaks
Post by: SeanB on December 06, 2015, 08:56:40 AM

Over on EEvblog Dave went walkabout on his roof, and found one of his panels has failed, possibly from impact damage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6enosoC9NsU

Thread on EEvblog here.

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/home-rooftop-solar-power-system-update-shattered-panel!/

If there is no warranty coverage, he might want to try using an epoxy overfill sealant to repair it himself, like fellow Australian Justin Case has done. Part 1 of 3 here how he did it for a low cost repair on one of his panels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yezmU_nUq-g

Title: Re: What to do when a solar panel breaks
Post by: RobertoLG on December 06, 2015, 11:48:12 AM

yep, simple but cool stuff, if you still get some years out of it

Title: Re: What to do when a solar panel breaks
Post by: PoBoySolar on December 15, 2015, 11:40:22 AM

With that big a crack, the cell is probably shattered.  If creative, you can short the bypass diode for that section and use it at a lower voltage and pair it with a small boost converter.   I have a pair of 12V 75W Photowatt panels that went bad.  I used the good 6V section of each panel and put two in series.  Then they went bad.  So much for 25 year warranties.  Even BP isn't around anymore.  I figure to sell the pair of panels for $15 to someone who needs a frame and low iron glass.   I assume these panels are just a gooey mess to pull apart.

Title: Re: What to do when a solar panel breaks
Post by: tillt on December 29, 2015, 04:02:11 AM

And how is it ? You repair it and still working ? I really would like too se how it will be ine next years - if it will still be in good conditio, because the structure was broken.