solar panel encapsulation

wish i had more pics and vid of the epoxy mixing and pouring, but it is pretty straight-forward, this was my first panel (full scale) that i made. i am glad i figured out a good epoxy the first time around, this stuff does not blush or wrinkle, but like i said, it is kind of expensive, 3/4 of a gallon (mixed) is what i poured on this one, so i have enough mix left for one more panel

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• solar
• panel
• epoxy
• diy
• green
• energy

[pensandcalls]

google oneoceankayaks to see some testing.

this shows testing 6 different epoxy resins. It looks like it is best to put a UV protectant varnish over the epoxy.

[williamblake69]

@pensandcalls i agree, i have had some blushing ( yellow ) on the epoxy, however, it has not effected the voltage/amperage/wattage at all. but in the future, all my panels are getting a UV coating for the final part of the process

[bearhamo]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news as you did enlighten me on how to do this...but the manufacturer of this product contacted me today and this is what they said.

Our 300/21 is not UV resistant, so we do not recommend it for encapsulating solar cells. We will offer a products for solar cell encapsulation in the next few weeks.

Holly

I will be waiting. Thanks for the video showing us to do this. Mine all have condensation as I did them with trapped air behind glass.

[williamblake69]

@bearhamo you are correct, my panels have begun to blush ... from now on, i am using a UV protectant as part of the final process. but this method works very well ..... even with the blushing, voltage/amperage/wattage remain the same

[me001ist]

hi is aeromarine 300 21 like fibre glass resin or is it like sly guard liquid silicone? I live in Australia and cant find aeromarine products here or sly guard and i need a fair bit so iam looking for an equivelent that sells here. I herd that you shouldnt use resin as it can damages the cells.

[williamblake69]

@me001ist ..... yes, aeromarine is a fiber-glass type resin. i have not ran into any problems with it damaging cells, i always use polycrystalline cells, perhaps it has a different reaction with mono-crystalline cells. but i have found it to be the cheapest / most efficient way to encapsulate polycrystalline cells

[nemo5491]

@me001ist as a former windsurfer, and board builder , i always heard that epoxy resins does not support uv rays well...

[tallen99652]

Thank you Verry Much....

[williamblake69]

@tallen99652 watch my video "solar panel encapsulation 2 " i use 42 3x6 cells ...... 21 volts at about 10 amps ..... and it charges my one optima yellow top deep cycle battery ...... from a dead 11v to 13.5 volts in about 3 hours ...... i am getting another battery soon, and hopefully a grid tie inverter ...... you need at least 300 watts of power to tie into the grid, the panels i make are about 75 watts a piece ..... so i need 4 of them .... i already have 3, but just one on the roof

[tallen99652]

I am planing to use a grid tie inverter (stackable) so i can save a little on my bill. I would like to charge Batterys later at some time...what is the most Volts that a 12V battery can handle without frying...A good Deep cycle Battery(s)..and how many solar cells to make that panel...3x6 Cells size...Thanks ....