Beware sometimes helping someone get by with a repair can backfire on the guy just trying to help ya i know it will never happen to you but On Sep 1, 2014 10:59 AM, "Martin Herzfeld" <findso...@herzfeld.org> wrote:
> > I concur with Dan. Unless a controlled environment, a patch job on a > module with a customer is wrong on so many levels. > > Martin Herzfeld > California Solar Contractor License #833782 > Trenching Contractor, Pole Installation & Maintenance, Instrumentation > > UL Certified PV Installer #17, OSHA 30 > Principal Contract Solar Technical Inspector > OSHA-Authorized Construction Trainer > CompTIA Certified Technical Classroom Trainer (CTT+) #T3NSZCNBBKB4QTQG > Project Contractor & Consultant > > Telephone & Text: 510-243-0190 > > Ron, > > It's been my experience the only adhesives that work reliably on PV > backsheets are those designed for the purpose, such as Dow 804 et. al.. > Substances such as silicone sealant, tool polymerics, and others will > appear to be suitable when first applied, but they eventually peel loose > over a period of 1-5 years. > > Issue #2: Heat of sufficient temperature to melt the backsheet may also > have been hot enough to affect solder joints on and among the cells. > Crystallized solder connections will conduct current, but are more > resistive, and eventually will degrade due to heating and cooling, leading > to overheating and eventual failure. Then too there's a possibility of > micro-fractures created in the cells due to the heat, which take time to > become apparent, but will also cause a PV module to quit working .. or at > least quit working at its rated specifications. > > Issue #3: When PV are manufactured, the layers at a minimum are > manufactured from tempered glass, EVA, cells and buss, EVA, then the > backsheet (tedlar, kevlar, etc.), in that order. The module is assembled > under conditions of heat and vacuum. With the backsheet melted, the > environmental integrity of the laminate has been compromised, allowing > ambient humidity into the PV. While it may be functional now, long-term > prospects for continued proper operation are questionable at best. > > Unless there's a pressing reason to try to salvage the module, it's better > to replace it. > > Dan Lepinski > > -------------------------------------------- > On Sun, 8/31/14, Ron Young <solarea...@solareagle.com> wrote: > > Subject: [RE-wrenches] PV panel backing > To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > Date: Sunday, August 31, 2014, 6:32 AM > > Hello Wrenches, > > I have an installation of 165w PV on a pole mount that was exposed to a > fire from the rear when the customers shop burned. 6 of the 10 panels > survived with only replacement of the MC4 plugs required but one of the > panels that is still functioning had the rear coating melted off. The cells > and electrical grid still function. Can anyone recommend a replacement > coating that may salvage this panel for a few more years. I know if left > exposed it will soon deteriorate but am wondering if some kind of commonly > available non conductive rubberized or latex type of coating might do the > job? > > Ron Young > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
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