Thermal Conducting Filler?

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Art
Art Solar Expert Posts: 32 ✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
Hi Guys,
I've asked this on other forums as well... but here goes...

I have to assume that ordinary silicone sealant doesn't have the same
thermal conducting property as the silicone grease used on CPU heatsinks,
otherwise there would be no reason to spend extra on a tiny tube of grease.

I'm looking to fill a small cavity between the back of a PV panel,
and it's aluminium backing that I have added to support a centre fitted stalk/mast.
Last time i used Bostik foam filler that comes
in a spray can an expands prior to setting,
but that is an effective thermal insulator, not a conductor.

Any ideas of something that could be pumped through a hole,
or added to the mix with the foam?
Or is silicone sealant a good conductor as well?
Cheers, Art.
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Comments

  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Thermal Conducting Filler?

    do not put insulation in back of any pv. this will over heat the pv and lead to lower outputs and shorter pv life. pvs need as much aeration as possible and should have a gap of around 6 or more inches when mounted.
    you are also right that the silicon grease and silicon sealant are 2 different animals.
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  • Art
    Art Solar Expert Posts: 32 ✭
    #3
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    Re: Thermal Conducting Filler?

    Apparently the silicone grease isn't that crash hot as far as thermal conductors go either.
    It's only meant to fill tiny gaps between solid conductors,
    and is apparently hopeless where large amounts are used to transfer heat.
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  • nigtomdaw
    nigtomdaw Solar Expert Posts: 705 ✭✭
    #4
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    Re: Thermal Conducting Filler?

    I had thought of gluing alu foil fairy cake - cup cake dishes to the back of pvs to assist in thermal cooling, anyone tried it ?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
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    Re: Thermal Conducting Filler?

    you still need thermal conductive epoxy, they either include silver dust, which makes it also electrically conductive, or BEO powder, which is highly toxic.


    cheers
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    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
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  • Art
    Art Solar Expert Posts: 32 ✭
    #6
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    Re: Thermal Conducting Filler?

    Is the back of a solar panel conductive to warrant that in normal circumstance?
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #7
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    Re: Thermal Conducting Filler?

    Do I understand right that you have covered in the back of the PV with a sheet of aluminum and that you intend to use this sheet as a support to mount the PV?
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