Accidentally drilled the bottom of my panel.

yrtrnc
yrtrnc Solar Expert Posts: 54 ✭✭
Hi

I accidentally got the drill bit caught on the underside of my solar panel. The white plastic on the back was damaged and there was some metal pcs also. Very little damage to to the metal pcs.

Checked the panel voltage and all seemed fine. No heating up around the damaged area as far as I can tell.

So will the panel die? Is it going to cause a fire?

Thank you

Comments

  • DanS26
    DanS26 Solar Expert Posts: 264 ✭✭✭
    yrtrnc said:
    Hi

    I accidentally got the drill bit caught on the underside of my solar panel. The white plastic on the back was damaged and there was some metal pcs also. Very little damage to to the metal pcs.

    Checked the panel voltage and all seemed fine. No heating up around the damaged area as far as I can tell.

    So will the panel die? Is it going to cause a fire?

    Thank you
    Moisture now has a way into your panel.  IMO seal the hole as soon as possible. Use a good quality sealant.

    If you have nicked a cell, that is not good.  Keep checking the output of that panel especially under full sun conditions.
    23.16kW Kyocera panels; 2 Fronius 7.5kW inverters; Nyle hot water; Steffes ETS; Great Lakes RO; Generac 10kW w/ATS, TED Pro System monitoring
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #3
    I've ripped the backing pplastic in the past. I used liqid electrical tape / plastic tool dip and it has done a nice job of sealing it up.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A pic of the damage may be helpful also.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • yrtrnc
    yrtrnc Solar Expert Posts: 54 ✭✭
    > @DanS26 said:
    > yrtrnc said:
    >
    >
    > Hi
    >
    >
    >
    > I accidentally got the drill bit caught on the underside of my solar panel. The white plastic on the back was damaged and there was some metal pcs also. Very little damage to to the metal pcs.
    >
    >
    >
    > Checked the panel voltage and all seemed fine. No heating up around the damaged area as far as I can tell.
    >
    >
    >
    > So will the panel die? Is it going to cause a fire?
    >
    >
    >
    > Thank you
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Moisture now has a way into your panel.  IMO seal the hole as soon as possible. Use a good quality sealant.
    >
    > If you have nicked a cell, that is not good.  Keep checking the output of that panel especially under full sun conditions.

    Hey

    I sealed it over with electrical tape but will use silicone to do it properly.

    If I nicked the cell would it be shorted? Can it cause a fire? How would I know if I nicked the cell. It was mostly white pcs that were damaged and there were a couple of silver pcs.

    If it's just one dead cell I can live with that. Just afraid of fire and the whole panel dying eventually.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    the silver pieces, sounds like the tinned tabbing conductors.  Do you see any missing chunks from the front side, where the drill  grabbed bits of the tabbing ?   If some tabbing wire is damaged, there will be trouble eventually, there seldom is any reduancy in the panels.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,036 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #7
    yrtrnc said:
    >
    Hey

    I sealed it over with electrical tape but will use silicone to do it properly.

    Apparently silicone isn't impervious to moisture and can be corrosive. You should use something like a 3M 5200 sealant. Clean the area to be sealed very well to get a good bond with the sealant.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    yrtrnc said:
    >
    Hey

    I sealed it over with electrical tape but will use silicone to do it properly.

    Apparently silicone isn't impervious to moisture and can be corrosive. You should use something like a 3M 5200 sealant. Clean the area to be sealed very well to get a good bond with the sealant.
    Agreed, polyurethane sealant is far superior to silicone.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Epoxy would be another alternative. It's less viscous than 5200 so can be better at getting into small crevaces etc. for a waterproof seal.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • yrtrnc
    yrtrnc Solar Expert Posts: 54 ✭✭
    > @mike95490 said:
    > the silver pieces, sounds like the tinned tabbing conductors.  Do you see any missing chunks from the front side, where the drill  grabbed bits of the tabbing ?   If some tabbing wire is damaged, there will be trouble eventually, there seldom is any reduancy in the panels.


    I will check the front side of the panels.

    Trouble meaning fire?
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Just to be clear, if the cell is damaged--There is no way for the panel to still work to 95% of specifications. All current flows through all cells (or 1/3 or 1/2 of cells, if there are bypass diodes--And if the current does bypass an open/broken cell, then the Vmp of the panel will be cut to 1/2 or 1/3 of rated value).

    Also, "standard" silicon seal has a "vinegar based" curing process (acetic acid) and would not be good for sealing solar panels.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    BB. said:
    ... Vmp of the panel will be cut to 1/2 or 1/3 ...
    Wouldn't that be the current/IMP?
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Generally, (modern) solar panels are all a single series string of cells (36, 60, 72 for Vmp=18/30/36 volts). All current (Imp) goes through all cells (in series).

    There are (or where) some configurable panels such as Evergreen panels that had jumpers for 18 or 36 volt panel (and Imp would be 2x or 1x).

    The "bypass" diodes are there to allow current to go around shaded (or open) cells (you don't want 300 VDC across an open or shaded cell--Typically ~12 VDC is considered the safe "reverse diode junction" voltage for solar cells).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So the bypass diode is sort of like an electrical valve taking a 12v tap off a 24v bank if one of a pair of series connected 12v batteries went bad?

    You still get 'X' amps depending on light, but at lower voltage.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Yep.

    Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • yrtrnc
    yrtrnc Solar Expert Posts: 54 ✭✭
    So if the voltage coming from the panel is OK then I probably didn't damage the cells then?
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,036 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #17
    If you have damaged a cell you might find lower amperage coming from the panel. Current produced by the cells is directly related to the size of the cell. You could split that cell in half and still see normal (approx. 0.5 volts) from it, but half the current of a full cell. A better way to test the panel would be to put a load on it and find out if the voltage and amperage are within spec. If you have, or can get, a DC clamp meter you could connect the panel to a 12 volt battery, (not fully charged) and check the current flowing into the battery. I don't recall the nominal voltage of your panel, if it was mentioned, but that shouldn't matter if testing the current this way. Make sure you have the polarity correct when connecting to the battery

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    One thing not mentioned, is there any visible damage oi the reverse side, looking at the cell itself where the drill bit pierced the backing, or by careful measurement establish where exactly the penetration is, you may have been lucky.......or not, if the interconnect is damaged to the point of being a weak link. The cell strings could be checked individually in the junction box by removing diodes, but short of that, monitoring the voltage and current by isolating the panels and applying a suitable load to establish if any initial damage has occurred. The word initial is used because over time things may change, hopefully it is minor damage and replacement isn't required, good luck! 
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    A really well made solar panel, like Sunpower, Panasonic or LG monos have 25 year product warranties.
    One of the many ways that they can do this is each cell has 3 or more redundant connections.

    Even with "some" cell damage they are able to meet their warranty power specifications.

    They do other things also!  They would not be happy with drill holes so use a piece of wood next time to protect it.

    As mcgivor said load test or use an ammeter and short circuit test the panel against a good one for an hour at noon.
    Leave them out in the sun all morning and get the panels nice and hot.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • solorone
    solorone Solar Expert Posts: 257 ✭✭✭
    As  others have said they sealed the damage, and I did the same thing, but I used  J B Weld  and HVAC aluminum tape. piled it   on the tape and  pressed and sealed, been  there 5 years .
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I personally wouldn't use a potentially conductive foil tape for the repair, but if it worked, that's great.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • kc8adu
    kc8adu Solar Expert Posts: 50 ✭✭✭
    i have repaired backing damaged panels.
    i used electronic grade silicone.
    it is alcohol based rather than acetic acid.
    you can get it at walmart as permatex ultra black.
    its what i use to reseal automotive modules i have repaired.

  • cow_rancher
    cow_rancher Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭✭
    Permatex ultra black also works great for repairing cracked lawnmower gas tanks, which happens often in AZ
  • yrtrnc
    yrtrnc Solar Expert Posts: 54 ✭✭
    Here's what the cell looks like from the front. Opinions?
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    If it is easy to get at and monitor--I guess just watch and see what happens. If the area is "open circuit", probably nothing bad will happen.

    If the area is "short circuited", much of the current will flow through the point and cause over heating.

    The underlying problem is that we really do not know what to expect in future. One of the best ways to test a part/system's reliability is to thermal cycle/thermal shock it--Accelerated Life Testing (sun rise, sun set, hot panel with cold water sprayed on it). More than likely, the cracks will spread and and possibly change the open/short condition of the location.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks pretty nasty to me. From what I can tell, there appears to be cracking penetrating the front of the panel, which can allow water to penetrate. Aside from potential electrical problems, water in the cracks could freeze and cause further cracking and/or delamination.

    Assuming the panel is working at close to normal now, I'd take it out of the array, tape a square of plastic over the front of the damage, flip it over so it's horizontal back side up. Fill the back damage with a bit of 2 part epoxy (readily available in small tubes at hardware stores) or "creeping crack cure" (available at some marine outlets). Cover the back repair with another square of plastic. When the epoxy is set but not fully cured (time varies with ambient temp and hardener type), flip the panel over, remove the plastic square from the front and repeat on the front damage area. Wait a day or so for full cure and retest before reinstalling.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter