Hole in solar panel

When I arrived at the cabin, I found that one of my panels has a small hole through it, much like a rock hole in a car windshield. The panel is still generating some power. If I just seal over the whole to prevent water leaking under the glass, is there any downside?

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: Hole in solar panel

    Well, tape sealed over the hole will help some, didn't the glass completly shatter, or is this a homemade panel ?

    When vater vapor gets in and condenses (like in a wristwatch), you cannot get it out, and eventually the cells metal plateing corrodes and the panel is dead.
    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

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  • PhilS
    PhilS Solar Expert Posts: 370 ✭✭✭
    Re: Hole in solar panel

    You can buy a kit at most auto parts stores that's made to repair "bulls eyes" in auto windshields. It's made by Permatex and costs about $6 (last time I got one).

    There's a syringe that adheres to the windshield and draws a vacuum, then fills the bullseye with a resin that hardens by exposure to ultraviolet light (sunshine).

    Would this fix your hole?

    Phil
  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    Re: Hole in solar panel

    if the hole is too large that windshield repair kit won't work too well. look over this item from another thread.
    http://forum.solar-electric.com/showthread.php?p=63245#post63245