Don't throw away pv panels that have cracked glass! Still useful!

[heatwave]

Does anyone else have pv panels that are cracked/shattered that are still in use? I have a 2x 12v/100w and 1x 48v/390w that all still give great power output with nominal drops. We use them for DC loads across the property, on demand for fans mostly. When I saw Will charging the Bluetti Generator which takes I think up to 48v/10A, I realized that would be ideal for my cracked 48v panel.

Does anyone still use any old cracked panels, and what for? Did you reseal the glass face and with what resin?

 

[svetz]

You might be interested in these threads:

• https://diysolarforum.com/threads/sealing-solar-panel-glass.13/
• https://diysolarforum.com/threads/solar-panel-repair.6317/
• https://diysolarforum.com/threads/solar-panel-backsheet-repair.7989/

 

[heatwave]

was just getting there, thank you for pointing, very interesting.

 

[nosys70]

usually the panel is coated first with a resin glue and then the glass is applied, so no air is in between the silicon and the glass.
so if you break the glass, the panel is propably still air/water tight.
The glasse is here only to protect silicon from shocks and protect resin from UV.
So if glass is still there, but only cracked, the panel should still be working fully.
but for sure it will not last long.

 

[Fred S]

I have a couple of old frameless ones that are cracked, but they perform just as well their peers. I won't bother with sealing them.

 

[heatwave]

I've always been surprised at how well they still function. I sealed with this 2
years ago. They aren't panels I would use for the main system, just on demand functions like DC attic fans.