getting ready to encapsulating my first panel

[bucksy]

Hi everybody

I want to encapsulate my first panel this weekend. I got all the material lined up.
What is a good tape to use to seal all the edges of the cells in both directions and the perimeter?

The guy from Greenpowerscience.com uses ShurTape. Where can I get that?

Thanks for any input.

[elhifnawyplast]

EVA encapsulation

Are you going to use EVA for encapsulation ? EVA is the best most economical encapsulating material.

[green]

I use tape in my panels as well. I use 3M's 2 inch 3.1 Mil. works great. Take your time when doing it. If the tape touches the cell and it's not quite right don't try to pull it up, the cells will break. Just put it down at the wrong angle or cut it short. I have a couple of panels that are now 2 years old and the tape show no sign of degradation.

Good Luck,
Green

[Kebast]

tape on top of cells?

I use tape in my panels as well. I use 3M's 2 inch 3.1 Mil. works great. Take your time when doing it. If the tape touches the cell and it's not quite right don't try to pull it up, the cells will break. Just put it down at the wrong angle or cut it short. I have a couple of panels that are now 2 years old and the tape show no sign of degradation.

Good Luck,
Green

Do you apply the tape at the very edge of the cell, or cover it fully? Does this not affect the output of the panel? I've been sticking my cells down using a bit of silicon caulk, but it does leave them a bit raised. If the tape method doesn't affect output, I think this would be preferable.

[green]

Do you apply the tape at the very edge of the cell, or cover it fully? Does this not affect the output of the panel? I've been sticking my cells down using a bit of silicon caulk, but it does leave them a bit raised. If the tape method doesn't affect output, I think this would be preferable.

I tape the cells directly to the front glass from the back, no tape is in front of the cells so it doesn't affect output. I do all the seams between the cells with my thumbnail to push out any air bubbles. Works great. Silicone can cause moisture if used inside the panel so I use as little as possible inside.

[Kebast]

I tape the cells directly to the front glass from the back, no tape is in front of the cells so it doesn't affect output. I do all the seams between the cells with my thumbnail to push out any air bubbles. Works great. Silicone can cause moisture if used inside the panel so I use as little as possible inside.

Thanks, that makes much more sense . Is this just to hold them in place, or and you specifically limiting the encapsulant from getting on the front of the cell?

[green]

Thanks, that makes much more sense . Is this just to hold them in place, or and you specifically limiting the encapsulant from getting on the front of the cell?

Well both actually. It holds everything in place and does a great job keeping encapsulant from getting in front of the cells. Just remember to take your time. The cells tend to be a little curved after tabbing them together, the tape helps to flatten everything to the glass, but don't rush it. The first couple of pieces of tape are the hardest to do because everything wants to slide around.