Solar-Tite vs QSil vs EVA vs Cell Guard

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  • CasaDelGato
    Junior Member
    • Apr 2012
    • 15

    #1

    Solar-Tite vs QSil vs EVA vs Cell Guard

    I'm trying to figure out what kind of encapsulation to use on some homebuilt panels
    I see there are 3 (at least) different liquids, and the EVA film.
    For the liquids, it seems to be a case of:
    Spread some on the glass, carefully place the cells and work out the bubbles, pour more over the backs of the cells.
    For EVA, I've seen examples showing:
    1) Lay EVA on glass, then lay on cells, then more EVA - heat to melt.
    Problem is getting the bubbles out between cells and glass.
    2) Lay out cells on work surface face up, apply EVA with heat gun - easier to get rid of bubbles.
    Then flip the whole mess over onto the glass, apply EVA to the back, heat to melt it on.

    Apparently you need to add a vapor barrier over EVA to keep water out of the backs of the cells.
    Do you need to do the same with the liquids?

    What about a hybrid setup to reduce the amount of liquid used? Liquid on glass, cells, get bubbles out, let dry, apply EVA to the backs?
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  • Bratan
    Member
    • Mar 2012
    • 42

    #2
    I'm in no way expert (trying to build my first solar panel), but I think just using encapsulant alone without EVA should be fine. At least that's what I'm seeing everyone does on Youtube
    BTW, I recently had bad experience with Cell Guard. That stuff is cheap and they promise miracles but there's no data on it. I tried encapsulating cells in a latex mold (for glass-free small panel) and that stuff did not solidify at all. Seller told me that latex killed the catalyst so I'm out $44 and 18 perfectly good solar cells are now slimy mess
    Anyone knows if that stuff can be washed off with alcohol or acetone?

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    • Mike90250
      Moderator
      • May 2009
      • 16020

      #3
      Acetone should work, a good long soak, 24 or even 48 hours. It won't hurt the cells at all. But keep it sealed, it (acetone) sucks moisture out of the air, and dilutes itself. It may dissolve wire insulation if present too. But it's used in washing cells in manufacturing them.
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      • Bratan
        Member
        • Mar 2012
        • 42

        #4
        Originally posted by Mike90250
        Acetone should work, a good long soak, 24 or even 48 hours. It won't hurt the cells at all. But keep it sealed, it (acetone) sucks moisture out of the air, and dilutes itself. It may dissolve wire insulation if present too. But it's used in washing cells in manufacturing them.
        Cool! Thanks for the tip. Now to find acetone (my wife's nail polish remover doesn't come in sufficient quantities) and nice wide container that won't dissolve
        Edit: Looks like HomeDepot sells it, duh!
        Gotta love these forums, I'm learning about practical chemistry as well as about PV cells
        To OP, sorry about hijacking your thread
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