Damaged backsheet

[paul-home]

Hi There,

I have just bought some solar panels on ebay. They are new but have been roughly handled. The backsheet on a few of them has scratches on it. They are Schott poly 220 panels. What I'm concerned about is ingress of water through the backsheet.
Can anyone advise what I could put on the scratches? Is it possible to fix the backsheet, which appears to be a very thin plastic layer. If this layer is pierced, will water get in?

Thank you for any information.

Paul

[Mike90250]

The backsheet is, I believe, a vapor barrier. Is the plastic scuffed, or cut to raw metal and cell backs. You could clean with IPA alcohol, (not the 80% stuff in drug stores - real stuff, even Everclear) and patch with household silicon seal. The household silicone seal will allow water vapor thru it, but it's the best sealer I can think of. If the scratches are small, degradation will be minimal. If they are large, and into metal and cells, the acetic acid cureing agent in the silicone will eat it, and you should look for electronic grade silicone sealer.