Broken solar cells are worth it?

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  • elkowalski
    Member
    • Jan 2011
    • 32
    #1

    Broken solar cells are worth it?

    hello, i was wondering if broken solar cells are worth to work with. i mean what is an average life expectancy of broken solar cells / solar panel with broken solar cells.
    the only use that i am giving to the broken solar cells at this moment is to test different types of encapsulants on them. thanks in advance.
    Tags: None
    • Mike90250
      Moderator
      • May 2009
      • 16020
      #2
      A broken panel, is not likely to last very long, before moisture gets in and ruins the cells.

      Buying broken bits is likely more reliable for your testing purposes. Good luck, and keep us posted.
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        • elkowalski
          Member
          • Jan 2011
          • 32
          #3
          i mean i bought some cells that are like half broken and chipped well hopefully it will last a couple of year i will keep updating

            Comment

            • rollandelliott
              Solar Fanatic
              • Jan 2011
              • 123
              #4
              no electrical output is different, it is a total waste of time and money to buy broken cells because the weakest link (cell) in the chain will drop the performance of all others.

              Split cells are useable though and recommended, but not chipped ones.

                Comment

                • elkowalski
                  Member
                  • Jan 2011
                  • 32
                  #5
                  but hey if you put some panels in parallel you can increase the current. btw i made a solar panel of 8 volts 1 amp with broken solar cells and when i say broken solar cells i dont mean like very small parts there are more likely half of it and chipped. i guess 1 amp is worth it from 16 broken solar cells.

                    Comment

                    • rollandelliott
                      Solar Fanatic
                      • Jan 2011
                      • 123
                      #6
                      Not unless you get them for 1/8th the cost of new and they output 75% of a new one.

                      You might want to actually do a spreadsheet with your costs and figgure out how much money ou are LOOSING by using broken cells.
                      Costs are about the following:
                      1/3 labor
                      1/3 frame & encapsulation
                      1/3 solar cells.

                      If you use ONE broken cells the ENTIRE panels AMPS is reduced to the AMPS that the broken one puts out.

                      Lets say you are smart and only use broken cells that output aroudn the same amps, thus there is no power loss.

                      Let's say your broken cells put out 75% of a NEW unbroken cell.
                      That means Net over all you are loosing 25% of the power/value of your panel.

                      Let's say you get the broken cells for 33% of what new ones cost. As mentioned above The cost of cells is 1/3 of the total project costs. So 33%x1/3 is about an 11% overall savings. Not very good since you lost 25% of your panels power.

                      Youd' have to buy the cells at 1/8th or 88% off just to make a small benefit for you.

                      Factor in the hassle and ugly appearance and you got yourself a loosing choice.

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