Plexiglass UV resistance

[DeltaFox 25]

I just use the hardened standered glass that is 1/8 " thick. I have to ordere my glass from a local supplyer that get's it from denver , that is 100 miles away.

[Sandman57]

What thickness glass?

If I am pricing out glass for DYI panels what thinkness should I be looking at? I assume that plate glass comes in a variety of thicknesses.

Standard window glass from the hardware seems way too fragle for an outdoor application where I will get a snow load. Is this because it isn't tempered or because it is too thin?

Anyone have any pointers on finding a supplier of low iron glass in the Boston area? I've called a couple of suppliers and they can quote low e glass but seemed puzzled at requests for low iron/anti reflective.

[DeltaFox 25]

Low iron glass lets more light in to the cells and It to can be tempered. The glass in office buildings are tempered. I have one panel with Plexiglas ans two with low iron tempered glass and these seam to be holding up real good.
alot of the commercial solar panels are made with glass.

[Mike90250]

Low iron glass is what is in bathroom and cars right? If it shatters, what happens to your cells?

Depends. Sometimes the glass cracks, and pebbleizes. (tempered glass does that) All the cracks shade the cells, and you loose 30% power. Then moisture gets in and rots the cells out.

Or, if the cells are bonded to the glass, they shatter too, and then the whole panel dies instantly.

All depends on how the panel gets broken - a baseball destroys the entire panel, a crack in a corner won't hurt much. Some examples attached

[russ]

Tempered glass is used in bathroom glass - it is meant to shatter for safety reasons.

Low iron is a totally different thing.

[scheek]

Low iron glass is what is in bathroom and cars right? If it shatters, what happens to your cells?

[DeltaFox 25]

I bought a sheet of UV Plexiglass for a solar panel that I was building and It cost me $150.00. They wouldn't sell it anyother way. Plexiglass is very good. I have made a couple with low iron gless also.

[russ]

Has to be of the UV stabilized type?

[Mike90250]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plexiglass

is softer and more easily scratched than glass
transmits up to 92% of visible light
has excellent environmental stability compared to other plastics such
as polycarbonate, and is therefore often the material of choice for
outdoors applications.

[scheek]

Debating whether to use glass or plexiglass on last panel. Any suggestions?

About UV damage to plexiglass over a period of time.