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  • caliman
    Junior Member
    • Sep 2011
    • 24

    #1

    does windows glass work for solar panel??

    I saw some damage windows at home depot for sell very good price,and can I use that windows for solar panel???
  • Jarod
    Junior Member
    • Feb 2010
    • 28

    #2
    No, the window glass have two smooth surfaces, that will be some problems when we need to stick the solar cell on one surface of the glass. while the light transmittance will be the problem too.

    Comment

    • rs14smith
      Member
      • Sep 2011
      • 48

      #3
      Interesting post, I did not even know Home Depot sold "broken" glass or anything broken for that matter. But I agree, you are likely to run into other problems down the road if you use broken glass for your panel.

      However, if you have access to a glass cutter, and the panel you want to build is fairly small, say for example, 4'x4', and your broken glass is 5'x5', then just cut out a perfect 4'x4' square. I'm assuming that the glass does not have cracks within the area of the glass. If so, leave that glass at Home Depot!
      [B]Keep It Simple, Stupid![/B]

      Comment

      • axis11
        Solar Fanatic
        • Mar 2011
        • 237

        #4
        You can use glass, but dont expect it to last same as the tempered ones. Ordinary glass gets broken very easily. A slight impact can turn it to pieces.If there is hail in your area,your doomed. Some breakage of glass will occur due to thermal stress(hot to cold and vice-versa).Never wash with hot water. Never wash with cold water while it is still hot or when it is out on the sun. Glass will elongate and contract with varying temperatures so you have to give space for this movements between your glass and frame. However careful you may be, the chances of breaking a glass is still high. + You get less sunlight passing to ordinary glass compared to low iron glass of the same thickness. Ordinary glass is cheaper though. If you are willing to take the risk, you can use glass. My panels are made of ordinary glass 3/16" thick 21x 38 ". 13 panels, i got one broken during lamination of EVA. Glass broken, and everything in it including the cells goes to the garbage can.

        Comment

        • caliman
          Junior Member
          • Sep 2011
          • 24

          #5
          ''Interesting post, I did not even know Home Depot sold "broken" glass or anything broken for that matter. But I agree, you are likely to run into other problems down the road you use broken glass for your panel.''

          I said damage windows ,doesn't mean broken glass windows,just the outer vinyl crack.......
          Some of windows at homedepot are tempered glass.

          Comment

          • tjackson
            Junior Member
            • Aug 2012
            • 1

            #6
            Solar panel works good through windows and if it is clear it will work fine.

            Comment

            • Sunny Solar
              Solar Fanatic
              • May 2012
              • 510

              #7
              Solar panel works good through windows and if it is clear it will work fineGreat ide I will bring my panels indoors and mount them on the walls,they will keep nice and clean. BUT I have this feeling that their output may be a little lower that what it is now they are mounted on the roof..

              Comment

              • russ
                Solar Fanatic
                • Jul 2009
                • 10360

                #8
                Originally posted by tjackson
                Solar panel works good through windows and if it is clear it will work fine.
                That is a bunch of garbage - no way solar panels work well behind a window - you may get some small reading but that is all.
                [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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