Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- electrical:solar:panels [2019/05/09 20:13]
frater_secessus [thin film]
+++ electrical:solar:panels [2020/01/14 16:23]
frater_secessus [flexible]
@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
-==== thin film ====
+==== flexible ====
+Flexible panel configurations place unusual demands on the materials.  Framed panels use extremely durable glass encapsulation((wrapping, basically) but this would not work for flex panels.  One challenge is to come up with encapsulation that is transparent, strong, and durable.
+Originally a clear film called PET was used for the exterior but over time durability issues related to yellowing, increasing opacity, and delamination ("peeling") were revealed, especially in high temperatures or harsh environments.   [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETFE|ETFE]] is now commonly preferred for exterior encapsulation layers due to greater UV transparency and durability.  Flex panels that do not mention ETFE are likely encapsulated in PET.
+Flex panel started out as thin film (see below) but has moved to crystalline cells since 2018.
+=== crystalline ===
+While the flex panel market has largely gone to poly/mono crystalline, there are obvious issues related to making flexible objects out of brittle silicon crystals.  Handle with care, and bend as little as possible.
+=== thin film ===
 [Note:  actual thin-film panels are rarer as of 2018.  The market has gone to flexible mono or poly((which do not have the benefits described below))]

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