I was a bit surprised when I went to check on my PV array last week and found one of the panel’s tempered glass was completely shattered. Still in place but all cracked up as tempered glass tends to do. What would cause this? The others are fine.
Shattered Panel
- Thread starter Dutchman
- Start date
oldcat
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Messages
- 90
i cant see it in this picture.
Actually the photo is from when the install was brand new about 2016.sorry for any confusion.
The panel that shattered is the one on the far left.
There is no sign of blown debris. I’m wondering if one of my bear friends got frisky and decided to clambor over the array. It must have taken quite a blow.
chrisski
Solar Boondocker
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2020
- Messages
- 5,234
I’d taught elementary school for a while, and had actually wondered if a kid could have done something like that.
What’s your plans to replace the shattered Panel?
stienman
Mostly Harmless
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2021
- Messages
- 476
You should be able to detect a pattern in the glass shards that suggests the location and direction of impact, as well as the size of the object if an object caused it. A picture would help us understand the situation better.
Beyond that, read the data sheet of the panel. Some are rated for hail and heavy hits, but some are not. A lot depends on the manufacture and design of the solar panel, including the frame. Make sure your panels are rated for the loads and impacts they might experience in your area.
Note that you can probably still use the panel, just cover it and seal it with transparent plastic. Capacity will be reduced, but it'll give you something until you replace it. If the damage is bad enough that it isn't providing power, that's useful information to know in determining what could have hit it.
Beyond that, read the data sheet of the panel. Some are rated for hail and heavy hits, but some are not. A lot depends on the manufacture and design of the solar panel, including the frame. Make sure your panels are rated for the loads and impacts they might experience in your area.
Note that you can probably still use the panel, just cover it and seal it with transparent plastic. Capacity will be reduced, but it'll give you something until you replace it. If the damage is bad enough that it isn't providing power, that's useful information to know in determining what could have hit it.
I had the same problem with one of the 26 panels on my roof. I solved it with Gorilla Crystal Clear waterproof patch and seal. I uploaded six short videos about it on YouTube instead of making a longer one. You can see them here:
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