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Got a customer with an old solar 60 panel approx 15 yrs old. It has a polythene cover over the top of the panel approx 50mm above the copper tubes and the polythene is splitting.
Does anyone know if this is anything special and if you can get it from anywhere as it is easy to change and there's nothing wrong with the rest of the panel.
Anyone any idea's?
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hi foggy sounds similar to this - seems to be common - solar60 the old nova energy?
It is a recognized problem with the Solar60 panels, the plastic cover is the same stuff they use on green houses, It might last 5 -10 years on a green house but when exposed to high internal temperatures from inside the panel then it fails. Solare60 are fully aware of the issue, but no doubt will do nothing about it due to the cost.
Retro-fitting another glazing media like 1-1.5mm UV treated clear polycarbonate sheet could be an option, $100 for a 2400 x 1200 sheet, but this would be a DIY fix; it will however last > 10 years or so and is virtually bullet proof. I use it on my own panels, after 4 years in Wellingtons winds shows no sign of any deterioration. Was going to use glass but for the excessive cost from NZ suppliers.
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Cheers integrated,
I thought it looked like the stuff used on green houses but the customer was told by someone at Nova energy that it was special stuff that was no longer available.
The polycarbonate sheet seems the way to go like you say just need to find one approx 2200 x 1550mm. Did you just silicon the sheet onto the frame or is there a better way?
Cheers
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Surely all panels must comply to some form of standard, possibly ECCA can shed some light on what that is. The glass or polycarbonate would have to be "toughened" and UV rated. Imagine you do the fix and further down the line the the thing breaks, falls and hurts someone, your up for some major liability. Like any other messy job I would rather walk away or do it properly. You can pick a new panel for about $1200 or evacs for about $800 and these come with all warranties. Even with the lower grade panels you will probably get more energy than fixing the old Nova/sola 60 one. Sorry to be so negative, If it was my house that's a different story if something happens then I can only blame myself. :)