UV protection for solar panels?

[NBs]

Hi,
have you protected the surface of the panel with boat wax, for example?

I noticed that my oldest panel, which is about three years old, is starting to become slightly velvety on the surface.

I was wondering if it could be polich down, like boat gel coat, or if it creates a UV protective film that interferes with charging?

NBs

 

[NormanS]

Life's too short to worry about such things. We've had PV panels on the roof of the house for about 15 years, and they're still working fine.

 

[[70521]]

When did you last wash them with fresh water?

 

[Boater Sam]

Its OK, they don't get sunburn.

 

[noelex]

I presume these are flexible panels. Unfortunately, there is nothing I am aware of that can be used to treat the surface to extend its life.

If you do apply anything, there is a risk of decreasing the output. Solar cells have a much broader spectral response than the human eye. A coating can look transparent to humans, but if it is blocking IR or to a lesser extent UV (which is the idea behind most protective coatings), it will not be transparent to the solar cell.

 

[William_H]

I have seen small PV panels made entirely of a plastic resin. Almost any plastic will deteriorate in UV. I would suggest that you can not protect the resin but might be able to improve transparency with a plastic polish like that sold to rejuvenate plastic headlight covers. most larger domestic Pv panels have a glass cover. ol'will