How to remove glass from small solar panel?

[Ooops]

I've recently discovered that solar panels are way cheaper where I am than I could have imagined, for example Aus$27 for 20w.

The down side is that the offerings are limited, the controllers absolutely pants and way too expensive for what they are.

What I'd like are 2x 80w but because of space limitations I'd really like the blanket configuration that folds up to the size of a laptop bag.

Any how I bought a standard ali framed 20w panel to try and it gave me an idea.

When I looked at the frame work on the panel I realised that it could be cut down to as little as 6mm deep making a diy "blanket" a possibility. After a bit more thought I took off the frame completely leaving the cells and backing mounted on the glass. This got me wondering whether or not the glass could be replaced with some thing tougher and lighter.

I have it on the table and I've used a blade to separate the border of the backing from the glass but I'm concerned that the same method might damage the cells.

Would a hot air gun work?

The overall plan is to place the cells in a lamination pocket or under thin perspex and see how it performs. If it functions correctly I'll have a lighter tougher panel.

Either way I hope to make up a blanket with pockets for the 4 or 5x 20w sections

Whether I cut the frames down to 6mm, use glass with no frames or replace the glass with a lamination pocket I should be able to get the whole thing to fold into a 400mm x 300mm x 40 to 50mm bundle

At the price I though it was well worth exploring the idea.

Has any one tried some thing like this?

[loanrangie]

Cant say i have heard of it being done but worth a shot, the flexible panels are getting a lot cheaper like a little over $150 for a 100W panel.

[JDNSW]

The problem with removing the glass is that the glass provides the support for the actual cells, which are made from a very brittle crystalline slice of silicon, cut as thin as possible. It is difficult envision a successful method of removing the cells from the glass and being reasonably certain of not damaging them.

John

[Ooops]

flexible panels are getting a lot cheaper like a little over $150 for a 100W panel.

I suspect this will be one of those instances where it will would have been cheaper and a lot neater to have bought the real thing but where's the learning curve in that:D


the glass provides the support for the actual cells ...... It is difficult envision a successful method of removing the cells from the glass and being reasonably certain of not damaging them.
John
I think you may be spot on there. I took a knife and heat gun to it today. I was able to remove the various layers of backing but I think the cells will be damaged if I continue. There's an evident change of texture to the back of them where the backing's been removed and I can't decide if its residue from adhesive or a change in the cells structure