How do the manufacturers connect the tabs?

[David HK]

I have several solar panels that are just glass with the power generating part on one side. There are no connection tabs at all nor a termination box to which you or I would attach delivery wires.

I noticed that there were two circles on the 'brown' side of the panel which were marked positive and negative respectively. With the aid of a magnifying glass and sharp knife I scraped away the 'brown' covering over each area and exposed a 'line' and a patch of 'silver'. I then placed my volt meter on each exposed patch and the reading came out as 3 volts plus.

Does anyone know the technique used by manufacturers used to attach 'tabbing' connector leads to the panels as described aBove?

David HK

[wooferhound]

I am not completely sure what type of panel you have , but I have connected to glass solar panels by using Edge Connectors like this . . .





I think these connectors came off of a computer motherboard

[DamonHD]

SunPower (I think) has a technique where all the connectors are on the back of the cell to avoid obscuring any of the face with metal!

Rgds

Damon

[Chagrin]

I think I know the type of tabs you're describing and I think you did it the right way. A little sandpaper works too. Just use a good flux and it'll stick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYeynLy6pj8

Love that show, but it was a pretty boring segment.

[bob golding]

silver loaded epoxy works.

cheers bob golding