Mineral oil in panels ??

[PaulMel]

Has anyone done the mineral oil in homemade electric solar panels yet? Mine have been working since march. Now the temp outside is almost freezing. The condensation has collected at the bottom with probably half a tea spoon. Enough to freeze and crack the glass (not yet).So, tonight I'm taking them in the house and filling atleast one with "baby oil" for now to see how it holds up in the -10C temperatures this winter. No air = no condensation. I've got 4  36 cell panels. Two with glass front and back ,and two with glass front and 1/4 inch plywood backs.

The panel will take about 2 liters.

[pyrocasto]

I was gonna try it, but I've kinda put it on hold. I used canola oil, and the test didnt last 10 seconds before I found out electrolosis starts in it and starts bubling.

My ideal system: Fill the pv panels with mineral oil. Put the panels on a tracker with 2-4 mirrors to give more output. Use the heat generated to help heat hot water for you house. Doing that theoretically could get more out of your panels electricity wise, while protecting them by taking the heat out to heat water. Like a 2 in 1 panel.

Oh well just ideas for now. I'll test them more, but later.

[Volvo farmer]

I haven't had to deal with this yet but my first reaction to mineral oil is somewhat negative. It's messy and should you ever have to break the panel open to fix it, all those cells are going to be covered in an oily film.

These are just mind exercises for me but my first reation to moisture between the panes would either be to insert a removable plug of dessicant (silica?) or to open the whole thing up with vents so that the moisture could escape.

Please post back on your experiment. My mind exercises could quicky be wiped away with your real world evidence.

[nickelbender]

I'm not sure if thats a good idea or bad but be sure not to use an oil that will absorb water like veg.

How much are you willing to spend?

Your local Esso dealer can provide you with a 20 litre pail of "VoltEsso" dialectric oil. Good stuff, I've used it in transformers and pumps. Its inert realy doesn't like water and contains no toxic compounds (at least no more toxic than most petrol products)

[robertmb]

Have you considered the time-tested approach used by the telephone company for moisture control in underground cables?  It involves using a tank of compressed nitrogen to displace humidity.  The cable is "evacuated" with vacuum, nitrogen is introduced, and the cable is then sealed off on both ends.  Just a thought.  I have never tried it, but it is a common practice.  

[pyrocasto]

A few people have tried it here I believe. I remember some talk about lots of flex from expansion and contraction from heat. As for now, I'm sticking with laminate panels. Less hassel for me, and I can actually get these things up on the roof.