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Don't ask me what time it is or I'll tell you how to build a clock. :-)
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Hey, a detailed explanation is a good thing; details help those of us who aren't in the know.
The thing with there being other, better gases is like a problem with computers, or electronics. Sure, gold conducts power great, and resists corrosion well. Natural diamonds are very strong. But they're just too hard to get, and so not feasible. Argon was apparently the best balance of cost vs performance, so it is used.
So these glass places, they would stock tempered glass, and be able to make a custom sealed assembly with the solar cells inside? I'll have to look into that, and get an idea of prices. If I can make solar panels at a decent price, I just might have to drive up to Massachussets (my sister goes to college there anyway, and pick up lots of solar cells in person. Hopefully I can get a lower breakage rate that way - I don't know how many are damaged in shipping, and how many leave the seller's place that way.
I'd probably have to get the tempered glass from the glass place, take it home, get the cells attached and ready to go, and bring it back for wiring. I'll have to inquire about the sealing process - the wires have to get to the outside of the panel somehow.
Do you think I should wire a diode with the panel right away, or leave that external to the thing? I read about diodes blowing out, so I'm thinking that keeping it external might be a good idea.