Wind Plate

Wind Plate

When shopping for a solar panel brand, the issues at the forefront of people's minds are usually topics such as efficiency and wattage. An often overlooked issue is glass - and the type of glass used on a solar panel really does matter.

When you buy a solar panel, it's a long term investment - it should serve you well for decades. While most manufacturers offer lengthy warranties, some up to 25 years, it's important to note the manufacturer needs to be around to honour it. There's still many fly-by-nighters in the solar panel industry, cutting prices by cutting corners on component quality.

While a warranty from a solid company is a great insurance policy, there's also the inconvenience of needing to make a warranty claim - pulling the panels down, taking them in - it's all very disruptive and stressful. It's best to have peace of mind from the outset and you can only have that if every part of the panel is of the highest possible quality.

The dangers of cheap solar panel glass

Cheap glass can cloud over time. Clouded glass greatly reduces solar panel efficiency. Broken glass, aside from being a general safety issue and even if the glass only cracks, can allow water to penetrate and create a fire hazard - water and electricity simply do not mix.

When selecting either a monocrystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous solar panel, be sure to check out the type of glass being used. Look for panels that utilize tempered glass - this should be clearly stated in the panel specifications.

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass, also known as safety glass or toughened glass, is anything up to six times the strength of normal plate glass. It is created by thermal or chemical means. We've witnessed panels using tempered glass flip over onto rock strewn ground with some force without breaking.. This is something we obviously do not recommend trying out, but it goes to show how strong the material is. When tempered glass does break, it shatters into small pieces rather than creating long and razor sharp shards.

Flat plate glass in solar panels

This is most often found in cheaper brands of monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels made by small, relatively unknown companies; however it can also be found in well known brands in amorphous (thin film) solar panels that have a glass plate component.

Most amorphous panels can only use flat plate glass due to the way they are constructed. Amorphous panels are usually created by applying special silicon rich gas called silane at high temperatures directly to the back of a glass plate or to a steel plate. Some manufacturers get around the comparative weakness by using thicker flat plate glass, but this is still not as strong as using white tempered glass.

When buying solar panels, don't forget that this is an important point to check on - as mentioned, it should be clearly stated on the product specifications as to the type of glass used as it's an important feature. If it doesn't, the chances are it's flat plate glass and should probably be avoided.

Michael Bloch is a consultant for Energy Matters Australia - a green energy equipment company offering a wide range of discounted solar panels, deep cycle batteries, wind turbines and associated accessories for residential, businesses and schools.

The Energy Matters site contains a wide range of resources; including a solar power system builder tool, renewable energy rebates information and free advice on off grid and grid connect solar and wind power systems.

Blasts of Wind, Plate 48 of 'Los caprichos', 1799 $49.99 Francisco de Goya Blasts of Wind, Plate 48 of 'Los caprichos', 1799 - Giclee Print

Roof Rack Wind Deflector $99.99 Roof Rack Wind Deflector; 49 in.; Air deflector plate significantly reduces wind noise

Wind Stalker Sports Aluminum License Plate by CafePress $19.5 Are you the kind of sailor whose nostrils flare at the scent of saltwater and rising winds? A stylized sail boat with full sails and the words quot;Wind Stalkerquot; belongs on your t-shirt. Sports Aluminum License Plate This front license plate lets you express your driving attitude or cause. Made of sturdy amp; durable aluminum, it is water-resistant. This custom plate is the perfect complement for drivers with novelty plates on the back. Measures 12 x 6.

Wind $10 Wind

The Wind $14.49 The Wind

In The Wind $11.49 In The Wind

Plate Vi: Wind Instruments from the Encyclopedia of Denis Diderot $49.99 Robert Benard Plate Vi: Wind Instruments from the Encyclopedia of Denis Diderot - Giclee Print

Exselle Drinkers of the Wind Pendant $14.9 The Exselle Drinkers of the Wind Pedant has a wild and free quality that appeals to many horse people.  Available in golf or platinum plate finish with a stylish sleek woven chain included.    

Wind Climate in Cities $1145.47 If one surveys the development of wind engineering, one comes to the conclusion that the challenge of urban climatology is one of the most important remaining tasks for the wind engineers. But what distinguishes wind engineering in urban areas from conventional wind engineering? Principally, the fact that the effects studied are usually unique to a particular situation, requiring consideration of the surroundings of the buildings. In the past, modelling criteria have been developed that make it possible to solve environmental problems with great confidence, and studies validated the models: at least in a neutrally stratified atmosphere. The approach adopted in the book is that of applied fluid mechanics, since this forms the basis for the evaluation of the urban wind field. Variables for air quality or loads are problem specific, or even random, and methods for studying them are based on risk analysis, which is also presented. Criteria are developed for a systematic approach to urban wind engineering problems, including parameter studies. The five sections of the book are: Fundamentals of urban boundary layer and dispersion; Forces on complex structures in builtup areas; Air pollution in cities; Numerical solution techniques; and Posters. A subject index is included. Author: Cermak, Jack E./ Davenport, Alan G./ Plate, Erich J. Series Title: Mathematics and Its Applications Series Number: 277 Binding Type: Hardcover Number of Pages: 800 Publication Date: 1994/11/30 Language: English Dimensions: 9.21 x 6.14 x 1.69 inches

Exselle Wind Blown Horsehead Pendant $14.9 Wear your love of horses around your neck with the Exselle Wind Blown Horse Head Pendant  This lovely horse head comes in gold or platinum plate with a stylishly sleek woven chain included.  

Catch the Wind, Harness the Sun $16.95 Kids ages 812 will love these 22 exciting activities and experiments focused on producing and playing with renewable energy. Projects range from the quick and simple like the Pie Plate Wind-Maker to the thrillingly large-scale, like Pedal Power, in which kids use a bicycle to power a 12-volt battery. Each activity teaches children about renewable energy and larger environmental issues. Education doesn't get more fun than this! Catch the Wind, Harness the Sun offers more than enough to get any kid charged up about renewable energy.

The Hunting Wind $7.99 In his most stunning mystery yet, Steve Hamilton returns readers to the bitter cold of Paradise, Michigan, and the solitary world of Alex McKnight. McKnight moved to the cabins his father built on the Upper Peninsula when a bullet lodged too close to his heart ended his career as a Detroit policeman. His days are passed taking care of the cabins and stopping in at the Glasgow Inn for his nightly round of Canadian beers. According to Alex McKnight and anyone else who lives there, "April in Paradise is still cold enough to hurt you." So, on a typical chilly April night, McKnight is sitting in his usual chair at the inn drinking his Canadian beer, unaware that even then someone is traveling 2,000 miles to see him. It is Randy Wilkins, the crazy southpaw pitcher who used to keep McKnight dancing behind the plate in their minor league days. They haven't seen each other in thirty years, but Randy is convinced that McKnight is the right man to help him on his quest. Randy has come back to Michigan to find Maria, the one true love of his life. The only problem? Randy walked away from her in 1971 and hasn't seen or heard from her since. McKnight can't believe what he is hearing. The whole story sounds ridiculous, but McKnight, occasionally known for being a soft touch, agrees to help Randy look for her. The search takes them to Detroit and as it deepens, McKnight begins to realize that he an unwilling player in a dangerous game. With gut-wrenching twists and revelations as chilling as a winter night in Paradise, Hamilton unreels another superb mystery that will leave you wondering just how well you know your friends.

With the Wind $19.99 Mocchi Mocchi With the Wind - Giclee Print

In the Wind $74.99 Asia Jensen In the Wind - Art Print

On the Wind $23.99 William Trauger On the Wind - Art Print