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Photonic Universe EFLX series Handling And Fitting Manual

Semi-flexible solar panels

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Semi-flexible solar panels (EFLX series)
HANDLING AND FITTING MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing this product. The following guidelines apply only to EFLX series
semi-flexible solar panels with ETFE coating and back-contact solar cells. This manual
should not be used for any other solar panel of a different series, material or solar cell
type.
Any work should follow the required safety standards and applicable regulations. The
product should be handled and installed by professionals or appropriately qualified
persons. Suitable precautions and safety measures should be taken in all cases.
I.
Delivery
Please remember to examine the condition of the box(es) containing the solar panel(s)
immediately upon delivery. If you notice that the package has incurred any form of
damage; i.e. it is deformed, punctured, torn, stained etc, you must sign for the delivery as
"damaged". This will be essential to the post-incident investigation with the courier, in the
case that the contents of the box are also damaged.
Place the box containing the solar panel on a flat level surface, and open it carefully,
without removing the solar panel from the foam packaging. Examine the surface of the
solar panel and the condition of each black solar cell for any signs of damage (creases
or cracks in the solar cell). Keep the solar panel flat in the packaging while performing
this visual inspection. Do not put any pressure on the solar panel (i.e. do not press down
on the solar panel with your hands when checking for damage). Slight discolouration of
solar cells or remnants of glue on top of the surface are permissible and are not classed
as damage, as neither of these factors will affect the performance of the solar panel.
If you detect any cracks in the solar cells or creases in the plastic surface coating, along
with corresponding damage to the carton box, please contact your supplier immediately
with photographic evidence for assessment.
Before removing the solar panel from its packaging, please check the dimensions and
confirm that the solar panel fits in the required space.

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Summary of Contents for Photonic Universe EFLX series

  • Page 1 Semi-flexible solar panels (EFLX series) HANDLING AND FITTING MANUAL Thank you for purchasing this product. The following guidelines apply only to EFLX series semi-flexible solar panels with ETFE coating and back-contact solar cells. This manual should not be used for any other solar panel of a different series, material or solar cell type.
  • Page 2 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 2 of 12 Handling This product must be handled with care at all times. Detailed guidance on handling is provided below. Even though this solar panel is semi-flexible, it is designed to be bent only once: upon permanent mounting to a curved surface.
  • Page 3 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 3 of 12 panel to straighten itself naturally, as shown in the photos below. Do not carry the solar panel in a horizontally oriented plane (parallel to the ground) as this may cause the panel to bend under its own weight and become damaged.
  • Page 4 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 4 of 12 Never attempt to test the “local flexibility” of the solar panel by bending the material of the solar panel near the edges or in the corners. This can easily cause solar cell cracks.
  • Page 5 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 5 of 12 Solar panel radius In practice, the minimum radius rule translates into the following requirement: when the solar panel is mounted on a curved surface, there is a maximum arch height that the installation must not exceed (when measured against a straight horizontal line).
  • Page 6 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 6 of 12 The solar panel can be installed in a landscape or portrait orientation, and fixed in place by gluing, screwing or riveting. The mounting surface for the solar panel should be smooth and even. If the surface is...
  • Page 7 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 7 of 12 Gluing with double-sided tape We recommend an industrial grade porous (“foam”) tape for this application. Applying the tape across the entirety of the underside of the solar panel will improve the bond quality.
  • Page 8 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 8 of 12 Even a small amount of trapped air can result in premature reduction in solar panel output, or a complete failure of the solar panel, due to the constant warming and cooling of the air each day and night, which increases surface tension and stretches the surface material.
  • Page 9 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 9 of 12 If your solar panel width (and the length of each adhesive line) is greater than 600 mm, break the adhesive lines in the middle of the solar panel with a gap of at least 100 mm to allow for additional escape routes for air and rain water.
  • Page 10 Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 10 of 12 Important! For difficult shaped roofs where a rebounding motion of the solar panel is likely, use other means to secure the solar panel in place while the adhesive dries. This may involve using weights (distributed evenly across the solar panel) or tape.
  • Page 11: Electrical Connection

    Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 11 of 12 To fit a solar panel with a rear junction box: • Most rear junction box solar panels come with a round junction box. Drill a round, appropriately sized hole into the mounting surface (typically 30 mm) so that the rear junction box fits well.
  • Page 12: Cleaning And Care

    Handling and Fitting Manual for semi-flexible solar panels EFLX series Page 12 of 12 Keep the maximum system voltage that can flow through your semi-flexible solar panel(s) to a minimum. In a solar system with multiple semi-flexible solar panels, the preferred method of connection is in parallel (rather than in series).