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Old 10-28-2013, 01:33 PM   #1
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Can you let a solar panel freeze?

I have a portable 80 watt solar panel in my trailer. I live in MN and sometimes we have 25 below zero weather.
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Can I leave my solar panel in the trailer all winter?
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Old 10-28-2013, 01:45 PM   #2
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Absolutely. At least with all that I have seen.
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Old 10-28-2013, 02:20 PM   #3
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I have a portable 80 watt solar panel in my trailer. I live in MN and sometimes we have 25 below zero weather.
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Can I leave my solar panel in the trailer all winter?

Silicon is already frozen, (a solid). The freezing temperature of silicon is around 200°C.
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Old 10-28-2013, 03:38 PM   #4
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I know it gets cold in Minnesota Kevin but pretty sure not cold enough to damage the solar - or at least I hope not!
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Old 10-28-2013, 03:57 PM   #5
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Silicon is already frozen, (a solid). The freezing temperature of silicon is around 200°C.
They're Solid state..... Sorry. Raz
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Old 10-28-2013, 03:59 PM   #6
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yes…..
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Old 10-28-2013, 06:53 PM   #7
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Silicon actually changes state from a liquid to a solid (freezes or melts, depending on whether the temperature is going up or down) at 2,577°F (1,414°C)
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Old 10-28-2013, 08:04 PM   #8
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Silicon actually changes state from a liquid to a solid (freezes or melts, depending on whether the temperature is going up or down) at 2,577°F (1,414°C)

Apparently that's what wikipedia says. I know that "solid state" devices get destroyed at around 200°C, many are rated at 125°C maximum operating temperature and 190°C maximum storage temperature. Could be the "doping" materials lower the melting point.
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Old 10-28-2013, 08:41 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman View Post
Apparently that's what wikipedia says. I know that "solid state" devices get destroyed at around 200°C, many are rated at 125°C maximum operating temperature and 190°C maximum storage temperature. Could be the "doping" materials lower the melting point.
So, am I to surmise that at 25 below zero the solar panel will be OK?

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Old 10-28-2013, 08:49 PM   #10
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Apparently that's what wikipedia says. I know that "solid state" devices get destroyed at around 200°C, many are rated at 125°C maximum operating temperature and 190°C maximum storage temperature. Could be the "doping" materials lower the melting point.
Yes, heat destroys electronics but probably not by causing damage to the silicon. Lead, which was a major componet of solder, melts at 183°C. The newer lead-free stuff melts at around 200°C. In any event, if they get too hot the components will literally melt apart.

Cold is usually not a problem with electronics. In some devices (like heat-seeking missiles), they are in contact with liquid nitrogen at −195.8 °C.
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Old 10-28-2013, 08:54 PM   #11
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Cold is usually not a problem with electronics. In some devices (like heat-seeking missiles), they are in contact with liquid nitrogen at −195.8 °C.
Normal winter temps up here.
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Old 10-28-2013, 08:59 PM   #12
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Apparently that's what wikipedia says. I know that "solid state" devices get destroyed at around 200°C, many are rated at 125°C maximum operating temperature and 190°C maximum storage temperature. Could be the "doping" materials lower the melting point.
It is more likely the fine gold wires which connect the chip to the pins. Or other components inside of the chip. There are all kinds of things other than just the IC itself embedded in an IC. Resisters, capacitors, etc.
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Old 10-28-2013, 11:33 PM   #13
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Yes, heat destroys electronics but probably not by causing damage to the silicon. Lead, which was a major componet of solder, melts at 183°C. The newer lead-free stuff melts at around 200°C. In any event, if they get too hot the components will literally melt apart.

Cold is usually not a problem with electronics. In some devices (like heat-seeking missiles), they are in contact with liquid nitrogen at −195.8 °C.
FYI,,, There's no solder inside semiconductor devices. The gold wires are sonic welded to the silicon and the carrier. Correction, the only solder inside a semiconductor device is the solder that holds the silicon (chip) the carrier.
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Old 10-29-2013, 06:21 AM   #14
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It is more likely the fine gold wires which connect the chip to the pins. Or other components inside of the chip. There are all kinds of things other than just the IC itself embedded in an IC. Resisters, capacitors, etc.
Thus the name,Integrated Circuit ?
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Old 10-29-2013, 07:43 AM   #15
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Thus the name,Integrated Circuit ?
Yes of course. However I was actually talking about individual components bonded to the carrier of the IC.

IC is one of those words which is contextual. There are thousands of ICs created on a slice of silicon. In that context the IC also has resistors and capacitors as well as transistors, formed right on/in the silicon.

Break those ICs into individual units and they are then bonded down to a carrier, essentially a miniature circuit board, where other individual components are added. This carrier is then installed in a plastic (or ceramic) body which is what you see. Most people think of and call those ICs as well. It is this level that is damaged by the heat. OTOH the interior piece of silicon is often damaged by static electricity, another discussion entirely.
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Old 10-29-2013, 07:51 AM   #16
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Mmmm! Frozen solar panels...Taste Gooood!

Okay, this post isn't helpful.. Skip right over it.
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Old 10-29-2013, 08:00 AM   #17
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Mmmm! Frozen solar panels...Taste Gooood!

Okay, this post isn't helpful.. Skip right over it.
LOL. You coulda put the last line first!
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Old 10-29-2013, 08:31 AM   #18
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So, am I to surmise that at 25 below zero the solar panel will be OK?

Spanke
Well Spanke in theory it should or at least its the theory of a bunch of folks on the internet whom you have never meet. YMMV
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Old 10-29-2013, 10:05 AM   #19
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The solar cells on the Mars rovers get way colder then any on Earth.
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Old 10-29-2013, 10:07 AM   #20
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no doubt. However they aren't "consumer grade" either.
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