I'm looking for sheets 4 x 8 ft or so to make a solar collector. I'm wanting something that isn't too expensive and flexable. Ken
what plastic do I need?
Oct 27, 2005
5 Replies
Most plastics will degrade when exposed to the environment. Consider using glass, or one of the specialty plastics designed for solar collection.
Also consider asking on alt.energy.homepower or one of the other solar related groups.
Pete C.
You can buy sheets of clear polycarbonate, single or double wall, from
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. It's one of the few plastics that will hold up in outdoor use.
I've tried this before. Your better off going with aluminum than the best lexan and aluminum backed. You also need to put in slotted holes for expansion and contraction. Unless your talking 3 dimensional and then you'll want to go mosaic glass mirror or mylar.
If you use glass I suggest safety glass or tempered. One of my students has a friend who went through a glass window yesterday. Fourteen year old girl with a stitched up thigh. Of course it could have been worse. Karl
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