How to solder solar cells

In this video, I run through the preliminary set up of soldering the cells. Unfortunately, my soldering iron had a screw for the heating element slightly loose, and I had to cut to the next video.

 

 

In this video, I start the process of soldering the solar cells together after maintaining the soldering iron. These cells are particularly hard to solder to, as there seems to be some kind of thin coating on the leads on both sides of the cells. Using a generous amount of flux from the flux pen seems to help the adhesion of the tabbing wire to these points on the solar cell.  Too much flux will degrade the efficiency of the cells, as a thin layer of flux will creep outwards from where the tabbing wire lays.

It is important to not touch the surface of the cells as fingerprints will also degrade the efficiency of the cells.  Fingerprints can also damage the cells over time.. it is the same principle of not touching an automotive light bulb.