Here it is, with the helium in it already. Easy to see, isn't it? Still left to do: Goop around the wires, which was probably not necessary, given that they are surrounded by polyurethane right under the aluminum channel, but I wanted it there for insurance. I also wanted some kind of cap for the corners, but I couldn't find anything like that in my exhaustive search of a single hardware store. So, eager to finish the panel, I bought a strip of aluminum, and cut it into triangles. The corners themselves still lacked coverings, but I didn't think that to be an utter necessity; at least the tops would have some reinforcement. I also wanted to caulk the inner edges of the C-channels. Finished. The aluminum triangles are epoxied in place on the corners, the wires are Gooped, and all edges are caulked. Something I didn't mention yet - that little circle in the center is a small cylinder of aluminum, also epoxied in place. It provides support for the polycarbonate in the event of strong winds, hail, or whatever else might put a lot of pressure on the front. It was something else I had to make myself, cut to the right size from a larger rod.

As of the time of this writing, March 7, 2005, the panel has been outside for 4 days and nights, and has no condensation at all. It has reached 45^oC (113^oF) just today, with an air temp of 10^oC (50^oF). There is a winter storm coming sometime in the next few days. I intend to let the panel stay outside for it. I am hopeful that it will survive intact. If it does, it's going to be subjected to worse conditions - full submersion in water, weight applied to simulate strong wind, and flying ice to simulate hail.

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