Comments on: Solar’s silent killer: Backsheets are shortening some project lifespans

By: Jerry S Steger

Jerry S Steger — Tue, 31 May 2022 01:13:36 +0000

Was wondering if the cracks can be siliconed closed. Would it be possible to resin/fiberglass the back panels in the case of residential use? Found these for sale online: https://store.santansolar.com/product/santan-solar-t-series-240w-cracked-vinyl/ which are affordable for me but not if they cannot be repaired to a safe-use state.

By: Kelly Pickerel

Kelly Pickerel — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 16:53:32 +0000

In reply to Judith. Not all polymer-based backsheets have PFOS/PFAS principles.

By: Judith

Judith — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 16:34:42 +0000

Iy’s not all about energy output. The material used in backsheets is a polymer. We know these as per-polyflouroakyl or PFOS/PFAS, GenX, etc. When the backsheet is exposed to the environment erosion occurs thus releasing the toxic “forever chemical” onto the ground, water, air and eventually into the food supply and the consumer, us. I know output is important but so is human health. The number of panels, all eroding at some rate, is alarming to me. A better product is required.

By: Mike Caldwell

Mike Caldwell — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 09:59:33 +0000

One point that is missed: failures due to hot spots. A hot spot can get hot enough to melt through the bnacksheet, which even Tedlar cannot resist. This is especially likely where there are cell microcracks in the area of the hot spot: the microcrack concentrates the reverse current caused heat. But since all panels are built the same, with bypass diodes which do not totally prevent hot spots, that issue is not mentioned.

However the real cure is to prevent hot spots altogether. The IdealPV panels, made with 230 quarter cells in a single string without any bypass diodes, has eliminated hot spots by stopping reverse cell conduction altogether. This was verified by the physics department of Harvey Mudd College. The partially shaded area is actually cooler than surrounding cells.

By: Lanre Kehinde OYELADE

Lanre Kehinde OYELADE — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 09:53:50 +0000

From the consumer protection angle, I think it is high time a regulatory body, backed with adequate legislation, is setup to ensure worldwide, that equipment manufacturers meet certain minimum standards in their roll outs of Backsheets. If the foundation is weak through the use of substandard materials for roll out of Backsheets, this will go all out to impact very negatively on the quality of the end product.

The acceptable standard must be that:
1. Usage of any raw material that will bring about early degradation of Backsheets should be discontinued in the manufacturing process of Solar Panels.

2. The legislation should empower the Regulatory Body to seal off any company found culpable of circumventing this standard.

3. The legislation should also empower a process of recovery of losses in investment. It could be any of the following:
(a) Outright replacement of such panels by the defaulting companies.
(b) Payment for damages which in addition to replacing the defective Solar Panels, may range from refund of freight and Installation costs to payment for power production loss cost for the period of redress.
In other words, there should be very stiff penalty.

This is to ensure that Solar Panels performances stands or lasts the warranty period stamped on them by OEMs.

Please note that if accelerated solar usage growth by the general public must be encouraged then It is my considered opinion that consumer protection is very key to achieving this feat.

Thank you.

It is a rip off o the consumer if

By: JACOB AJEIIGBE

JACOB AJEIIGBE — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 01:09:16 +0000

No knowledge is lost, this is another eyes opener to installer, inspecting engineer to take note for good quality projects. Thanks

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:40:21 +0000

DSM has worked with independent engineers and use of their backsheet (polyolefine-based) provides 10% longer useful life. Have anyone here tried that?

By: Solarman

Solarman — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 00:58:15 +0000

I don’t know if it would help or hurt, but early on when solar PV was the power supply of remote telemetry sites, one would go to these desolate regions and find ‘someone’ had thrown a rather large rock and cracked the panel glass. We found that one could actually repair with some production loss these solar PV panels and continue to use them. Back in the early 1980’s 50 watt panels were in the $75 to $50/watt price range. Sodium silicate or ‘egg glass’ can be brushed into the cracks filling the opening and sealing the panel. In the early 1990’s solar PV panel prices dropped to the $15 to $20/watt price point and we started to replace broken panels as part of the O&M process.

Now I’m going to have to hump myself up on the garage roof and check the underside of my solar panels for cracks and signs of heat damage. Thanks for the heads up.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 14:44:16 +0000

Good you all , reporting on this. We see issues for sure, working on tons of older systems.

By: Alok C Sapre

Alok C Sapre — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 02:58:00 +0000

Fantastic study oriented write up Kelly, I am no way connected with industry but do consulting on viability of projects in India for banks, now it’s an important learning from this article.

Problem in Indian market is competition and quality issues as market is yet to see real O&M expenses and the research is still a far cry.

Thanks for wonderful information.

By: David

David — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 17:15:19 +0000

As a Residential PV solar service technician, I am starting to see this same problem on residential installations. Most of the systems were installed from 2010 to 2015. I won’t name specific manufacturers but I have seen the problem across several brands. I first thought it could be a coastal salty air problem but then started seeing it on panels installed inland over 50 miles from coast. Its very difficult to get support from manufacturer’s as well on these issues and customers are typically left with purchasing new panels.

By: Graham

Graham — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 10:10:55 +0000

Very interesting and informative especially now that utility scale offtake rates are so competitive. Panel failure can be a big problem a few years down the line.

By: Chris Davis

Chris Davis — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 21:41:19 +0000

There’s an awful lot of these modules needing early retirement. We received a few thousand at one of our recycling plants, but were told by a client it likely impacts millions of panels.