Solar panel delamination

[stephen_h]

I have 3 semi flexible solar panels on the cabin top.

2 of them are delaminating. There is a top layer of clear plastic
that is lifting and has let water in and is now going Green.

They are about 4 years old.

Are they kaput or can I clean them and will they carry on working??

 

[mikegunn]

What make are they?

Mike

 

[TQA]

Very common problem especially in the tropics and on installations where the panel is allowed or made to flex.

1 to 3 years and they are done.

 

[William_H]

You can try cleaning the cells themselves. However only an amp meter will tell you if you are successful or not and any clean up will probably not last long. ie have new ones. ol'will

 

[GTom]

Happens, semiflex panels, even expensive ones don't live long. Make sure that they're wired parallel/better: have their own controller and use them until they effectively die.

 

[Bobc]

Mine did the same. Lasted about 4 years.

 

[peteK]

I have 3 semi flexible solar panels on the cabin top.

2 of them are delaminating. There is a top layer of clear plastic
that is lifting and has let water in and is now going Green.

They are about 4 years old.

Are they kaput or can I clean them and will they carry on working??

If they are just starting to delaminate you can repair them with clear sticky tape the stuff that is sold for greenhouses
And you will get a few more years out of them.

 

[johnalison]

My German solar panels are maybe 10 yrs old and look as good as new. A friend bought the same ones a year before and they look as if they are delaminating, so perhaps my care in avoiding stepping on them has repaid the effort. I have no means of testing their efficiency, but they appear to be functioning adequately.

 

[stephen_h]

Thanks for the replys. Very surprised that this seems to be normal since they are not cheap!

Very rare that they get walked on and only by mistake.

It looks like UV damage since it has gone brittle.

 

[KAM]

Worth running an anaerobic sealant round the edges. It wicks into the gaps and seems to prolong their life. I have one which started delamination shortly after installation which now looks quite bad but doesn't seem to affect performance.

 

[macd]

Semi-flexible panels are for the most part fastidiously designed and manufactured: they outlast the warranty. But not by much.
Rigids may not be so user-friendly, especially on smaller boats, but they're cheaper and far more durable.
All this learned the hard way.