Solar Panel Troubles

BigART

BigART

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Nov 2003
Messages
339
Visit site
I have a Solara solar panel that has failed after a year and a half. The connector block has corroded to destruction as shown below:

Solara 40 Panel Connector.jpg


Has anyone got an email address for Solara that they will respond to? I have tried the 'info' one on their website several times including in German but no response. I am sure they are not just ignoring me...

Angus
 
You can try Frank Heisse who is a sales manager:
heisse@solara.de
I have always found that he answers me and speaks/writes good English.
If you open the damaged 'box' that is shown in your foto, you will find there is nothing inside just a couple of soldered connections to the panel. I had a panel that failed and could produce a voltage intermittently by flexing the panel in the length direction. I never could find the fault and after contacting Solara (Frank Heisse) they me offered me a replacement at 50% cost ........ it was just out of warranty!!

Good luck,
Alan.
 
Obviously try the manufacturers for a replacement however..... Before you throw the old one away...
Open up the connector box. As Alan says there is not much in there. sometimes the diode and of course connections to the wiring.
You can check for voltage out of the panel while in the sun, you should get around 18 volts at the foil or similar connector strips to the solar cells. If you do then the problem is in the wire or the diode. The diode can be bypassed to test.
good luck olewill
 
I repaired 4 panels, that had corroded away at the connection box, due to the panels being cross connected. I took the box off, cut into the panels and soldered wires directly to the foil, then sealed them up with sikaflex, I havent had any trouble since.
 
OK, I'll give that a go. I tried it on a previous one but it did not work, must have been too far gone.

I have two of these 40w semi-flexible/walkable panels (different makes) on the deck in an area where they do not get walked on but they all seem to have the same built in fault and fail after 2-3 years. I am getting a little fed up with them.

Angus
 
I had corrosion problems in the junction box of a Solara solar panel after only three years. The main agent in the UK is Barden (a Google search will find them, but they usually advertise in the yachting mags..
They were very helpful, although I eventually delivered the panel back to them. It was sent to Germany, and appeared, much to the surprise of Barden who had offered me a new one at 50% off) repaired.
The problem was that the box (on the underside of the panel) hadn't been properly sealed around the join. I've heard of several other similar instances.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top