Are my solar panels knackered ?? :)

[tonka]

In process of adding 2 x 170w panels to my van. Been on roof to clean area ready.
I have 2 existing panels, wattage unknown BUT I am going to assume maybe 100 or 120w each, they came already fitted on my 2014 registered van that i bought s/h in 2019. Can only assume they may have been fitted as long as 10 years ago..

While on roof i cleaned off these panels and noticed what look like fishers / cracks as per pics. Not in the top glass but in the solar section below..
I have not been getting very good solar since i fitted the smart shunt to monitor, very very max was i once touched 6 amp, often 2 amp or less.
Regulator is MPPT Votronic, when i once measured voltage at the input it was under 17v.

Thoughts please... Think these have gone ?? I might just take them off and restart with my 2 x 170w panels..

 

[Manic]

Interested in answer because mine have similar marks but they seem to work ok.

 

[WESTY66]

Interested in answer because mine have similar marks but they seem to work ok.

As do mine

 

[Lenny HB]

I can't remember the technical terms for the worms Raul will know.
I expect the output will still be good from the panels.
Have you wired the new panels to a seperate controller?

 

[Manic]

Snail trails are what they’re called I think

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[tonka]

I can't remember the technical terms for the worms Raul will know.
I expect the output will still be good from the panels.
Have you wired the new panels to a seperate controller?

Lenny, the current 2 panels are in parellel and go though the Votronic 250 and via the EBL... I swopped out the old PWM regulator some time ago.
I now have a Victron 75/30 mppt in place ready and a new cable run so taking out the EBL.

Just been up and lifted one of the panels.. Victron 100w.
Most i think i ever saw during this summer was 60w... They are still working but just seem to do it slowly and I suspect on less power due to those lines / crack reducing the effeciency.

 

[Raul]

Snail trails, caused by micro cracks of the cell, and expansion from heat. As they expand due to cracks, the matrix stretches and burns out. It slowly deactivates the cell transmission of current, the more it has them, the less performance.
These traits are more common on old technology. On newer: half cut, top con and perc cells, the snail trails have been non existent so far.

 

[Lenny HB]

Solar output in the UK has been naff this year it's been OK the last week but previously I've experienced very low output. It's been bright & sunny but there has been a lot of haze hardly noticeable to the eye but it reduces solar output considerably.

 

[1967bowesj]

Solar output in the UK has been naff this year it's been OK the last week but previously I've experienced very low output. It's been bright & sunny but there has been a lot of haze hardly noticeable to the eye but it reduces solar output considerably.

Keeps the summer heat down too Lenny HB !!

 

[Dutch 68]

Snail trails, caused by micro cracks of the cell, and expansion from heat. As they expand due to cracks, the matrix stretches and burns out. It slowly deactivates the cell transmission of current, the more it has them, the less performance.
These traits are more common on old technology. On newer: half cut, top con and perc cells, the snail trails have been non existent so far.

In which case if you are adding two new ones you might as well swap out the old ones too, the panels are not that expensive

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[Guigsy]

In which case if you are adding two new ones you might as well swap out the old ones too, the panels are not that expensive

Might leave ugly screw holes and adhesive marks on the roof though.

 

[oldiesontour]

Never likely to get anywhere near the rated output with panels laid flat and UK weather ,
I'm getting about 22ah now in what to the eye appears good sun from 640w of solar

 

[tonka]

I have gone for it and removed them..
Will start fresh with the 2 new panels (170w) that i have..

Will use the old ones on my shed to power some garden / patio mains lights.. Have 2 spare lead acid batteries and an inverter lying about.

 

[tonka]

Well almost done.. Old panels off..
2 x 170w panels fitted in parallel, straight into the Victron 75/30.
Big difference already.. Only a bit of cable work to tidy and off next week to give it a try..