Curious "Tracking" on Solar Cells

[DBK]

While giving the van a wash yesterday before today's trip to Cornwall I noticed one of the solar panels had some curious "tracking" marks. They are not surface scratches and they run at 45° and sometimes change direction. The panel is still working, or appears to be. It is about seven years old.

Has anyone seen anything like this before? The panel was supplied by Sunstore and I think I will contact them next week. But first, if we get a sunny day, I will disconnect it and see what the open circuit voltage is. This might show up if any of the cells have failed.

 

[gus-lopez]

No idea, very odd?

 

[Gromett]

looks like the silicon cells have cracked. Shouldn't be too much of an issue as the wires appear to be unbroken and are more flexible than the panel.

I am basing this on my experience of attempting to make my own solar panel.

Making the solar panels – FullTiming.info

 

[DBK]

looks like the silicon cells have cracked. Shouldn't be too much of an issue as the wires appear to be unbroken and are more flexible than the panel.

I am basing this on my experience of attempting to make my own solar panel.

Making the solar panels – FullTiming.info

[/QUOTE

Thank you, now I look more closely the wires are intact, well spotted. As you say this shouldn't be a major problem. The angle may be due to the crystalline structure?

I wonder how it was caused? This hail in Spain?

 

[eddie]

It’s quite common

It is known as “Panel Worm” in the South West.

B&Q do a spray for it

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[DBK]

It’s quite common

It is known as “Panel Worm” in the South West.

B&Q do a spray for it

So it shouldn't be a problem and all I need to do is pop a worming tablet into the fresh water tank every so often?

 

[Gromett]

Thank you, now I look more closely the wires are intact, well spotted. As you say this shouldn't be a major problem. The angle may be due to the crystalline structure?

I suspect it is the top layer (closest to the glass) of EVA has slighly delaminated from the glass and allowed the cells to sag a little in places and caused the cracks. Although a chemical issue may also be the cause as it looks like the lines aren't sharp so some sort of chemical process is taking place? It is not clear from the picture to be honest. The lines look straight which indicates a physical process, but the fuzziness seems to be a chemical process. Maybe a combination. Doesn't seem like a fatal issue. Although if it is still in warranty maybe get the manufacturers view?

 

[Just smiffy]

I think when the panels were made there were scratches of some sort on the back of the panel, over time damp has got in and it looks like corrosion has bled along the scratches...

 

[Geo]

It’s quite common

It is known as “Panel Worm” in the South West.

B&Q do a spray for it

Eddie forgot to mention this spray is sniffed and not applied to the panel.
This of course does nothing for the panel itself.
But after 5 or 6 good sniffs your not as concerned as you otherwise might be.
Abuse of these chemicals can seriously effect spelling and you start to use Z instead of S and believe the customers are always right.
You have been warned.

 

[PeteH]

One would suspect that, if Hail had been the cause, there would be some evidence of physical damage to the glass. I suspect (assume) that the glass itself is toughened or laminated. I have seen older vehicle windscreens which have started to delaminate. The Winnebago, (avatar) had the starting of that on the passenger side windscreen. I sort of agree with Grommit, it is likely to be a manifestaion of a manufacturing "defect" and as long as it is not affecting output is only cosmetic?.

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[Raul]

Google for snail trail on solar panels, and you will get lots of answers. You get them on poly and mono, mostly micro cracks, and majority due to manufacturing process. Some leave with it ok, and some will develop burned hot spots, due to heat expansion and fatigue. Voltage is not affected, but amps are, once the hot spot get bigger.

 

[DBK]

Google for snail trail on solar panels, and you will get lots of answers. You get them on poly and mono, mostly micro cracks, and majority due to manufacturing process. Some leave with it ok, and some will develop burned hot spots, due to heat expansion and fatigue. Voltage is not affected, but amps are, once the hot spot get bigger.

Thank you. The marks I can see are almost all at 45 degrees but the images of snail trails I've found are much more random. Whatever they are I fear I need to change it to be safe I think. Getting it off will be the challenge!

 

[Vipar]

Waste not want not.

Put them on your garage makes it warm to work in

 

[NewboyNB]

Broken Link Removed

 

[Coolcats]

Thank you. The marks I can see are almost all at 45 degrees but the images of snail trails I've found are much more random. Whatever they are I fear I need to change it to be safe I think. Getting it off will be the challenge!

NewboyNB link is an interesting paper and shows that there could be some power loss, in which case you could approach the manufacturer for a Warranty claim

Solar Panel International for example give 10 years warranty on their Panels

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