Solar panel life expectancy

[Owain]

What kind Regards of life expectancy can one expext from your typical flexible panel nowdays?

My 100watt panels seems to have given up the ghost after just 3 years.

I isolated panel and checked voltage; only seeing a volt.

Any recommendations? I want to fix and upgrade to 200watt.

 

[Dellmassive]

Any idea what make your panel was?

Most panel cells are listed as 10+ years.

Most whole panels are warranted for 1 or 2 years .

 

[t0mb0]

My 250w Flexi panel has been going for over five years now - not looking forward to the day it gives up, it's going to be a nightmare to remove!

 

[Dellmassive]

had these on the shed for 3year or so . . still going.

 

[Owain]

Suppose I just had a bit of bad luck.

How do they bear up to being shorted. Was wondering if a fault on my battery-battery come solar charger could cause issue.

Any recommendations for reputable dealers for panels? One that might still exist in a couple of years if panel does go pop?

 

[Dellmassive]

Shorting the panel temporarily wont damage it.


I've used these brands... No issues so far.

Renogy.
Lensun.
Photonic universe.

 

[Dellmassive]

This may help.

Solar PWM & MPPT Controllers - How I Done It -

Solar PWM & MPPT controllers - How I Done It - There is a lot of talk about Solar at the moment, and with spring not to far away i wanted to go over the whole Solar controller thing. The main components are the Panels themselves, the charge controller (whether that be stand alone or...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Owain]

Shorting the panel temporarily wont damage it.


I've used these brands... No issues so far.

Renogy.
Lensun.
Photonic universe.

Roll on trying to remove that sikoflex ;-(

Thanks for info.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Another failed solar panel

After a second flexi solar panel failure, I'm going for a rigid type in the hope that it's a last time fit & forget job. The first flexi to fail was a generic chinese one factory fitted to the poptop by Reimo, that lasted around 2 years. The second one, which has just failed was a Carbest...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Owain]

I have watched various you tube videos saying how shit these panels are. But i have just bought another this time renogy.

See how long it lasts.

I would say use only 10% of the sikaflex you think you need. Save agro. Its indistructable and save yourself mechanical removal time cleaning the shite off when you WILL have to replace panel in a couple of years.

 

[Skyliner33]

I have watched various you tube videos saying how shit these panels are. But i have just bought another this time renogy.

See how long it lasts.

I would say use only 10% of the sikaflex you think you need. Save agro. Its indistructable and save yourself mechanical removal time cleaning the shite off when you WILL have to replace panel in a couple of years.

Or just use Velcro instead.

 

[prog99]

Or just use Velcro instead.

Storm Arwen blew mine off when it was velcroed on!

 

[Qnapper]

On our old (now sold motorhome) the panels were fitted in 2013, and they are still going strong (350 watts worth) as I know the current owners. This is in Spain by the way so they are left out in the sun 247/365.
I was so happy with company, I fitted their 200watt version this year to our camper. Make NDS.

Would never ever use velcro...... asking for trouble.