Life of a solar PV system

thenudeone

The general assumption is that panels will last 25 years and are generally "guaranteed" to provide 80% of the initial power at that age,
But when the small print is scrutinised, they seem very weak.

For example, Sanyo's states:

SANYO shall guarantee each Module concerned, for a period of twenty (20) [amended to 25] years as of sale to Ultimate Customer, against any functions falling short of 80 per cent of the minimum power output measured when voltage is at an optimum and under standard test conditions of 1,000 W/m², 1.5 AM at a cell temperature of 25°C, as specified in the table beneath. Should SANYO discover such power deficiency caused by faulty material or poor workmanship, SANYO shall repair the defect, at their own discretion exclusively, in one of the following ways:
- delivery of additional Modules to compensate for the power deficiency
- repair or exchange of each Module concerned.

So the customer would still be left with removal, shipping, testing?? and re-installation costs

Yingli's is even more weak.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yinglisolar.com%2Fpdf%2FYingli_Warranty.pdf&ei=IsyRTe_wHsmwhAf8hLSYDw&usg=AFQjCNHRn3c3YqoeA6Z0JMqQ_l7QGV_ooQ
Replacement depends on Yingli agreeing that the loss is caused by manufacturing defect or defective materials
"at it sole and absolute discretion"

Based on experience to date, how concerned should I be about these guarantees and also on physical failure (eg cracks, misting or fading) or damage due to excessive snow or wind? Sorry - that's 3 questions in 1!

grahamc2003

I think the government calls you a solar pioneer.

I think you need a pioneer's spirit, and not dwell too long on the long term practicalities you outline, let alone dwell on whether fits will last unchanged for 25 years (even though guaranteed by the, or rather this, government).

thenudeone

I think of myself as a pioneer with the heart of an accountant!

Cardew

If the output drops more than specified - how would you know?

Most of the installers will be working with other product in a few years. I doubt any solar PV will be installed in UK when FITs are stopped.

Can you imagine ringing up Sanyo/Sharp etc(if they are still in business in UK) and say you think you have a fault with the PV panels. The onus will be on you to get an authoriative report from a MCS certified installer(if there any in business in UK) confirming they are faulty.

PeterZ_2

Any failures are likely be many years down the line, will the installer still be in business? Will the manufacturer even be in business? What if the panels were made in China and you have to pay the shipping costs?

But the good news is that panel failures seem to be very rare so maybe cross fingers and hope for the best?

In fact has anyone ever heard of any panels failing? Anyone got any links or details? Some people (the pioneers) have had panels for many years, surely there must have been some failures by now?

keith_r59

I wouldn't worry too much, with inflation rampant and utility prices soaring the break even point for solar PV is coming down more rapidly than originally envisaged.

Cardew

PeterZ wrote: »

In fact has anyone ever heard of any panels failing? Anyone got any links or details?

If you 'Google' PV Panel Failure there are 72,300 sites!!

However if you read them you would probably never buy a PV panel as they give a totally incorrect impression about something that is inherently reliable.

It appears that ingress of water, is the one area that could cause problems. I suppose something on the roof that is subject to the extremes of -20C and +50C would only need a slight flaw for the bonding to break down.

Let us hope the local yobs don't realise just how much damage hurling a brick could cause! Presumably the 'rent a roof' firms insure their systems against this sort of damage?

PeterZ_2

Cardew wrote: »

If you 'Google' PV Panel Failure there are 72,300 sites!!

However if you read them you would probably never buy a PV panel as they give a totally incorrect impression about something that is inherently reliable.

It appears that ingress of water, is the one area that could cause problems. I suppose something on the roof that is subject to the extremes of -20C and +50C would only need a slight flaw for the bonding to break down.

Let us hope the local yobs don't realise just how much damage hurling a brick could cause! Presumably the 'rent a roof' firms insure their systems against this sort of damage?

I was looking more for a real case of a failed panel, in particular one from the UK. A search for "PV panel failure" in quotes for an exact match only yeilds 5 results on google. Without the quotes you get a lot of results but the majority are not relevant.

I'm curious not so much about the theory of how they can fail, but a real life example of someone in the UK who has had a panel fail. I've not been able to find an example and would love to see one, just purely out of my own curiousity.

Of course in ten years time the whole country may be littered with failed panels.

I reckon some of these rent a roof companies will be bust in ten years time, once inverters and panels start to fail, the costs (not of part but labour) will be high. The returns are far too tight for a sensible business model. What will happen if they have used a bad batch of panels that all fail in ten years time? It will cost them an arm and leg to replace them all.

PeterZ_2

Cardew wrote: »

Let us hope the local yobs don't realise just how much damage hurling a brick could cause!

Wow, I hope the local yobs dont realise that glass windows can break and cars can be scratched, I can imagine smashed windows and keyed cars all over the country!