FIX & UPGRADE – Restoration and increase of Solar Panel energy production
Project Re-cap
The project from 2 years ago, detailed here, built a solar energy charger using these system elements: Solar Panel, Charge Controller, Battery, Inverter. Last year, an upgrade was performed to increase the batteries to provide more storage capacity, as described in Update #1.
Solar Panel Failure
The system has operated satisfactorily for almost exactly 2 years, but then it was observed that no energy was being produced. After investigation, it was discovered that the solar panel had developed a fault. The panel was a flexible’ model, and by slightly bending it, energy was intermittently produced. Hence clearly there was an internal breakdown of connectivity.
Solar Panel Replacement & Upgrade
Since a replacement was needed, it was decided to purchase a more robust, ‘fixed (i.e. non-flexible) solar panel, which has a solid frame and securely mount onto a brick wall. Taking advantage of the overall lower cost of fixed vs flexi panels, it was decided to opt for an increase to 100W for the replacement.
![RatingInformation](https://usercontent.one/wp/www.yellowsbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Rating-1024x768.jpg)
This will bring the advantage of producing more energy during sunny periods, which will compensate for the need to mount the panel on a wall where it receives slightly less direct sunlight hours.
![100W Solar Panel](https://usercontent.one/wp/www.yellowsbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/100W-Solar-Panel-mounted-1024x768.jpg)
The installation of the replacement panel was relatively straight-forward, using ‘Z-brackets’ to affix to the wall.
![zbrackets](https://usercontent.one/wp/www.yellowsbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Z-Brackets-1024x768.jpg)
It came with MC-4 connector terminated cable ‘tails’, which were plugged into the existing positive and negative connections.
![Connector Block & MC4 tails](https://usercontent.one/wp/www.yellowsbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Conector-Block-MC4-tails-1024x768.jpg)
Power generation was resumed immediately, with an extremely healthy 4A (roughly double of the previous 50W panel, as expected) confirming the success of the remedy.
![Charge Display](https://usercontent.one/wp/www.yellowsbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Charge-Display-1024x768.jpg)
Conclusions
Alas, it transpires that the originally chosen ‘flexi’ type of solar panel is not very ‘robust’ and consequently is only warranted for 1 year. It is somewhat disappointing that only such a short life-span is achieved, especially since it had been mounted on shed-type roof without experiencing disturbance or damage.
Happily, the replacement ‘fixed’ type of solar panel is warranted for 10 years, so should operate for a considerably longer time. And given that like-for-like it is less expensive, then it is concluded that this should be selected to ensure maximum lifetime and collection capacity for the same outlay.
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