Salutations, Solarites!
Sorry if my first post comes off as a desperate cry for help…there isn’t much information available on the internet about the predicament I’ve found myself in. I work for an electrical company and recently purchased 40 solar world 240 watt panels that were part of a Florida Department of Transportation solar field that was struck by lightning. It’s a mixed bag with a multimeter. Some panels showed absolutely little voltage, while others showed voltage close to the rated voltage of 33 volts or so. The rest of the numbers were either 10-12 or 20-22 volts DC. These panels appear to be three solar arrays, each wired in series at 12 volts DC. There are two types of junction boxes. The leads are screwed to terminals in the larger type of junction box. The other is a completely sealed type that only allows me to add diodes to the terminals with limited access. Both were sealed with silicon, which I had to scrape away in order to get to the metal posts. The first type of junction box has swelling of the plastic on the bottom of the box, making it difficult to reach without cutting it apart. I have not popped the plastic backing material on certain panels, which has expanded like a little balloon at the underside of the junction box. The smaller sealed junction boxes have no visible damage, but they still do not provide the rated power.
From the front, all of the panels appear to be in pristine condition, and there are no burn marks visible. My goal is to be able to rewire the ancient junction boxes without harming the imbedded wires. Because the heat damage appears to be at the box and internal box connections, I believe the most of the damage is there. Cutting into the hard plastic to uncover the wiring connections appears to be a time-consuming task. Perhaps a hot knife would be useful. These panels have diodes listed in the pdf file, but I don’t see them. It’s possible that this panel was not supplied with them, or that they’re covered under sealed plastic. I’m looking for advice on how to proceed with the least amount of damage feasible. I couldn’t find any information about changing these modern sealed junction boxes on the internet, so I assumed I’d ask the pros. I understand how important and difficult it is to seal water damage repairs.
Thank you in advance for any assistance. I will respond to any inquiries you may have as soon as possible.
What is the purpose of the solar panel junction box?
The solar panel’s connection box is frequently ignored. Installers pay it little consideration until attaching panels because it’s usually pre-installed on the underside of a solar module.
The PV junction box serves a basic but critical purpose: it houses and protects all of the electric components on a solar panel. Wires connect to diodes inside the panels, making it simple to join them.
Although solar developers and owners do not have a choice in junction box typemodule firms work out those contracts during manufacture, the importance of this enclosure is still crucial to understand, particularly because it houses more solar cells “technology that are smart
Bypass diodes in a junction box keep power flowing in one direction and prevent it from returning to the panels. The junction box, according to Frank Rosenkranz, product manager of solar for EMEA, India, and the Americas at connector and junction box manufacturer TE Connectivity, is “the heart of the solar system.” “The most crucial component of a panel.
Is it possible to repair a solar panel that has been damaged?
Solar panels are exposed to a number of circumstances that can damage them in some way over the course of their lives. There’s a potential that your solar panels will sustain minor damage at some point, whether it’s due to installation issues or the elements. While a faulty solar panel is not completely useless, it will not work to its full potential. A damaged panel can’t create as much power, but as long as the cell isn’t more than 20% damaged, it should be able to provide the majority of its rated voltage.
Cracked or broken solar panels will still provide electricity for homeowners wishing to install solar panels on a budget. They are, however, more likely to quit working sooner since frequent exposure to the outdoors damages the cells over time. So, if you want to buy solar panels that will last a long time, avoid ones that are fractured or broken.
There is no way to repair a solar panel once it has been harmed. You can’t reattach components that have broken off, however it will still work. Be careful of websites or individuals who claim to be able to repair your solar panels. To get the best performance out of PV panels, the cells must be properly sealed. The only option to restore optimal output is to replace the damaged panel.
Prevention and maintenance are the greatest ways for consumers who currently own solar panels to keep them in the best possible condition. Keeping your solar panels clean will allow them to produce the most electricity. However, avoid rinsing them with cold water since the warm panels may shatter if they come into touch with the cold. Instead, perform the task using warm water. Also, if there are any adjacent items, such as tree branches, trim them back so that storms don’t bring them crashing down on your panels.
While there isn’t much you can do to repair a solar panel that has already been damaged, you may try to avoid additional damage. You can keep solar panels running at full capacity if you keep up with maintenance.
What is a junction box’s purpose?
An electrical enclosure that accommodates one or more wiring connections is known as a junction box. The box shields the connections, which sometimes have vulnerable areas like wire splices, from the elements and inadvertent contact.
How do you reconnect solar panels’ wires?
So you’ve found the problem; now it’s time to repair it. The soldering iron comes into play at this point. To properly solder two broken wires back together, follow the procedures below.
- Remove the battery and turn off the light.
- Strip the wire’s two ends to reveal about 3/4 inch of wiring on each sides.
- Remove the heat shrink wrap from the package and place it over one of the wires. Make sure it’s far enough away from the exposed wire to avoid interfering with the soldering.
- Twist the two exposed wires together and coat the twisted wiring with Rosin Paste Flex.
- Bring the soldering iron to a high temperature. Apply some lead-free solder to the tip of the soldering iron and place it on the twisted wiring.
- With a moist sponge, wipe the soldering iron.
- Rep steps 5-6 until the exposed twisted wiring is completely coated in solder.
- Once the soldered region is completely covered in solder, apply silicone paste.
- Cover the soldered region with heat shrink wrap.
- Heat the heat shrink wrap with the heat gun until it tightly bonds to both wires.
Here’s a little video that takes you step by step through the soldering procedure.
What causes solar panels to crack?
The silicon used in solar cells is incredibly thin, and temperature cycling causes it to expand and contract. The solar panels expand over the day as the temperature rises. Larger microcracks can result from minor flaws in the silicon cell.
Twigs, Leaves and Dirt:
Debris on your solar panels can scrape them, reducing the amount of electricity produced. Keep the trees around your house pruned so that no branches or debris fall on your roof. For best effectiveness, clean your solar panels once a year using a garden hose and a soft cloth.
Hail Storms:
Hailstorms are no exception to the rule that bad weather is bad for roofs. If you live in a location with extreme weather, your solar expert should be able to advise you on the best solar setup for you.
Sunrun’s System Service Warranty Has You Covered
At the very least, most professional solar panel systems come with a 20-year warranty. However, many rooftop solar systems continue to generate electricity after the warranty period, which can last anywhere from 25 to 30 years.
That’s why, with chosen solar plans, we cover the lifespan of your system and provide a comprehensive 25-year service warranty.
Daily monitoring, free maintenance, repairs, and complete insurance are all included! You can only get these options if you have a specific solar plan. Now is the time to compare our solar plans and services. Our solar experts are here to assist you and answer any queries you may have.
For a solar panel, what kind of diode do I need?
When there is little or no light, solar panels require a diode to prevent current from flowing back into the battery. A 3 amp or 8 amp diode can be used in solar panels for this purpose. A bypass diode may also be used to prevent a shaded panel from drawing down neighboring panels. These are the identical diodes that can be used.
