Solar panel film peeling

[Dutchy]

Hiya, I noticed peeling of a thin transparent film layer on top of my flex solar panel - 11 months old. It doesn't look like the packaging protective film, but not sure. Solar power output is working but not sure if I have lost any effectivity because of it.
Any ideas? Can I just peel it off?

 

[JumpShip]

I wonder if you could peel it and stick a fresh layer of fablon on it for protection?

 

[Dellmassive]

That's not good if it's delaminating.

What make and model?

Only a year old?

 

[Bargy62]

@Dutchy peel it off probably dont work properly with all the bubbles anyway i had a new number plate with 2 layers of protective film peeled the first one off never noticed the second one but it went like your solar panel after a year

 

[Dutchy]

IKR, No sign of model on the panel. Am asking original converting company in parallel. Yep, only less than a year.

 

[Bargy62]

I wonder if you could peel it and stick a fresh layer of fablon on it for protection?

make sure it's UV resistant

 

[Dutchy]

@Dutchy peel it off probably dont work properly with all the bubbles anyway i had a new number plate with 2 layers of protective film peeled the first one off never noticed the second one but it went like your solar panel after a year

As you said, I might just peel it off as in probably a few months it will be gone anyway. Just checking with converting company in parallel, just in case of warranty etc.
It feels that layer is just a protection one against the elements/scratches......

 

[Macsurfer]

As you said, I might just peel it off as in probably a few months it will be gone anyway. Just checking with converting company in parallel, just in case of warranty etc.
It feels that layer is just a protection one against the elements/scratches......

Hiya did you get a reply on this? Mine is doing the same thing

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Drive Wayne]

I received a replacement 6 months ago for a similarly delaminating Photonic Universe 180 watt flexible panel. Get in quickly under warranty! I was advised to peel the top layer off by PU, shouldn't be an issue unless you drive through low hanging branches on a regular basis. My panel worked perfectly even with the bubbles.

 

[Macsurfer]

My installer advised that the manufacturers refer to this as a "decorative" layer, and can be peeled off, as there are 2 further transparent layers underneath this. I removed mine completely. Makes an excellent drawer liner lol

 

[Paul7807]

Sorry to pull this thread back up.
Was wondering how long is the warranty on these panels??
As when cleaning the van yesterday the protective layer blew straight of when I pressure washing the roof rails.
The layer beneath is bubbling aswell.
As shown in the photos.

 

[Drive Wayne]

I hate to say it but that delaminating signalled the beginning of the end for my last flexi. It didn't last long after removing the top layer.
Photonic Universe did send me a replacement panel, but having 2 fail in 3 years I went all rigid.
How old is that panel? You may be lucky...?!

 

[Dellmassive]

It's delaminating, a common problem on some cheaper panels.

Warranty is normally 1-2 years on most.

Any idea what makes it is? How long is been on?

 

[Paul7807]

Thanks for the replies,
I'm not sure what make it is.
I think it could b photonic universe after a bit of googling, but its 3yr old in April.
On their website they say they got 3 yr warranty so I'll have to chase the installers up 2moz and get more details.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Thanks for the replies,
I'm not sure what make it is.
I think it could b photonic universe after a bit of googling, but its 3yr old in April.
On their website they say they got 3 yr warranty so I'll have to chase the installers up 2moz and get more details.

It looks the same as my two old 180 watt PU panels. Is it a 180?
My old ones were meant to be of Austrian manufacture, I'm sure they were both from the China... 2 year warranty I had on those.

 

[Paul7807]

I think its a 160w thats how I put it down to the photonic 1. Hopefully its is and has a 3yr warrenty ill find out a bit more tomorrow.

 

[Paul7807]

update:-
well i have spoken to the guys who fitted my panel and they said there shouldnt be a problem with replacement just send them the barcode on the panel and well go from there.
fingers crossed all goes well.
i also asked about upgrading the panel and they said we can discuss at the time.
i was thinking of this:-

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

12V solar panel solar charging kits for motorhome caravan boat campervan yacht marine off-grid

www.photonicuniverse.com

but im unsure as if i remember correct it had to be under a certain voltage to be use with the ctek that im currently using?
if anyone could help with that that would be great.
Thanks

 

[Bigsidavies]

Yeah thats over the ctek max open circuit voltage of 23V.
My advice would be keep the ctek for dc-dc and add a victron mppt for solar. You can have whatever panel you want then. But more importantly you'll have redundancy should your ctek encounter a problem. Also the CTEK is max 20Amps. So if your panel is generating 10 you will still only get 20A going in, not 30.. On short journeys with a heavily depleted battery you could have the 20 from the CTEK and whatever the solar is giving so it removes another limitation of the CTEK.
That's what I've done after having a CTEK issue in Spain which left me with no solar or dc-dc. Bought a Victron in Spain and wired it in. The Victron MPPT are an inexpensive unit and easy to fit inline in the solar cable run.