[RE-wrenches] Module snail trails

[Bryan Norkunas]

Looking at the pictures again, I wonder if there might be a pinhole in the back lamination that is allowing water into the module.




Bryan Norkunas

PV-Cables Inc.

989 Milton Ave Ste 1D

Ferndale CA 95536

(707) 923-3000 office

www.pv-cables.com<http://www.pv-cables.com/>

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________________________________
From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of Jon Dixon via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:07 AM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Cc: Jon Dixon <jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Module snail trails

Hello All,

I have a local utility with a 50Kw array installed in 2015 consisting of 200 ReneSola 250w modules and 3 SMA Tripower 15000TL-US -10. They are having Arc fault code on two of the inverters. This has been going on for a few years now. It happens a couple times a year generally after a large rain. They just reset the code and it comes back to life.

They gave me a walk through and we noticed that a number of modules have snail trails. I have attached a closeup picture I took and IR views of affected module and non affected. It was a 90 deg day when the utility took the IR pictures.

Causes for snail trails that I found:

  *   The difference in chemical properties of EVA foils and the silver contacts
  *   The degradation extent of the EVA material
  *   Water vapor permeability of the solar panel’s backsheet material

I did find that if you have snail trails you will have micro fractures. I did see some info that micro fractures could cause arc faults.

Finally my question is can snail trails cause arc faults also?


Thanks Jon

--
Jonathan Dixon
Dixon Power Systems
3250 N 20th St  Ste 1
Lincoln, NE 68521
402-467-3240
jon at dixonpowersystems.com<mailto:jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
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