[RE-wrenches] PV Modules with short leads

[William Miller]

Colleagues:



I have finally finished off the half carload of Mission Solar MSE SX5T
panels I invested in a few years ago.  I am now shopping for panels for my
next projects.



I am a bit of a stickler for proper PV wire management.  I have spent years
developing reliable wire management techniques
<https://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/practices/PV_wiring/_PV_Wiring2.html>.
These practices require the leads emanate from the short side of the
panels.  This
<https://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/case_studies/31-Module_leads/Module_leads.html>
web site illustrates the difference between what I call “short-side” and
“long-side” lead placement.



Upon inquiring with my local Greentech I find they no longer stock panels
with short-side leads.  I looked further afield but it appears short-side
lead panels are being phased out.  Even worse, the long-side leads are
becoming very short.  See photo below of a common example.





I am dedicated to industry education so I am doing some academic research
on this issue.  Here are my questions:



1.   How do y’all that use these long-side, short-lead panels manage the
wire connections?  I assume most of your projects require some type of MLPE
so you can’t just daisy chain the modules via their own leads. Could you
provide a photo or two of this practice?

2.   Do you have to make jumpers for each lead?  Do you worry about
reliability of these extra connections?

3.   Have any of you found currently available modules that have short-side
leads?

4.   Do any of you use the wire management clips
<https://www.ironridge.com/component/accessories/> that some rail
manufacturers provide?  How far apart do you space these clips? Do they
seem to hold the leads without them drooping?  Could you provide photos of
these clips in use, please?



Thanks in advance for contributing to this study.



William Miller



Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985
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