[RE-wrenches] 13 YR Old Modules with cracking backsheets

Fri Jan 24 14:54:24 PST 2025

I''ve got multiple Q.Cell 235 watt module sites with the same issue and
some are even shattering. Noticed it on a Canadian Solar project from 2014
as well. I don't care that the new products are entirely different and
produced at different facilities, I'll never use products from either
manufacturer again.

Nick

On Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM David Buckner via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Following up on this, the manufacturer has stated that this is a known
> issue for a run of modules they had back in the summer of 2012.  It’s
> called chalking and the back sheets are degrading faster than what is
> typical, and unfortunately these modules are out of their 10  year
> workmanship warranty.  Eventually the glass breaks and the performance
> drops but you cannot make a performance warranty claim on a damaged
> module.  So essentially the manufacturer appears to have waited until the
> 10 year workmanship warranty was up before notifying customers about this
> issue leaving them with no options.
>
>
>
> David Buckner
>
> President
>
> Solar Energy Systems
>
> 917-848-0215
>
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>
> dbuckner at solaresystems.com
>
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> *From:* David Buckner
> *Sent:* Monday, January 13, 2025 12:14 PM
> *To:* 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Subject:* 13 YR Old Modules with cracking backsheets
>
>
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> We have discovered quite a few modules at a particular site that are
> showing cracking in the back sheets.  It appears these modules are not
> underperforming yet, but we assume it’s a matter of time before they all
> water and start causing the glass to shatter.  Some of the modules at this
> site are at that shattered glass stage.  I’m assuming we should thermal
> image and keep an eye on potential hotspots, but any other advice would be
> great to hear.  Full removal isn’t out of the question, but this is about
> 40% of a 1MW rooftop system.
>
>
>
>
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