<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Sorry...I meant to type 17.75V (71V).<br class=""><div apple-content-edited="true" class="">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><br class=""></div></div></div>
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<br class=""><div><div class="">On Jun 1, 2015, at 11:21 AM, Starlight Solar Power Systems <<a href="mailto:larry@starlightsolar.com" class="">larry@starlightsolar.com</a>> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=""><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8" class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Luke,<div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">For reference, we sold/installed many hundreds of Uni-Solar products since 2002. I have never seen anywhere near that much Voc loss. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Since the PVL-68 has an open circuit of 23.1V (92.4V) but you only see 14.2V (71V), a loss of 25%, I do not believe degradation is the culprit even at 15 years. The rated degradation is 0.73% per year. That should put you at 82.3 Voc. But, Uni-Solar consistantly outputs at least 10% more than rated power, even with age it should be higher than 82 volts.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Proper Uni-Solar installation required 2 screws into the roof up near the top. A misplaced screw and time or an open seam may be causing a ground fault, pulling down the voltage of the array. Start by using a Megger at the combiner to check for leakage. No one likes crawling in a hot attic but I think you may need to. <div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div apple-content-edited="true" class=""><div style="letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><br class="">Larry Crutcher<br class=""></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><br class=""></div></div></div></div><div class=""><div class="">
<br class="">
<br class=""><tt class=""><font size="2" class="">Hello Off-Grid Wrenches,<br class="">
<br class="">
I recently made a periodic maintenance visit to a residential off-grid
system I take care of here in Southern CO, and discovered an interesting
problem. <br class="">
<br class="">
This system has an array of 48x Uni-Solar PVL-68 laminate modules applied
directly to standing-seam metal roofing. <br class="">
<br class="">
The data logging on the controller (Outback MX-60) indicated that the system
was having trouble completing a charge cycle and going to float. Initially
I assumed was due to heavy electrical use by the occupants (renters). After
a little checking, I noticed that the module string voltage was only about
0.5V above the battery voltage! <br class="">
This was a cool late morning, with full sun, and the array was charging
almost 2kW at 54.5V. The module strings were running at 55V. I've noticed
the module voltage being lower than I'd like before, but it has never been
this low. I suspect this is the real reason the system hasn't been able
to complete a charge cycle.<br class="">
<br class="">
By removing the loads I was able to get an open-circuit voltage of 71V,
but that still seems pretty low. <br class="">
<br class="">
Has anyone else experienced a voltage degradation issue with the Uni-Solar
laminate? What was the expected annual voltage degradation for this technology?
<br class="">
<br class="">
These modules do have some age on them. The system was installed about
15 years ago (by a competent installer who is now retired). The system
was installed before MPPT controllers were common, so I assume the modules
are wired in strings of 4 for 48V nominal. <br class="">
<br class="">
Any experiences or opinions are appreciated.<br class="">
Thanks in advance. <br class="">
<br class="">
-Luke<br class="">
<br class="">
<br class="">
Luke Christy<br class="">
<br class="">
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™: Certification #031409-25
<br class="">
NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer™: Certification #ST032611-03
<br class="">
CoSEIA Certified PV Installer <br class="">
<br class="">
Solar Gain Services, LLC<br class="">
PO Box 531<br class="">
Monte Vista, CO. 81144<br class="">
<a href="mailto:SGSRenewables@Gmail.com" class="">SGSRenewables@Gmail.com</a><br class="">
719.588.3044<br class="">
</font></tt><a href="x-msg://40/www.sgsrenewables.com" class=""><tt class=""><font size="2" class="">www.sgsrenewables.com</font></tt></a><tt class=""><font size="2" class=""><br class="">
<br class="">
<br class="">
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