What are the three most common PV system failures?

Do you own a commercial solar PV system? Are you looking to ensure it continues operating efficiently and effectively, with the greatest possible longevity? 

Understanding the three most common causes of system failure is essential to successful solar energy management. Knowing what signs to look for and the preventative measures to take can keep your PV system running smoothly and reliably for years—and save you from costly repairs or replacements. Read on to learn about the most frequent issues affecting solar panel performance, their symptoms, solutions, and resources for additional help.

Module Failures

Module failures are particularly problematic since modules often continue to function at a lower output, making it difficult to detect problems in a timely manner.

The causes of module failure are numerous, including breakage, delamination, burned solder joints, overheating, and bad bypass diodes.

The manufacturer's warranty covers most of these failures. To confirm the failure, you can use a regular photograph, an infrared photograph, or a calibrated meter like an I-V curve tracer, depending on the type of failure.

Modules fail if they perform worse than others with the same design and type. The performance of a module decreases due to hot spots on PV cells detected through an IR camera. An IV curve tracer determines if the module is operating correctly.

Long Term Failures

A solar panel system's success heavily depends on its long-term performance. Unfortunately, common failures can occur, such as manufacturing defects in the cells and high current flow in a de-energized state, which can lead to hot spots in the system.

Another potential issue is potential induced degradation (PID), which can occur due to leakage currents to the earth's ground.

Also, low cell conversion rates due to cracks within the cell, delamination caused by extreme heat and humidity, and loss due to shorts (shunting) can lead to long-term failures.

Solutions are available to identify and mitigate these problems, such as an I-V curve tracer and an IR camera.

Electrical System Components 

The backbone of any solar installation. It's the hidden wiring, conduit, switchgear, inverters, and module support structure that connects all the pieces. However, with any electrical system comes the risk of failure.

Improper wire sizing, incompatible metals, and improperly installed components are just a few of the culprits that can cause failures.

To ensure the success of a solar installation, preventative measures such as testing conductor resistance, capturing IR images, measuring resistance to ground, and inspecting physical and electrical connections should be taken.

Test six months after installation and then annually after that.

Inspecting PV System Performance

The most successful solar systems are those that are regularly monitored and maintained.

Using a solar optimization and maintenance company is a great way to identify potential problems before they become significant.

Installing additional sensors or data loggers can help monitor voltage, amperage, temperature, and other performance metrics.

Structured Maintenance Plans

Having a structured maintenance plan in place is essential for optimizing the performance of your solar panel system.

At a minimum, it should include annual inspections, electrical testing and cleaning of modules, measurements of power output, and regular software updates.

Transform Energy can work with you to create a customized maintenance plan that meets your needs, budget, and timeline.