The photovoltaic effect

[valet]

Question ….sorry could not able to find thread on this one.

If my system is left off AC and DC is turned off what’s happen to all that electricity generated from the panels?
Panels must be still producing something even they not connected to the inverter.
Reaction inside the panels photons of light exciting electrons into a higher state of energy, allowing them to act as charge carriers for an electric current. Resulting in the buildup of voltage between two electrodes.
This current/buildup must me going some ware or reaction just stays inside the cell?

 

[moggy1968]

As there is no flow of current there is no power as such. Power is voltage x current, voltage on it's own aint nothin!

 

[Gavin A]

where does the power in the battery go?

 

[Gavin A]

basically if there's no circuit, there's nowhere for the power to flow to, so it just remains as potential.

 

[valet]

Thanks for that.
So if solar panels under sun not connected to anything they not going to be damaged or defected in anyway? Just browsed internet and some people cover them from the sum if they not connected/ not in use……..must be mistake then?

 

[moggy1968]

I think thats probably just for mechanical protection against dust, bird poo etc

 

[infinity]

if you have batteries in a torch switched off do you take them out whenever not in use?

 

[Gavin A]

Thanks for that.
So if solar panels under sun not connected to anything they not going to be damaged or defected in anyway? Just browsed internet and some people cover them from the sum if they not connected/ not in use……..must be mistake then?

that could be for battery systems without a proper charge controller, or solar water heating, but for grid connect solar PV it's a complete misunderstanding of how they work.

I have seen people argue that you should cover the panels when installing them, but suspect that this advice is based on the very old style panels that used to come with no wires attached, where you actually had to wire them up yourself in the box on the back, so there was far more chance of someone shorting the +- circuits together by mistake. All modern panels come fully fitted with wires and IP66/67 connectors, meaning you'd have to try really hard to short circuit them - eg by sticking a screwdriver into each socket, so covering the panels is both entirely unnecessary and hugely impractical.

 

[valet]

Thanks Gavin for clarification grate stuff. I left mine off as awaiting for inspection. Talking about connectors is a nightmare as electrician replaced original MC3 with MC4. Now warranty under question. :-(

 

[moggy1968]

I can't see any justifiable reason why swapping the connectors should invalidate the warranty, other than manufacturers trying to get out of their obligations.
For future reference though I believe Sibberts now do MC3/4 converters

 

[Gavin A]

Thanks Gavin for clarification grate stuff. I left mine off as awaiting for inspection. Talking about connectors is a nightmare as electrician replaced original MC3 with MC4. Now warranty under question. :-(

shouldn't have any impact at all on the warranty - well only if it's the connector that was faulty or something.

 

[valet]

I send this question to Sanyo regarding replacement of MC3 with MC4 and that’s what they send me:

“It is *NOT* allowed under our guarantee conditions to *cut* the wires, for instance to put other plugs. The reason is the possible lack of perfect isolation in the module. I repeat, cutting the cables voids the guarantee.

It is OK to use adaptors if you prefer to use other kinds of plugs towards the inverter. Usually the side to the modules will have MC3 plugs and the side of the inverter Sunclix (if SMA) or other such as MC4, depending on inverter type.

I know that a good engineer/installer can exchange a plug and do it correctly, with no isolation loss, but our QA is very sensitive, and because we sell millions of panels, we need a general rule”.
This email came from Manager Business Development (Photovoltaics)

What do you think on this? What should I tell my installer? Just don’t want have panels without warranty, we not talking about one year is a 25 year warranty

 

[Gavin A]

chances of failure are something like 1 in a million on Sanyo, and I'd think they'd struggle to justify this position legally anyway.

also, it's only the performance guarantee that's 25 years, build is 10 years FYI.

First I've heard of this, think I'll take it up with them myself as this is ridiculous (not that we often swap them, but occasionally we have done for the ends of the string if we've run out of MC3 connectors etc).

 

[valet]

Thank you Gavin,

I do know about Sanyo build warranty now 10 years used to be 5 years.

Would you be happy if you was a customer to find out your item do not have warranty? Because installer apparently came with a wrong connectors and tools.
I think installer should have done more research on warranty and installation requirements. I do believe some manufactures allow for connectors replacement but majority NOT.

It is a pleasure to talk to professional especially Sanyo Premium Installer. Hope you get some justification on that from Sanyo


Respect

 

[Gavin A]

there's nothing in the Sanyo / Panasonic warranty documents about it.

Closest thing would be the terms referring to alterations to the module, and following the installation instructions.

There's nothing in the Panasonic installation instructions about it, and IMO this isn't altering the module, it's altering a connection to a cable that is connected to the module.

It's a stupid position anyway, as the installer has to make up the connector on the end of the cable from the isolator that the panels are then connected to, so what on earth is the difference.

Defo going to email panasonic about this and get them to sort their act out.

So, to answer your question, I think you should be directing your ire at Sanyo / Panasonic as the installer hasn't broken any installation guidelines, and their position is unreasonable.

eta - erm, my links don't appear to be working.