Serious problem

[bottleinamessage]

I have two 130W Sunsei solar panels that I purchased from WM. These are the second set. Like the first set, these are beginning to show small areas on corrosion under the glass. The plastic on the underside of the panel is starting to blister. The previous set actually was beginning to burn thru the underside. Both sets were about a year old when thhis occurred. What's causing this? Poor quality panels? They supposedly have a 25 year guarantee. I'm more than frustrated, I'm getting pissed. $2K worth of solar gear that won't last more than a year.

Any ideas?

[GordMay]

You might contact ICP Solar (manufacturers of “Sunsei”) Technical Support
Toll Free: 1 (888) 427-7652
ICP Solar Technologies Inc
# 7075 Place Robert-Joncas, Unit 131
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4M 2Z2
Tel: 514.270.5770
Fax: 514.270.3677
Technical Support
Toll Free: 1.888.427.7652
Email: customerservice@icpsolar.com
Web: Sunsei™ Industrial - Solar Products | ICP Solar
Other locations: Contact ICP | ICP Solar

[btrayfors]

I don't know that particular solar panel, but I do know that some solar panels can exhibit such corrosion, pitting, etc. due to electrolysis when they are, e.g., left in contact with a wet surface and hot sun.

Some years ago I used a couple of flexible solar panels in the Caribbean to keep batteries up when I was away from the boat for months at a time. I discontinued the practice after finding corrosion underneath them (I'd just had them laying on the fiberglass deck or trunk cabin, and assume that rain would get underneath them...not a good thing.

Bill

[Pura Vida]

The last solar panel I bought from WM is now a bird feeder (no kidding). I just don't think that quality is the primary focus of their merchandising team when it comes to this type of product. I've been very happy with Seimans.

[Tnflakbait]

I had a small sunei panel (5 or 10 watt). The same thing happened. You should get your money back and get some better ones. I think they aren't very high quality, nor very waterproof. West Marine is really good about returns.

Good luck.

[bottleinamessage]

After jumping thru a few hoops with WM, I returned the panels for a full refund. Called ICP tech and emailed them pictures. No response as of yet. Now to decide what to replace them with. Leaning towards the Kyrocera (sp).

[GMac]

How much power do you get from the twin 130W's. I know they will be rated to a number but what do you realisticly get?

75%
50%
10% of what they say?

Just trying to see if I can get enough froma 60W or 80 maybe. Can't really go much bigger due to physical size. Solar or genny, solar or genny is my problem.

[Celestialsailor]

It is sad that each year WM's quality continues to go down. It is quickly becoming a Walmart...many things made in China to better the "bottem line". It is discusting to watch their fastener department shrink as their apparal stock grows.
I have Seimens panels also and am very happy with them.

[bottleinamessage]

GMac: The panels are rated at 8 amps each. In the Bahamas, I was seeing 14-15 amps output. They worked well...........for about a year.

[camaraderie]

Gmac...for average sunny day DAILY output in amp hours for fixed panel solar...divide watts by 3 for amphours as a rule of thumb. Example...100watts=33amphours
You can improve this by about 10% with a MPPT type charge controller.

[GMac]

Cool, Thanks guys.

[bruadair]

I've been very happy with my two Kyrocera 120w panels. Each is rated at 7.2 amps but I actually get 7.5 amps from them when the sun is just right. Been cruising with them for three years, still look and perform as when they arrived new. Damon s/v Bruadair The Adventures of s/v Bruadair

[bottleinamessage]

Bruadair: I received the 130W Kyocera panels yesterday. I expect that I'll have them installed by the end of the week. Cost me $579.ea (plus shipping) compared to the $839. ea from WM at Port Supply pricing!

[Zach]

Who did you purchase the Kyoceras from? I'm interested at that price!

[bottleinamessage]

I did hear back from tech support at Sunsei. Their advise was to continue using them as they were still within the two year warranty period. Yeah right. As if to say, yes, the're bad panels but as long as the're still working, keep them! When they fail like the last pair did when I'm in the Bahamas, they going to come to my rescue?? The're obviously clueless!

Zach: Here's a link to where I got them.


Kyocera Solar Panels