Solar Panel Problem?

tacchino · 12-20-2021, 05:31 AM

Noticed some odd bubbles / speckles in our front solar panel while up doing some cleaning. Didn’t notice it when I was up there a few months ago but might have missed it. Anyone seen anything like this with their panels? Ours are the Escape supplied GP-PV-190 panels.

cpaharley2008 · 12-20-2021, 06:42 AM

Appears to be water residue? Did you try to remove the spots?

tacchino · 12-20-2021, 08:51 AM

Yeah, washed it that day and wiped it down again this morning for more pictures. They aren't spots

NEWYORKHILLBILLY · 12-20-2021, 08:52 AM

Looks like hard water deposits. If its on the surface of the Glass you should be able to remove it. If its in the glass or under it I would send Gopower a picture.

tacchino · 12-20-2021, 09:06 AM

Ok, given the consensus i tried again. There is some texture so I guess external but no luck cleaning it off with soap, water or white vinegar

cpaharley2008 · 12-20-2021, 10:24 AM

Sounds like sap from a pine tree? Try a solvent test area....

NEWYORKHILLBILLY · 12-20-2021, 10:46 AM

Have lots of pine trees in my yard and rubbing alcohol will take that sap off.

rubicon327 · 12-20-2021, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacchino

Noticed some odd bubbles / speckles in our front solar panel while up doing some cleaning. Didn’t notice it when I was up there a few months ago but might have missed it. Anyone seen anything like this with their panels? Ours are the Escape supplied GP-PV-190 panels.

Brent: Is the front edge of your panel distorted like it has been under stress or is that just the way it looks in the photo? Wondering how the panels are installed/secured now on the newer 21NE's after the panel failure issues that were occurring on some trailers.

TTMartin · 12-20-2021, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacchino

Noticed some odd bubbles / speckles in our front solar panel while up doing some cleaning. Didn’t notice it when I was up there a few months ago but might have missed it. Anyone seen anything like this with their panels? Ours are the Escape supplied GP-PV-190 panels.

Is it possible that there is a clear plastic protective shipping film on the panel that wasn't removed prior to install?

Ron in BC · 12-20-2021, 01:36 PM

Also, do the spots extend side-to-side?

Ron

Centex · 12-20-2021, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTMartin

Is it possible that there is a clear plastic protective shipping film on the panel that wasn't removed prior to install?

____________
Does close inspection reveal if the 'spots' are on the top surface of the glass or under / on the bottom surface of the glass?

Holding a sharp lead pencil point perpendicular directly on a 'spot' and viewing from a low angle can help discern that (is the pencil-point touching the 'spot' or is there a thin gap between the pencil-point and the 'spot' corresponding to the thickness of the glass?). Backlighting can help.

Or, perhaps your mention of 'some texture' already assures you the 'spots' are on the top surface of the glass (?).

Lacking some environmental contaminant actually 'etching' the glass (unlikely IMO) if the spots are on the top surface, it's just a matter of finding the right solvent to act on them methinks. Glass itself is very tolerant of most any solvent, but if 'coated' the coating might be damaged. GoPower, if they are responsive, should be able to advise about solvents that can / cannot be used.

Good luck, those spots would bug me, too!

tacchino · 12-20-2021, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Brent: Is the front edge of your panel distorted like it has been under stress or is that just the way it looks in the photo? Wondering how the panels are installed/secured now on the newer 21NE's after the panel failure issues that were occurring on some trailers.

I think just a photo issue, there is no distortion that I have noticed. However mine was built and mounted before the panel failures were addressed by Escape. We have the reinforcement strips that they sent out installed on the front and back.

tacchino · 12-20-2021, 03:46 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys. The alcohol is a great idea. I've left the location where I had access to a ladder so will have to complete my investigation in a few weeks. However, to answer Ron's question, no the spots did not extend side to side, they are only in a section on the passenger side of the panel, the rest of the panel looks fine. Hopefully just some sap or other residue and I'll figure out something that works to get it off.

Thanks again!

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