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Solbain solar panels 7 years old

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415 Singapore View Drop Down
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    Posted: 07 November 2021 at 05:46
Hi, as part of our lift out we have taken our bimini down for cleaning and minor repairs. We have two Solbain CP 125 watt flexible solar panels that are now 7 years old. As the picture below shows they are quite cloudy with micro cracks in the outer layer. I had hoped that I might be able to clean / polish them back into a bit of life, but that doesn't seem to work.
Has anyone else found any miracle cure or is it just a case of replacing them?
As always any thoughts would be gratefully received
All the best
Paul

Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Black Diamond Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 November 2021 at 22:04
I had the "Milky" SOLBIAN panel problem as well.     Mine turned out to be a manufacturing run of bad panels from 3 years earlier (the plastic was bad) and water ended up getting where it shouldn't.    I had SR160, SR142 and SR108 panels.

I called Solbian in Italy and they gave me replacement panels free of charge.     Even better,   the new panels were 186 watt versus 160 Watt,  166 watt versus 142 watt and 124 watt versus 108 watts.  In other words a 10% increase in the same footprint.  Here is what mine looked like..



Yours are 7 years old, so its doubtful they would do the same, but its highly likely that water has gotten between the layers and you will not be able to get it out.   Its not surface scratching or something you can buff out.

Good luck.

Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI
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415 Singapore View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 415 Singapore Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 November 2021 at 08:41
Hi, an update, when we first installed our two CP 125 watt Solbain panels 7 years ago, the panels alone cost US$ 925 each. 
We researched replacement panels and the same Solbain ones seem to be about $700 each. We then looked further afield and have just had two 150 watt flexible panels delivered to our house for a total price of $30 each, the other advantage is that they are about 2/3rds the size of the previous ones.
Quality wise they look no different to the Solbain ones, but time will tell. 
We are in the tail end of the rainy season here so hard to test them, but even if they only last a year it is a good deal. Will update once we get some sun!
All the best
Paul
Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Black Diamond Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 November 2021 at 10:14
I'm sure the structure/efficiency ratings of the panels are different.   That said,  even if they are total junk,  it would be interesting to see if you get a season out of them with decent results.   One could adopt a "dump them for new every year" philosophy and still come out ahead after 5-7 years.

Time will tell


Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI
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