Solar panel randomly shattered? What to do now?

[ericfx1984]

So I have about 1200 watts of solar panels on my RV

Two of them are silfab 300 watts split cell panels

The other three are these

Hightec Solar 200W 36 Cell 12V Nominal Solar Panel - 5 Busbar - UL Listed

Description HIGHTEC SOLAR 200W 36-cell 12V nominal solar panel is a photovoltaic module designed to convert sunlight into electrical energy. This Solar panel has a power rating of 200 watts. This indicates the maximum amount of power the panel can generate under ideal conditions, typically full...

www.continuousresources.com

These have been on the RV for quite a few years now If I remember correctly they've been on for close to 8 years

I noticed last week that one of them just randomly shattered... And I could see some scorch marks on some of the cells from behind

The week before that they looked fine

Is it better to just replace one of them, or sell off the other two that are good and look into some other panels?

I'm planning to fully rework the solar panels on the roof at some point before I sell this RV

 

[Suijkerbuijk]

So I have about 1200 watts of solar panels on my RV

Two of them are silfab 300 watts split cell panels

The other three are these

Hightec Solar 200W 36 Cell 12V Nominal Solar Panel - 5 Busbar - UL Listed

Description HIGHTEC SOLAR 200W 36-cell 12V nominal solar panel is a photovoltaic module designed to convert sunlight into electrical energy. This Solar panel has a power rating of 200 watts. This indicates the maximum amount of power the panel can generate under ideal conditions, typically full...

www.continuousresources.com

These have been on the RV for quite a few years now If I remember correctly they've been on for close to 8 years

I noticed last week that one of them just randomly shattered... And I could see some scorch marks on some of the cells from behind

The week before that they looked fine

Is it better to just replace one of them, or sell off the other two that are good and look into some other panels?

I'm planning to fully rework the solar panels on the roof at some point before I sell this RV

Cheap way .
Replace the one of you sell the rv next year

 

[HRTKD]

Look in the used market (CraigsList) for panels that match or are similar. Frames tend to be standard sizes, it's the guts of the PV that are different which results in different Voc/Isc.

If you can't find a suitable replacement then replace all three with newer panels that come close to that size.

 

[fatjay]

RV's are notorious for twisting and lack of stiffness. If you have your panels rigidly mounted on the roof, they will twist and shatter the glass. I would make sure there's some give on the mounting system.

 

[HRTKD]

RV's are notorious for twisting and lack of stiffness. If you have your panels rigidly mounted on the roof, they will twist and shatter the glass. I would make sure there's some give on the mounting system.

While that's possible, I think it unlikely. My two 320 watt panels were attached to the roof with six Z brackets each. That trailer saw some nasty roads and those panels were in great shape. Maybe it was because they were higher quality or because they had 40mm frames.

 

[Q-Dog]

The radiating cracks suggest something hit it, or maybe someone/something stepped on it?

Easiest would be to replace with the same thing. You are lucky as the panel is still available for sale at the link you posted.

 

[HRTKD]

The radiating cracks suggest something hit it, or maybe someone/something stepped on it?

Easiest would be to replace with the same thing. You are lucky as the panel is still available for sale at the link you posted.

$1/watt, geez that's steep.

 

[fatjay]

While that's possible, I think it unlikely. My two 320 watt panels were attached to the roof with six Z brackets each. That trailer saw some nasty roads and those panels were in great shape. Maybe it was because they were higher quality or because they had 40mm frames.

Panels aren't really known for spontaneously shattering so it either got hit by something, or it twisted. Being on the top of an RV, something big enough to hit it and crack it is probably unlikely, which is why I went with twisting.

 

[Q-Dog]

$1/watt, geez that's steep.

Yes, but maybe cheaper than replacing all of the panels, mounts, wiring, etc.

 

[Zwy]

I used 100W panels on my truck camper for a few reasons. One was shipping cost, each one of these panels was about $90 shipped to my door from Amazon. Second is the surface area surrounded by a frame is smaller. Driving down the road at 80 mph with a 30 mph headwind starts pushing panels to the max. Third, the size fit perfectly.

 

[ericfx1984]

RV's are notorious for twisting and lack of stiffness. If you have your panels rigidly mounted on the roof, they will twist and shatter the glass. I would make sure there's some give on the mounting system.

Fair but the RV also hasn't moved in two years

 

[HRTKD]

Fair but the RV also hasn't moved in two years

LOL! Yeah, flex can be ruled out in that case.

 

[fatjay]

LOL! Yeah, flex can be ruled out in that case.

Probably, unless it's been cracked the whole time and he just didn't realize it.

Fair but the RV also hasn't moved in two years

Did you see it not broken after you parked it?

 

[timselectric]

I used 100W panels on my truck camper for a few reasons. One was shipping cost, each one of these panels was about $90 shipped to my door from Amazon. Second is the surface area surrounded by a frame is smaller. Driving down the road at 80 mph with a 30 mph headwind starts pushing panels to the max. Third, the size fit perfectly.

I wouldn't drive around with them tilted up like that. lol

 

[HRTKD]

I wouldn't drive around with them tilted up like that. lol

Air brakes. Almost as good as what Bugs Bunny used.

Hare Lift - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Zwy]

Air brakes. Almost as good as what Bugs Bunny used.

Hare Lift - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thrust reversers.

 

[Suijkerbuijk]

Thrust reversers.