Keeping Solar Alive part 2 - panel change out
Well, after a number of years with very low power generation due to panels issues, I had them replaced. It took years before I came across a solar installer who would do it. Upgrading, doing a partial system doesn't make enough money for them, and there is the issue in California of not having anywhere to take the old panels. So the old panels are in 2 piles in my yard. The 3 medium-old panels are in the barn safe and sound, waiting for re-use there. The installer said he found alot of corrosion and degradation in the, may have just been condensation in the junction boxes due to gasket failure. They were 26 years old and had been taken off, then back on when I re-roofed 15 years ago, and the very old way did not have plug in cables.
This is a photo after the old panels are off, and new racking is being installed
mountainmoma
Mon, 01/06/2025 - 16:52
Permalink
New panels are installed,
New panels are installed, they take up less room, there are 8 panels of Q-Cell brand 410W panels. The electronics in teh garage could handle 2 to 4 more, and maybe 2 more could have been squeezed onto the roof, but I dont need more and it is expensive. This is a bit over 3kW of nameplate power ( reality will never be that much due to line losses, temperature, etc...)
mountainmoma
Mon, 01/06/2025 - 17:02
Permalink
I reprogrammed the charge
I reprogrammed the charge controller and inverter before flipping the switches on Monday morning. The lone installer, yes he mostly did it himself with technical advice from the older employee you see last photo on the roof ridge, this was a 3 day job all told. The second man, who volunteered to help me, also redid the garage level wiring. Here is the charge controller reading of 2.7 kW midday on the monday, December 10th, I think. This is very good and means it is all working as it should.
All panels are now going to the one "newer" 15 year old Outback brand Charge controller. The 26 year oldTrace charge controller has been removed and set aside for re-use on the barn with the 3 medium old panels.