SOLAR PANEL LIFE EXPECTANCY - Dropped output after 6 years? | Ask The Expert with NIGEL CALDER

Nigel and Jan discuss the expected output of marine solar panels and whether this will decrease over the life of the panel.
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[@josephcrawley3095]

Perhaps their panels are the flexible style. I have had very rapid degradation on mine. Will be switching to rail mounted rigid panels this year. Never enough room on a boat.

[@brownnoise357]

PPS. So Crntre Cockpits and Ketch Rigged Sailboats really create an unnecessary Solar PowervRods for Our Own Backs ? imho stick with KISS Principles Aft Cockpits with Sloop Rigs to assist Solar Power Optimisation with an unshaded Rear Cockpit Solar Arch ? 🤔 Bob👍. eta - mounting Rigid Monocrystalline Solar Panels.

[@brownnoise357]

PS. This may come as a huge shock to some, but if your Silar panel array doesn't have Shading issues, then PWM Charge Controllers are just as efficient as MPPT Charge Controllers - confirmed In Comparison Testing. Nigel may like to provide further testing confirmation of that ? However if you have Sails Shading Panels and such, stick with MPPT Controllers. Bob. 🤔👍❤️ eta worth adding, that Tigid but LANINATED Solar Panels, no matter how reputable the manufacturer, while they may indeed be Salt Resistant, Definitely are NOT UV Delamination Damage Resistant ? Insight, about the 8 year old Laminated Glazing on a 45 ft Catamaran has a serious Delamination Pro lem, and for Black Laminsted Rigid zSolar Panels, as a result, it may be a stretch to even consider them lasting as long as 8 years ? To me, the flimsy Solar Arch construction that we see on so many Sailboats, made from Thin Stainless Steel Tubing, could well be Contributing to excessive Panel Expansion and Contraction, and are more damaging than exposure to Salt. As Heat is an enemy of electronics, for my next Sailboat I'll be looking into a more Rigid Construction that may be able to provide more cooling air around the Panels, and help reduce the effects of overheating by keeping the Panel Mounting aa bit clear of the frame to help get more airflow to the bottom of the Psndls ? Cleaning and regular polishing with UV Resistant Polish, and including the Frames ( may be worth Trying high Factor UV protection cream too )may help. Frankly, using the headset Mono rystalline reasonable efficiency Panels you can get gout hands on, and budgeting to ewolace them every 7 years could be the way to go ? 🤔 Bob.