Scratches on Solar Panel below the glass

CVD wrote:
I picked up a 140w panel from SolarBlvd a couple weeks ago. I did notice a slight color difference between some of the cells, but certainly no crack like yours:

Those colour differences are normal IMO. Exactly like my Sharp panel.



For wild and crazy (but not blemished unless you don't like "tacky" :) ) look at my brand new Hanwha 230w panel for colour scheme:



BTW, what is the "centre rail" for in the cells? Most panels seem to have just the two like my Sharp. Although the Sun panels I had used three and also were sideways! Guess there are no rules in this game as long as it works.

Blems would be just cosmetic like the color above not physical damage or reduced production.

There also could be distortion from how the light is hitting that crack in the glass making it look like the traces are not lined up. Regardless, send them back if they're not blems.

I picked up a 140w panel from SolarBlvd a couple weeks ago. I did notice a slight color difference between some of the cells, but certainly no crack like yours:

yep, cracked cells. You can see the misalignment of the metallized traces on the cells across the crack. This is why I stopped buying UL-Solar brand panels off Ebay.

I wrote to SolarBlvd asking about some Sharp 24V panels (no longer sold) asking if they were blems as there was no warranty info. Also asked about will-call and if I could buy on the spot. Never got a reply :(

rootdenied wrote:
I wouldn't write off Solarblvd just yet. A few months ago I picked up a couple of the 230 watt Perlight panels. No defects or scratches. I highly suspect this might be a shipping problem with damage in transit.

It's not about Solar Blvd - though they do sell blemished items, and then they disclose this. It's about cheapo brands and/or cheapo packaging. Poorly made thin frames result in a lot of flex, so either cells or glass may crack, and poor packaging makes it easier.

I picked up my panels in person - not from Solar Blvd, and not the cheapest in the store - and was impressed with packaging. Manufacturer supplied them clipped to each other at the corners, with cardboard between the surfaces. Other than dropping separately each single panel from 10ft height, I wouldn't imagine any damage done. Though, when it's shipped from warehouse to your place by truck in small quantities, the chances that somebody will drop it, are getting higher :)

diveman52 wrote:
Nice to know what there shipping out. I was seriously considering buy a couple from them. Now I won't. Always wondered why there prices were so cheap.

I wouldn't write off Solarblvd just yet. A few months ago I picked up a couple of the 230 watt Perlight panels. No defects or scratches. I highly suspect this might be a shipping problem with damage in transit.

Looks like a half price panel to me, if it tests out at 100%...

I just got a replacement panel from Solar Blvd when one arrived crushed by FedEx. The replacement has a similar scratch. They are definitely sending some out that way. I can't "feel" the scratch on the outside of the glass, but I can certainly see it. I actually have a couple smaller scratches on it also.
The replacement panel had the same kind of "drum" marks on the Styrofoam. I'm wondering if it is cracked, and not scratched. I actually video taped the unpacking of it because of the rough packaging.

I checked my scratched one again and it looks like someone pulled something across it, like another solar panel. I'm wondering if these are blems or not new. They don't appear to have been installed, but the second one clearly has a few scratches on it. When the other one broke it broke like "safety glass" not like a regular crack. That is why I don't think this one is cracked.

Nice to know what there shipping out. I was seriously considering buy a couple from them. Now I won't. Always wondered why there prices were so cheap.