Regarding the flexible solar panels of RVs, one of the issues that riders are more concerned about is the service life. We all know that as long as the general solar cell cracks, its power generation efficiency will be greatly reduced, or even no electricity.
Flexible solar panels are mainly installed on the curved surface of the RV. After wind, frost, rain and snow, they are prone to cracks under long-term vibration, bending, and ultraviolet radiation, and their service life is greatly reduced.
Impact of packaging materials
One: After the packaging materials are decomposed and aged by sunlight, the components must be scrapped.
The common packaging material for flexible components is PET, which is polyester resin. Generally speaking, PET material has a life span of 3-5 years. Without special treatment, it will quickly decompose and age under ultraviolet light. After aging, the ability to protect the solar cells drops sharply. As time goes by, the cells are cracked and eventually the entire module is scrapped without generating electricity.
In order to solve this problem, Sungold uses ETFE film, which is the strongest fluoroplastic. It maintains good heat resistance, chemical resistance and electrical insulation properties, while at the same time, radiation resistance and mechanical properties are greatly improved. While the quality is excellent, the price and cost are indeed high.
Summary: The packaging material must have strong heat resistance, chemical resistance, electrical insulation, radiation resistance and mechanical properties to ensure the protection of the cells.
Process impact
1. What is the difference between different numbers of junction boxes?
We often see that some flexible components have only one junction box, while Sungold has two junction boxes for new energy. Then why is it equipped with 2 junction boxes? This depends on what’s inside the junction box.
There is a diode in each junction box, and each diode can protect two battery strings. This means that if a diode or a cell is damaged, the circuit on the other side can generate electricity normally. If the component has only one junction box with a diode inside, any cell is damaged, or any abnormality occurs in its connection, the entire component can no longer be used at all. This is equivalent to shortening its service life.
One more junction box is to add one more diode, so as to ensure that the overall component can also generate partial power in the case of shadows and damage.
2. Why is glue filling in the junction box?
In the process of daily use of components, wind and rain are normal. Pouring glue is a protection against water and moisture. Don’t underestimate the glue filling process, which requires very professional and careful production line operation, otherwise it will cause damage to the diode circuit. This is why many components choose not to pot.
Summarize:
1. Regardless of whether it is a flexible component or a frame glass component, the power generation effect is not only related to the cell grade, but also related to the process. Long-term wind and rain, the competition is the long-term reliability of the product.
2. The packaging material must have strong heat resistance, chemical resistance, electrical insulation, radiation resistance and mechanical properties to ensure the protection of the battery.
3. One more junction box is to add one more diode, so as to ensure that the whole component can also generate partial power in the case of shadow or damage. The environment of RV travel is changeable, and partial occlusion needs to be considered.
