Different Colour Solar Panels

[SunEagle]

The first opportunity the weather isnt too bad I'll use the individual isolators and just get the voltage reading from the inverter, don't want to start playing with the wiring as it'll give the installers an excuse not to fix it, if they ever do! The conmen!
Did the OP ever come back and state if he had or found a fault with his panels as from what he said and what they look like I've got the exact same issue? I'm really hoping it's just some kind of coating on the panel that's different but I really don't think that's the reason :-/

The OP hasn't posted since sometime in 2014 so I do not know what was found.

[inetdog]

If you do not want to interfere with the string wiring, get a clamp-on DC ammeter (~$50 from Sears) and compare the current in the two strings.
A string with a seriously impaired panel will show lower current if both strings are connected to the same MPPT input of the inverter.
If you have two strings connected to electrically independent inverter inputs then you would be able to see a voltage difference as well as a current difference.

[steevieboy4u]

If you do not want to interfere with the string wiring, get a clamp-on DC ammeter (~$50 from Sears) and compare the current in the two strings.
A string with a seriously impaired panel will show lower current if both strings are connected to the same MPPT input of the inverter.
If you have two strings connected to electrically independent inverter inputs then you would be able to see a voltage difference as well as a current difference.

Thanks for the advice, I'll see if I can borrow one as I don't really want to be buying a DC ammeter just to use once.
As soon as I prove either way or find out the reason for this colour difference (or the installers do as they should)
I'll update you all

[DanS26]

Check the serial number of the panel. Most likely it came from a different batch from manufacturer.

Compare to SN on rest of panels. Manufacturer could have changed ingredients between batches.

Good luck getting that fixed. Maybe moving the offending panel to the corner would make it less offensive.

[steevieboy4u]

Check the serial number of the panel. Most likely it came from a different batch from manufacturer.

Compare to SN on rest of panels. Manufacturer could have changed ingredients between batches.

Good luck getting that fixed. Maybe moving the offending panel to the corner would make it less offensive.

Good suggestion but easier said than done. To do this would me erecting scaffolding etc which ultimately I shouldn't have to do seeing how they've only been installed a few months. Just hoping the installers are going to do something about it but after contacting them 11 times over the last 5 weeks I'm not holding out much hope

[DanS26]

I suspect that your installer knows EXACTLY what the problem is......had a panel left over from a previous job and just slipped it in.

[steevieboy4u]

I suspect that your installer knows EXACTLY what the problem is......had a panel left over from a previous job and just slipped it in.

So other than it being a different colour do you think that it's faulty or OK? The condensation / water that appears to be constantly on it concerns me as well though.

[DanS26]

So other than it being a different colour do you think that it's faulty or OK? The condensation / water that appears to be constantly on it concerns me as well though.

I suspect that the performance characteristics are just fine, just guessing without seeing or testing the panel. The serial number comparison should be your first test.

SN's are usually stamped in a conspicuous place on the panel frame. If you have a ladder you could make the comparison fairly quickly since the subject panel is on the bottom row.

[steevieboy4u]

I suspect that the performance characteristics are just fine, just guessing without seeing or testing the panel. The serial number comparison should be your first test.

SN's are usually stamped in a conspicuous place on the panel frame. If you have a ladder you could make the comparison fairly quickly since the subject panel is on the bottom row.

OK sounds like a good idea, if it ever stops raining I'll get the ladders out and see if I can see anything. Thanks

[steevieboy4u]

Managed to get the ladders out today and have a closer look at the panel(s). I couldn't see any writing, never-mind any serial numbers etc on any of the panels. I couldn't see any obvious defects or damage to the suspect panel either. So good news in a way its not damaged but I'm still unsure if its got a problem or not........ Will have to get my hands on a DC ammeter next.

[PNjunction]

Other than a mechanical defect, slight variations can be expected due to the thickness of the "arc" coating:

http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/design/arc-color

I wouldn't worry about it unless you see water intrusion, rust or corrosion.

[steevieboy4u]

So would this different coating cause rain water / moisture to build up on it when the weather is cold and damp like the photos below?

I'm convinced its shorted circuited so not working at all, therefore colder than the rest which is making the water build up on its surface.

[steevieboy4u]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/steevieboy4u/Mobile%20Uploads/Cold%20Weather%20Photos%204_zps6o9eh5bb.jpg

[steevieboy4u]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/steevieboy4u/Mobile%20Uploads/Cold%20Weather%20Photos%203_zpslwno1j4m.jpg

[steevieboy4u]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/steevieboy4u/Mobile%20Uploads/Cold%20Weather%20Photos%201_zpsfz1bx6li.jpg