Solar Systems near the ocean

[Laxmaster08]

How resistant are solar PV systems to salt water conditions. I have a house on the water and want to put solar on my roof. However, I am weary of the deterioration that salt water conditions can do to electronics. My TV's and computers go out within a year or two at my beach house and they are indoors.

Are solar systems very robust or are there certain types of systems that are more robust to these kinds of elements. Are there precautions that the installers need to take to prevent deterioration of the system?

Any help is appreciated!

[IcarusCharge]

Some systems have water-resistant or de-icing coatings; these should help prevent damage to the electronics from salt and water. Salt water air will also probably condense and leave salt on your panels so you will likely need to clean them more frequently.

It's still feasible, but you should be deliberate about what brand you choose to make sure it's suitable for your environment.

[J.P.M.]

How resistant are solar PV systems to salt water conditions. I have a house on the water and want to put solar on my roof. However, I am weary of the deterioration that salt water conditions can do to electronics. My TV's and computers go out within a year or two at my beach house and they are indoors.

Are solar systems very robust or are there certain types of systems that are more robust to these kinds of elements. Are there precautions that the installers need to take to prevent deterioration of the system?

Any help is appreciated!

Read the panel warranties carefully. Some take account of salt water environments and exclude/limit some conditions caused by proximity to the ocean/salt environments.

[roxanwright]

We're planning on installing solar panels for our house too but I'm still having second thoughts on it. The problem is that we also live near the beach. I'm thinking it might be waste if solar panels aren't that resistant to our environment's condition.

[Sbrooke]

Definitely recommend LG or Sunpower Panels in coastal climates. Strong Salt mist guarantees with both. Sunpower has 25 yr product and production warranty unlike majority of panels including LG with 10 yr product and 25 year production warranties.

[Sunking]

Two things to look for:

IEC61701 Ed.2 Severity 6 (Salt Mist Corrosion Test)
Warranty

[PVinstall]

Sunpower panels are really a worthwhile thing for these conditions.

[russ]

Sunpower panels are really a worthwhile thing for these conditions.

That statement truly qualifies as genius! NOT - maybe so and maybe no in reality.

[J.P.M.]

Sunpower panels are really a worthwhile thing for these conditions.

FWIW: From my Sunpower warranty under "EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS", "The limited warrant goes not apply to... c) PV Modules installed in locations, which in Sunpower's absolute judgment may be subject to direct contact with bodies of salt water."

Most every other panel written warranty I've seen says something similar. Sunpower's no better/worse with respect to salt water environments.

[Amy@altE]

Kyocera's are also IEC 61701 (Salt Mist Corrosion Test) tested and the closest exception I could find in their warranty is k) defects and/or failures caused by smoke and/or other pollution, salt damage, acid rain. I read that as salt air is fine, and I know they have recommended them for my customers in the islands.

Hyundai is also IEC 61701 tested and have no mention of salt in their warranty.

[Amy@altE]

I'd also recommend a NEMA 4X inverter like the ABB Uno, "Outdoor NEMA 4X rated enclosure for unrestricted use under any environmental conditions"