Hotspots, diodes, junction boxes, microcracks, PID and physical damage in PV modules.
6 in-depth guides
How to recognise delamination, backsheet cracking, chalking and broken glass on solar modules, why each one is a safety and performance risk, and which repair options are realistic versus when replacement is the only safe choice.
What PID is, why it affects modules near the negative end of a string in hot, humid climates, how to recognise the pattern in data and EL images, and how anti-PID devices and design choices can recover and prevent losses.
How microcracks form in solar cells, why snail trails appear along them, how electroluminescence and thermal imaging reveal cracks, and when cracked modules need replacing or a warranty claim.
Why solar panel junction boxes overheat, melt and burn, how to spot the early warning signs, what to do immediately when you find one, and whether a junction box can be repaired or the module must be replaced.
How bypass diodes protect solar modules, what happens when they fail short or open, how to spot a failed diode from string voltage and I-V curves, and when a diode can be replaced in the field.
What causes hotspots in solar modules, how to find them with thermal imaging, how to judge severity by temperature difference, and when cleaning, shade removal or module replacement is the right fix.