Nice article, Joel, I still have 12 ARCO 16-2000 modules powering my off-grid home, and those were made in 1982 in Camarillo, CA. They are wired into series pairs for my 24V system, running through an ancient Trace C-30A controller, still going click & clack after all these years (I have a new C40 in waiting for the inevitable day of death).
I consistently see current in the 14A range at 27V on my E-Meter, which would equal 31.5W each. Not bad for 28-year-old 33W modules. And that's without any temp calcs, but on a mild day. Some of them are browned a bit (although not nearly as browned as some others that I've seen) while some are still completely white. I don't know why there is a variation in color in the encapsulant. I have two or three more of them in storage that I've picked up over the years (one for $50 at a garage sale). I really should get them out in the sun. I know...I know... but the house painter's house needs paint, and the cobbler needs shoes, and all that. When Robin and boB get their Classic controller out, I plan to add six SolarWorld 230's to my system. That will almost quadruple my array power output. And then maybe I can get rid of my 1942 Servel fridge. But you'll never pry me away from my late 30's six-burner, dual-oven Wedgewood gas stove. Brian Teitelbaum AEE Solar -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Joel Davidson Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 7:53 AM To: RE-wrenches; RE Marketing for home scale RE industry Subject: [RE-wrenches] 30-year old PV module If your prospect asks how long do PV modules last, refer them to this article http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/testing-thirty-year-old-photovoltaic-module _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
