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For a few years around 1980, Windy Dankoff was US distributor for
Photowatt. I think these were French modules; same name and likely same
corporate ownership as the Photowatt that assembled modules in
Albuquerque 20 years later. But these were very different modules than
what appeared later: there were 35W (36 3" cells) and 55W (36 4" cells)
modules, also with studs on the back. They were recognizable as having
a yellowish encapsulant and textured glass face. There are quite a few of Windy's old systems still in operation around here. While I never did any rigorous tests, over the years I have noticed something about these modules: every one of them continues to predictably put out rated current 28-30 years later. I have never seen a failed or low-output module. (The worst is a stud ripped off the back - and just like the Arcos, this is repairable.) Allan Allan Sindelar Brian Teitelbaum wrote: 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 |
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