Solar panels have a long lifespan, but after around 15 years, defects may start to occur that reduce the efficiency of your installation. Especially if your solar panels are receiving green certificates, it is essential to monitor the output and detect defects in a timely manner. This is particularly important for systems that will still be eligible for certificates in the next five years, as the output of defective panels affects the number of certificates you can claim.
The Impact of Defects on Output
Solar panels that are 15 years old often show defects such as damaged cells or faulty diodes. These defects can cause one or more panels to no longer function optimally, which lowers the output of the entire string. This loss can be significant, especially in older installations, which means that fewer green certificates will be received, resulting in lower income from these certificates.
Why an Inspection is Essential
A regular inspection can detect these defects and help maximize the output of the installation. By identifying the losses, necessary repairs or replacements can be made. This prevents further reduction in output and ensures that you can still benefit from the full value of your green certificates.
How Do We Work During Solar Panel Inspections?
For the inspection of older solar panels, we use advanced technology, such as our DJI M210 drone equipped with the XT2 thermal camera. This camera allows us to capture detailed images that reveal temperature differences on the panels. Through thermal imaging, we can quickly identify hotspots, which often indicate defects in one or more solar cells.
What Does the Legislation Say?
According to the regulations, it is mandatory to report damaged or defective panels when you replace them. This must always be reported through Mijn Fluvius to ensure your installation complies with the law. When replacing panels, it is important to know that the total peak power of the installation can only increase by 10% for systems of 25 kVA or less, and by a maximum of 1 kWp peak for systems larger than 25 kVA.
Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate that the panels are defective, for example by a significant decrease in annual production or with photos and reports. Our report can assist in proving this. This proof is necessary to correctly register the replacements and maintain the yield.
Conclusion
A proper inspection and timely repair of defective solar panels can ensure that your installation continues to perform as originally intended. By quickly detecting these defects, you can not only restore the efficiency of your system but also maximize the yield from your green certificates.