The Hidden Problem With Solar

In today's seemingly often madcap world, in the UK, the headlong sprint to renewable energy solutions continues to gather pace. Our region is currently being bombarded with such gigantic solar schemes that to many concerned inhabitants, it appears that the whole of South Yorkshire's countryside is under threat!

Why so fast?  Why are towns and villages being overrun at breakneck speed?  Is it so communities don't have sufficient time to learn all the implications that these huge, mega schemes appear as an unstoppable force?  I'm sure many people feel completely overwhelmed and powerless, particularly when our own government have their collective foot on the accelerator. Just don't even try to stop this juggernaut!

But just hold the phone a minute.  There does appear to be a fly in the ointment.  There is a very widespread problem with these solar schemes.  Something that won't be mentioned in the glossy brochures that push these schemes.  These all-singing, all-dancing PV solar solutions have major issues!

This industry has a huge problem with 'micro cracking' within solar panels, which I'm almost certain hasn't been brought to your attention!  

What are Micro Cracks and what are the full implications?

The silicon used in solar PV cells is very thin indeed, hence is susceptible to damage easily.  China-based renewables company Sinovoltaics* states, 'Micro cracks are nearly impossible to avoid and will eventually affect most solar panels.'

This micro cracking can occur during manufacture, transportation, or installation.  when considering that most of the panels destined for Conisbrough will likely come from China, a sea voyage of over 10,000 miles will pose significant damage potential, even before they are fitted.

Panels with these cracks can suffer power loss, but even more worrying is the chance of hotspots, when internal resistance of the damaged cells rises and also the temperature in the cell as current passes through.  The risk of fire can be significant.

If that wasn't bad enough, even typical environmental factors can also cause micro cracking, so should the panels reach the installed stage without issue, they will still begin to degrade, with the potential to not reach their expected productive lifespan.

Typical environment conditions that can cause micro cracking include:

• Thermal Cycling  (variation of temperature between night & day, and seasons).
• Humidity and Freezing
• Cyclic  (or dynamic)  pressure loads and wind loads
• Snow
• Hail

As reported by PV Magazine* on November 1st 2023, a study by Clean Energy Associates (CEA) showed a 'massive' increase in the occurrence of micro cracking in their survey.  Their findings tested across 148 sites, in 16 different countries, showed that 83% of tested sites had line cracks, 78% had a soldering anomaly and 76% had complex cracks.

So in summary, are we expected to seriously risk our food production capability to dangerous levels as more prime farmland is being taken by solar schemes, for this unreliable and clearly fragile energy source alternative?  Can anyone please make sense of this, as there is no logic in the policies being rammed down our throats currently?

Sources:

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/11/01/new-survey-shows-massive-increase-in-pv-module-microcracks/

https://sinovoltaics.com/learning-center/quality/micro-cracks-causes-and-impacts-on-solar-panels/

https://www.maysunsolar.com/blog-why-microcracks-are-killing-your-solar-panels/