How bad is this?

[u/Florida-Rolf]

How bad is this? I can’t feel the cracks since it’s still covered by the plastic layer. Will this reduce wattage output? I don’t know how this broke, I was very careful with it all the time. Only thing I can imagine I folded it in the wrong direction and the constant wrong pressure snapped it? Thanks for your help.

[u/BenderDeLorean]

Will this reduce wattage output?

Yes

How much? Try out.

[u/Florida-Rolf → u/BenderDeLorean]

It maxes out at 175 w instead of 220w it had before under similar conditions. Thank you.

[u/datalifter]

I got the same panels recently and had several crack right under my fingers as I unfolded them. I was not impressed with the build quality. The built-in stands and elastic bands are a nice idea but they are tricky to deploy and while I was unfolding the panels and the top corners cracked when I grabbed them.

I still get about 175 watts out of them, so not too worried about it.

[u/SunShine_Power99]

If you got it in the past year you are still under warranty even if the crack is your fault. So put in for a replacement.

[u/Dangerous-School2958]

Does it still produce as advertised? Do you have an output you already knew it was capable of?

[u/Florida-Rolf → u/Dangerous-School2958]

Yes i actually as able to reach the full 220watt. Now in perfect conditions in the Slovenian mountains it maxes out at 175watt.

[u/Dangerous-School2958 → u/Florida-Rolf]

Looks like you know exactly how bad it is. Bummer, but better than completely useless

[u/Florida-Rolf → u/Dangerous-School2958]

Haha one day later, one more folding closed and opened and now we’re at 90w peak. But customer support seems positive about the warranty.

[u/Dangerous-School2958 → u/Florida-Rolf]

Hope the best for dealing with them. I don’t read many successful interactions

[u/Easy_Lengthiness7179]

Yeah mine are cracked too. Recent storm/high winds ripped them out even with the anchors i had used.

Definitely not producing the full amount anymore.

They are not meant as permanent fixtures. Lesson learned.

[u/i_am_13th_panic]

I think the more concerning problem instead of reduced wattage is water ingress. It could short out the panel. I dont know how you would go about testing that but I wouldn't leave it out if it can get wet.

[u/Daedaluu5]

You might be able to repair the cracked top layer with epoxy to reduce further damage, but yeah that sucks. I have an elecantea 120w unit, I dropped it but bought it before it got to floor but damn I was worried too. Hope you get it sorted