Is this mystery substance on the edges of PV metalization runners a problem?

Loren_Amelang

Sanyo HIT200W panels from 2008. About half of them have bits of a white mystery substance appearing at the edges of some of the metalization runners. Seems most common on the lowest row of cells on a panel, but a few appear higher. 

What can this be? Is it a problem? Is there anything to be done about it? 

BB.

Is it the Sanyo Panel Delamination problem (July 2022 article)?

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2022/07/25/sanyo-settles-solar-delamination-lawsuit-lawyers-win-big/

A class action lawsuit filed against Sanyo and Panasonic was settled last year with the ruling coming down to the solar panels not generating the electricity as projected, due to a physical defect. The panels were manufactured and sold by Sanyo, but later settled by Panasonic via the class action lawsuit in 2019.
The lawsuit suggests that a series of Sanyo solar panels would delaminate on the front side of the solar panel, greatly affecting the electricity generation.

-Bill

Loren_Amelang

Wow - Thank You! I hadn't heard a thing about this lawsuit. Usually the online services notify everybody, but I guess Sanyo never dealt directly with me. 

They say: 

The only technical information describes when delamination counts, and doesn’t count.

Solar panels must show visible “delamination” in order to be eligible for payment under the settlement. This includes one or more adjacent sections of circular delamination where each section is 25 mm or greater and was not caused by external damage. Linear or dot delamination is not covered by the settlement.

Only one of their example photos shows a maybe 25mm circular area. Most of then look like mine - tiny maybe 2.5mm stripes. Somebody didn't understand something...  

Also, "The solar panels in question are the model series HIP-xxxBA2, BA3 and BA5." 

HIP was an older series than my HIT panels. Maybe mine are just starting to fail...  

I haven't noticed their output declining, yet. They seem solid compared to every other panel I've had where the connections to the backs of the cells disconnect themselves. 

At least now I have a word to search for. 

Dave Angelini

And as Bill wrote, you need to think Panasonic as Sanyo is long gone. They were good about it at the time for me I remember.

Does Sanyo still exist?

However, it fell into a financial crisis as a result of its huge investment in the semiconductor business. In 2009, Sanyo was acquired by Panasonic, and in 2011, it was fully consolidated into Panasonic and its brand disappeared.  The company still exists as a legal entity for the purpose of winding up its affairs.