Help- mixed Upsolar panels?

[sharpener]

Installer has a stack of 16 panels on my lawn as I write. Supplier substituted Upsolar 230W with my agreement as per earlier thread. But the labelling on 4 is noticeably different from the other 12, and the serial nos are

12 off in the form 51443230xxxxxx

4 off in the form UPb24537101xxxxxx

Am I right to worry that the "230" and "245" in the serial nos. are the power rating and so I have got 4 x 245W in lieu of 230s or is this a pure coincidence? What should I do about it?

 

[northernsun]

They should have the power rating, voltage etc on the back of them. If thats the same then it would mean they are mis-lablled or the serial number thing is just a coincidnece.

 

[sharpener]

Thanks Northernsun.

Supplier says Upsolar don't do a 245W panel but I now see that is not so, there is a UP-M245M monocrystalline panel on the Upsolar web site, I wonder if they could be those.

Any Upsolar main agent out there who could decode the S/Ns for me and shed further light on this one?

The installers swear blind they all say MT230P and are just two different batches. Couldn't see for myself as they were all in a stack face up until dark, and now (1730) they are up on the scaffolding being fitted.

Will have to wait until morning to see if there are any visible differences between the two.

 

[northernsun]

If they are different sizes then there still might not be any visible differences- you really need to check the figures on the back. A sticker just under the connection box at the top.
From the sounds of it though they will probably just be from different batches, I'm not even sure whether there is an upsolar 245, I thought they only did 240's. At worst you might get a little bit of a difference on the look of the cells but nowt drastic. I think you'll be fine but get your roofers to just have a quick look on the back before they clamp em down, only take a second!

 

[Markc]

I've had some Sharps, Hyundai's and Sanyo's all with radically different serial numbers in the stack of 16 yet all the same model panel. It might be down to mixing of stock due to the current lack of it. It is a good idea for an installer to allow you access to the panels for inspection prior to be lifted to the roof for you to check what you have is what you are expecting. Now there on the roof this will be difficult I think.

 

[SolarCity]

To be fair, even if the panels are 245w, I don't think it will have an effect on the output of the system. As far as I can make out, they'll operate at the same power of 235s if they are kept in the same string, if my understanding of MPPT is corrent. I'd be interested to hear other opinions.

 

[BruceB]

I have checked back on some of my installations and the serial numbers of some 230W panels have the '245' in them:
SN: UPa2453411050 xxxxx
60516 50276 60531
60577 60602 60560
60592 60601 60562
60515 60583 60569
60373 60568 60530
60116 60612 60611

so I would not be concerned

 

[whinmoor]

We've never installed Upsolar so can't speak from experience but they do not appear to have a 245w module on the MCS register so if you DO have a 245w panel, I would be very worried.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme



[h=1]Upsolar mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline PV modules[/h] Technology: Solar Photovoltaic
Models: Poly-Crystalline PV Modules UP-M180P, UP-M190P, UP-M200P, UP-M210P, UP-M220P, UP-M230P, UP-M240P, UP-M250P, UP-M260P, UP-M270P, UP-M280P, UP-M290P

 

[flamefix]

turned up for a job expecting sanyo's and mixed up delivery had upsolar instead, supplier swiftly replaced them today but missed the good weather and had to work in the freezing rain bah.

the power is a factor of the voltage and current the voltage of the module and the current rating need to be close the higher current units will be restricted by the lower current ones and they will heat up more and more likely to fail. the modules int he string should be of the same type imo

 

[SolarCity]

they will heat up more and more likely to fail. the modules int he string should be of the same type imo

Interesting point. The amperage difference between a 230 and a 245w panel wouldn't be much, I'd assume. Do you think this will have a damaging effect on the lower wattage module?

As soon as the dust has settled on the current madness (last install today - LOADS of paperwork to follow), I'll ask some panel manufacturers their opinion.

 

[pvman]

Had a chat about this and think that it would pull down the string power to a level as if the whole string was 230 modules. As the number of cells is the same in both modules and the difference in current only likely to be 0.5A the chances of extra heat build up are low.

Bet it would invalidate a warrenty though.

But as has been pointed out modules of the same spec can have very different serial numbers.

Tom

 

[sharpener]

Now the dust has settled I thought I ought to post an update on this.

Finally got a look at the backs of the panels, both kinds said M230P so the serial number issue was just an amazing co-incidence, thanks for your re-assuring comments on this though. Installation was commissioned on Tuesday, Good Energy acknowledged receipt of FIT application Wednesday.

Have since fitted StecaGrid Connect interface card, brilliant, for #250 can now look at real-time statistics from anywhere in the world via a wireless ethernet extender box. Was a bit nervous about possible interference from inverters right next to it but no problem.

Yield today over 5 kWh which to judge by other postings is OK for December, can even see shadow of the scaffolders' ladder passing from one string to the other as the sun moves round.

A big thank you to all on here esp BiggsSolar and other Seniors who have given so much of their time to helping punters like me on a purely goodwill basis. Hope you continue to thrive when the cowboys are long gone, at least there will be a fair amount of remedial work on a time-and-materials basis!