Does your solar panel look spotted?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mediahound, Oct 30, 2013.

  1. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2013
    903
    155
    2
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Under direct sunlight, from above, my solar panel looks spotted (see pic below). It's only at certain angles and if I had to guess, it's a manufacturer defect in the glass or glass coating.

    Need I worry?

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 mediahound, Oct 30, 2013
  2. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    3,159
    990
    0
    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I can't see the pic. Is the link broke?
     
    #2 usnavystgc, Oct 30, 2013
  3. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2013
    903
    155
    2
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Displays for me but here is the direct URL-

    0 1,224×1,632 pixels
     
    #3 mediahound, Oct 30, 2013
  4. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,591
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Please do not repost something you make in the wrong forum. Just report the post and we will move It. Reposting it without reporting it leaves a second post elsewhere. Thank you :)
     
    #4 Paradox, Oct 30, 2013
  5. GardenWeasel

    GardenWeasel Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2009
    76
    53
    1
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I've never seen spots like that...
     
    #5 GardenWeasel, Oct 31, 2013
  6. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    1,388
    352
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I think those are sun spots. Lol.

    SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 ?
     
    #6 Jonny Zero, Oct 31, 2013
    fotomoto likes this.
  7. afob3

    afob3 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    124
    40
    0
    Location:
    TN
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    There was a conversation somewhere here when I was shopping about some early 2010's having a weak seal that allowed moisture between the glass and solar panel. The moisture eventually caused corrosion and failure of the solar roof that weren't noticed till out of warranty.

    I assume you have tried cleaning & insured they are on the inside of the glass. I'd have your dealer note it for just in case down the road.
     
    #7 afob3, Nov 1, 2013
  8. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2013
    903
    155
    2
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    This really doesn't seem or look like moisture though. More like some sort of coating defect or something. Moisture would look like mist/fog.
     
    #8 mediahound, Nov 1, 2013
  9. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2013
    1,740
    448
    4
    Location:
    New Mexico, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    Those panels are made from a sandwich of materials. Those defects could easily be in/on a lower layer that has no impact on the function of the panel. Even so, its clearly a defect in materials or workmanship, and so might be replaced under warranty. I'd get it documented at the dealer and see what you can get done.
     
    #9 rdgrimes, Nov 1, 2013
  10. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2013
    903
    155
    2
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I suppose it should try. I'm sure they're going to say it's only cosmetic, the panel works fine so there is nothing they can do.
     
    #10 mediahound, Nov 1, 2013
  11. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2013
    1,740
    448
    4
    Location:
    New Mexico, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    That's when you get the district rep involved. The dealer knows nothing about it, or whether its something that might eventually cause failure. I'd look at it this way: would you accept that sort of defect in the car's finish or windows? IOW, being "only cosmetic" isn't a reason to deny your claim.
     
    #11 rdgrimes, Nov 1, 2013
  12. Zedknepplin

    Zedknepplin semper prius

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    124
    65
    162
    Location:
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four


    Most solar cells are based on photovoltaic technology and are made up of silicon semiconductors. Those look like silicon on the solar cells, and not on the glass. If your solar vent works fine in bright sunlight, there should be no problems. Here is some info on how silicon cells work: Link
    Photos of other cells: Link

    -Zed
     
    #12 Zedknepplin, Nov 1, 2013
  13. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2013
    903
    155
    2
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Yeah, looking at it closely, although it's difficult to tell, the spots do appear to be under the vertical lines on the actual solar cells themselves.

    Almost exactly like the pics you link to.

    I think I'm resting easier now. :)
     
    #13 mediahound, Nov 1, 2013
  14. priusincc

    priusincc Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2007
    332
    16
    0
    Location:
    NV
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    On close examination, my roof has the iridescent "spots" too, although they don't look to be as big as photo. The roof works with no problems. Love it! I will have to look at other solar roofs as I see them.
     
    #14 priusincc, Nov 2, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)