Mitsubishi Electric testing confirms solar PV modules ready for installation near salt water

Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA said that it has confirmed that its UD5 and UJ6 photovoltaic modules can be installed near salt water. After extensive factory testing, the company found that its crystalline-silicon panels maintained a sufficient level of insulation from the corrosive effect of salt air and other aspects of the ocean front environment to maintain the power output specifications included in the warranty.

Mitsubishi Electric has conducted substantial testing to verify the effects of salt water exposure on its PV modules, gathering salt deposit rates for both U.S. and Japanese coastlines. The company said it used these values to conduct accurate simulated testing, allowing it to extend warranty coverage for the power output of the modules in coastal and other applications on or near salt water.

The internal testing included combined acceleration testing which simulated several tens of years of corrosive atmosphere to the modules. The units were also tested under conditions exposed to salt spray. Mitsubishi Electric found that, although the racking and other metal balance of system components showed weathering, the modules' power output was not significantly affected by the salty air.

“Extensive testing was conducted in response to requests from customers to install our modules near the ocean," said Gina Heng, GM for Mitsubishi Electric's PV division. "We were pleased with the findings, as this illustrates the durability of our modules and allows us to install our PV modules near sea ports and other salt water areas.”

Mitsubishi Electric said that modules properly installed near salt water will be covered with the same limited 25-year power output warranty offered to all of its U.S. customers.