NuCamp warning about Sunflare Solar Panel Failures July, 2025

pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,247
Apparently, this has been floating around since July 11.  Can't find this document at the NuCamp page, or at the Sunflare page.  Apparently, at the NuCamp gathering this was discussed as a "known issue"...but seems like nobody had ever heard of it!
Link to the actual .pdf is below. There is also the Sunflare .pdf on the issue.  
Thank you for contacting us regarding your nuCamp trailer and the Sunflare flexible solar panel.
Sunflare has identified two potential concerns affecting a small number of panels:
In fewer than 2% of units, under certain conditions, electrical arcing may occur inside the solar panel assembly. This can cause visible damage, smoke or arcing.
Some panels may also experience cellular breakdown that creates a blue haze around the cells and results in low voltage output.
Your safety is our highest priority, and we are committed to resolving these issues quickly.
Next Steps:
Please review the attached notices in detail.
Inspect your panels as described.
If you see discoloration, burn marks, holes, smoke, or a noticeable drop in performance, disconnect the panel immediately.
Contact your dealer or service provider for assistance.
Attachments:
nuCamp Owner Sunflare Panel Notice – includes inspection instructions, controller locations by model, and claim procedures.
Sunflare Customer Safety Notice
If you have any questions or would like help submitting a claim, please reply to this email or contact us at warranty@nucamprv.com. We are here to assist you and ensure any necessary repairs are handled promptly.
Thank you for your understanding and for being part of the nuCamp community.
Sincerely,
The nuCamp Warranty Team


2017 Outback
Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi

Comments

  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,247
    Here are some photos from a 2024 400 and a Cirrus camper (year unknown).  Other owners have piped up and said they have the same things happening.  This is the Cirrus, hard to tell the scale here.
    The 2024 400

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • RTWCTSRTWCTS Member Posts: 173
    We attended the first Sunflare talk at uCamp. To the best of my memory, the Sunflare rep said it was a misalignment on the assembly line that allowed a short circuit soon after the panel was fully connected and activated (as their press release above also seems to state).
    NuCamp rep said in their products it predominately affected a limited number of 2025 T@B 400s. She also said they believe they know which trailers were affected and most were still on dealer lots. Also, if you're battery has been installed awhile and the panel experienced no issues that you most likely don't have a panel from the defective run.
    Not making any judgements, just trying to share what I believe was said.
    2023 TAB 400 Boondock
    2025 Silverado (EV) or 2019 Colorado (ICE)
    2018 T@B 320 Sold
    Racing the Wind and Chasing the Sun
    Virginia Beach, VA
  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,247
    Thanks for that info.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,570
    We put one of those 310W panels on our 320S this past winter. I'll have to keep an eye on it. Thanks for the info.
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    (47,171 towing miles through the end of 2024)
  • donmontalvodonmontalvo Member Posts: 140
    2024 320S BBC.

    It came with 2x190W panels...I wonder if those are on the list?
    Don Montalvo | Retired Veteran | Full Time Snowbird
    2024 nuCamp T@b 320S Boondock Black Canyon (480W solar|200ah LiFePO4|1200W inverter)
    2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (130W solar|100ah LiFePO4|DCDC|1000W inverter)
    https://revkit.com/donmontalvo/ | https://donmontalvo.com
  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,570
    It came with 2x190W panels...I wonder if those are on the list?

    That makes me wonder if Sunflare can tell you if your panels are from the bad lots by the serial number? I took a picture of the labeling on the back of my new panel before installing. There's a barcode and a number. I'll have to contact Sunflare to see if they have any information.


    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    (47,171 towing miles through the end of 2024)
  • TrailpixieTrailpixie Member Posts: 184
    I might have one of these on my tab 360 built last fall. I have been very disappointed with the performance of my two 190 watt panels, so this might explain my problem. Here are photos that show the issue that I am seeing. Look closely at the left-hand panel.

    T@B 360, 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6, Maryland
  • ChrisFixChrisFix Member Posts: 741
    edited August 14
    2024 320S BBC.

    It came with 2x190W panels...I wonder if those are on the list?
    Yes they are...in fact, the way it reads is that those are the main culprits...However at the uCamp Sunflair tech session, they said it was "mainly" in units built in 2025, so look at your manufacturing date. They did state emphatically, that if it was a bad panel, it would fail as soon as it was powered, leaving a noticable burn mark on the panel itself. So if yours are working, you should be fine.

    "We want to inform you of an issue identified in a small number of Sunflare flexible solar panels, specifically the 190 watt model, but also possibly in 180 watt and 310 watt models. In fewer than 2% of units shipped, we discovered that under certain conditions, electrical arcing may occur due to a slight internal misalignment during manufacturing. In rare cases, this could lead to visible damage or smoke from the solar panel."
    2025 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon with 400Ah Battle Born and Victron Multiplus 3000
    2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition with Redarc Trailer Brake Controller
  • TrailpixieTrailpixie Member Posts: 184
    my solar performance has always been bad, so I suspect that I have always been limping along with only one panel.
    T@B 360, 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6, Maryland
  • donmontalvodonmontalvo Member Posts: 140
    edited August 14
    ChrisFix said:

    They did state emphatically, that if it was a bad panel, it would fail as soon as it was powered, leaving a noticable burn mark on the panel itself. So if yours are working, you should be fine.
    Thanks for the info!
    Don Montalvo | Retired Veteran | Full Time Snowbird
    2024 nuCamp T@b 320S Boondock Black Canyon (480W solar|200ah LiFePO4|1200W inverter)
    2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (130W solar|100ah LiFePO4|DCDC|1000W inverter)
    https://revkit.com/donmontalvo/ | https://donmontalvo.com
  • TrailpixieTrailpixie Member Posts: 184
    My two-panel system is working badly. Maybe the right one is still working and the left one is failing.
    T@B 360, 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6, Maryland
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