Snail trails on PV modules in Brazil’s tropical climate: Detection, chemical Properties, bubble formation, and performance effects

•Case study of photovoltaic modules with high snail-trail populations in Brazil tropical regions.•Chemistry of snail trails and conditions/reactions for their formation identified.•Complementary ultraviolet fluorescence and electroluminescence mapping of snail trails and microcracks.•Report of bubble formation and evolution along snail trails (in addition to over silver busbars).•Current-voltage characterization of modules with temperature demonstrating microcrack effects.