Sunfind Blog
Current News & Projects
Solar Industry Anxious Over Defective Panels
Jun 03, 2013
Photo Credit: Jim Wilson, The New York Times
As the old cliche` states, "You get what you pay for" certainly applies to the post - PV module price crash. While price declines are a necessary function to allow the PV industry to continue to grow and become sustainable over the long term, buyers need to remember that a module is not "just a module" and that performance and reliability can vary widely.
If you're looking at buying solar PV modules and / or equipment, there are some very important steps to take:
- It is imperative to search out the industry leaders.
- Once you've found the manufacturers you determined to be well established and reliable, you can start research those manufacturer's specific product.
- Once you've found the product you want to purchase, it is important to check out spec sheets and installation manuals. These documents will provide you information, such as product certifications and testing.
- Once you know the type of certifications and testing the product has been through, take some time to research the certification and testing criteria.
- Also, search the net, as if others have had bad experiences, they will vocalize these experiences.
Just like any other major purchases, your long term goals should be set first (ie: have a solar system for several decades) and then find quality product / systems that will meet those goals. If you start out with, "I want to lowest possible price" you may end up receiving a system that is inferior and will only provide a fraction of the useful life as quality product.
Over the last several years, we've resisted the temptation to migrate to the lowest priced product. We use solar technology every day, so we understand the importance of quality equipment. We also work hard to educate the industry to the importance of quality.
Below is the New Times Article detailing the issues with purchasing cheap, low quality solar. Please note, the below material belongs to Todd Woody, New York Times
LOS ANGELES — The solar panels covering a vast warehouse roof in the sun-soaked Inland Empire region east of Los Angeles were only two years into their expected 25-year life span when they began to fail.
Coatings that protect the panels disintegrated while other defects caused two fires that took the system offline for two years, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenues.
It was not an isolated incident. Worldwide, testing labs, developers, financiers and insurers are reporting similar problems and say the $77 billion solar industry is facing a quality crisis just as solar panels are on the verge of widespread adoption.
No one is sure how pervasive the problem is. There are no industry wide figures about defective solar panels. And when defects are discovered, confidentiality agreements often keep the manufacturer’s identity secret, making accountability in the industry all the more difficult... FULL ARTICLE
F: 403.343.6455