problems with Conergy modules[RE-wrenches]

[John Raynes]

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Jeff,

I don't think that Conergy's use of Chinese suppliers (Suntech) is a 
secret at all.  They seemed to me to openly tout that fact in the 
spring.

We used the Suntech-labeled modules this spring on a couple jobs, and 
found them to be first quality, with no shipping related issues.  My 
understanding was that their shift to Conergy branded modules in 
mid-season was simply a relabeling of the Suntechs, but perhaps that is 
not the case.  Anyone else care to comment on that?  I was somewhat 
disappointed that, after their talking up Suntech as a long term stable 
supplier/partner, they went and changed the module label a month or two 
later.  Has Conergy gone ahead and changed the design and form factor 
as well, or are they still the same exact Suntech modules?

John Raynes
RE Solar
Torrey, UT



From: Jeff Yago <jryago at netscape.com> Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:14:54 
-0800 Subject: RE: problems with Conergy modules[RE-wrenches]

Anybody run into this type problem with Conergy?


We ordered 24 Conergy S175 modules under the impression they were made 
in US and not China. I had told Conergy rep at time we placed order 
that we selected their modules over modules from another distributor 
who was offering us China modules at a lower price, and Conergy rep did 
not disclose to me at that time that their modules were also made in 
China.


20 of the modules in this order went directly onto job with no problem, 
remaining 4 modules stayed in 2 factory un-opened cartons in our 
storeroom for 2 months, then we received order for small off-grid that 
could use these last 4 modules. When I delivered these to job site and 
opened the shipping box, one of the 4 modules was shattered. Since I 
un-loaded the modules myself when we received them from the trucking 
company, and I stacked them on the pallet myself, and I re-loaded them 
myself and delivered them myself using my truck, these modules were 
never handled by anyone but me, and we do not own a fork truck and no 
vehicles can fit into locked storeroom so nobody has been near these 
but me.


Finally, after finding the shattered module I inspected the shipping 
box and there were no signs of damage that I could see, or would have 
been able to see when they were delivered. However, there are several 
"blemishes" on the back vinyl backing that have been painted over with 
a white epoxy type paint to cover them up, and this was done before 
they were shipped to us.


Have you ever received new modules from any manufacturer that had 
damaged areas that had been re-painted to cover these areas?


What are chances that one of these painted over areas was weakened by 
whatever damaged the backing, and this later shattered the glass as it 
was banged around in shipping.


Since the nameplate labels on these Conergy modules do NOT indicate 
where they were manufactured, were you aware that they are hiding the 
fact they are made in China?


I realize some China products are pretty good, but considering a module 
from China is in shipping many thousands of miles more to get to me 
than modules made in California, and will be handled by many multiple 
fork trucks and shipping container cranes to make this long trip, I 
would say the risk for glass breakage is far greater for modules made 
in China than modules made in the US, and I would have expected Conergy 
to be more responsive due to this higher risk for damage in shipment.


I also note that these made in China modules are shipped in a cardboard 
box that contain much less protective packing inside than modules we 
receive from other manufacturers. I can't wait to see how Conergy 
handles future claims if one of these made in China modules fails in a 
year or two.


What has your experience been with Conergy and their made in China modules??


Jeff Yago


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