[RE-wrenches] Canadian Solar modules

[penobscotsolar at midmaine.com]

     We have installed about 20k of these modules, largely off grid. I
would make these recommendations:

Install on good quality mounting. We have almost exclusively been
installing these on DP&W top of pole mounts. The frames are not
particularly beefy but they are not flimsy, either, and a good mounting
system should compensate. That said, we will not use them in our Caribbean
installations due to hurricane potential.

Install where the people have plenty of room. As Tump said, these things
are doors (39 5/8 x 64 or so), but when our customers have more room than
money we install them. We installed some CSI 200's yesterday and today
installed an array of Sanyo 195's and the difference was pretty
obvious.....

    CSI panels have met the same specs and pass muster other manufacturers
have had to to achieve UL approval. They are not for everyone I
suspect, but they are meeting a niche market, are UL approved and I
think are a decent product. Perhaps in a few years I'll feel
differently but the ones we have in the field are performing well and
have been through some big winds without issues. As I said, time will
tell.......

Daryl DeJoy
Penobscot Solar Design





> "Canadian" Solar modules are most definitely made in China.
>
>
>
> I guess they couldn't get away with branding "American Solar" and probably
> didn't want "Mexican Solar." Heck, everyone likes Canadians. The "Strong
> frame" is not very rigid and flexes too much like most Chinese modules.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: Bob-O Schultze <mailto:bob-o at electronconnection.com>
>
> To: RE-wrenches <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>
> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 7:48 AM
>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Canadian Solar modules
>
>
>
> Holt,
>
> No experience with them, but I believe they are made in China. The whole
> misnomer of "Canadian Solar" is enough to turn me off to them.
>
> Bob-O
>
>
>
> On Oct 15, 2009, at 7:31 AM, <holtek at sbcglobal.net> <holtek at sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Greatly valuing the opinions of all who participate on this list, I was
> wondering if anyone has had experience with Canadian Solar modules. Am
> bidding a 42kw system for local community college, so budgets are tight
> and
> this line of modules fits the budgetary profile. Sharing pros or cons
> would
> be greatly appreciated.
>
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