[RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

Thu Dec 22 14:55:42 PST 2011

A couple of blogs re: BP
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/39142/?mod=chthumb

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/27436/?p1=blogs

Holt E. Kelly
Holtek Fireplace & Solar Products
500 Jewell Dr.
Waco TX. 76712
254-751-9111
www.holteksolar.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Allan Sindelar 
  To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 
  Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 11:04 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

  Bill,
  Because of our long shared history with Dankoff Solar Products (became Conergy US), which was an original "BP Partner" distributor beginning in 1997, we installed quite a few BP modules. I have no love for BP: we have had a lot of module failures, mostly of the 72-cell 160 and 170W poly modules. But BP does respond to warranty claims pretty promptly, sending replacement modules (that never match, of course) and paying for replacement. In a few cases BP has replaced entire arrays where the number of failed modules was excessive. 

  Like you, I share concern about this, especially given the number of defective modules that we will continue to have to replace. But at least we do receive support.
  Allan

  Allan Sindelar
  Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
  NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
  NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
  New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
  Positive Energy, Inc.
  3201 Calle Marie
  Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
  505 424-1112
  www.positiveenergysolar.com 

  On 12/21/2011 2:43 PM, Bill Brooks wrote: 
    Marco and Randy,

    I just went to the BP Solar website and they have a legal notice that states that BP Solar is a wholly owned subsidiary of BP. There is no liability separation. When their drilling rig blew up in the Gulf, they didn't run for cover even though the drilling rig could have been a subsidiary of the main company.

    That being said, it has rarely been easy to get a warranty replacement out of BP when they were making PV modules, so now that they have stopped, it is not going to be easier than before. I'm sure when you have a warranty claim that you will get the run around from whomever you contact, but with a loud enough voice, they will have to respond.

    There is no parallel here to AstroPower and the way GE bought their module manufacturing equipment to avoid liability.

    If you bought Shell monocrystalline modules back 8 years ago, the warranty on those modules are currently being serviced by Solar World. However, if SolarWorld were to go out of business, the warranty obligation would have to shift back to Shell because their name is on it. I'm sure it would be difficult to get a claim serviced, but that is generally how warranties work.

    If GE makes an appliance, then they sell that appliance line to another company that goes out of business, and the product fails, then GE is going to stuck with the warranty claim if it is still in the specified warranty period. That is one reason why most equipment has fairly short warranty periods.

    This is why it is critical whose name is on the back of them module. There may be 5 different module names made at the same factory, but if one of those names is a major multi-billion dollar company, and the other 4 are no-names, the big company is the better buy (assuming similar costs) since their warranty is more likely to have value.

    Bill.

    From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Randy
    Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:36 AM
    To: 'RE-wrenches'
    Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

    Bill

    I am not sure you are correct but I hope you are right.  I would like to know how it works -  if the "legal" corp "BP Solar"  that carries the warranty obligation ceases business and the shareholder writes off the investment, then there will be no one to answer the phone.  That is why corporations form separate legal entities - to separate the risk.  Someone should call BP Solar and find out.

    Randy

    Randy Sadewic

    Positive Energy

    Office: 505 424-1112

    Cell:    505 570-0137

    From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bill Brooks
    Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 7:44 PM
    To: 'RE-wrenches'
    Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

    Marco,

    With "BP" on the module, it means a lot more than some no name brand. Just because they are not producing anymore does not have any impact on their warranty obligation unless BP goes out of business-that is not likely to happen in your lifetime.

    Bill.

    From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Marco Mangelsdorf
    Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 6:38 PM
    To: 'RE-wrenches'
    Subject: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-20/bp-to-shut-down-solar-power-unit-exit-business-spokesman-says.html?cmpid=yhoo

    Anyone know what this means for the warranty coverage for all those BPS mods in the field?

    Oh dear..

    marco

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