[RE-wrenches] Defective modules

[Ray Walters]

First Solar's thin film is definitely part of the industry's early onset 
under performance problem.
With monocrystalline under $1/watt, I just don't understand why big 
projects are still going forward with thin film.
I would only use thin film for partial shading, or curved, odd shaped 
surfaces.  (RV roofs, not MW plants)
The bean counters are putting too much faith in warranties and spread 
sheets, instead of looking at real life long term performance history.  
PV's been around now for several decades; there's just no excuse to keep 
repeating the same mistakes over again.

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 5/31/2013 1:02 AM, Brian Teitelbaum wrote:
>
> I don't know for sure, but the S. California installation in the 
> article is likely a large Unisolar installation down there.
>
> However, since the article talks about Chinese modules, which are 
> mostly crystalline, I don't think thin film is the major problem, if 
> there really is one.
>
> Not mentioned in the article is the possibility for micro-fracturing 
> of the cells being a major problem, especially since they are sliced 
> so thin these days, and generally shipped lying flat, which must cause 
> a lot of flexing during transport.
>
> Brian Teitelbaum
>
> AEE Solar
>
> *From:*re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Carl 
> Emerson
> *Sent:* Thursday, May 30, 2013 2:50 PM
> *To:* 'RE-wrenches'
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Defective modules
>
> Hi there,
>
> Hilton's third question is important.
>
> Are we seeing a rise in thin film failure or is this only mono and poly?
>
> Regards
> Carl Emerson
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:*re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> 
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of 
> *Hilton Dier III
> *Sent:* 30 May 2013 1:09 a.m.
> *To:* re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Defective modules
>
> Greetings wrenches,
>
> I'm sure many of you have seen this article in the New York Times: 
> http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/energy-environment/solar-powers-dark-side.html?hp&_r=1&
>
> I have already gotten an email from a panicked client asking about 
> canceling his project.
>
> First question: Has anybody dealt with defective modules lately, and 
> if so, what brands?
> Second question: How much does this affect first-tier manufacturers 
> (Trina, Suntech, Yingli...) and how much of this is "no-name" brands?
> Third question: Is this restricted to a particular technology such as 
> thin film?
>
> And the big question: How do we deal with this? I can imagine the 
> fossil fuel and nuclear industries promoting this story with enthusiasm.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Hilton
>
> -- 
> Hilton Dier III
> Renewable Energy Design
> Partner, Solar Gain LLC
> 453 East Hill Rd.
> Middlesex, VT 05602
>
>
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