[RE-wrenches] Defective modules

[John Blittersdorf]

Hilton,
   This article just confirms what I have always suspected.  Cost cutting could compromise quality and this also reinforces my business practice to buy American from solid companies.  Obviously the choices are limited and the prices a few cents higher.  This said, I have sold dozens of brands over the years and I have had no warranty issues for the last 17 years.  Worst problem was lack of drainage in the extruded frame of a Sunwize module (made in India) with water retention and  consequential frame distortion when frozen.  My Arco and kyosera modules at over 30 years old are still doing fine.   

John Blittersdorf
Central Vermont Solar & Wind

Sent from my iPhone

On May 29, 2013, at 9:08 AM, Hilton Dier III <hiltondier at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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