[RE-wrenches] Defective modules

[Ray Walters]

First Solar was not performing to warranty within the first 2 years.  
They supplied more modules, but not the additional land, racking, labor, 
wiring, etc to make up for the low performance.
I've watched thin film companies come and go for 2 decades. As I said 
before, I think they have they're place for specialty situations, ie, 
shading, but overall I've had nothing but disappointments with anything 
but monocrystalline, and even then I've seen trouble (BP as you noted)  
I've seen quite a bit of under performance from polycrystalline too.

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

On 6/2/2013 4:27 PM, Carl Emerson wrote:
>
> Jay,
>
> The short answer is no...
>
> These are not real world tests of energy yield under 'normal' outdoor 
> conditions.
>
> Photon are setting up field tests for 2013 in Germany and the middle East.
>
> Then they will have some useful data.
>
> Carl E.
>
> Hi Carl
>
> Would like to see real data.
>
> Photon publishes their module data, and thin film are no where near 
> the top of the list.
>
> Nexpower. #14
>
> First solar. #131
>
> Total of 151 modules in the test.
>
> Jay
>
> Peltz power
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>
> On Jun 1, 2013, at 6:20 PM, "Carl Emerson" <Carl at solarking.net.nz 
> <mailto:Carl at solarking.net.nz>> wrote:
>
>> Hi there,
>>
>> Thin film is still getting bad press after early production suffered 
>> degradation issues way back in the 90's.
>>
>> There is plenty of evidence that thin film produces at least 10% more 
>> energy because it performs better at temperature and responds better 
>> to global irradiance.
>>
>> Some brands may be problematic today but this is equally true of 
>> crystalline modules.
>>
>> Sure the efficiency is down and more area is needed for the same 
>> rated power but some brands are delivering 20% more energy in some 
>> climates.
>>
>> As for degradation, I have seen crystalline BP's with every panel 
>> turning brown and clapping out after just 12 years in the pacific 
>> Islands.
>>
>> So let's be Brand specific and not lump all thin film together and 
>> tar it with the same brush, based on early failures 30 years ago.
>>
>> Current issues backed up with hard data would be very useful...
>>
>> Regards
>> Carl Emerson
>>
>
>
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