<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><P>Properly made Unisolar amorphous silicon solar modules power output should be good for the 20-year warranty period. NREL tests on the Unisolar 3-junction modules started 1997 and measure less than 1%/year degradation and holding steady at the same rate as properly made crystalline silicon solar modules.</P>
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<P>EVA is hydroscopic. Any moisture that enters any EVA encapsulated solar module will result in poor performance and eventual failure. CIGS chemistry, EVA are H2O are particularly problematic.</P>
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<P>20 or 25 year warranties are a whole other story. Arco had a 5 year warranty. When the company was 10 years old, Arco went to a 10 year warranty. Kyocera trumped Arco with a 12 year warranty. When Siemens celebrated its (Arco/Siemens) 25 year anniversary, they announced a 25 year warranty and the rest of the marketing pack followed their lead. Unisolar accelerated aging tests indicated a 20 year warranty was a safe bet and other amorphous PV producers tried to follow suit. A warranty is only as good as the company behind it and even good companies go out of business. A good warranty must also be backed up with good customer service. Put yer money on the table and take yer chances.</P>
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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: Doug Wells <dwells@thesolarspecialists.com><BR>To: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<BR>Sent: Monday, November 3, 2008 5:53:29 AM<BR>Subject: [RE-wrenches] crystalline VS uni-solar and beyond<BR><BR>How about the longevity?<BR>This is the one area that has not been tested.<BR>Crystalline cells have proven their longevity for the most part. <BR>Their weakness seems to be sealants and gaskets more than cell <BR>longevity.<BR>How will the amorphous panels be producing in 20 years?<BR>Is this why Sanyo has kept its warranty at 20 years for its cell <BR>design?(and I like their panels)<BR>Thoughts?<BR><BR>Doug Wells<BR>The Solar Specialists<BR>Worcester, VT 05682<BR>(p) 802-223-7014<BR>(c) 802-498-5856<BR><A href="http://www.thesolarspecialists.com/"
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