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<font size=3>Jeff:<br><br>
Thank you for the post below. This is a very serious problem.
This issue has been addressed in other industries -- the automotive is
one the comes to mind. In that industry, I believe a legislative solution
was established requiring parts be available for X number of years.
Solar industry support groups might be approached to lobby for
this.<br><br>
<br>
William Miller<br><br>
<br><br>
At 07:51 AM 2/25/2010, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>I have been very concerned that
every time we settle on a module brand and size for a project, the
manufacturer switches production or design and these "older"
modules are replaced with a larger or totally different module. We
always try to hold back at least one extra module for future warranty
issues when we are forced to switch, but that could be very expensive and
take up lots of storage. The point is we are already seeing many
posts here from installers needing just a few modules to complete a
project using modules that are no longer being manufactured, or to expand
an existing system that needs to match, so what are we all going to do
when your older client base starts calling to order a replacement module
that was either physically damaged or perhaps suffered a thermal shock
glass break. And what will the manufacturer do to honor a warranty
replacement for a module that is no longer made - Send a credit
voucher? <br>
<br>
In other words, will future solar arrays look like a patchwork quilt of
mis-matched modules as we try to keep a system operational using
replacement modules that do not match. This may not be an issue on
a ground mounted array in the woods, but what about a closely spaced roof
array and you cannot find a replacement module that fits the opening when
the damaged module is removed? And the same issue if the
replacement module you find fits the opening, but has a totally different
volt-amp rating? Do we just jumper over and leave the damaged
module in place and hope the array voltage is still in limits? Will
your client consider that an acceptable warranty solution?<br>
<br>
So will my collection of a few mis-matched modules of each brand and size
that are no longer manufactured turn into a future gold
mine?? Oh well, I can always dream.................<br>
<br>
Jeff Yago<br>
DTI Solar<br>
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