Why I Use & Install Branded Solar Panels

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Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,703
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
I know the race to the bottom of the price market often results in less quality and now it appears the issue has taken hold on the solar market. Through this period of low cost, elcheapo, source unknown solar panels I have held fast to known brands such as Kyocera, Sharp etc. that have a known and quantifiable track record in a marine application...

Unfortunately the race to the bottom has seen known quality brands like Kyocera drop many of the small panels we often use on boats leaving us potentially holding the bag of goods by forcing us to buy brands with little to no track record in marine environments..

As I have mentioned before Kyocera, Sharp, Siemens/Shell/Solarland have a track record in marine applications, and I feel very comfortable installing them in the marine environment. I am certainly glad I decided to stay with a known quantity, even when tempted by low prices........:doh:

While buying a brand name panel is no guarantee at least I know how a company like Kyocera stands behind an issue, if there ever is one.

Pretty sad, especially considering our tax dollars that were spent buying this stuff. The sad reality is that we often get what we pay for....

Solar Industry Anxious Over Defective Solar Panels
 
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MSter

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Apr 12, 2010
131
Sabre 38' MK II Oriental, NC
The problem of Chinese manufacturing substandard products has been well documented and discussed. There are many examples of them taking shortcuts, it wasn't long ago that baby formula, powdered milk, and pet food were found to be defective. Why they take these shortcuts would make for a very interesting MBA case study !
Buyer beware.
Mster
 
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Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,247
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Frightening ... so where is all this junk going to be disposed, and who is going to pay for the environmental cost of disposal? (I think I know the answer already - the US taxpayer will be forced to shoulder the burden of a government that is out of control and has no accountability.)
 
rardiH36

rardiH36

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Jun 21, 2007
2,117
Hunter Cherubini 36_80-82 Sausalito / San Francisco Bay
I might be seeing evidence of defects on the 20W Monocrystalline no-name panel that I bought/mounted on "Wildaire" about 3 years ago. While washing the boat last week, I noticed what seemed to be below-the-glass delamination cracking over a few of the photovoltaic "squares".

Makes me wonder how the 12 160W Sharp solar panels on my home roof look (installed 2003) are performing. Been a year since I went up to take a look at the physical condition. But I think I have noticed they are putting out less daily than when new-original. But also that might be because the Redwood tree two doors down and to the south is maybe 20 ft higher now!
 

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Mike B1026

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Jun 17, 2007
402
MacGregor Mac26S Victoria Tx
MSter said:
The problem of Chinese manufacturing substandard products has been well documented and discussed. There are many examples of them taking shortcuts, it wasn't long ago that baby formula, powdered milk, and pet food were found to be defective. Why they take these shortcuts would make for a very interesting MBA case study !
Buyer beware.
Mster
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Although I agree that Chinese manufacturing quality is a valid concern, the panels highlighted in that article were made in the U.S.

"Non-Chinese manufacturers have had quality problems as well. The defective panels installed on the Los Angeles area warehouse, for instance, were made by an American manufacturer. A reporter was granted access to the project on the condition that the parties’ identities not be disclosed because of a confidential legal settlement."

Companies that purchase panels from any country need to keep a close eye on quality construction. It can be harder if they are made overseas but quality issues aren't just limited to the Chinese.
 
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