The ABC of Solar: What you should know about it
A Solar Panels The Supply and Quality of Solar Panels Most of solar panels are made in Asian, predominately from China. The larger Asian companies have improved their quality by procuring German manufacturing equipment and production lines that are almost fully automated and quality controlled. Currently, there are hundreds of small Asian companies, which have acquired “old outdated manufacturing equipment” which is not up to standard and therefore cannot produce consistent quality. It is important to insist on a ‘known brand’ panel that is rated at Tier 1 or Tier 2. The best way to challenge the solar panel supplier is to ask if the products they use have been selected for any large-scale projects in Europe or the USA. Products used on large commercial sites need the support of financial institutions, which insist on Tier 1 panels (the highest level of quality). Knowing your supplier uses Tier 1 panels brings peace of mind. Currently the only known solar panel manufacturer in Australia is Tindo Solar. If a solar company is claiming that their panels are Australia, be very careful and do some research. The chances are high they will be made in Asia and labelled differently. Question 1
national and international, large-scale commercial “Can I find project references for that panel brand you use? ” Mertert, Luxembourg – 484kWh capacity Panels – Tier 1 Jinko
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The ABC of Solar: What you should know about it Jessen, Germany – 1MWp capacity Panels – Tier 1 Q Cells
Uluru, Australia - 1.8MWp capacity Panels – Tier 1 Q Cells
True Value Solar supplies both the Jinko and the Q Cells solar panels, which are rated at Tier 1.
Solar Panel Performance Solar panels are defined in power output classes. The higher the number, the more kW/h will be produced over the lifetime of the system. These days solar panels display performance figures like 260W, 265W, 270W or higher. Due to most home’s limited roof space it is very important to get the maximum performance from each panel. High performance panels provide a greater rate of return on investment and save more money for the homeowner in the long term. Question 2
How can I make sure that the sticker “ on the product will deliver promised performance?
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Answer A professional supplier will provide you with a ‘power performance report’ after the system installation. This is also called Flash List Report, and should be part of their quality control process. Buy only panels that are supported with a power performance report.
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The ABC of Solar: What you should know about it Panel Warranty Panel warranties are given in two parts: 1. Product Warranty 2. Linear Power Warranty The product warranty covers the panel’s ability to operate. The power warranty covers the performance level of the panel during its lifetime. Panels usually are covered by a product warranty of 10 to 12 years. The linear power warranty covers the drop in level of performance over a period of 20 years. Be warned, some manufactures try to imply that the linear power warranty is the product warranty, which it is not. Question 3
the module manufacturer have an domestic “Doesbranch office and support team in Australia? ”
Answer All large solar panel manufactures have a domestic branch office and support team to service customers with potential warranty claims. Further to this, some of the companies have 3rd party insurance coverage to protect customer’s interest over the lifetime of the product. Before committing yourself to buying a solar power system, find out how enforceable is the guarantee on manufacturer. Many small Asian solar companies have warranties that are not enforceable in Australia. Particular when the retailer how sold the product is not in business any more.
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The ABC of Solar: What you should know about it
B Solar Inverter (String inverters) Suppliers of quality solar inverters There are a number of international inverter manufactures that have a history and a proven track record on providing exceptional quality. For example, manufactures such as ABB, Bosch, Fronius, SMA and others, which are some of the most trusted names in the industry. Question 4
can I make sure that I get serviced “Howover the live time of the system? ”
Answer Our partners have their own service centres including technical hotlines here in Australia. These companies have invested heavily in the Australian market for the long term. Be warned - companies who have not invested in Australia may not be able to service their inverters in the long-term. Even more importantly, spare parts may not be available after a certain time to fix faulty units. Question 5
secure is my warranty if I purchased “How from a small overseas based company? ”
Answer A significant number of early solar customers (over 100,000 homes) have no Australian contractual partner any more. These customers are forced to deal directly with an overseas manufacturer, if they still exist. It is very important to find out how enforceable is the guarantee on manufacturer within Australia. Some Asian inverter manufactures have a failure rate as high as 10%.
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The ABC of Solar: What you should know about it
C Accredited
Installers
Question 6
How can I make sure that the “ installer has all requested certificates?
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Answer The solar power installers should provide proof that they are certified to install solar power. The solar company they work for should have the following additional compliance certificates:
1. ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems 2. ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems 3. OHSAS 18001 – Health and Safety Compliance ATTENTION! By Australian law and standard, the installation can only be performed by an accredited solar electrician (installer).
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