Are PV Module Warranties Worth the Paper They're Written On?: PV Magazine's Insight on Quality
How Straightforward are PV Warranties, and Who’s Responsible?
As PV modules are being sold with longer warranties than ever before, the PV installer community should feel safe in offering their customers assurances that the products will stand the test of time. However, when modules underperform or fail, making claims on those warranties is rarely straightforward.
Some failures, such as backsheet degradation, can be visible to the naked eye – but their impact on long-term performance can be disputed. Other performance issues, such as PID, LID or LeTID, may be detected by monitoring, power electronics or on-site testing, however even here manufacturers may require lengthy processes to be followed before issuing replacements or reimbursement.
Given these circumstances, where does it leave the installer? How can this liability, often extending to the many thousands of modules, be mitigated? pv magazine Australia’s “Insight on Quality” session will address this, through the discussion of a case study that both shocks and astounds.
CEA’s Director of Technology, George Touloupas, joins the discussion and addresses:
Root Cause Analysis for Module Degredation
Degredation Detection, Analysis and Testing
Other topics discussed during the panel includes:
What does degradation on the rooftop look like? And what to do if you think you've found it?
R&D update on LID and LeTID
Degradation mitigation in manufacturing
Common BoS failures leading to system underperformance
Effective connections, cabling and connectors in focus
BoS components and underperformance
Warranties, wholesalers, and liabilities
The role of insuring rooftop portfolios
Warranties, guarantees, and rooftop liabilities
PV Magazine’s Insight on Quality is a part of the All Energy 2020 digital conference and brings together an unparalleled team of team of technologists and market participants to discuss this vital issue.
