Jeff:
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.
William Miller
At 07:51 AM 2/25/2010, you wrote:
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?
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?
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.................
Jeff Yago
DTI Solar
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