I decided to post the text of Sanyo's letter here as it lists specific modules and timelines affected.
>>>March 3, 2011 >>>Dear Valued Customers: >>>Subject: Photon article concerning SANYO solar modules in North America >>>We are writing to inform you that PHOTON International Magazine will >>>publish an article about SANYO modules in an upcoming issue. The article >>>will most likely have some contents regarding an occurrence of short >>>circuits caused by insulation degradation in some SANYO solar module >>>products in North America. >>>Please allow us to provide a brief outline of the situation for your >>>reference. After receiving the first complaint about an issue with a >>>panel in commercial PV systems from a customer in autumn 2009, SANYO >>>conducted a thorough investigation in the United States, where the >>>problem was reported. As a result of our investigation, we found a very >>>limited number of a similar occurrence (less than 0.01%) in commercial PV >>>systems using HIP-xxxBA2, HIP-xxxBA3, and HIP-xxxBA5 HIT solar modules >>>which were produced from 2002 to 2008, and sold only in North America. >>>It is found that the subject modules experienced insulation degradation >>>primarily caused by a combination of module structure, variation in >>>production, environment of installation site and wiring requirements and >>>guidelines for PV systems in North America. >>>SANYO has notified its immediate customers, and together SANYO conducted >>>physical site evaluations and inspections. At the same time, SANYO is >>>working with distributors to identify any remaining uninspected >>>commercial systems and to take proactive measures. One of our measures to >>>ensure the safety includes installing a new combiner box (monitoring >>>system) which will detect any insulation failure and prevent short >>>circuit in the PV system. >>>We have not had any reports of similar issues from our customers with >>>residential PV systems (systems incorporate a small or single phase >>>inverter/inverters that operate with Ground Fault Detector Interrupters >>>which threshold value is 1A or less) in North America and there have been >>>no reports outside of North America on similar panels found in commercial >>>PV or residential PV systems. >>>Thank you for your understanding and continued patronage. >>>Sincerely, >>>Takashi "Charles" Hanasaki >>>Division President My note: No bifacial part numbers are mentioned. Apparently only the older "lipped" frame style of standard panels is affected. Kirk Herander Vermont Solar Engineering 802.863.1202 NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar Installer NYSERDA-eligible Installer VT Solar Incentive Program Partner _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
