Rebecca, This reminds me of a Sanyo grid tie system we quoted years ago to be installed in Yuma, AZ. After receiving the PV modules (11kW), I discovered that the warranty was void if the average temperature was above 104° F (40C). That means “no warranty” in Yuma and much of the desert SW. Fortunately the distributor exchanged the modules before we installed them. Panasonic later changed that to 115° F average. This exclusion is not written in the warranty, it was found in the installation instructions. Better read everything carefully before installing.
I think as the monetary systems of the world become more stressed, manufacturers in all industries are looking for reasons to deny claims to help prop up the bottom line. Buyer Beware. Larry On Oct 25, 2014, at 12:24 PM, Rebecca Lundberg <[email protected]> wrote: Recent experiences with field failures as well as new manufacturers (with no prior experience) coming to town because of a local incentive have made me look more closely at the manufacturer's printed warranties. I am curious what you think of these two warranty exclusions -- (Excerpt from a module manufacturer's warranty quoted here:) " The Limited Warranties do not apply to any of the following: - Damage caused by nonuniform sunlight on the PV modules produced by artificially concentrating sunlight or excessive shading of the PV modules. - Product which has been moved from its original place of installation (including but not limited to any installation, application, repair, servicing, or temporary removal) by any party not authorized in writing by ... " (manufacturer's name removed) (End of quote.) In the first item above I understand the part about concentrating sunlight, but the product is not warrantied if the manufacturer deems the site unsuitable because of shading? Of course we try to put modules in full sun, but what is excessive? Shading from a dormer? A higher roof shading a lower roof part of the day? Uneven snowshed? (This would also stress bipass diodes, but is of course out of our control) The second item would imply that removing and reinstalling the array for a re-roof would void warranty unless we got an authorization in writing from the manufacturer? Not that the manufacturer would necessarily know, but still. Do these seem odd to you? Keep Shining! Rebecca Lundberg Powerfully Green
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