| David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle. Relevant to GSS Energy Use,
chapter 10. Excerpt: A worldwide glut of solar panels has slashed
prices and made the technology affordable to more people than ever
before. But that glut could be prompting some panel manufacturers to cut
corners. SolarBuyer, a company that audits solar factories, has found
defect rates averaging about 8 percent among panels that have not yet
been shipped to customers. With some manufacturers, the defect rate has
topped 20 percent. That eye-popping number is an exception, not the
rule. But faulty panels are a concern for the solar industry. The number
of panels being installed around the world is surging, jumping 44
percent in the United States during this year's third quarter. …A
typical 3.5-kilowatt solar system costs about $23,800, which includes
panels and installation. … Companies typically offer 25-year
warranties…. Read the full article: http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Troubling-solar-panel-defect-rate-seen-4140805.php |
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