We live in an era of misinformation, which, unless we vigorously check our sources, can prevent us from living our best lives. When it comes to installing solar panels, many clients have some stereotypes about PV modules and hesitate to order due to hearing or reading on the internet. Eco Green Energy prepared a short list of the most popular photovoltaics myths which what faced during 15 years in the solar industry.
If you are in the solar business or planning to purchase a solar installation for personal needs, you should not skip this article!
Myth 1: All PV modules are the same
For people focused only on comparing datasheets, true, PV modules are the same. It is because types and dimensions are standard across the industry. Anyway, datasheets for PV modules such as personal ID – you can know the name but not who the person is. Same for datasheets: they state some standard technical information but don’t show anything about the quality of the panels: raw materials, the process of production, quality control, the efficiency of cells, etc.
Myth 2: PV modules can have a product warranty of more than 15 years
Companies usually use the warranty as a marketing trick, proposing incredibly huge warranties for 20-30 years to attract more customers. As an indisputable fact, there are no insurance companies who insure panels for more than 15 years, so the factory ensures this on its own. Moreover, long-term insurances tend to be proposed by young companies that have no guarantee that they will still exist in the future due to market competitiveness. Even, what the guarantee length of 30+ years can be for the bifacial PV modules that work no more than 25 years? Eco Green Energy is always working on providing the best quality solar PV modules. We ensure clients with a 12 to 15 years warranty for its products.
Myth 3: All Tiers 1 PV modules are good quality
People believe that only Tier 1 companies provide the best quality for their products. Let’s get deep into this term: Tier 1 is only about the bankability of a company and its installed capacity, and has no connection to quality. Not all Tiers-1 manufacturers have the same quality level, and none produce high- or low-quality PV modules. According to Bloomberg, Tier 1 module manufacturers must have supplied their brand products manufactured in their facilities. Also, to have at least six different projects larger than 1.5 MW, financed by six banks in the past two years.
Myth 4: All PV module certified TUV is best-quality
However, when the company has the TUV mark (Comprehensive PV module testing and certification), it means that the product range is approved for sale and use. One thing needs to know: during TUV certification, the quality committee tests only several panels once and then give the mark. After this, there is no control from them to be assured that every panel produced is the same and has the same quality as the panels they tested.
Myth 5: All PV modules produced with the same technology have the same efficiency coefficient
Nowadays, modern solar companies propose a great product range of PV modules made with PERC technology, which is more straightforward as they only differ slightly from the standard solar cells. In addition, it is more cost-effective as it allows maximized energy output due to more efficient energy conversion. What is needed to consider here, is one technology does not define the same efficiency coefficient. Different panels have a different number of cells and dimensions. For example, our Atlas 550W-144-10BB up to 21.28% after one year of use decreased only to 2.5%. Other companies’ PV modules can diminish to 7% or even 10% because of bad quality raw material.
To conclude
Eco Green Energy recommends you check the PV modules before purchasing and consider all factors that influence the quality. We also recommend you to pay specific attention to an argument such as: ‘’Tiers 1 Quality’’, 20-25 years product warranty, or attempts to pretend to be a European (German quality) or USA brand. Moreover, no trust has manufacturers with more than ten years of experience but have never attended a fair or have only a few followers on social media.
We will also add that the companies must fulfill the contract terms with respect, without any long delays in shipping. It is typical for manufacturers who are waiting for the price to decrease. Price contract change after pre-payment should also be a sign of a not trustful supplier.
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