Beware of any "B" cells. In my experience making modules with "B" cells can have a wide range of performance issues. In theory "B" cells have the same performance as "A" cells but with some cosmetic defects that do not affect performance. This is based on a flash test of the cell and not any long term durability testing. We used them to start up our production line and learn how to use our equipment since they cost less than "A" cells. Once we switched to "A" cells we saw a more predictable tighter range of performance closer to the theoretical predicted value based on the rating of the cells. In some applications that might be OK to save a few dollars, but if you are putting the money and time into a larger system you want to depend on and expect to last 20+ years, I would be inclined to spend the extra money and get a module using the higher quality cells. "B" cells are what is left over after they have sorted out the cream of the crop "A" cells. The next step down is "Shunt" cells which have performance and/or cosmetic issues and should not be used in a module because of serious hot spotting issues. I suspect the line between "A" and "B" is pretty well defined and between "B" and "shunt" cells is a little bit gray. Many of all three categories are not distinguishable by visual inspection. Beware of the great deal.....there is a reason the larger manufacturers are selling off their "B" cells!
Bill Hoffer PE Sunergy Engineering 2504 Columbia Ave NW East Wenatchee, WA 98802 (509)884-8638 sune...@charter.net -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]on Behalf Of Howie Michaelson Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 6:02 AM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Fwd: Solar Panels for 98 Cents Per Watt Hi all, The message below was received by a friend of mine who has done all his own installation work, including being an early adopter of the FIT program while living in Germany many years ago. He is wondering if this is a good deal for his off-grid system. What thoughts are there about the points made in this pitch? This is the type of marketing that more and more of my clients are seeing. Has anyone had any traffic with Sun Electronics that they care to relate? And, I thought at least the Evergreen blemishes were about minorly misaligned cells, not spots. Thanks, Howie -- Howie Michaelson NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer(tm) Sun Catcher, LLC Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service VT Solar & Wind Incentive Program Partner http://www.SunCatcherVT.com (cell) 802-272-0004 (home) 802-439-6096 Begin forwarded message: > From: Sun Electronics <johnkimb...@sunelec.com> > Date: December 7, 2009 5:29:34 PM AST > > Before I tell you about these new panels, I would like to say something about our B grade and SUN modules. No one else sells the brand SUN. We have them made for us in the U.S., Germany and China using different cells, depending on the size they might be Evergreen's, Sun Power's, etc.B modules have UL and SUN modules do not. They both have a 25 year warranty. SUN modules can be used for off grid independent homes, or any low voltage application of 12, 24, or 48 volts,(boats, RV's, telecom, etc.). Both our A and B panels have UL and can be used for any grid connected application or any other type of systems. > > B and SUN Panels: If you have ever actually seen one of our cosmetically imperfect crystalline modules like the Evergreen ES-A-205-fa3B for $2.24/W or our SUN ES-A-205-fa3 for $1.74/W sitting next to an Evergreen A panel, you will know that you can't tell the difference. You will probably need someone to show you some tiny spots, if there are any. The power output is identical. Every panel comes with a flash test sheet from the manufacturer's certified solar simulator showing all panels power output's equal or exceed the factories output tolerances -0% to + 5%. Over the last 10 years we have sold hundreds of containers of them and have never had more than 10 panels come back over the last 10 years, and even those are kept for testing and repair. All A, B and SUN modules have a 25 year warranty. > > The reason for the excellent quality of B and SUN panels is because solar panels are all basically made the exact same way. Like sliding glass doors that, last like Stanley hammers, they are very very simple and strong. They are built to last 30 to 40 years, some say longer. If you could compare all the different manufacturer's crystalline solar panels in the world by lining them up and having a 100 yard dash, they would all end up finishing within a few inches of each other, but the sales guys would be there promoting that theirs was 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. However, the difference in efficiency of solar modules is only about 3% between the best and worst and its been that way since I started in the PV business, 25 years ago! > > If your system is off grid and low voltage (12, 24 or 48 volts) it's even safe for you to use modules without certification. Modules are tested to a minimum of 150 volts most 600 volts. We have sold them without UL, into the Caribbean, Latin America as well as North America and we have thousands of customers who will gladly tell you how happy they are to have purchased them and how well they have worked for years. > > Cost effective solar is happening now, if you know what to buy, when to buy it, how to use it, where to get it and who you can believe. I started with the Energy Center in Tucson, Arizona in 1973, 36 years ago, during the Arab Oil Embargo. I have worked for three U.S. Congressmen, Udall, Sharp and Brown (Chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee), Arizona Gov. Babbitt's Solar Energy Commission, Photowatt's PV Factory and Kyocera Solar as U.S. and International Sales Engineers and as the Owner of Sun Electronics International, Inc. for 20 years. > > Sure we sell the best and more expensive panels, Kyocera, Evergreen, Solar World, etc. and we take our reputation seriously here at Sun Electronics. But we need to lower the cost of solar and not just by using other people's money. All solar systems are good but cost effective ones are better in our opinion. B and our SUN modules help lower the cost of solar by up to 50%. > No one has prices like Sun Electronics, it's not because we are unprofessional it's because we are realistic. And because I have been shopping great deals for 20 years and I have contacts in the industry from 36 years of experience. We are known for it and manufacturers call us with special offers from all over the world including the U.S. (Evergreen, BP, Solar World, Sanyo, Schott, AEE etc.)as well as from Germany, Japan, China and Spain. > > Don't let anyone scare you. "Cosmetic blemishes" are just that "cosmetic". And, some panels may have different or no certifications at all because many manufacturer's have customers who don't require it. Certification is also unbelievably expensive (approx. $50,000 per panel type) and takes forever to get. Most countries don't even have grid connect type high voltage systems and thus don't require any certification. Remember, however, on high voltage grid connect systems you should always use modules with the proper certification such as UL, TUV or CE. Our B "cosmetically blemished" modules always have certification. > > As of Monday Dec. 7th solar is available, at least until we run out, for $.98/Watt, it's thin film, it's made in Japan, it is less efficient, but at this price, especially with UL and a 25 yr. factory warranty, I ask you, is there any reason why not? We have 1,000 of them. These are the kind of deals I have spent years looking for and find. And, there will be more, the world economy and over production in the industry has assured that. Solar can stand on it's own two feet, but for now it means starting off with the lowest price solar panels, balance of system components, energy efficient appliances and energy conservation. > > Happy Holidays, > > John Kimball > Sun Electronics International., Inc. > www.sunelec.com > > Email Marketing by > > Sun Electronics | 511 NE 15th Street | Miami | FL | 33132 > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org 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
