Not sure where these fit in 1-8, but: A. Embedded energy B. Environmental affects of manufacturing C. Exploitation of workers
Bill Brooks wrote at 03:46 PM 7/19/2010: >Peter: > >Here is a slide from one of my PV courses. This is my priority list for >module selection. The second item, qualification testing (IEC61215), is very >important if it has truly been done by a NRTL. Many companies claim to have >passed, but they performed the test themselves--invalidating the results. It >is much more intensive than setting a module outside in the So Cal desert. > > >1. Field Experience with technology (mono and poly crystal silicon, thin >films, etc.) >2. Qualification testing (IEC61215, IEC61646, IEC62108) >3. Company Experience (size, longevity) >4. Warranty-directly related to company size and longevity >5. Voltage/Power characteristics match well with an inverter that meets the >selection criteria. >6. Performance (how close delivered product is to rating-currently very >difficult to determine) >7. Ease of installation (size, weight, connections per Watt, grounding >options, mounting options) >8. Price > >Bill. > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org >[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Peter >Parrish >Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 3:14 PM >To: 'RE-wrenches' >Subject: [RE-wrenches] Picking a Quality Chinese PV Module > >We normally take a very conservative approach to accepting new product, >whether they be PV modules or inverters. As a result for example we never >gave SunTech much of chance back in 2004, although I must say that our >evaluation of SunTech was exacerbated by a terrible relationship with their >SoCal distributor. > >I believe that we have to jump in and take a hard look at the PV modules >coming out of China from an engineering point of view. Perhaps the >discussion will transition off list, but for now I think that we should have >a broad discussion as to HOW to evaluate these modules. > >(1) UL and its sister organizations test for safety, no? What are the >European equivalents to UL and how do they differ in any important respect? > >(2) Here in California, for grid-tied systems we need CEC listing, which >normally comes from a NRTL (acronym correct?). I believe that today the CEC >listing is based on NOCT and temperature coefficient of power. I understand >that TUV is also recognized as a lab by CEC. But for utility scale projects, >we won't need CEC listing. > >Beyond that, how do we know if it is a prudent move to purchase 20-50 kW of >an off-brand for a limited scale installation? > >I heard that Canadian Solar cells were manufactured from "Grade B" silicon, >compared to "Grade A". What can that possibly mean? I spent 8 hours on the >floor at InterSolar a few days ago, and I didn't get the same answer from >any two Chinese PV manufacturers--about of any technical question beyond >what one can garner from the cut sheet. > >Without having any better idea, I have asked one manufacturer to supply us >with two each of their "240 W to 270 W Class" modules (2 of poly and 2 of >single crystal). We plan to subject give them a VERY careful inspection in >house and then devise some sort of mid-term (4 month) test under Coachella >Valley conditions. > >What are other folks doing? > >- Peter > > >Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President >California Solar Engineering, Inc. >820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065 >CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26 >peter.parr...@calsolareng.com >Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885 > > > > >_______________________________________________ >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 > >_______________________________________________ >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 _______________________________________________ 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
