Re: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:09:06 -0800

Not to beat a dead horse, but the agreement is the key.  Singular liability, shared liability,  etc is crafted in the agreement and consumer law in the jurisdiction of the agreement. For what's it worth, Kyocera has been very good standing behind their product, but then they are still producing modules, so it's apples and oranges.  I think we will have the opportunity to learn about what actually will happen in the near future.  It is pretty amazing how modules hold up. I think I have actually had only two bad modules in systems that we installed in fifteen years of installation. These were small 20 watt modules that we use to power dc pumps in solar assisted domestic water heating systems. I know from reading the Wrenches postings that this is a-typical, but I think buying from a reputable manufacturer is worth the homework, and paying more for the product. We bought a lot of Evergreen product over the years, and nothing has failed to our knowledg e.


------- Original Message ------- On 12/21/2011 9:43 PM Bill Brooks wrote:

Marco and Randy,

 

I just went to the BP Solar website and they have a legal notice that states that BP Solar is a wholly owned subsidiary of BP. There is no liability separation. When their drilling rig blew up in the Gulf, they didn’t run for cover even though the drilling rig could have been a subsidiary of the main company.

 

That being said, it has rarely been easy to get a warranty replacement out of BP when they were making PV modules, so now that they have stopped, it is not going to be easier than before. I’m sure when you have a warranty claim that you will get the run around from whomever you contact, but with a loud enough voice, they will have to respond.

 

There is no parallel here to AstroPower and the way GE b ought their module manufacturing equipment to avoid liability.

 

If you bought Shell monocrystalline modules back 8 years ago, the warranty on those modules are currently being serviced by Solar World. However, if SolarWorld were to go out of business, the warranty obligation would have to shift back to Shell because their name is on it. I’m sure it would be difficult to get a claim serviced, but that is generally how warranties work.

 

If GE makes an appliance, then they sell that appliance line to another company that goes out of business, and the product fails, then GE is going to stuck with the warranty claim if it is still in the specified warranty period. That is one reason why most equipment has fairly short warranty periods.

 

This is why it is critical whose name is on the back of them module. There may be 5 different module names ma de at the same factory, but if one of those names is a major multi-billion dollar company, and the other 4 are no-names, the big company is the better buy (assuming similar costs) since their warranty is more likely to have value.

 

Bill.

 

 

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Randy
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:36 AM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

 

Bill

I am not sure you are correct but I hope you are right.  I would like to know how it works -  if the “legal” corp “BP Solar”  that carries the warranty obligation ceases business and the shareholder writes off the investment, then there will be no one to answer the phone.  That is why corporations form separate legal entities – to separate the risk.  Someone should call BP Solar and find out.

 

Randy

 

 

 

Randy Sadewic

Positive Energy

 

Office: 505 424-1112

Cell:    505 570-0137

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bill Brooks
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 7:44 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

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Marco,

 

With “BP” on the module, it means a lot more than some no name brand. Just because they are not producing anymore does not have any impact on their warranty obligation unless BP goes out of business—that is not likely to happen in your lifetime.

 

Bill.

 

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Marco Mangelsdorf
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 6:38 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is to be no more

 

http://www.b loomberg.com/news/2011-12-20/bp-to-shut-down-solar-power-unit-exit-business-spokesman-says.html?cmpid=yhoo

 

Anyone know what this means for the warranty coverage for all those BPS mods in the field?

 

Oh dear….

 

marco

 

 

 



Christopher Warfel, ENTECH Engineering, Inc. PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807, 401-466-8978 (v)(f) 
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