I don't know for sure, but the S. California installation in the article is likely a large Unisolar installation down there.
However, since the article talks about Chinese modules, which are mostly crystalline, I don't think thin film is the major problem, if there really is one. Not mentioned in the article is the possibility for micro-fracturing of the cells being a major problem, especially since they are sliced so thin these days, and generally shipped lying flat, which must cause a lot of flexing during transport. Brian Teitelbaum AEE Solar From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Carl Emerson Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2013 2:50 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Defective modules Hi there, Hilton's third question is important. Are we seeing a rise in thin film failure or is this only mono and poly? Regards Carl Emerson ________________________________ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Hilton Dier III Sent: 30 May 2013 1:09 a.m. To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Defective modules Greetings wrenches, I'm sure many of you have seen this article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/energy-environment/solar-powers-dark-side.html?hp&_r=1&; I have already gotten an email from a panicked client asking about canceling his project. First question: Has anybody dealt with defective modules lately, and if so, what brands? Second question: How much does this affect first-tier manufacturers (Trina, Suntech, Yingli...) and how much of this is "no-name" brands? Third question: Is this restricted to a particular technology such as thin film? And the big question: How do we deal with this? I can imagine the fossil fuel and nuclear industries promoting this story with enthusiasm. Thanks, Hilton -- Hilton Dier III Renewable Energy Design Partner, Solar Gain LLC 453 East Hill Rd. Middlesex, VT 05602
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address & 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
