Inferior solar panels in the United States

Published by The Editors | Filed under photovoltaic

Foreign markets get more reliable solar panels than the United States, according to testing lab TÜV Rheinland PTL. Failure rates for panels for use in the U.S. are higher than those outside the county. No data was presented on the panels’ efficiency.

“manufacturers make two grades of panels: one for the U.S. and another for Europe,” says Mani Tamizhmani, TÜV’s president. Panels do have to pass federal tests for safety in the U.S. but “consumers here don’t yet know to ask for quality certifications,” he says.

Until U.S. standards catch up, could there be an opportunity for grey market panels that were manufactured for foreign shores?

Insurance should cover replacement costs of the panels for homes.