While doing a change in my solar array I realized 8 of my Kyocera solar panels were not working properly. -- Low voltage in some, low amperage in
others. Four of the panels were bought in '98 and four in 2004. 120 watt panels. Kyocera honored full warrantee on the panels and replaced them at
no cost including shipping to Baja Sur. Best service I have ever had---I will be buying from them in the future.woody with a view - 5-16-2012 at 04:09 PM
that is awesome! good customer service is hard to find. you should send them a link to this thread after a couple of days.rts551 - 5-16-2012 at 04:35 PM
Great Paul. I am having the same issue so I am going to take mine North this summer, unless...who did you deal with ?
And I don't see you racing this year??????
RalphDavidE - 5-16-2012 at 05:16 PM
Excellent reference! Thank you!Russ - 5-16-2012 at 06:25 PM
WoW! I'd also like to know how you pulled that off????bbbob - 5-16-2012 at 07:41 PM
Hi,Hi, Is just checking the voltage a good enough test? I just bought some kyocera { old ones} at the flea...not in production...Thanks, bbbobPaulclark - 5-17-2012 at 06:46 AM
Here is the contact -- I did a voltage test on them -- you can find the test procedure on the internet, I did not have any receipts due to age, and
just filled in a form they sent asking where and when they were bought and then replaced them. I have since heard from a friend that had the same
problem with second hand panels and they replaced them.
Rae Parafiniuk
Quality Control Manager
KYOCERA Solar, Inc.
7812 East Acoma Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Slow race year for us -- too many things going on -- next yearbonanza bucko - 5-17-2012 at 06:59 AM
We had the same experience with 10 Kyocera panels installed in 2001 which failed..all were replaced at no charge. Others on our beach had the same
experience. The only problem was the hassle of importing them, hauling them for 50 miles over "THAT ROAD" and then installing them.
BBbbbob - 5-17-2012 at 07:08 AM
Thank you, great information.capt. mike - 5-17-2012 at 09:32 AM
panels [actually modules] should last 25 years or more.
perf degradation ought to be .5% per year.
costs per watt have fallen drastically over the past several years.
US decision on chinese tariffs weigh heavily so local jobbers are only quoting 30 days.
Sunpower is making the highest power module at 327 w. the E20. About 3.5 x 5 size. They are SPENDY! but claim 94% efficiency which if true is amazing.Neal Johns - 5-17-2012 at 03:01 PM
"94% efficiency which if true is amazing."
Well, not quite 94%....see pic below:
Hook - 5-17-2012 at 05:24 PM
This is great news. Within the last hour, I returned from a trip up north where I purchased a 140w Kyocera panel for my truck camper.
Installation to start in the next few days. I decided AGAINST the panels in a suitcase method for storage reasons on the road (never enough in a
camper) and the bigger security risk.capt. mike - 5-19-2012 at 09:54 AM
sorry - i meant 94 as calc'd in the total system with their inverters and limited DC runs. Or so the area rep claimed to me.
that still is high as the SEIA says 84% is more the norm on grid tie systems.
the US passed the tariffs now against Chinese panels at 31% import VAT.rts551 - 5-19-2012 at 10:16 AM
The government just announced a 30% tarriff will be imposed on the Chinese panels being imported.. Get ready for prices to go up.805gregg - 5-20-2012 at 06:28 PM
Westinghouse solar panels are 235 watts, 20 panels for about $12,000 and each panel has it's own inverter, so they are putting out 110 volts. No
expensive and short lived invert to buy.rts551 - 5-20-2012 at 07:33 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
Westinghouse solar panels are 235 watts, 20 panels for about $12,000 and each panel has it's own inverter, so they are putting out 110 volts. No
expensive and short lived invert to buy.
not very helpful if you are off-grid.Hook - 5-20-2012 at 07:38 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
Westinghouse solar panels are 235 watts, 20 panels for about $12,000 and each panel has it's own inverter, so they are putting out 110 volts. No
expensive and short lived invert to buy.
So, what makes THEIR inverter so long-lived, as you are implying?
I'm not in the market for panels for my home but, personally, I'd rather buy an inverter from an inverter company rather than a low bid inverter
packaged by a panel company.
Is there a minimization of power loss over the wire run by inverting at the panels themselves?capt. mike - 5-21-2012 at 02:39 PM
those mfgrs with built in micro inverters are for on grid tied systems - and for that they are great. Or - you can apply any module and plug in an
Enphase micro inverter at the DC output on the module then carry AC to your elec dist box. There is not a system to combine with a charge regulator
and store batts using micro inverters.
maybe some day CFE will approve grid tie systems.meme - 5-22-2012 at 06:54 AM
CFE is now approving grid tie systems.Bajajorge - 5-22-2012 at 09:20 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
The government just announced a 30% tarriff will be imposed on the Chinese panels being imported.. Get ready for prices to go up.
I forget what brand it is, but they're made in Mexico.
I'd also like to know how you pulled that off????