The surging demand for solar energy in Kenya has attracted legions of counterfeit solar panel vendors, all hoping to profit from the rapidly expanding sector.
Fake solar panels, which are largely made in India, Dubai, Indonesia, and China, are usually sold at a fraction of the cost of genuine panels in order to entice price-conscious buyers.
Due to the huge demand for the commodity, counterfeiters are occasionally offered at the same price as genuine goods. This makes detecting fakes based on pricing difficult.
Thankfully, there are a number of ways to detect fraudulent solar panels without having to test them. These are some of them:
1. Physical flaws
Natural inferior materials are used to make fake solar panels. As a result, its outside protective layer tends to peel off within a short period of time.
If you notice any peelings or other noticeable flaws, just pretend you’re on the phone and rush out of the store.
2. Solar cells that have been cracked or damaged
Several solar modules with cracked and flaked solar cells suggest that the manufacturer utilized Grade B solar cells, which are unreliable.
Breakages could also be caused by the laborious soldering procedure used in the production of phony solar panels. Breakages are reduced by using an automatic soldering method.
Because most counterfeits are transported in secret to prevent detection by authorities, the procedure is rarely seamless, increasing the chances of solar cell failure.
The presence of small foreign particles such as soldering trash and wire inside the solar module is also indicative of a poor-quality solar panel.
This flaw is easily detectable. Although a misaligned solar cell string alignment has no effect on the performance or lifespan of the solar module, it can indicate a sham manufacturing process.
Cell string alignment is a simple task, and if a manufacturer fails to do so, it indicates that other critical components of the device may be problematic.
4. Scratches and abrasions on the glass
Scratches on the solar panel’s glass cover are frequently the result of improper treatment at the factory or unsafe storage.
However, the problem could be exacerbated if low-quality solar panel glass is used. Such items should be avoided at all costs.
Small scratches may cause mild darkening on the cells, but big and extensive abrasions will almost certainly reduce light transmission.
5. Barcodes and scribbled labels
Manufacturers must ensure that every solar module has a barcode beneath the glass to help monitor the device during production and assembly, according to IEC requirements.
Fake solar panel suppliers try to get around this by placing illegible or broken barcodes on the back of the device. Because the gadget’s warranty is forged, the buyer is susceptible to losses in the event of a module failure.
Even if the barcode appears to be intact, rubbing the label with pure alcohol and a piece of cloth for a few seconds will assist. Run for your life if the barcode rips off.
How can you tell if a solar panel is reliable?
In three easy steps, you may choose your solar panels.
- Compare the manufacturer’s warranty to the industry average of 10 to 25 years.
- Cost should be weighed against relative efficiency; while efficiency is crucial, the most efficient panels aren’t always the best value.
What distinguishes solar panels from one another?
Solar panels, whether monocrystalline and polycrystalline, perform the same purpose in a solar PV system, and the science behind them is straightforward: they catch solar energy and convert it to electricity. They’re also both constructed of silicon, which is used in solar panels because it’s a plentiful and long-lasting material. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are available from a variety of manufacturers.
Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels can be good alternatives for your house, but there are several major differences to be aware of before committing to a solar purchase. The fundamental difference between the two technologies is the type of silicon solar cell they utilize: monocrystalline solar panels use a single silicon crystal, whereas polycrystalline solar panels use several silicon fragments melted together.
Are there serial numbers on solar panels?
The Solar Panel Validation (SPV) Initiative was established by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) in collaboration with the Australian solar sector and peak organisations. SPV allows you to verify that panels have been authorized by the Clean Energy Council, that they are qualified for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) incentive, that they satisfy Australian requirements, and that they are authentic brand panels (and therefore covered by warranty). This program is a proactive step in combating the use of unauthorized (sub-standard and counterfeit) solar panels in the Australian market, which undermines customer confidence in rooftop solar and robs legitimate firms of sales.
How does it work?
The SPV Initiative is made up of two parts: a mobile app for solar installers and a database of solar panel information. Solar panel serial numbers were given directly from manufacturers or their Australian authorized representatives for inclusion in the database.
- Industry insiders have put their own money into developing installer programs that collect serial number data. To check solar panel serial numbers, the apps synchronize with validation databases.
- The validation databases receive timely and reliable data on participating manufacturers’ solar panels, including serial numbers, from their authorised Australian suppliers.
- Installers scan serial numbers on solar panels with applications, which are then cross-checked against a database to guarantee they are genuine.
- To speed up the creation of small-scale technology certifications, the agency has invested in its infrastructure to receive signed data packages from industry apps throughout the application process (STCs).
- STCs for approved panels are created by registered agents using signed data packages supplied by industry apps. Consumers, industry, and government will all gain from the initiative:
- Consumers can receive proof that their installed solar panels have been validated by SPV, that they fulfill Australian regulations, and that they are covered by a warranty.
- Within seconds, installers using an SPV app will receive confirmation that they are installing the correct panels.
- Manufacturers may safeguard their brand’s reputation, obtain a better understanding of where their panels are placed, and improve the efficiency with which they manage warranty information and product recalls.
- It assists in the protection of Commonwealth entitlements, the reduction of fraud risk, and the streamlining of data collecting for industry.
Why should I use SPV?
For agents submitting STC applications, SPV streamlines record keeping, as well as the collecting and transfer of installation information. The SPV software helps you save time and effort by automating some of key tasks.
The SPV app rapidly and conveniently gathers the majority of the critical information needed at the time of installation, saving you time from having to return to the installation site many times to record details.
Solar companies want installers to utilize an SPV app because solar panels that have been confirmed using SPV take less time to submit STC applications (subject to the application meeting all scheme requirements).
Participating in SPV will also help you avoid financial and reputational harm by reducing the danger of installing unauthorised solar panels.
Non-compliant behaviors will be easier to identify and address as a result of engaging in SPV, which will help protect the solar industry.
Additionally, STC submissions using SPV have a substantially faster turn around time, with the CER often approving them within 24-48 hours. It may take up to four weeks for non-SPV submissions to be approved. As a result, we can ensure that your payment is sent to you considerably more quickly.
Greenbot and SPV
Based on the CER’s requirements, we implemented our own SPV capabilities within the Greenbot Installer APP. At the time of installation, all panel serial numbers may be scanned, logged, validated as an approved SPV brand, and GPS coordinated, guaranteeing that your jobs are completed safely, correctly, and on schedule.
The Installer APP rapidly searches the huge panel serial number database to authenticate your panels, saving you time by eliminating the need to wait for long periods of time for processing through multiple industry partners.
How do you put a new solar panel to the test?
To check the amperage output of a solar panel, place it in direct sunshine, set your multimeter to “amps,” and…
- Connect the positive lead of the multimeter (red) to the positive wire of your solar panel.
- Then connect the multimeter’s (black) negative lead to the negative wire on your solar panel.
Your multimeter’s amp measurement should be close to (or just under) 3.5 amps. Because your panel may not be receiving the greatest amount of sunshine right now, 3 amps is about normal. There is a problem with your solar panel output if the amps are substantially lower. Check all of your solar cells’ connections and stringers for fractures, or look for flaws in the solar cells themselves.
You should discover that the solar panel output (for the pv panel you made on the Make Solar Panels page) is around 18 volts and 3.5 amps after conducting your solar panel tests.
You may calculate the wattage by multiplying these two numbers together whenever you have these two numbers.
What are the three different kinds of solar panels?
The efficiency of all PV panels varies. That is, certain types and even brands of solar panels are more effective than others at converting sunlight into power. This is due to the fact that the amount and type of silicon cells in a panel might vary. A Solar Panel’s cost, size, and weight are often determined by the number of cells it contains. Although it is commonly assumed that the more silicon cells in a panel, the higher the wattage and power output, this is not necessarily the case. The quality and efficiency of the solar cells themselves determine the panel’s power output.
We’ll look at the three primary varieties of solar panel cells in this blog: polycrystalline, monocrystalline, and thin-film. The first step in choosing the right panel for your home, business, or community is to understand the differences between the three.
When it comes to solar panels, how long do they last?
Photovoltaic (PV) panels, commonly known as solar panels, are designed to last for more than 25 years. Many solar panels that were placed as early as the 1980s are still operating at full power. 1 Solar panels are not only incredibly dependable, but their lifespan has risen substantially in the previous 20 years. 2 Many solar manufacturers back their equipment with performance guarantees in their warranties, in addition to decades of successful performance. 1
Keep in mind that just because your solar panels are predicted to last a couple of decades doesn’t imply they’ll stop producing electricity. It simply implies that their energy production will be reduced by the amount that solar panel manufacturers believe is necessary to meet the energy needs of the ordinary American family.
Is it true that monocrystalline solar panels are superior?
- Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient, with efficiency rates ranging from 15-20%.
- Because of their high efficiency, they produce more power per square foot and take up less space.
- In hot temperatures, monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient. As the temperature rises, performance falls a little, although not as much as with polycrystalline solar panels.
- These panels are expected to last the longest because they are monocrystalline and perform well in heat. The majority come with a 25-year warranty, although they will most likely survive much longer.
- In low-light settings, they outperform similarly rated polycrystalline solar panels.
- Many individuals prefer the black hue and homogeneity of these panels to the blue color and often variable pattern of polycrystalline panels.
On solar panels, where is the serial number?
Remove the debris tray and examine the solar panels’ undersides. Your 6-digit serial number will be printed on a white label.