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It used to be Chinese panels were the worse quality with short lifespans. Now they're everywhere.
by comrade1234 12d ago
It used to be Chinese panels were the worse quality with short lifespans. Now they're everywhere.
- triceratops 12d agoThey don't have short lifespans anymore.
- JumpCrisscross 12d agoDo you have a good source for lifespans of panels by country of origin?
- toasty228 12d ago80% of panels are made in China, if they were all so terrible I doubt they would dominate the market so much
- JumpCrisscross 12d ago> if they were all so terrible I doubt they would dominate the market Plenty of markets are dominated by the less-durable product offered at a lower up-front cost.
- toasty228 12d agoThey all come with ~30 years warranty, I think you're stuck in the 1970s when it comes to Chines manufacturing capabilities, the top of the line chinese factories are just as good as EU/US ones, probably even more high tech
- JumpCrisscross 12d ago> you're stuck in the 1970s when it comes to Chines manufacturing capabilities Probably not, having done contract manufacturing in China quite recently. Asking for a source isn't the same as disputing an assertion. > top of the line chinese factories are just as good as EU/US ones, probably even more high tech This is my guess. I like to substantiate my guesses.
- benj111 12d agoiPhones are made in china...
- cnsource026 12d ago[flagged]
- cnsource026 12d ago[flagged]
- sephamorr 12d agoFor a residential setting, installation quality probably dominates, and I doubt country of origin is statistically significant. Otherwise look at warranties which specify a performance curve over lifetime (generally 25y, also some are independently guaranteed by an insurance company that might actually survive that long). There are public performance datasets from NREL, TUV, but be careful about choosing representative examples (e.g. utility scale reliability is different from rooftop)
- triceratops 12d agoI meant it as a general thing. These days all manufacturers, from all countries, offer 20+ year warranties. Not just Chinese ones. However you inspired me to do some research, and I found this: https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/best-solar-panels/#ade68844-ce69-4fcf-8454-085190654038 https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/best-solar-pa.... The article lists top PV manufacturers and their efficiency ratings, production warranty, and other statistics. There are several Chinese companies on the list with 25+ year warranties. The article's top-rated manufacturer in the category of "Longest production warranty" is ZNShine Solar, a Chinese company that offers a 30 year warranty.
- JumpCrisscross 12d agoThanks! What is the significance of all-black models?
- triceratops 12d agoI think it's more cosmetic than anything else. All black panels blend in better with dark roofs.