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Had BP 170 solar panels installed in 2005 and just recently (June 2012 had 2 panels replaced and junction box was corroded). Starting doing some research and have found that there have been problems with the BP panels but no recalls. Does anyone have any information that could help me? It looks like a few more panels need to be replaced today (12/14/2012). I only notice a problem when generation numbers are recording lower than normal on my inverters and by then I have lost a couple of months of generation.
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Any idea whether similar problems affect the BP 175b series? That is what I have on a recently purchased home so I have no historic numbers to compare to and getting at the individual panels for voltage checks and wire inspections is going to be tedious (and 30' off the ground).SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels. -
BP panels
Yes, we are also having problems with solar panels from BP. Our inverter as not been working because 4 panels are out. They told s 2 solar panels are burned out & the other 2 are shattered. This is all do to the heat. The heat? Isn't that what solar panels are suppose to do, attract heat. Wow it is pretty sad when you purchase solar panels with the intent to not have an electric bill and now you have to wait on BP's approval before they can be replaced. I believe BP should just recall it's old system panels and just replace them. We spent way too much money to be inconvenience this way. Our electric bill says it all! Now the company that installed the solar panels, Mohr power; wants to charge us an hourly rate for these faulty solar panels that didn't even last. I was all for solar energy, but I don't believe I will recommend people to get solar panels any longer. It's not worth the headaches that come with all this. If our electric bill is going up and we have to pay for solar panels to reinstalled due to them being faulty, it just isn't worth paying all this extra money. Now that I have read Maria S. comment, now I'm worried were going to have to go thru this again and again. I don't understand why BP does not recall it's that have had these problems. Why do customers always have to endure the problems created by these large corporations!Comment
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This is another reason to pre-pay lease with Sunrun as they own the system, not you. They pay to fix and maintain it, regardless if companies that built the panels & inverter are in, or out of business. Plus, as the system is down due to failure, they will pay you for your lost energy, so you can turn around and pay your utility. Granted, their guaranteed output price per kwh will probably be lower than what your utility charges, but it sure beats getting nothing for when your system is down.Comment
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BP Solar Recall and Fire event
Our home had Bp175b solar panels that are part of the BP product recall. This system was installed by the Home Depot and I paid Home Depot directly. It has always produced less electricity that was estimated during the sales presentation. During the past eight months, BP has delayed our replacement system with endless phone calls and emails and waiting, and subsequently put my family at risk. During this period of time, production dropped. Nineteen days ago, our roof began smoking and set off the fire alarm in our attic near the attic roof vent. Upon notification, BP dispatched their service provider that same morning to remove the entire system and eliminate the fire risk at our home due to their faulty panels. It has been determined that several panels experienced what was describe as an expected "thermal event" and were arcing very high voltage which burned the panels, and if left unattended, would have burned our house. This is evidenced by the severe burn marks on the front and back of the affected panels, and also by the shattered glass due to the explosion caused by the initial arcing event inside the sealed panel. BP still has not replaced our system . Home Depot so far has pointed the finger at BP, but has still not made good on their installation which cost in excess of $80,000 when new.
So far, BP has offered us a smaller sized system, a system with up to 12" cantilever on three visible roof edges, installation of the new panels outside of the acceptable mounting zones by the replacement panel's manufacturer, band aid patches for the damaged roof areas, and attempted to arrange for the project without applying for the necessary township permits. All of this is a poor way to conduct business, and not what I originally purchased. My township building inspector affirmed that the permit is required for the replacement system at the State's decision, and that if there were to be a fire in the future, and I had this replacement work done without the proper permit, my homeowner's insurance company could deny the claim. I am told that other system replacements were done without the required permits. For anyone who has these BP panels that are under this recall, insist that the proper permits are taken out, and that your replacement system is inspected as required, or it will be you who is holding the bag. BP does not care about you or your family, only about profits.
I was originally happy with going solar, but this experience has certainly not made me happy with BP Solar or the Home Depot. Other solar panels do not have the fire hazard associated with BP panels.
BP PRODUCT ADVISORY:
This product advisory is being issued to communicate a potential risk when using certain BP Solar
modules in specific types of installations. Testing has shown there is a limited risk of cable to
busbar disconnection in the junction box that, in rare cases, may lead to a thermal event in certain
applications of the products referenced below. A thermal event, depending upon the severity, can
cause secondary damage to surrounding materials that are not fire resistant.
The products and applications affected are as follows:
Products: Limited to BP Solar modules shown in Appendix I that were manufactured
between March 1, 2005 through October 31, 2006 with a serial number Fx050301xxxxxxx
through Fx061031xxxxxxx.Comment
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Sorry to hear of your problems. However it does point out, that in a system that runs several hundred volts (several 80V panels in series) the issues of DIY systems being safe over the long term.
I wish you success with the replacements & repairs.Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-ListerComment
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