Thoughts on Sharp Mono 240 watt panels at $1/watt?

[chetwynd]

Hi guys,

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

I have the opportunity to buy Sharp Mono 240 watt panels at $1/watt...they're blemished or have scratches on the frame, or whatever. Shouldn't impact output, and comes with a 90 day warranty.

This would be for a roof-mounted PV system for my own roof, somewhere in the 4000 watt range.

Seems like a great deal...am I missing something?

Thank you!

[Naptown]

Hi guys,

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

I have the opportunity to buy Sharp Mono 240 watt panels at $1/watt...they're blemished or have scratches on the frame, or whatever. Shouldn't impact output, and comes with a 90 day warranty.

This would be for a roof-mounted PV system for my own roof, somewhere in the 4000 watt range.

Seems like a great deal...am I missing something?

Thank you!

the red would be of concern usual warranty is 5 years workmanship and 25 output.

[russ]

Something is hoky - like Rich pointed out the warranty is wrong - seems phony to me.

Do the panels have the UL listed label? These may be not seconds but 23rds

[chetwynd]

Something is hoky - like Rich pointed out the warranty is wrong - seems phony to me.

Do the panels have the UL listed label? These may be not seconds but 23rds

"These are brand new, full power 240W solar panels made in the USA. We are designating these as B grade becasue they could have a scratch on the frame, JBOX or some mending of the back film. This has absolutly no effect on the output power and they carry the Sharp Warranty which we can send you if you contact us. We have inspected several pf these panel and can not find any defects other than scratched on the frame. There is no broken glass. So you can save thousands of dollars on these panels and still get all the power you expect."

I've already bought one and the guy seemed legit. I got full voltage (I guess) when I tested it in the sun, but I'm TOTALLY new to solar and don't REALLY know what I'm talking about.

[russ]

The Sharp warranty as copied from their web site - for a model they presently list.

RELIABLE
The NU-Q245W4 module is covered by both
the Sharp 10-year warranty on materials or
workmanship as well as the 25-year limited
warranty on power output.

Your best course of action may be to contact Sharp directly and ask them.

Something is wrong with the 90 day warranty you mentioned.

[chetwynd]

I guess maybe what I'm getting at, is given the price is it worth the risk? $1/watt seems really inexpensive...and I totally get that if they burn out early or whatever then what good is getting them for $1/watt, but how much more would I have to pay per watt for panels with full blown warranties?

[Naptown]

If you get the Sharp warranty it is a good deal. If not there other modules out there with warranties in the $1.15-$1.25 range.

[chetwynd]

If you get the Sharp warranty it is a good deal. If not there other modules out there with warranties in the $1.15-$1.25 range.

Cool, thank you for the info. Much appreciated. I guess I'm just sort of willing to take the chance for the discount, especially considering I don't have to pay shipping and can pick up locally. Where do people get their blowout price panels, sunelec.com?

Was just told:

"There is no Sharp factory warranty extended past the 90 days. If you want the full warranty panel (90% at 10 years, 80% at 25 years) we can also get those for you but the price will be about $1.35/W for the Sharp brand."

[russ]

Who are you talking to about these panels - a reseller of ebay or something?

Like I said - something doesn't smell right. The defects like they talk about would not change they warranty such as they are.

[peakbagger]

"There is no Sharp factory warranty extended past the 90 days. If you want the full warranty panel (90% at 10 years, 80% at 25 years) we can also get those for you but the price will be about $1.35/W for the Sharp brand."

My suspicion is that these are complete rejects from Sharp. A reseller has bought them as scrap and has put their own warrantee on them. Its very unusual that Sharp is allowing them to leave the Sharp label on them as at some point a few years out when one fails, the homeowner will call Sharp and cause bad PR for Sharp. This is not the law in most areas, its just the prudent thing to do to protect Sharp's long term reputation. Sort of like in the clothing game, the original manufacturer cuts the labels off before selling to a discounter. On the other hand Sharp may have just decided to dump them and will take the hit a few years out when there are call backs.

That said Sharp Monocrystaline panels are usually nice panels. In theory they are more efficient than amorphous and have less degradation over their life span. I also think they look better to most folks.

I would seriously consider buying a spare panel or two and stashing them away as if one fails or is damaged by a foreigh object in the future its going to be real difficult to find a replacement. This happens with any panel be it first grade or not but if the panels are something Sharp dumped, the spares may get used.