Grade B Solar Panels

roks · July 2009

Hi All,

I was wondering what the downside was to Grade B panels. I've been told their electrical specification are are same as grade A but with "cosmetic imparfections".

Is that correct or is there more to it than just cosmetic?

I am offered 0.8USD/watt if I buy 1000watts or more, 130Wp panels, from a company in Ningbo, China.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

Solar Guppy · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

80 cents a watt for what, some non-UL Asi china made off-grade panels with no means for getting warranty service? ( best case )

If its less than 2.30 watt, its not a real deal and likely to be a scam ... nobody is getting real panels for 80 cents a watt

dwh · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

But, to answer your original question:

As far as I know, B grade panels (such as the Evergreens) are the same as regards warranty, output and quality - they just aren't as perfectly pretty.

And if you check out Solar Guppy's forums, you'll see he likes them.

roks · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

Solar Guppy wrote: »

If its less than 2.30 watt, its not a real deal and likely to be a scam ... nobody is getting real panels for 80 cents a watt

They offered me $1.75/w for grade A.

Anyway, now that you mentioned the word SCAM, I'll try to get a friend of a friend to visit the place and buy and put the stuff on ship himself......rather than the company.

niel · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

i don't think he meant that the shipping of it is a scam, but rather the product.

roks · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

They sent me a picture and says grade B only has some colour defects.

From your experienced eyes, what do you guys make of it. Would this effect the electrical performance?

Thanks

FL SUN · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

Looks typical of a B grade panel. I use B grade Evergreens with no problem at all.

Make sure if you plan to use these in a grid tie or inspected application, that they will need to be UL listed. You are in the U.S.?

Make sure the tolerance is OK. Evergreen B's have the same great tolerance values as the A's. Plus they are made in USA.

I would feel leary about foreign made products, and power tolerances and warranty issues. You do get what you pay for.

roks · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

Hi FL SUN,

I will be using them in Bangladesh, so no UL, no inspections, its going to be used to help charge a bank of batteries when there is no mains. Just to try it out so only going to get 6 of 130Wp for a 24v system.

MONO or POLY   	                MONO					
Maximum power (Wp)  	130w					
Maximum power voltage (V)  	35.47					
Maximum power current (A)  	3.815					
Open circuit voltage (V)  	43.432					
Short circuit current (A) 	4.28 					
Number of cells (Pcs) 	72PCS					
Size of module (mm)  	1580*808*35mm				
Maximum system voltage (V)   1000					
Temperature Range  	-40&#8451;C&#65374;+80&#8451;C			
Surface Maximum Load Cap     60m/s(200kg/sq.m)   			
Weight per piece (kg)  	8					
Junction Box Type  	                TUV certificate			
Length of Cables (mm)  	 900mm				
Frame                       	Aluminum					
Standard Test Conditions 	AM 1.5,1000W/m2, 25&#8451;					
FF (%)  	     73%

Thanks

FL SUN · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

Thanks for the panel specs. What is the FF (%) 73% value? Just curious if that is the tolerance of (+-)73%? I am not fully in the know - especially metric specs.

Would be good to know if someone here can explain.

roks · July 2009

Re: Grade B Solar Panels

I'm not sure what the tolorence is, I've sent an email to chap, will let you know.

EDIT: Got a reply, tolorence is +/- 5%.

Grade B Solar Panels

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