Customers value solar panel reliability above all else
A US-based survey has revealed that 99% of respondents indicated that the reliability of a solar panel was either “important” or “very important”. Of all the factors taken into account when purchasing solar panels it topped the tables, and while nobody would purchase a panel if they were told it was particularly unreliable, it’s interesting that reliability was considered more important than other influencing factors like brand recognition or cost.
High quality was the second most important factor for the respondents, although it’s unclear how much overlap there is between quality and reliability (presumably being high quality implies a high degree of reliability). The survey, conducted by IHS, targeted PV system installers, integrators and module distributors shows that the industry as a whole values technology that will be faithful to the end users.
Although the vast majority of solar panels are fairly reliable, some do outshine others. We occasionally notice a preference with our customers for panels that aren’t manufactured in China – but with more and more brands looking to reduce manufacturing costs and the vast improvements in the quality of Chinese manufactured solar modules the decision is a simple one.
Independent testing laboratory Photon tests solar panels and inverters extensively, with brands like Jinko regularly out-performing comparable competitors. With a positive tolerance (producing an output higher than their rating) Jinko were recently named “Top Crystalline Module Provider” with a performance ratio of 105%.
For most customers, having a quality solar panel is important, but the capabilities of the inverter and the reputation of the company carrying out the installation should be the deciding factors.
Knowing that your solar company will have your back should someone run afoul, and of-course that they will still be in business in a few years time, combined with a reasonable warranty from the inverter supplier will stand most customers in good stead.
