Photovoltaic Warranty Requirements

1
Photovoltaic Warranty Requirements

• Issue
• The recommended 5-year warranty requirements for
  non-metered solar PV are too onerous and not in
  keeping with industry practice (Comments 30,
  59(b), 70(f)).
• Need clarification of warranty requirements for
  systems with battery backup.

2
Observations (1)

• The proposed credit for PV systems is based on
  the estimated present value of system output for
  a period of 20 years.
• Californias Emerging Renewable Resources buydown
  program requires a full 5-year system warranty.
• Module warranties are complex, and relate to
  percent rated output. However, PV modules are
  typically warranted for 20 to 25 years on
  materials and workmanship. The module warranties
  typically do not cover labor.
• The standard warranty for Trace inverters (the
  predominant inverter used in PV installations) is
  2 years parts and labor. However, Trace offers a
  5-yr warranty complying with California
  requirements at a list price ranging from about
  50 to 130/kW, depending on model.

3
Observations (2)

• The administrator of the California buydown
  program reports few problems with the warranty
  requirements.
• Module warranties typically cover parts (but not
  labor)
• Inverter extended warranties cover parts labor.
• Installers (including local electricians) warrant
  balance of system and labor not covered by
  vendors. Probably add to charges to cover risk.
• Warranties not required on installation for
  owner-installed systems.
• Warranties were generally not being secured until
  CEC required copies of warranties to be submitted
  with buydown applications.

4
Observations (3)

• The SMUD PV Pioneer program warranty
• 20 to 25 year warranty on modules (by vendor).
• 5-year warranty on inverters (by vendor)
• 2-year warranty on balance of-system and
  installation, including leaks (by
  utility/installer).
• No standard battery system, but will be offering
  one this fall.
• The manager of the SMUD PV Pioneer program
  unequivocally recommends the above as minimum
  warranty requirements
• Inverter mfrs provide SMUD with 5-yr warranties
  at no extra cost with bulk purchase.
• Convinced that extended warranty requirements
  have lead to substantial improvement in inverter
  reliability.
• Very few problems with modules.

5
Warranty recommendations

• Modules - 20-year warranty at 80 specified power
  output
• Inverters - 5-year warranty
• Consistent with established practice
• Encourages properly installed and reliable
  equipment and systems
• Reasonable given that public subsidy is based on
  20 years of production
• Exempt batteries and other equipment
  specifically associated with battery back up from
  warranty requirements
• Battery backup is owner option and not essential
  to energy production.
• Subsidy is based on unshaped energy production.
• Installation (inc. equipment replacement
  leakage) - 2-year.
• Exempt owner-installed systems.
• Copy of warranty documents be provided to local
  utility as condition of payment.