SolarWorld recalls 1.5m US, Canadian solar panels

Aug 22, 2014 - The US arm of German solar equipment supplier SolarWorld AG (ETR:SWV) yesterday warned customers that some of the solar panels it had sold pose a threat of electric shock and need to be replaced.

The group recalled about 1.3 million solar panels in the US and a further 210,000 in Canada sold after June 1, 2010 because of misleading installation instructions. The old manuals called for the use of bare-copper grounding lugs instead of tin-coated ones.

The problem with the bare-copper grounding lugs, which are brown in colour, is that they can corrode. This in turn could lead to a faulty ground circuit with chances to cause electric shock, electrocution or fire hazard, the company explained.

SolarWorld noted it has so far received just one report of corrosion with regard to these lugs. There were no reported injuries.

Customers should try to determine what type of lug is used on their panels by its colour, so the product could be replaced by the company if needed. If they can not do so on their own, an authorised agent will be sent to inspect the installation, SolarWorld pointed out in the recall.

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