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(USGovernment-News.Com, October 24, 2013 ) New York, NY – The attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating potential lawsuits on behalf of property owners who experienced problems with their solar panels. Allegations have surfaced that with the recent surge in demand for solar panels, manufacturers have been using substandard materials in production. As a result, some panels that have been placed on the market have been failing or degrading prematurely, according to reports. If you have experienced problems with your solar panels, the attorneys working with ClassAction.org want to hear from you. Visit http://www.classaction.org/solar-panels.html for more information and a free case review.
“The $77 million solar industry is facing a quality crisis just as solar panels are on the verge of widespread adoption,” according to The New York Times. Worldwide, insurance companies and testing labs have reported issues with solar panels, and it is believed that these problems stem from manufacturers’ use of cheaper materials. Assembly plants in China – the world’s largest producer of solar panels – spent billions of dollars to accelerate the production process and lower purchase prices for consumers, but found themselves deeply in debt and forced to cut costs. It has been reported that “even the most reputable companies are substituting cheaper, untested materials,” which has caused some solar panels to fall apart or become susceptible to moisture if the protective coating degrades.
In 2011 and 2012, the French-owned testing service STS Certified evaluated more than 200,000 solar panels at its Shanghai laboratory and found the defect rate had increased from 7.8 to 13 percent over the course of one year, the Times reports. Another audit performed by a Massachusetts-based company, SolarBuyer, found 5.5 to 22 percent defect rates in 50 Chinese factories within the last 18 months. Similar findings have been reported around the world; inspectors found defect rates as high as 34.5 percent in two Spanish power plants after testing six manufacturers’ panels, and a review of 30,000 installations in Europe found that 80 percent of the panels were underperforming, according to the Times.
American-made panel companies have also reported higher failure rates, with some panels failing two years into their 25-year life expectancy. One of the United States’ biggest manufacturers, First Solar, has already put aside more than $270 million to replace defective modules manufactured in 2008 and 2009, according to reports.
First Solar is currently facing an investor lawsuit in federal court where investors allege they were misled over how much it would cost to replace defective panels. If you believe your solar panels are prone to premature failure or degradation, you may have legal recourse. Please visit ClassAction.org for more information and to receive a free case evaluation.
About ClassAction.org
Class Action.org is dedicated to protecting consumers and investors in class actions and complex litigation throughout the United States. Class Action.org keeps consumers informed about product alerts, recalls, and emerging litigation and helps them take action against the manufacturers of defective products, drugs, and medical devices. Information about consumer fraud issues and environmental hazards is also available on the site. Visit ClassAction.org today for a no cost, no obligation case evaluation and information about your consumer rights.
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