Online Reporter
THE growing solar industry has led to mushrooming of companies that sell counterfeit solar products and fraudulent systems, which underperform or are outright scams. This contributes to public scepticism about solar energy.
Types of fake products
Counterfeit solar panels, batteries and inverters that are poorly manufactured.
Entire solar energy systems that promise unrealistically high wattage and efficiency percentages.
How to identify and avoid fake products
Poor packaging: Be wary of products with haphazard, low-quality packaging that shows a lack of care for the product’s safety and integrity.
Unrealistic claims: A good rule of thumb is — “If it is too good to be true, it probably is.” Be sceptical of claims of an excessively high efficiency rate, for example 70 percent to 80 percent, as even top-tier solar panels typically have an efficiency rate of around 28 percent.
Dubious certifications: Research and verify the quality and generation certifications of a product. If the certification seems “shady” or unknown, it is likely not legitimate.
Limited or no warranty: Genuine, high-quality solar products come with extensive warranties, often exceeding 20 years or 25 years. A short or non-existent warranty is a major red flag.
Piggybacking on established brands: Be careful of products with names that slightly resemble those of well-known, reputable brands (for example Canadian Solar and Jinko). These are often fakes trying to capitalise on the original brands’ popularity.
Unusually low price: While an oversupply of genuine products has led to price cuts, a price that seems too good to be true is a major red flag.
Spelling and grammatical errors: Check the product’s specification label for any spelling or grammatical mistakes, as this is a common oversight by counterfeiters.
Physical checks: Physically confirm that the product’s dimensions align with the manufacturer’s official specifications. If it is a panel, you can also measure the open circuit voltage in full sun to see if it matches the expected output.
QR code verification: Some manufacturers use serialised panels with QR codes that can be scanned and verified as authentic.
