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SolarWorld recalls solar systems with copper grounding lugs

Grounding lugs can corrode which could result in a faulty ground circuit

August 22, 2014
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SolarWorld Americas of Camarillo, Calif., is recalling about 1.510 million SolarWorld solar Systems in the U.S. and Canada.

SolarWorld solar panels installed with bare-copper grounding lugs can corrode which could result in a faulty ground circuit, posing an electric shock, electrocution or fire hazard.

The firm has received one report of corrosion related to the bare copper lugs. No injuries have been reported.

This recall includes SolarWorld solar systems installed with bare-copper grounding lugs installed after June 1, 2010. These systems use energy from the sun to generate electricity within a system circuit.

The installation instructions for SolarWorld solar systems sold after June 1, 2010 called for the use of GBL-4DB lugs for grounding.

SolarWorld has revised these installation instructions to explicitly call for tin-coated lugs, specifically Ilsco part number GBL-4DBT. “T” is for tin-coated and indicated by the silver color of the lug.

The systems, manufactured in the U.S., were sold through SolarWorld installers and distributors, or other distribution companies from June 2011, to June 2014, for about $1,000 to $10,000 depending on system size.

Customers may be able to identify from the ground whether a tin-coated lug (silver) or a bare-copper lug (brown) has been used on their solar panels. Consumers who can identify the improper lugs should contact SolarWorld for replacement.

If customers cannot determine which grounding lugs were used, they should contact SolarWorld to have an authorized SolarWorld agent inspect the installation and replace the lugs with tin-coated grounding lugs or equally safe alternative remedy at no cost to consumers.

SolarWorld is requesting that distributors and others remove SolarWorld’s installation instructions dated before June 2014 from their websites or other commercial information sources.

Consumers may contact SolarWorld toll-free at (877) 360-1787 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.


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