Fake Solar Panels on the Market

Ever heard of Suntech Power Holding? Are you sure? The Suntech label is stamped on millions of solar panels around the world. Now, however, the validity of that label has come into question. Yes Suntech Power Holdings is a Chinese solar manufacturing company and a world leader on the solar market but, if you didn’t notice, that little “s” at the end of the title makes all the difference.

For without that significant little suffix you would be purchasing a knock-off version of the real thing. A pseudo-panel. A fake. Apparently that same semantic confidence scheme that has plagued electronics, watches, and fashion accessories is now laying claim to solar panels.

Indeed, the real Suntech Power Holdings has filed injunctions against Suntech Power Holding in Germany. The injunctions prohibit the new Suntech (based in Hongkong) from selling panels using the original and Wuxi-based Suntech label.

The general idea, according to the first Suntech, is that you’ll think you’re getting a slam-dunk deal on a name brand solar panel, only to get home and eventually find out that you’re not getting the output one would expect. Who you gonna call?

Suntech (with two S’s) says there are just a few cases where these panels have been sold (and recognized) so far. They do, however, strongly urge homeowners shopping for solar panels to pay strict attention to name and label, and watch out for that extra S.

Posted on February 23rd in Solar News by Dan.