Solar Insure Manufacturer Vetting

As a long-term obligor on the warranty side, we take a rigorous engineering approach in reviewing the manufacturers we work with, especially on the inverter side. From our perspective, the inverter is the weakest link in the solar array when it applies to reliability and the effects on our loss ratio. If an inverter manufacturer becomes insolvent, we become responsible for replacement and/or payment for the failed component.

Some of our testing methods include:

TEMPERATURE

• Determine the minimum and maximum product operating temperature limits

• Accelerate the aging process of the device under test by applying extreme temperatures

• Test the device under various climatic and pressure (i.e., altitude) conditions

• Burn-in the device under elevated temperatures at a high duration rate

HUMIDITY

• Determine the effects of high/low humidity on the device

• Find latent shorts on PCBs related to humidity (typically due to ion migration)

• Accelerate the aging process of the device by applying extreme humidity conditions

• Test the device under global humidity and pressure (i.e., altitude) conditions

VIBRATION

• Determine the maximum product operating vibration levels

• Find mechanical defects early in the work-in-process cycle

• Simulate global transportation conditions on the device

* Panel Perspective

From the panel perspective, we follow Tier 1 guidelines found here.