4 Chinese Solar Panel Myths Debunked
When it comes to purchasing products from China, many people have misconceptions, and solar panels are no exception. In this blog, we'll look at why you should judge a product by its manufacturer rather than its country of origin.
ARE CHINESE PANELS OF LOW QUALITY?
FALSE: Numerous studies have shown that the quality of panels from China is quite adequate and that they are even quite competitive in terms of performance. Also, nothing to worry about; simply examine the brand of your panel before making your decision.
ARE CHINESE SOLAR PANELS LESS EFFECTIVE THAN PANELS MADE ELSEWHERE?
FALSE: Similar to the misconception that Chinese solar panels are "lower quality," similar statements can be made about efficiency. Behind the scenes in China, there are numerous innovations taking place as the government continues to invest more in developing more advanced PV modules. Today, Chinese solar panels have some of the highest efficiency rates in the world. The split cell module is a more recent example of module efficiency gains.
ARE CHINESE SOLAR PANELS USED BY CHINESE SOLAR COMPANIES?
FALSE: While many people believe that only Chinese solar companies use their solar panels, this couldn't be further from the truth. The second largest consumer of Chinese companies' products is actually a US solar company. And America isn't alone; Germany, Japan, and Korea have also invested in Chinese panels for their solar companies. With more solar companies turning to China for manufacturing, your solar panels are more likely to be made in China.
IS IT TRUE THAT CHINA SUPPLIES 90% OF ALL SOLAR PANELS?
FALSE: China produces roughly half of the world's solar panels, which is still a significant amount. However, Chinese production is specialized in large installations and is not currently available in equipment for private individuals. Furthermore, Chinese panel imports accounted for only 23% of the market in 2010, compared to 27% for Germany and 20% for France.
Conclusion
Overall, when researching where to get your solar modules, keep an open mind and judge the quality of the manufacturer based on their track record rather than the region in which it is produced.
Buying locally is a major concern for some industry participants, and the topic is vast in scope. With that said, there is nothing wrong with supporting local jobs; however, there are more jobs in solar installation design, installation, and maintenance than in module manufacturing.
JOG International is a one-stop shop for upstream product sourcing from China. We place a high value on quality assurance at an affordable price. If you have any questions or concerns about achieving safe, quality-assured PV systems, please send us a message or contact us at +852 5803 4267.
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