Major Japanese electronics company Panasonic has increased its ‘HIT’ (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) solar module product warranty from 15 years to 25 years and applies to all HIT modules installed from 2017.
PV Tech recently reported that Panasonic would be responsible for ramping a 1GW cell and module facility for Tesla after cancelling plans to ramp SolarCity’s acquired technology from Silevo at its Gigafactory 2 in RiverBend, Buffalo, New York State.
Try Premium for just $1
- Full premium access for the first month at only $1
- Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
- Cancel anytime during the trial period
Premium Benefits
- Expert industry analysis and interviews
- Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
- Exclusive event discounts
Or get the full Premium subscription right away
Or continue reading this article for free
Although Panasonic noted the 10 year extension on the product warranty for Europe, typically this is announced across all regions in due course.
“Today’s 25-year product guarantee announcement delivers on our commitment to manufacture and supply solar modules of the highest reliability and quality for our growing European customer base,” stated Daniel Roca, Senior Business Developer at Panasonic. “Since introducing HIT in 1997, the product has forged a reputation of excellent reliability and quality manufacturing standards. This guarantee extension consolidates this reputation, providing European installers and consumers with full confidence and peace of mind when installing our high performance modules in their solar systems.”
This year, Panasonic is celebrating 20 years of manufacturing HIT solar cells and modules and has shipped over 1 billion solar cells worldwide and 18 million PV modules.
Although PV modules produced at Tesla’s Gigafactory 2 and not due until 2019, the supply contract enables Panasonic to supply HIT modules from its other facilities in Japan and Malaysia.
