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QUALITY CONTROL
Ensures that the consumer gets the product that is specified
At Sungrid we employ a rigorous quality control system in the sourcing of our components, the manufacturing of our panels and in the final
product. The manufacturing process is always undertaken to the exact bill of materials, as defined by the product certificates.
More than 100 specific assessment points across the entire production and supply chain
In addition, and to ensure consistent quality control, Sungrid has What to watch out for
random samples of its panels re-tested at Murdoch University in
Western Australia to check the repeatability and integrity of the Some manufacturers substitute less expensive and
original factory testing. inferior materials into their production process
after they achieve certification. This can seriously
compromise the quality and longevity of the product.
This inspection process includes more than 100 specific Performing well in the field
assessment points, covering everything from storage of raw
materials to soldering iron temperatures. The Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre (DKASC) is a
world-renowned testing site and demonstration facility for
Flash testing on all Sungrid panels commercialised solar technologies. It operates in the arid solar
conditions of Alice Springs, Central Australia.
Sungrid also conducts flash testing on all its panels for power
output and performance. This grades the panels into the correct In March 2010 we installed two 5kW PV arrays of Sungrid panels at
power classes, ensures the +5%, -0% power tolerance specification DKASC, alongside other well-known solar panel brands.
is followed and provides the real power data of each panel to the
installer, enabling them to better match panels within an array. Initial results for the Sungrid panels (at May 2010) are very positive
and show that both our poly and monocrystalline panels are
Samples of Sungrid products also undergo the performing well.
following additional quality control tests: Our commitment to high quality components and quality control
• Electro luminescence (EL) test – to check for micro-cracks and excellence results in more energy production from the panel which
other cell defects not detected by visual inspection. in turn delivers better value for money for the end user.
• Electrical safety ‘Hipot’ test – an insulation safety test that verifies
DKASC data can be found at www.dkasolarcentre.com.au
the electrical insulation between the frame and the active parts
of the panel. NOTE: Desert Knowledge Australia, the Australian Government, the Northern
• Wet leakage current test – to ensure that there is no electrical Territory Government and the project managers, CAT Projects do not endorse,
current leakage during wet weather. and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the
outcomes and conclusions associated with the use of data from the Desert
• Gel content test – to ensure the encapsulant cross-linkage is Knowledge Australia Solar Centre.
acceptable after the lamination process to reduce chances
of de-lamination.
OPERATIONAL INTEGRITY
PRODUCT PERFORMANCE Peace of mind that Sungrid is producing a world
Sungrid solar panels consistently over-deliver on class product that will outlast the competition
performance The integrity of Sungrid is evident in everything we do: from
sourcing world class products and employing quality controls
We have set our manufacturing quality and power tolerance to safeguard the future effectiveness and safety of the finished
standards above international standards to produce high quality, product to operating a successful business around the world.
high efficiency solar panels that deliver a great value proposition
to the end user. In order to truly understand the layers of integrity that sit within
our operation, it is helpful to look at the production process that
What does this mean? creates the finished product which is made, literally, from layers
Over time, a Sungrid solar panel will consistently produce more of components:
electricity than panels with the same rating. This means the end
user could be saving money over time, and even make money • Aluminium frame
(depending on their electricity usage and the value of their local
• Solar glass
‘feed in tariff’).
• Encapsulant
A quick comparison of the market will show that we provide • Cells
industry leading warranties that underpin the performance, power
output and parts and product workmanship of our panels: • Encapsulant
• Backsheet
• Power tolerance warranty of + 5%, - 0% means that all Sungrid • Junction box
panels meet or exceed their rated power output by up to 5% and
- 0% (compared to typical industry standards of +3%, - 3%).
Solar panels sit on rooftops for 25 years or more and take quite a
beating from the natural elements. Using the best components
This means that every Sungrid panel will produce at least its rated
nameplate power. So for example, when a customer buys 175W available in the market from international suppliers allows Sungrid
they get 175W. In fact, recent analysis of the power output of a to offer industry leading warranty terms, giving consumers the
Sungrid panel shows that the average power of the SG-175M5 confidence that the panels will perform over the long term.
product is actually 179.6W. That means each panel delivers on
average 2.6% (4.6W) more power than it is rated for. That’s an extra The aluminium frame
27.6W per kilowatt installed. A deeper more robust aluminium frame protects the panels
• Performance warranty of 90% power output after 12 years One important feature that is often not given much attention
and 85% power output after 25 years (exceeding the industry is the depth of the aluminium frame that supports the panel.
standard of 90% after 10 years and 80% after 25 years). The deeper frame on Sungrid panels (50mm vs 35mm on other
panel brands) ensures that the panels are more rigid and less
So when other companies say they have a 25 year performance susceptible to twisting and distortion during the packaging,
warranty on their product, it doesn’t automatically imply they shipping, and installation stages.
Continued overleaf ...
Solar cells are fragile and can develop micro-cracks in the crystalline per year. A degradation of 3% in the first week can drop a 175W
structure that are undetectable to the naked eye. Panel samples panel by over 5W (effectively making it a 170W panel).
are checked for micro-cracks at the factory as part of the Sungrid
quality assurance process, but can still develop at later stages Each of our panels have already been pre-degraded prior to sale,
during transportation and installation. Micro-cracks can reduce which means that a Sungrid panel will not suffer a performance
performance over the long term. Having a deeper, more robust drop of 2-4% in the first 50 hours of use.
frame helps protect Sungrid panels from the potential to develop
Sungrid’s cells are utilized to their optimum potential.
these micro-cracks when handled.
The performance of an entire solar panel will be reduced if one
The cells, solar glass, encapsulant and backsheet cell within the panel has a lower performance than the other cells.
To avoid this happening, we ensure improved panel performance
Sungrid uses the highest quality components from leading by narrowing down the cell performance differential within a
international suppliers. panel to 0.2%. This means that cells in a Sungrid panel are utilized
The glass, encapsulation material, and backsheet are critical to their optimal potential and are not being ‘held down’ by lower
components that determine the longevity and robustness of the performing cells within the panel.
product. They seal and protect the solar cells from the elements as
High shunt resistance.
well as provide electrical insulation.
The cells in a Sungrid panel have high shunt resistance (and as a
Sungrid panels are assembled from the highest quality components result, a low reverse current) to ensure maximum power in low light
sourced from leading international suppliers. But it is the solar conditions, reduced hot spot risk, and increased energy yield.
cells used in our panels that are the critical defining benefit when
compared to other panel brands. Some other advantages of the cells in a Sungrid panel include:
• Visual quality from sorting cells into colour classes and more than
The cells used in a Sungrid panel are pre-degraded at the factory. 25 visual quality criteria.
Most crystalline silicon cells will degrade by 2-4% in the first week • Low temperature coefficients to improve performance in high
of operation, after which there is a slow degradation of 0.5% to 0.8% temperatures.
Suntelligence solar panels are stocked by our approved installers in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
In pursuit of excellence
At Sungrid we have steadfastly driven quality control measures Continuous improvement and a commitment to innovation mean
to deliver a level of quality assurance that is challenging the that Sungrid will continue to push the boundaries in its development
prevailing industry practice. Because of this commitment of innovative solar energy solutions for many years to come.
to quality, Sungrid is able to offer world class warranties on
performance, power output and product parts and workmanship.