Performance warranties for residential and light-commercial photovoltaic systems

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6534035

Eisenstadt, M

The law of warranties is covered primarily by the Uniform Commercial Code and the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Both are analyzed in regard to photovoltaic (PV) systems. Warranties - written, oral, and those implied by law - are discussed. The potential liabilities of manufacturers and sellers of PV equipment are investigated and are perhaps larger than realized. Legal methods to limit such liabilities are discussed. Some states require written warranties for solar energy systems. Presently, PV warranties cover primarily materials, workmanship, and electrical performance; all are highly defective legally, none conform with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and potential liability under the Uniform Commercial Code is great. Some PV warranties attempt to limit liability improperly and are probably invalid. As PV systems penetrate the market, a need arises for an inexpensive test to check if warranties meet required electrical performance. One test is suggested and discussed. In general, the PV industry lacks understanding of warranty law and its liabilities; this law is examined and specific problems discussed.

• Research Organization: Eisenstadt (Mel) and Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6534035
• Report Number(s): SAND-81-7008
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140400 -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
LAWS
LEGAL ASPECTS
LIABILITIES
MANUFACTURERS
MARKETERS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POWER SUPPLIES
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
WARRANTIES