The Australian Solar Council has announced Yingli Solar is the first solar panel manufacturer to successfully pass its Positive Quality inspection program.
To qualify, Yingli Solar’s entire manufacturing process was physically inspected under the program and will continue to be on random dates.
“As manufacturers compete on price there is an inevitable pressure to substitute quality components with cheaper ones,” said Australian Solar Council Chief Executive John Grimes.
“The outcome is that while all solar panels look the same they do not perform the same, and that difference in performance could cost a customer tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the system”.
Mr. Grimes has previously stated the program fills a long-standing gap in the regulation process by focusing on processes undertaken during manufacture.
The Positive Quality (PQ) inspection includes a comprehensive 60-point production line check and random spot checks on modules ready to ship to Australia. PQ labels are affixed to modules certified under the program that also bear a unique code that can be check on the program web site.
Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy Australia, Daman Cole, said the company was delighted to be the first to receive the certification.
“This independent audit provides a level of visibility and assurance to installers and customers that they are purchasing a premium product which has been independently inspected to verify our manufacturing claims. In short, our customers are receiving what we have promised,” said Mr. Cole.
More than 40 million Yingli Solar panels – over ten gigawatts capacity – have been shipped to more than 50 countries, including Australia. Headquartered in Baoding, China, Yingli is currently the world’s largest manufacturer of solar panels. The company has more than 30 branch offices and subsidiaries globally and over 19,000 employees worldwide
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