For nearly 60 years, $1/watt solar panel installations have been the holy grail of the renewable energy industry. The US Department of Energy (not to mention thousands of solar companies around the globe) has invested billions over decades to reach this milestone. Imagine having a 5kW solar-enabled rooftop for only $5,000. With prices [...]
Over the past few months, we’ve covered an ongoing scandal surrounding Florida solar panels manufactured and sold by ASP (a.k.a BlueChip Energy). Most of our posts have documented the fallout based on our own experiences at USSolar Institute and much of the backlash from organizations like Underwriters Laboratories and Florida Power and Light [...]
If you’ve been following the ongoing saga about fake Florida solar panels manufactured and sold by Advanced Solar Photonics, Blue Chip Energy, now called Sfinkx – you’re probably as irate as we are. If you’re not familiar with the scandal, here’s some recommended reading: Solar Panel Fraud in Florida – What Becomes of [...]
Florida’s USSolar Institute (USSI) exposes solar panel maker Blue Chip Energy as a fraud in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, sparking a nationwide panel recall from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing, violations citations, and more. Fort Lauderdale, FL – April 22, 2013 – The year 2012 was a banner year for America’s solar industry, with a [...]
For the past few weeks, we’ve covered some of the dangers of “poor” solar PV warranties in which manufacturers either won’t or can’t honor their promises to repair shoddy workmanship. But it’s not enough to know that some solar PV panel warranties aren’t good. You also have to know how to spot these bad apples. [...]
Company bankruptcies and factory closures are usually of greatest interest to investors and soon-to-be-laid-off employees. But sometimes the ripple effects extend much further. In an industry like solar energy where 25-year panel warranties are becoming standard, the future well-being of individual manufacturers can impact ordinary property owners on the other side of the globe. [...]
USSolar Institute to run a 6-month solar PV challenge in which it tests some of the world’s leading panels and inverters under real-world conditions. Fort Lauderdale, FL – March 20, 2013 – In collaboration with Caribbean and Florida certified PV installer & state licensed contractor, Florida Solar One, USSolar Institute, will conduct a 6-month PV [...]
Fort Lauderdale’s premier solar PV training college to receive Broward County’s 2012 Emerald Green Award for leadership in climate change and environmental responsibility. On Saturday March 9, the Broward County Board of Commissioners will honor USSolar Institute (USSI) and founder Ray Johnson (also President of Florida Solar One) with its Emerald Green Award trophy for Climate [...]
