So I've been watching some of the well under priced solar panels for sale on places like Facebook marketplace, and wondering if they are either stolen, or whether there are fake panels being imported and sold.
Tonight I saw a listing for Canadian Solar panels that were too cheap to be legit. Not that I'm shopping...my order is placed with a reputable installer and awaiting stock. So this was just for curiosity.
I guess the attached pic answers that question. I highly doubt real Canadians would print on the label "MODEL TRYPE" instead of MODEL TYPE and also "Rire Rating" instead of "Fire Rating" Also... CLASS C is in capitals but the L in CLASS is lower case. I doubt a big company like Canadian Solar would make such entry level mistakes.
I guess that answers that question. Buyer beware! Counterfeit panels are clearly flooding the market.

Edited March 7, 20233 yr by Chaos

I doubt that Voc would be called the "Optimum Circuit Voltage" by a reputable manufacturer.

And Vmp x Imp = 41.1V x 10.96A = 450W... tell me again that this is a 545W panel.

Lastly, maybe try to scan the QR-code that supposedly leads to the installation manual... at your own risk.

Safe to say "Buyer Beware!!"

I had two of these panels delivered to my house (without payment) and send them back after inspection.

PS, do not scan the QR code...

Even the physical dimensions is smaller than the 450W panels, mentioned in the model "TRYPE". My best estimate is that these are some cheap 350W panels. I see you can buy these customized stickers from Alibaba and just stick it on any panel. 

The back of the panels is also a giveaway. Best is to measure the dimensions of the panels. 

I think we are going to be seeing a lot of these panel floating around

 

Yes a lot of q cells panels are fake too. 

What do we do if we find out that  we have received fake panels from suppliers (after money has been paid over)? Are we protected by the CPA? 

One of my friends bought a load of Five Star panels with 545W stickers on them, they were however way too small to be 545W as they measured 1.7mtr x 1mtr, probably +- 350w panels

1 hour ago, Solarmaxi said:

Yes a lot of q cells panels are fake too. 

What do we do if we find out that  we have received fake panels from suppliers (after money has been paid over)? Are we protected by the CPA? 

You are definitely protected by the CPA...
BUT, are you going to find that supplier again?
And if you do find them, they will simply give you the run around and frustrate the crap out of you.

On 2023/03/07 at 7:49 PM, Chaos said:

So I've been watching some of the well under priced solar panels for sale on places like Facebook marketplace, and wondering if they are either stolen, or whether there are fake panels being imported and sold.
Tonight I saw a listing for Canadian Solar panels that were too cheap to be legit. Not that I'm shopping...my order is placed with a reputable installer and awaiting stock. So this was just for curiosity.
I guess the attached pic answers that question. I highly doubt real Canadians would print on the label "MODEL TRYPE" instead of MODEL TYPE and also "Rire Rating" instead of "Fire Rating" Also... CLASS C is in capitals but the L in CLASS is lower case. I doubt a big company like Canadian Solar would make such entry level mistakes.
I guess that answers that question. Buyer beware! Counterfeit panels are clearly flooding the market.

So true Canadian Solar panels that are 545W do not have a sticker that looks like that. The genuine stickers are quite wide with no spelling mistakes. Also, the "Optimum Circuit Voltage" should actually be Open Circuit Voltage, so again an indication that it is fake. Also no serial number on the sticker, another clue.

Edited March 27, 20233 yr by HendrikBigChief

Dead give away on that sticker is " MODEL TRYPE" 

Edited May 1, 20233 yr by Treschen

Guys according to this back label does it seems legit?

Interesting and similar experience by someone on the 4X4 community forum.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/362319-Fake-Canadian-Solar-panels-Inverter-Experts-(Panello-Power-Solutions)

On 2023/04/30 at 9:29 PM, TaliaB said:

Guys according to this back label does it seems legit?

It certainly looks legit. You could check the specs for the panel on the CS website to see if it matches what you have. Then you could check the Open Circuit voltage yourself in full sun to see if it matches up. Good luck.

 

On 2023/05/01 at 3:29 AM, TaliaB said:

Guys according to this back label does it seems legit?

It looks more prfessional,but the best way to identify is compare the physical dimensions with originals and testing with a meter

Latest Canadian solar panels are serialised.  Scan the QR code and see where it takes you as a quick check. 

Yeah, the market for solar panels can be tricky to navigate, with the rise of counterfeit products not helping. Spotting typos like "MODEL TRYPE" and "Rire Rating" is a good catch and definitely a red flag for fake panels. It's smart to do thorough research and maybe even reach out to manufacturers directly if a deal seems too good to be true. For those looking into solar generators as an alternative or addition, solargenerators.to offers insights and comparisons that could be quite helpful. They provide a good starting point for understanding what's available in the market, without pushing sales.

Edited February 23, 20242 yr by Nelis Volschenk