SolarWorld is recalling approximately 1.3 million solar panel systems in the U.S. and 210,000 in Canada because of a possible electric shock, electrocution or fire hazard. The company said Thursday that panels installed with bare-copper grounding lugs can corrode, possibly resulting in a faulty ground circuit. The lugs are brown in color. SolarWorld said it has received one report of corrosion related to the bare copper lugs. No injuries have been reported.
The systems were sold from June 2011 to June 2014 and priced between about $1,000 and $10,000. The installation instructions for SolarWorld systems sold after June 1, 2010 called for GBL-4DB lugs for grounding. The instructions have been revised to require tin-coated lugs, Ilsco part number GBL-4DBT. "T" is for tin-coated and indicated by the lug’s silver color. Consumers who can identify the improper lugs should contact SolarWorld for replacement. Those who can't identify them should contact SolarWorld to have an authorized agent inspect them and replace the lugs. Consumers can call SolarWorld toll-free at (877) 360-1787, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or click on the “Product Safety” at www.solarworld-usa.com.
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