Solar Panels manufacturing origin|: A Fraud?

Are you sure it is Genuine?

Are you confident about the origin of your solar photovoltaic panels you are about to purchase?

"They" told you that these solar panels are made in USA, or these panels are genuine German solar panels   or Australia or they solar panels manufactured in Toronto!  You have read, yourself  on the technical specifications.

Well, dont bet on it!
Very often this isnt true!! 

THE REASON WHY

On the one hand

• China is the biggest manufacturer of solar panels in the world in terms of volume. 
• The cost of manufacturing solar panels in China is much cheaper than the rest of the non Asian-countries.
• Chinese solar panels are considered of lower quality 
• The consumer trusts better the quality of its own country or other well know countries of their manufacturing capabilities

On the other hand

• The definition of the Manufacturing of a solar module is not clear cut as you think.
• A solar panel can be considered of German origin even when just the assemplying materials (e.g. wafer, cells, modules) takes place in Germany! Even worst companies can simply import solar panels from China with their own label, certify them in Germany and be considered legaly as solar modules made in Germany!

Of course, this is done on purpose to take advantage of the perception that products made in Germany are of high quality. 

How do they do it?
They produce the panels in China, import them in Germany and just export them to you.
In other words the solar panels are baptised as German, simply because the company that distributes them has their headquarters in Germany, or assemplies them in Germany or even worst just certifies them in Germany!

What can you do?

1)Read the technical datasheet thoroughly. They have to write at least  made in Germany or solar panels made in US or made in Australia or made in x country.
Other phrases like quality from Germany, certified in Germany or Germany quality or Base of the company in Germany dont mean anything! 

2) Search to which countries does the solar panel company has factories. 
I am sorry to inform you that if there is a factory in China most probably you will get from there since they are cheaper. Of course the best scenario is the producing company to have factories only in Germany and have a vertical production of silicon, wafer, modules!

3) Compare prices for these solar panels with other offers from other companies. There is a general consencus about the price per watt in Eu or US solar panels vs China made in solar panels. So if you see an offer with  German solar panel, strangely cheaper by 2000 euros than other German ones, dont be eager to buy this!

4) When you decide to conclude have in written the panel's origin in your offer. When they arrive at your place check the EAN number on them, the code number and model. If it starts with 690, 691, 692 693, 694 or  695 they are solar panels made in China.

I dont support German or US solar products
Of course even if you do all of the above you cant be sure that they are 100% manufactured in the country you wish but at least you decrease the possibilities.

To conclude, I am not suggesting not to buy solar panels made in China but instead prefer German solar panels, or US Solar panels or solar panels made in your country.

I am just saying that it is ethical to pay the price your panels worth and not be misleaded.