Blemished panels ("B" panels) are solar panels that have been cosmetically damaged during the production process. Since PurePoint strives to use the most cost-effective panels in its projects, we were excited to hear that blemished Evergreen 205 Watt Solar panels were available at a lesser cost than their "A" panels. But was there anything wrong with these panels? Did they produce the amount of power consistent with an "A" panel? Were they safe? The answer is YES.
PurePoint Energy spoke with a technology specialist at Evergreen Solar who informed us that "B" panels are designated after all panels have gone through the same production process using the same materials. They have also already passed production and safety inspections. Inspectors will find some panels that have cosmetic imperfections such as a scratch on the frame, one side of the glass, or perhaps a corner that is left one millimeter open. The inspector then stamps these panels to show that they hold cosmetic imperfections.
So do "B" panels produce just as much power as "A" panels? YES. In fact, Evergreen offers the same 25 year guarantee on solar production for their B panels as they do for their A panels. But are they safe? YES. They pass through the same safety inspections as "A" panels. Is there anything wrong with these panels? NO-only cosmetic imperfections. Are they an extremely cost-effective solution with only minor cosmetic drawbacks? YES.
Evergreen has also offered this letter guaranteeing the performance, reliability, integrity, and lifetime of their panels.
