Should I ask my installer to provide the serial #s for the individual solar panels?

[macholini]

I guess the subject says it all. I had my system installed last month and am now expecting my closing binder with all plans, permits, warranty info, etc.

I asked my installer to include the serial #s for all the individual panels (for potential warranty claims down the road) but he says that's not usually included in the binder, and he'd just get the serial # off the panel when (and if) a warranty claim is necessary. So I suppose it will take sending someone up on the roof to collect all the serials at this point, and I am not sure if this is a reasonable request.

Do folks here think this is overkill? Did you get this info from your installer?

Also, is there any other info / paperwork I should absolutely make sure is included in the closing binder (beyond the final approved plans and inverter warranty info)?

Thanks!

[J.P.M.]

I guess the subject says it all. I had my system installed last month and am now expecting my closing binder with all plans, permits, warranty info, etc.

I asked my installer to include the serial #s for all the individual panels (for potential warranty claims down the road) but he says that's not usually included in the binder, and he'd just get the serial # off the panel when (and if) a warranty claim is necessary. So I suppose it will take sending someone up on the roof to collect all the serials at this point, and I am not sure if this is a reasonable request.

Do folks here think this is overkill? Did you get this info from your installer?

Also, is there any other info / paperwork I should absolutely make sure is included in the closing binder (beyond the final approved plans and inverter warranty info)?

Thanks!

Sounds normal to me to get S/N's for such things. It never occurred to me that I wouldn't get them so I never asked. They came as part of my documentation package from the vendor before POCO auth., startup and before final payment. Seems kind of unprofessional to not get them. Sort of like buying a vehicle and the dealer keeping the VIN a secret.

[Alisobob]

I didn't get any kind of "Warranty Card" with my system, so I called Solarworld to see about getting one.

They said " Every Panel is perminatly marked, I.D.'s noted, and are in our database. No further paperwork is neccessary".

I then called Enpahse. They said the same thing, then added that through their monitoring system ( Enlighten) there were looking at my micro inverters as I was speaking to them on the phone ,and saw all their I.D. info.

It appears its how they roll...

[macholini]

Yeah, I suppose with panel-level monitoring (either Enphase or SolarEdge), you could read the S/Ns remotely. But I have 2 central inverters only so no way of looking at panel-level info without going up on the roof...

[Mike90250]

You want a photo of the installed system, and a record of the serial numbers, when the install is completed.
If you have a theft, you will need ser #'s. Or a windstorm, which rips panels away, or flying debris that shreds them, your ins company may want #'s. Now (as they are installed) is the time to collect the ser #'s.

[macholini]

Ah, great points, didn't even think about storm damage where the panels may go missing... I will make sure I get the S/Ns then. Thanks!

[PVAndy]

Ah, great points, didn't even think about storm damage where the panels may go missing... I will make sure I get the S/Ns then. Thanks!

We have most serial numbers in our records but in over 3000 residential installs I don't think we've ever provided them to a homeowner. Other than recording them with certain manufacturers I don't think we ever use them for anything. Like has been said earlier each panel has a permanent serial number tag that if you have a warranty issue you will be removing the panel anyway. We have very few panels come off roofs and when they do they don't travel far. I don't think you'll ever use the numbers.

Andy

[bcroe]

Ah, great points, didn't even think about storm damage where the
panels may go missing... I will make sure I get the S/Ns then. Thanks!

I think the police would be the ones most interested in serial numbers, for evidence in a
trial. Since there won't be any tax or license on individual panels (as oppose to the system),
neither my installer or I saw the need to write them down. Could do it in an hour or so on a
ground mount. Then I would find myself putting the list in numerical order. Bruce Roe

[myfriendSUN]

I didn't get any kind of "Warranty Card" with my system, so I called Solarworld to see about getting one.

They said " Every Panel is perminatly marked, I.D.'s noted, and are in our database. No further paperwork is neccessary".

I then called Enpahse. They said the same thing, then added that through their monitoring system ( Enlighten) there were looking at my micro inverters as I was speaking to them on the phone ,and saw all their I.D. info.

It appears its how they roll...

The SN number that we can see from the Enlighten Manager screen is the number for the micro inverter. It's NOT the number for the panel.

[Ward L]

I don't think the serial number is of much value. You should have a receipt for the solar panel purchase. Wonder where mine is??? Do you have the serial numbers for everything you have that has serial numbers? TV, appliances, computers, electronics, etc? I think if you have a receipt you are good.

[J.P.M.]

I don't think the serial number is of much value. You should have a receipt for the solar panel purchase. Wonder where mine is??? Do you have the serial numbers for everything you have that has serial numbers? TV, appliances, computers, electronics, etc? I think if you have a receipt you are good.

Where's the harm in S/N's ? FWIW, Mine are in the safe deposit box with other stuff I don't keep track of but may need. One piece of paper doesn't take up much room. Sort of like a vehicle title.

[macholini]

I did get the S/Ns but they are simply listed on a separate piece of paper, and are not part of the installer's invoice. Speaking of invoice, I wonder if that is good enough for warranty claims... Here is what I found in the warranty claim info for my panels (LG) (emphasis in bold is mine):

From http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/docu...17.2013%29.pdf

6. Assertion of Claims
The assertion of claims under this Limited Warranty presupposes that the Customer has (i) informed the authorized
reseller/distributor of our Module(s) in writing of the alleged claim, or that; (ii) this written notification has-been sent directly to the
address stated in Section 7 below in the event that the authorized reseller/distributor no longer exists (e.g. due to discontinuance of
business or bankruptcy). Any such assertion of claims must be accompanied by the original sales receipt as the proof of purchase
and time of purchase of LG Module(s). The assertion of the claim must occur within thirty (30) days from the date that the claim is
identified. The return of Module(s) may only occur after the written authorization of LG has been given.


How many of you have "original sales receipts"? Does that mean that I should ask my installer for a copy of his receipt from his distributor (which presumably will have sensitive price info that he may not want to share with me)?

[J.P.M.]

I did get the S/Ns but they are simply listed on a separate piece of paper, and are not part of the installer's invoice. Speaking of invoice, I wonder if that is good enough for warranty claims... Here is what I found in the warranty claim info for my panels (LG) (emphasis in bold is mine):

From http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/docu...17.2013%29.pdf

6. Assertion of Claims
The assertion of claims under this Limited Warranty presupposes that the Customer has (i) informed the authorized
reseller/distributor of our Module(s) in writing of the alleged claim, or that; (ii) this written notification has-been sent directly to the
address stated in Section 7 below in the event that the authorized reseller/distributor no longer exists (e.g. due to discontinuance of
business or bankruptcy). Any such assertion of claims must be accompanied by the original sales receipt as the proof of purchase
and time of purchase of LG Module(s). The assertion of the claim must occur within thirty (30) days from the date that the claim is
identified. The return of Module(s) may only occur after the written authorization of LG has been given.


How many of you have "original sales receipts"? Does that mean that I should ask my installer for a copy of his receipt from his distributor (which presumably will have sensitive price info that he may not want to share with me)?

One more reason to use established vendors. Also, another example of why it's probably a good idea good to read the fine print on warranties before purchase, if only to know what to expect if things go south.

[Bikerscum]

I did get the S/Ns but they are simply listed on a separate piece of paper, and are not part of the installer's invoice. Speaking of invoice, I wonder if that is good enough for warranty claims... Here is what I found in the warranty claim info for my panels (LG) (emphasis in bold is mine):

From http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/docu...17.2013%29.pdf

6. Assertion of Claims
The assertion of claims under this Limited Warranty presupposes that the Customer has (i) informed the authorized
reseller/distributor of our Module(s) in writing of the alleged claim, or that; (ii) this written notification has-been sent directly to the
address stated in Section 7 below in the event that the authorized reseller/distributor no longer exists (e.g. due to discontinuance of
business or bankruptcy). Any such assertion of claims must be accompanied by the original sales receipt as the proof of purchase
and time of purchase of LG Module(s). The assertion of the claim must occur within thirty (30) days from the date that the claim is
identified. The return of Module(s) may only occur after the written authorization of LG has been given.


How many of you have "original sales receipts"? Does that mean that I should ask my installer for a copy of his receipt from his distributor (which presumably will have sensitive price info that he may not want to share with me)?

I would think the "original sales receipt" is when you the end user bought them from the "dealer"... your installer. You wouldn't expect to have the receipt from when Sears bought your fridge from the factory, just when you bought it from Sears.

[macholini]

Yeah, the installer says the contract can serve as proof of purchase for warranty purposes. Hopefully that's the case. Or, even better, hopefully I never have to test this out...