Can you tell the difference between this Rolex and the real thing ?

Or how about these two solar panels ?

 Other than the blue color typically associated with polycrystalline cells and the dark grey color associated with monocrystalline cells, even in real life we challenge anyone to tell the difference on the surface between a big name brand solar panel and a cheap knockoff solar panel.

Both the name brand solar panel and the knockoff solar panel will spin your meter backwards just fine for the first 3 to 5 years, but after 11 years of experience in this industry, that experience tells us that that's about the time that you'll probably wish that you spent the couple of extra nickels more per watt that it would have cost you to buy name brand solar panels.

The difference between this knockoff Rolex and knockoff solar panels is that you can buy this Rolex for about $120.00. Cheap knockoff solar panels are still going to cost you thousand or even tens of thousands of dollar.

And if you don't have an enforceable warranty in 5 or even 10 years, then you've thrown your money away.

The quality of the glass, the life expectancy of the PVC backing, the type of solder, the quality of the cells, the strength and the grade of the aluminum frame all make a big difference in whether or not your solar panel with make it to a measly year 10.

And that's just the materials. If the overseas knockoff manufacturer starts off with poor quality materials and then assembles those materials into solar  panels with cheap unskilled labor and outdated manufacturing equipment, then the problem is compounded. 

Now remember whether you buy knockoff solar panels or name brand solar panel, you're still investing tens of thousands of dollars into the purchase of a solar system that is supposed to last 30 to 40 years. If the knockoff solar panel manufacturer has gone bankrupt within in the first 5 to 10 years and your solar panels are without a warranty and doesn't make it to year 10, then economically you probably would have been better of just continuing to pay your monthly electric bill.

Sure, depending on performance, your solar system will probably pay itself off within the first 6 to 8 years but the real benefits of investing into a solar system will begin at year 10 through 30 or 40.

If you're a consumer who took a gamble and bought non name brand overseas knockoff solar panels so that you could save 10 or 15%, please keep in touch with us. We'd like to know in 3 to 5 years if your solar panels are still working and if you still have a warranty. We'll post your verified comments on this website.

We don't mean to beat a dead horse but if you're not buying name brand solar panels then you shouldn't be buying solar panels no matter what the upfront savings amount to.

Shopping Tip ! If you're considering the purchase of a solar system from any dealer and the only thing the dealer is mentioning is the quantity and power rating of the solar panel. For example: "Qty. 20 -210 watt high quality solar panels" but does not mention the brand name or model, then in our opinion, you should run, not walk to the nearest exit.

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