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Sanyo Energy (U.S.A.) Corp., Sanyo North America Corp., and Panasonic Corp. of North America have agreed to a settlement resolving claims that certain Sanyo solar panels delaminate overtime, resulting in power loss.
The Proposed Class includes anyone who bought and installed Sanyo solar panels from model series HIP-xxxBA2, BA3, and BA5 for residential use, or purchased residential property that had Sanyo solar panels from those model series installed on it.
A class action lawsuit had claimed a defect — the delamination — in certain Sanyo solar panels caused them to progressively lose power output and eventually fail.
In addition to loss of power output, the delamination allegedly causes “serious and undisputed safety risks,” such as risk of fire.
The Sanyo solar panels cannot be repaired and must be removed and replaced, the class action lawsuit said.
Not only that, but Sanyo has “long been aware” of the alleged defect and failed to disclose it to consumers.
After becoming aware of the defect and related safety issues, Sanyo and Panasonic “developed and implemented a claims suppression strategy to depress and deny warranty claims and extract value that belonged to Plaintiff and the Class,” the class action lawsuit maintained.
Sanyo allegedly refused to inspect the failing solar panels.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for July 8, 2021.
If the Court grants final approval, Class Members will be able to file a claim either for payment or a replacement panel.
Those submitting claims will need to complete a claim form and submit it along with photos and proof of ownership of the Sanyo solar panels.
Class Members may be refunded the original purchase price, minus depreciation, pro-rated through reference to the original purchase price and the power warranty period of 20 years.
If the Class Member is not able to provide the original purchase price of their Sanyo solar panel, the refund will be the pro-rated value of a panel that had an original purchase price of $700.
Alternatively, the Class Member may receive a new or refurbished solar panel to replace each qualifying Sanyo solar panel.
These replacements may be different from the qualifying Sanyo solar panel in terms of size, shape, color, model, manufacturer, or power level. All replacement panels will generate the power output guaranteed by the applicable Sanyo 20-year limited output warranty.
Class Members who receive a replacement solar panel will not be subject to a new warranty coverage period, nor will their existing warranty be extended.
Class Members may ask to be excluded or object to the Sanyo solar panels settlement until May 28, 2021.
More information is available on the settlement website.
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