SolarWorld Recalls Solar Systems with Copper Grounding Lugs Due to Electrocution, Electric Shock or Fire Hazard
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall (2014-08-21). Hazards: fire, electric shock. About 1,300,000 units in the US and 210,000 in Canada.
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
|---|---|
| Recall number | 14260 |
| Published | 2014-08-21 |
| Last updated | 2015-01-09 |
| Product category | Electrical Systems |
| Products | SolarWorld Solar Systems |
| Firm named in the title | SolarWorld |
| Firms | SolarWorld Americas, of Camarillo, California, a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG, of Bonn, Germany. (distributor) |
| Manufactured in | United States |
| Units (US) | 1,300,000 |
| Units (Canada) | 210,000 |
| Hazard classes | fire, electric shock |
| Remedy classes | repair, replace, inspect |
| Sold | SolarWorld installers and distributors, or other distribution companies from June 2011 to June 2014 for about $1,000 to $10,000 depending on system size. |
Description
This recall includes SolarWorld solar systems installed with bare-copper grounding lugs installed after June 1, 2010. These solar systems use energy from the sun to generate electricity within a system circuit. The installation instructions for SolarWorld solar systems sold after June 1, 2010 called for the use of GBL-4DB lugs for grounding. SolarWorld has revised these installation instructions to explicitly call for tin-coated lugs, specifically Ilsco part number GBL-4DBT. "T" is for tin-coated and indicated by the silver color of the lug.
Hazard
SolarWorld solar panels installed with bare-copper grounding lugs can corrode which could result in a faulty ground circuit, posing an electric shock, electrocution or fire hazard.
Remedy
Customers may be able to identify from the ground whether a tin-coated lug (silver) or a bare-copper lug (brown) has been used on their solar panels. Consumers who can identify the improper lugs should contact SolarWorld for replacement. If customers cannot determine which grounding lugs were used, they should contact SolarWorld to have an authorized SolarWorld agent inspect the installation and replace the lugs with tin-coated grounding lugs or equally safe alternative remedy at no cost to consumers. SolarWorld is requesting that distributors and others remove SolarWorld's installation instructions dated before June 2014 from their websites or other commercial information sources.
Incidents and injuries
The firm has received one report of corrosion related to the bare copper lugs. No injuries have been reported.
Machine access
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Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice (US Government work). Not affiliated with or endorsed by CPSC. Structured by Data Foundry (product-recall-structuring@2); last changed 2026-09-28. Always confirm with the agency notice.