An operation, carried out this Monday (24), by Procon-GO in conjunction with Inmetro (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) and Decon (State Department for the Repression of Crimes Against Consumers) resulted in the seizure of 5.350 solar panels at a distributor in the municipality of Aparecida de Goiânia (GO).
The information is available on the portal Procon Goias and the name of the distributor in question was not disclosed. The action was motivated after receiving a complaint. The seized photovoltaic modules are of the TSUN 570W model, which had the registration suspended by Inmetro earlier this year for presenting failures in laboratory tests.
According to the agency, during the evaluations, the product presented significantly lower power than that declared by the manufacturer.
During the action, those responsible for the company reported that they were aware of the suspension and that they were not selling the product, but the inspection agents found that the items were in the yard and in the establishment's stock along with other units that were supplied to customers.
“In this case, the correct thing would be for the solar panels to be properly separated and with information stating that they could not be sold,” informed Procon-GO.
For selling products that do not comply with the rules of regulatory bodies, in addition to the seizure, the company was fined and has 20 days to present a defense.
“Any products of the same model and Inmetro registration that arrive at the company after this inspection must be kept in a separate location and must also not be sold,” highlighted the consumer protection agency.
What does Tsun Power say?
In a note sent to Canal Solar, Tsun Power reported that the solar panels seized at the distribution center “did not undergo the appropriate protocol according to regulations, such as collection and testing of the same to prove irregularity”.
The company also claims that the law firm representing the manufacturer has already taken the necessary steps with Inmetro to ensure that any and all reports that have evidence of irregularities are presented.
“To date, Tsun Power has not received any responses from Inmetro regarding the reports, considering that the seizure and suspension occurred in error,” said the company.
Inspections on the rise
In November last year, Inmetro announced the result of a unprecedented inspection action in the country, aimed at combating the presence of fake power modules in the solar energy sector.
The operation was motivated by complaints registered with the Inmetro ombudsman's office and covered the states of Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Goiás, with the aim of evaluating the quality and conformity of products available on the market.
The institute collected photovoltaic panels from different brands and subjected the samples to laboratory tests. During the inspection, products were identified that presented significantly lower power than that declared by the manufacturer.
In light of the results, Inmetro announced that new inspections of photovoltaic modules and other equipment in the solar sector, such as inverters, would be intensified throughout Brazil starting this year.
Panels with lower power: Inmetro states that new inspection actions will be carried out
Canal of complaints
Inmetro informs that consumers who identify irregularities in photovoltaic panels can report the cases to the entity's Ombudsman by calling 0800 285 1818 (exclusively for landlines), from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 16:30 pm, or through the agency's official website, available at link.
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An answer
Very Brazilian indeed. INMETRO puts its quality seal on the equipment, and then it will inspect it. Consumers and resellers should file a lawsuit against INMETRO for false certification, after all, it certified the product and caused harm to the consumer. Speaking of which, where is the ABSOLAR who says so much that he defends the consumer.