Why can sellers sell solar panels that have fake power output claims

[custom_cables]

I recently purchased solar panels on ebay and was shocked when I measured their output. The panels were 300w and the best output I could get (measured) was 150w. These panels are 0.97 square meters each. 

I did some research and was shocked that nearly all the panels on ebay lie about their power output. The best panels in the world are 23% efficient, most on ebay are around 17%. The best that these panels can produce is 170w per square meter. In my case the panels I bought theoretically produce 160w which is pretty close to what I measured.

If buying panels on ebay, do your research. Multiply the square meter area of the panel by 170 and you will get the best watts they will produce. As I had shortened the leads on my 2 panels I could not return them for a refund. I am totally upset that I paid for 600w of panels only to find they will only produce half of that. 

Sadly fake and fraudulent claims on products sold on ebay seem to becoming the norm than the exception. Its about time ebay cracked down on sellers that are breaking the law by selling products fraudulently that are totally misrepresented and bear little resemblence to the claims being made in the listings.

[tazzieterror]

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@andiness wrote:
I had the same thing happen. I purchased two panels that are well under their recommended rating. I came to the same conclusion as you. It is illegal to make false or misleading claims about the rating of solar panels and is a breach of consumer law. The buyer doesn't need to beware as suggested in one of the posts. You are entitled to a full refund once you return the product. Of course, it seems the sellers take advantage of this because of the difficulty of returning solar panels, especially large ones. Until there's a law that places the responsibility on the seller to organise and pay for them to be return for a full refund, it will probably continue to happen. I'll be contacting the ACCC to report the issue however I'm not convinced it will help, but it can't hurt to try.

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Of course it's buyer beware - research both the product and the seller before making a purchase! Exercise some common sense and due diligence and most unscrupulous sellers can be easily spotted.

If you receive something different to what was advertised, open a SNAD return request under eBay's 30-day MBG.

[denny1976]

The real answer to the question is:

eBay doesn't care about the false advertising because they are still making money and a lot of people will never figure out that the power ratings are bs. There are hundreds of small Chinese panels on here that use open circuit volts x short circuit amps and the proof is right in the description so the point could be made that a buyer should understand it's bs and make a decision based on their own research. Another giveaway is the size so someone who did some research knows a 0.5 square meter panel can't produce 200W (at least with the current designs) but that doesn't excuse the fact that eBay has been letting this scam go on for years because it suits them. 

Anyway, enough of me ranting, I received a "200W" panel that's realistically a 50W one but the form factor and the power output is exactly what I was looking for so I won't be sending it back.

[janeababe]

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@denny1976 wrote:

Anyway, enough of me ranting, I received a "200W" panel that's realistically a 50W one but the form factor and the power output is exactly what I was looking for so I won't be sending it back.

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Firstly, if you were ‘exactly looking for’ a 50W power output, why did you buy a 200W panel? 

Secondly: this thread is 2 yrs old.  I hope a mod will be along soon to lock it.  Feel free to start a new thread 😊

[sandypebbles]

So you post in a thread that is about 'why does eBay allow scammer sellers' that you supported a scammer seller by buying from one, and are happy to keep the falsely advertised solar panel

I certainly hope the dodgy panel you were happy to buy, and keep does not damage someone else's property 

And any done to your own ain't going to be covered by your insurance 

The real answer is buyers like yourself are happy to help those sellers stay in business

Simple as that