The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·14260·Announced 2014-08-21

SolarWorld Recalls Solar Systems with Copper Grounding Lugs

SolarWorld is recalling solar systems installed with bare-copper grounding lugs due to corrosion risks that could cause electric shock, electrocution, or fire.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (electrocution, electric shock, or fire) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

SolarWorld is recalling approximately 1.3 million solar systems in the United States and 210,000 in Canada. The recall involves systems installed with bare-copper grounding lugs after June 1, 2010. These lugs can corrode over time, which may result in a faulty ground circuit.

A faulty ground circuit poses a hazard of electric shock, electrocution, or fire. The company has received one report of corrosion related to the bare copper lugs, but no injuries have been reported. The installation instructions for systems sold after June 1, 2010, originally called for GBL-4DB lugs, but have since been revised to specify tin-coated lugs (Ilsco part number GBL-4DBT).

Consumers can identify the lugs from the ground; bare-copper lugs appear brown, while proper tin-coated lugs appear silver. Those who can identify the improper lugs should contact SolarWorld for replacement. If the type of lug cannot be determined, consumers should contact SolarWorld to have an authorized agent inspect the installation and replace the lugs with tin-coated grounding lugs or an equally safe alternative at no cost.

The recalled product

Product
SolarWorld Solar Systems
Category
Consumer Product — Solar Energy Systems
Hazard
Affected units
210,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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