The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has released information on a recall involving the proprietary nailable solar shingles offered by GAF Energy.
Solar shingles (top) and jumper modules (bottom)
This recall involves the solar-generating shingles and jumper modules related to the Timberline Solar shingles officially unveiled to the industry in January 2022. The energy shingles are roof-mounted and measure about 64 in. x 17 in. by 1 in. and weigh about 10 lb. GAF Energy has received one report of fire and five reports of thermal incidents resulting in property damage, including damage to the roof deck. No injuries have been reported. GAF Energy estimates that only 2,100 installations are affected.
To remedy the situation, GAF Energy will replace all jumper modules and check the electrical components of each solar shingle for defects — free of charge. GAF Energy has been remotely shutting off the 2,100 impacted systems (installed between Nov. 2021 and April 2023) until the remediation is complete, and consumers will be compensated for the loss of solar production during that time.
GAF Energy
GAF Energy is contacting the known system owners directly by phone to schedule repairs and replacements. If consumers have not been contacted by GAF Energy, the CPSC says they should contact their installers to determine if their solar shingles are recalled.
GAF Energy makes the solar shingle products in its 50-MW factory in California. The company is in the process of building a 300-MW capacity factory in Texas.
The building-applied and building-integrated PV (BIPV) solar market is tough to break into. GAF Energy was turning to its parent company’s existing network of asphalt shingle roofing installers to generate buzz about the new solar roofing product. The Timberline Solar shingle has silicon solar cells surrounded by TPO roofing material that is nailed to a roof.
GAF Energy released a statement to Solar Power World:
“The safety and satisfaction of our customers are GAF Energy’s top priorities. We identified an issue and decided to conduct a voluntary recall, repair and testing program for two electrical components – jumper modules and solar shingle diodes – in Timberline Solar roofing systems. We have been proactively working with the CPSC and, as part of that program, have contacted all impacted customers and are in the process of testing and replacing any affected components with new ones made with refined manufacturing processes. As of today we have completed repairs and replacements for more than 80% of affected roofs. We are grateful for our homeowners’ trust and partnership as we work together to drive the future of clean energy.”
My company worked with GAF Energy on 5 project locations that received warranty product replacement recently. GAF Energy was proactive and honest about the issue when describing it to me and the homeowners. All 5 systems are back on and operational. They stood by their warranty and that makes me confident to continue working with them in the future.