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CPSC recall · Reported August 21, 2014

SolarWorld Recalls Solar Systems with Copper Grounding Lugs Due to Electrocution, Electric Shock or Fire 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.

Recall #
14260
Affected scope
About 1.3 million in the U.S. and 210,000 in Canada
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SolarWorld Americas, of Camarillo, California, a subsidiary of SolarWorld Ag, of Bonn, Germany. recalled This recall includes SolarWorld solar systems installed with bare-copper grounding lugs i….

SolarWorld Recalls Solar Systems with Copper Grounding Lugs Due to Electrocution, Electri… was recalled by SolarWorld Americas, of Camarillo, California, a subsidiary of SolarWorld Ag, of Bonn, Germany. in August 21, 2014. Reason: SolarWorld solar panels installed with bare-copper grounding lugs can corrode which could result in a faulty …. Remedy: Customers may be able to identify from the ground whether a tin-coated lug (silver) or a …. Verify recall #14260 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

SolarWorld Americas, of Camarillo, California, a subsidiary of SolarWorld Ag, of Bonn, Germany. issued this CPSC recall-SolarWorld solar panels installed with bare-copper grounding lugs can corrode which could result in a faulty ….

None
agency class
August 21, 2014
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #14260 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. Consumers holding this product should act on the agency's documented remedy above rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 1 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

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Where this recall sits in its category - 2,014 dietary supplements recalls on record

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Product 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.

Reason for recall

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, what to do

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.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Not classified by agency
Status Active
Recall number 14260
Date reported August 21, 2014
Date initiated August 21, 2014
Recalling firm SolarWorld Americas, of Camarillo, California, a subsidiary of SolarWorld Ag, of Bonn, Germany.
Affected scope About 1.3 million in the U.S. and 210,000 in Canada
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

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…

  • Check the recall number (14260) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
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.. Recalled by SolarWorld Americas, of Camarillo, California, a subsidiary of SolarWorld Ag, of Bonn, Germany.. Units affected: About 1.3 million in the U.S. and 210,000 in Canada.
Why was this product recalled?
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.
What should consumers do?
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.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on August 21, 2014. CPSC does not publish a hazard classification for this recall. Recall number: 14260.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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This recall: CPSC, reported August 21, 2014. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy; related-recall context is computed across the full archive.

Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026