Residential solar energy systems can now provide all or most of the energy needs of a home. But this class action claims that the SnapRS 801 switch, made by Generac Power Systems, Inc. for residential systems, is defective and turns on and off. The complaint alleges the switch can melt, catch fire, and cause other components of the system to malfunction.
The Nationwide Class for this action is all persons and entities in the US, including its territories and the District of Columbia, that bought and had installed a residential solar energy system equipped with Generac SnapRS Rapid Shutdown Inline Disconnect switches. In the alternative, the complaint proposes a Florida Class, similar to the above except including all persons and entities in Florida.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires residential solar panel systems to have a means of rapid shutdown, the complaint alleges, and the SnapRS 801 was meant to satisfy this requirement.
Each solar panel has one of these modules, to protect against lightning and other power surges, particularly when emergency responders must gain access to a roof equipped with solar energy modules. Some solar energy systems are connected to wireless internet systems that allow the solar energy systems to communicate with Generac.
The complaint alleges that Generac became aware of problems with the switch at least as early as April 2021, when a solar contractor, Power Home Solar (PHS) found a melted switch on a system it had installed and reported it to Generac. Another, the complaint says, Valley Solar, told Generac that the switches were failing too often and were sometimes deformed by heat or charred.
In August 2021, the complaint says, a fire at the home of a PHS customer was eventually found to be caused by the overheating of the switches. That same month, Generac told PHS it was investigating “bulging and separation” in the switches and working on a replacement switch. Also that month, the complaint says another fire was attributed to “a melting and/or exploding” switch.
Finally, still in August 2021, the complaint alleges that Generac told PHS that it had found that the “switches were overactive by turning on and off repeatedly when they should have been in either the ‘on’ or ‘off’ state, which condition generated heat in the SnapRS 801 switches[.]”
The complaint alleges that Generac said it could fix the issue with a firmware update. However, the complaint claims, “The firmware update could only occur for those residential solar energy systems connected to the internet.” Even after the update, the complaint alleges, the switches “continued to malfunction.”
“In June 2022,” the complaint alleges, “Generac acknowledged a near 50% failure rate in the SnapRS 801 switches.” However, the complaint claims that Generac has not issued any notice to homeowners whose homes are equipped with the switches, to tell them that the switches are defective and pose a safety hazard, and has not provided adequate replacement switches.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Generac Power Switch Malfunctions in Solar Panels Complaint
October 28, 2022
Residential solar energy systems can now provide all or most of the energy needs of a home. But this class action claims that the SnapRS 801 switch, made by Generac Power Systems, Inc. for residential systems, is defective and turns on and off. The complaint alleges the switch can melt, catch fire, and cause other components of the system to malfunction.
Generac Power Switch Malfunctions in Solar Panels ComplaintCase Event History
Generac Power Switch Malfunctions in Solar Panels Complaint
October 28, 2022
Residential solar energy systems can now provide all or most of the energy needs of a home. But this class action claims that the SnapRS 801 switch, made by Generac Power Systems, Inc. for residential systems, is defective and turns on and off. The complaint alleges the switch can melt, catch fire, and cause other components of the system to malfunction.
Generac Power Switch Malfunctions in Solar Panels Complaint