SolarWorld recalls 1.5M systems for possible electric shock, electrocution or fire hazard

SolarWorld is recalling approximately 1.5 million of its systems due to a possible electric shock, electrocution or fire hazard.

The company said Thursday that solar panels installed with bare-copper grounding lugs can corrode. This may result in a faulty ground circuit, which could pose the potential hazards. The lugs are brown in color.

SolarWorld said that it has received one report of corrosion related to the bare copper lugs. No injuries have been reported.

The company is recalling about 1.3 million systems in the U.S. and 210,000 in Canada. The systems were sold by SolarWorld installers and distributors and other distribution companies from June 2011 to June 2014. They were priced between about $1,000 and $10,000, depending on the system's size.

The systems included in the recall were installed after June 1, 2010. The installation instructions for SolarWorld systems sold after June 1, 2010 called for the use of GBL-4DB lugs for grounding. SolarWorld has revised the instructions to require tin-coated lugs, specifically Ilsco part number GBL-4DBT. "T'' is for tin-coated and indicated by the silver color of the lug.

Consumers who can identify the improper lugs should contact SolarWorld for replacement. Those who can't properly identify the lugs should contact SolarWorld to have an authorized company agent inspect the installation and replace the lugs with tin-coated grounding lugs or an equally safe alternative for free.

SolarWorld is requesting that distributors and others remove its installation instructions dated before June 2014 from their websites or other commercial information sources.

Consumers can call SolarWorld toll-free at (877) 360-1787 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. The company can also be reached online at www.solarworld-usa.com , where you can click on the "Product Safety" tab for more information.