Hanwha Qcells Q.PEAK DUO & Q.TRON 25-Year Warranty RMA Playbook
Step-by-step instructions for filing a direct warranty claim with Hanwha Qcells America for Q.PEAK DUO or Q.TRON solar panels suffering from thermal hotspots, backsheet delamination, junction-box failure, or >0.5%/year power degradation.
1. Factory Diagnostic & Direct RMA Submission Protocol
Step 1 — Photograph the Rear Barcode & Front Laminate Serial Number: Every genuine Qcells panel manufactured in Georgia or South Korea has a 14-to-18-digit serial number laminated inside the front glass corner and printed on the rear silver rating label (along with the exact model code, e.g., Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ 405).
Step 2 — Download the Official Qcells North America Warranty Claim Form & Gather Electrical Data: Email [email protected] or call 1-877-788-0220 to open an RMA ticket. Attach your original homeowner installation invoice (proving your warranty start date), a photo of the panel serial number, and a screenshot from your Enphase/SolarEdge portal showing the panel’s daily Wh output compared to identical neighboring panels on the same roof azimuth.
Step 3 — Document Thermal Hotspots, Backsheet Chalking, or Bypass Diode Shorts: If a Qcells panel produces 33% or 66% less energy than its neighbors, measure DC Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc) and Short-Circuit Current (Isc) or capture a smartphone FLIR thermal image showing a localized glowing hot cell ("hotspot"). Under Qcells’ 25-year Product & Linear Performance Warranty, any module dropping below 98% in Year 1 or losing more than 0.50%/year (G10+) or 0.33%/year (Q.TRON G2+) qualifies for warranty remedies.
Step 4 — Receive Replacement Module From Qcells’ Dalton, Georgia Warehouse or Claim Cash Settlement: Because Qcells operates the largest solar panel manufacturing complex in the Western Hemisphere right in Dalton and Cartersville, Georgia, replacement modules or cash-equivalent warranty settlements for US homeowners are processed domestically without overseas shipping delays.
2. Electrical Telemetry & Voltage Proof Sheet
Cross-Reference Inverter Fault Codes →HANWHA QCELLS MODULE RMA SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST ================================================================================ Qcells Model Family Rated Voc Yr-1 Min Output Yr-25 Guaranteed Min -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+ (340W) 40.6V DC 98.0% 85.0% (0.54%/yr max) Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ (400W) 37.1V DC 98.0% 86.0% (0.50%/yr max) Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ (425W–435W) 39.0V DC 98.5% 90.58% (0.33%/yr max)
Hanwha Qcells America Inc. (Dalton & Cartersville, Georgia USA) Warranty & RMA FAQ
My installer went bankrupt—will Qcells reject my warranty claim if I submit it myself as the homeowner?
No! Under the Qcells North America Limited Warranty, the "Buyer / End-User Homeowner" where the modules are initially installed is the direct beneficiary of the 25-year warranty. You can submit your claim directly to [email protected] accompanied by a voltage measurement from any local licensed electrician.
What is the difference between hail glass breakage vs. a spontaneous thermal glass crack on a Qcells panel?
External impact damage from giant hailstones (>2 inches) shows a distinct star-shaped bullseye impact crater and is covered by your Homeowner’s Insurance policy (see /insurance). Conversely, a spontaneous thermal stress crack originating cleanly from the frame edge or busbar solder joint with ZERO impact crater is a manufacturing defect covered under Qcells’ 25-year Product Warranty!
What if I have a Q.HOME Core H4/H5 energy storage system installed by a defunct contractor?
Qcells maintains a dedicated US ESS (Energy Storage System) engineering support team at 1-877-788-0220 that can remotely connect to your Q.HOME inverter/battery gateway, push firmware updates, and reassign your system to an active Qcells Partner installer in your state.