I. Core Policy Framework for Frame Replacement
The after-sales replacement policy for PV frames (primarily made of aluminum profiles) is essentially a combination of “tiered warranty coverage,” “liability allocation,” and “replacement timelines.” Standard industry practice operates on three levels: first, tiered warranty coverage—committing to different warranty periods for the aluminum profile itself, the anodized surface, and the fasteners/seals;
second, liability allocation—clearly stipulating that the supplier provides free replacements for damage caused by material or manufacturing defects, while the buyer bears responsibility for damage resulting from installation, transportation, or environmental factors; and third, replacement timelines—defining response times and shipping schedules.
Taking sales contracts from frame manufacturers like Zhongke Aike-mi as an example, the supplier assumes responsibility for frame quality and after-sales service, including liability for compensation if a module suffers breakage or a downgrade in rating due to the frame; conversely, the buyer bears responsibility for defects arising during the processing stage.
Defining these boundaries of liability is crucial for the effective implementation of the replacement policy.
II.
Scope and Duration: Tiered Classification for Aluminum Material and Surface Treatment
The scope and warranty periods under the PV frame replacement policy are clearly categorized.
Aluminum profile body: Leading manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 10 to 25 years—Yangcheng New Energy provides a 10-year limited warranty on aluminum alloy products (effective from the date of installation completion or 30 days after purchase, whichever comes first), while Longsun Green guarantees the structural integrity of 6005-T5 aluminum profiles for 25 years. Anodized surface layer: Warranties range from 5 to 15 years—Yangcheng guarantees no significant peeling, cracking, or chalking of the anodized finish under normal atmospheric conditions for 5 years, whereas Longsun guarantees its AA10 anodized layer against pitting and white rust for 15 years. Fasteners and seals: Shorter warranty periods apply—Longsun guarantees stainless steel fasteners against red rust and thread stripping for 10 years, and rubber/EPDM seals against cracking for 5 years.
It should be noted that the frame is often covered under the module’s overall warranty—module manufacturers such as LONGi and Tongwei include material and workmanship defects (including oxidation or deformation of the aluminum frame) in their 12- to 15-year product warranties.
Therefore, procurement decisions should consider both the frame manufacturer’s specific warranty and the module’s comprehensive warranty.
III.
Replacement Process and Timeline
The standard process for frame replacement generally involves five steps: Recording defects—taking photos (showing the damaged area, the serial number at the frame end, and the overall installation setup) and recording the installation date, order number, and weather conditions prior to the failure; Contacting the supplier—submitting documentation and a description of the issue; Preliminary diagnosis—following industry standards, engineers review the photos and request additional data within 48 hours; Shipping replacements—once a manufacturing defect is confirmed, leading manufacturers commit to shipping within 3 to 5 business days (Longsun commits to shipping from Xiamen Port within 3 business days); On-site replacement—customers handle the replacement of small parts (clamps, bolts, seals) themselves using video manuals, while the replacement of structural components (aluminum rails, frames) is recommended to be performed by certified installers; some manufacturers provide compensation for reasonable labor costs (e.g., Longsun offers a maximum of $150 per incident).
Companies such as Solis and LONGi utilize an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) closed-loop process: upon receipt of claim documentation, the case is reviewed and assessed; if necessary, the product is returned to the factory for inspection, and—once liability is confirmed—repair, replacement, or a refund is issued.
IV.
Circumstances Where Replacements Are Not Issued
It is essential to understand the exclusions within the frame replacement policy beforehand.
Based on a synthesis of terms from various manufacturers, replacements will not be issued in the following situations: damage occurring during transportation, storage, or installation; installation not in accordance with instructions, or modifications, repairs, or rework performed without written authorization; use of unapproved component brands or frame thicknesses; installation in environments exceeding design specifications, such as corrosive atmospheres or marine environments; environmental damage such as surface deposits of foreign residues, salt damage, or acid rain; improper maintenance (e.g., work by unauthorized technicians or failure to follow cleaning and maintenance protocols); force majeure events (fire, explosion, lightning, earthquake, typhoon, flood, blizzard, hail larger than 25mm, etc.); and cases where identification information (model number, barcode, serial number) has been altered or removed.
The buyer bears responsibility for defects arising from processing, while the supplier bears responsibility for defects related to raw materials and manufacturing processes—only the latter are covered by the replacement policy.
Attention must also be paid to details such as the warranty start date (date of installation completion or approximately 90 days after delivery), the claim filing deadline (e.g., Tongwei requires a written claim within 30 days of discovering the issue), and the burden of proof (which rests with the customer).
V. Recommendations for Procurement and Claims
When procuring PV module frames and handling after-sales claims, consider the following five points: First, clearly specify tiered warranty periods (for the frame body, oxide layer, fasteners, and seals), the division of liability, and the timeframe for replacement shipments in the contract; include a clause stating that the supplier is liable for compensation if frame defects cause module breakage or downgrading. Second, conduct standard-compliant spot checks upon acceptance (checking for no obvious color difference, dimensional tolerances within ±2 mm, diagonal difference ≤3 mm, and joint gaps ≤0.5 mm); complete the visual inspection within 48 hours and raise any objections promptly, noting that material quality and latent defects are not subject to the standard 6-month inspection window. Third, maintain batch-specific records—including arrival dates, batch numbers, serial numbers, and installation logs—to serve as evidence for potential claims. Fourth, report defects in writing immediately (within 30 days) and follow the established process to provide photos, serial numbers, and order numbers; avoid unauthorized disassembly, as this could complicate liability determination. Fifth, for projects in high-salinity environments (such as coastal areas), prioritize suppliers offering thicker oxide layers and longer warranty periods, and adhere to prescribed cleaning and maintenance routines to keep the surface warranty valid.
For overseas procurement, also verify the availability of local service centers, shipping ports, and the allocation of shipping costs for replacements.
Conclusion
After-sales replacement policies for PV frames can be summarized as follows: warranty periods range from 10 to 25 years for aluminum components and 5 to 15 years for oxide layers, with shorter terms for fasteners and seals;
suppliers bear responsibility for manufacturing defects, while buyers are responsible for processing and installation; and the standard service involves a 48-hour response time with replacements shipped within 3 to 5 working days.
By incorporating tiered warranties into contracts, maintaining batch-specific records, and adhering to claim deadlines, the “skeleton” of the module—the frame—can truly secure reliable after-sales protection.
