Published
October 13, 2024
Updated
August 31, 2026
Owners of Sanyo solar panels that have delaminated may qualify to claim replacement panels or a prorated refund of the original price, less depreciation over the 20-year warranty. Claims close December 31, 2029, or 20 years from the panel's purchase date if that comes first, and photos plus proof of ownership are required.
What Is the Sanyo Solar Panel Settlement?
This class action settlement resolves claims against Sanyo Energy (U.S.A.) Corporation and related companies over certain Sanyo-brand solar panels that plaintiffs allege "delaminate" over time, causing power loss. The lawsuit claims the companies did not properly apply the panels' limited power warranty and did not take electrical measurements of power output after receiving warranty claims. The defendants deny wrongdoing. The case is Ziccarello v. Sanyo Energy (U.S.A.) Corp., No. 2:19-cv-16623, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the court granted final approval in 2021.The settlement covers these residential Sanyo HIP-series panels (and people who bought a home with them installed):
• Sanyo HIP-xxxBA2
• Sanyo HIP-xxxBA3
• Sanyo HIP-xxxBA5
Status
Claims Open
Court-approved in 2021; rolling claim window.
Claim Deadline
December 31, 2029
Or 20 years from your panel's purchase date, whichever is earlier.
What You Get
Replacement panels or a prorated refund
Refund = original price minus depreciation over the 20-year warranty.
Proof Required
Yes
Photos of the delaminated panels plus proof of ownership.
Who Qualifies?
You may qualify if you own one or more covered Sanyo HIP-series panels whose 20-year Power Warranty has not expired, and the panels show clear visible evidence of delamination. You must not have already received compensation or another warranty or settlement remedy for the same panels, and none of the warranty's exclusions can apply. People who purchased a home with qualifying panels already installed may also file.Free settlement alerts
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How Much Can I Get Paid?
The remedy is either replacement Sanyo panels or a prorated cash refund. A refund is based on the panel's original purchase price, reduced for depreciation across the 20-year warranty period. For example, a qualifying panel bought 10 years ago for $700 would be worth roughly half — about $350 — after depreciation. If the original purchase price is unknown, the administrator uses a default original price of $700 per panel and then applies depreciation, so the actual cash amount on an older panel is materially less than $700.How Do I File a Claim?
Submit a completed claim form on the official settlement website, along with photographs of the panels showing the delamination and proof of ownership. Proof of ownership can be purchase records (showing the purchase date, original price, and model number) or photos of the panel array plus the full label on the back of at least one qualifying HIP-series module. The administrator may request additional photographs to confirm the panels qualify.You must file by the earlier of 20 years from your panel's original purchase date, or December 31, 2029.
Do I Need Proof to File?
Yes. A claim requires the completed claim form, photographs of the delaminated panels, and proof of ownership. Claims submitted with fraudulent information will be rejected, and the certification is made under penalty of perjury.Case Information
• Caption: Ziccarello v. Sanyo Energy (U.S.A.) Corp., et al.• Case No.: 2:19-cv-16623
• Court: U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
• Final Approval: July 8, 2021 (effective August 10, 2021)
• Administrator: Class Litigation Administration Support Services (CLASS)
Sources
- Official Settlement Website — SanyoSolarClaims.com
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey — Ziccarello v. Sanyo Energy (U.S.A.) Corp., No. 2:19-cv-16623
For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Remedy
Replacement panels or a prorated cash refund
Case Title
Ziccarello v. Sanyo Energy (U.S.A.) Corp.
Case Number
2:19-cv-16623
Court
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Final Approval
July 8, 2021
Claim Deadline
Earlier of 20 years from purchase or December 31, 2029
Administrator
Class Litigation Administration Support Services (CLASS)
Official Website
Sanyo Solar Claims.com
