Are some PV panels better than others?

[SRE]

Sorry I wasn't entirely clear - what I meant was 5w extra for Sunpower (ie 250 on a 245 panel) wouldn't make much difference on such a small system especially when you can buy Yingli 270w. I didn't mean that the 1.8kwp wasn't worth it

 

[moggy1968]

sorry, gotcha now:wink_smile:

 

[Worcester]

You can download the SMA software from SMA Australia and then monitor your system on any bluetooth equiped device, It's free. we now advise people of this rather than flogging them a sunnybeam.

@moggy1968 - can you post the link please, I can only find the usual SMA offering there. (iPhone / Android without webbox)

 

[Vegelen]

SMA Software:

http://www.sma-australia.com.au/en_AU/products/software.html

Sunny Explorer:

http://www.sma-australia.com.au/en_AU/products/software/sunny-explorer.html

 

[Worcester]

@Vegelen - don't see anything special there - that's all available on the EU/UK site, and don't see a bluetooth app for my iphone or android withput using sunny portal and a webbox which is what Moggy was suggesting....

"on any bluetooth equiped device"

 

[Gavin A]

@Vegelen - don't see anything special there - that's all available on the EU/UK site, and don't see a bluetooth app for my iphone or android withput using sunny portal and a webbox which is what Moggy was suggesting....

"on any bluetooth equiped device"

think there is one for the iphone on the apple store, but I've not used it as I break fancy phones so aren't allowed one.

 

[wstevew]

Ahem.. shameless plug

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.felixthepuddytat.SMASolarLog&hl=en

 

[moggy1968]

Sorry, I wasn't clear, I was refering to the PC software. As above there are phone apps out there but I haven't used them.

 

[pwboston]

The PC software which is free is very good, we usually set this up for customers before we leave site.

 

[Worcester]

Thanks moggy, I got confuddled

There are also free scripts that will allow you to link via bluetooth live to pvoutput.org (we do it and have shown it to some of our clients how do it too)

I have the SMA iphone app for sunny portal too, it's OK

Wstevew's app is a good one for android.

Haven't (yet) found a straight bluetooth iphone app to replace sunny explorer on the pc, though since linking up to pvoutput.org very rarely use sunny explorer for monitoring purposes.

 

[wstevew]

I doubt a iOS application with Bluetooth connectivity will happen due to apple not supporting the required Bluetooth profile.

Using a cheap android, a PC, or if technical enough an arduino or Pi as a logger and the pvoutput application would be the current iOS solution.

 

[Worcester]

Got a few Pi's here - one running the weather station, one running our energy logging, another as an xmbc server for the TV... seeing as it runs linux might see if tanyones cracked the bluetooth interface and logging to pvoutput yet, that way I could free up the pc

 

[Gozoman]

Just though I'd give an update on where things are at the moment. I had a visit from PowerNI who are the main electricity supplier here in N. Ireland and who also install solar PV systems. They seem to be a lot better already than the last company I was dealing with but I wanted to run the proposed system by the experts. Bear in mind I haven't got the full details yet. First of all they use Dimplex 250Wp panels so no problem with Chinese made stuff as these are made right here in N.Ireland. They seem a lot better than the other firms offering having a module efficiency of 14.75% and come with a 12 year guarantee. Anyone used these and have any feedback on them? On the inverter side again no Chinese stuff as they use the Power-One Aurora range or if the customer prefers SMA Sunnyboy. I don't need to ask about the SMA inverters as I have already been told that they are the best available, but what about the Power-One Aurora, are they any good? I have also told the guy to consider sourcing a Schuco Sunnyboy to keep the price down a bit.

They have also suggested fitting an Eco-Eye real time electricity monitor which you can see here. Eco-Eye Products and Online Store
Any one got any experience of these? Are they a good idea? I thought the SMA had some sort of bluetooth link which did the same thing so is this better?

As before any feedback appreciated. As I said earlier I haven't had the quote in yet but I would say given the fact that it appears to be a better system it will also be a more expensive system!

 

[Gavin A]

Are you sure that Dimplex actually manufacture the panels themselves? I can't find any evidence that they're UK manufactured, so I'd suspect they're just rebadging imported panels. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with this, as long as they're not being sold as UK manufactured if they aren't.

 

[Gozoman]

Good question Gavin. I was told they were made in Craigavon but the only thing I can find there is a distribution site. No doubt once again they are being brought in from China and rebadged. I've emailed them to ask what make the panels are and where they are made.