Panels on market in 2012

[SpitfireW'sale]

That sounds like an interesting article from the Sunday Times whlphil, is there a link to it that you could share?

Thanks

 

[whlphil]

That sounds like an interesting article from the Sunday Times whlphil, is there a link to it that you could share?

Thanks

Afraid not as Mr Murdoch doesnt let you deep link into his empire! It's a pay to see only site.. think it was this last Sunday If I remember rightly, last couple of weeks have a bit of a haze around them ;-)

 

[solarsparkie]

just like i said at the start , 21p will see cheap and nasty panels going up clients loosing out in the end as well as the country, what is the return rate when a system goes belly up in under 10 years with no guarantee?

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

That is a fair point solarsparkie, everyone is under increasing pressure to get systems on the roof for as little as possible. I hope the industry reputation does not suffer as a result.

- General point, and I appreciate that it is easier said than done, but it is worth focussing more on the performance aspects of a system such as yield, inverter features, etc over price.

Another often overlooked area is the aesthetic appeal of a finished array. I have seen many systems installed with how it will look on a roof almost an afterthought, with asymmetrical layout, and even panels overhanging the roof edge to get an extra one on. (!)

We have done well with selling "in roof" systems, and whilst they add to the cost of a system, the overall appeal of the array is greatly enhanced. Couple this with using black panels andblack brackets/clips can give installers a point of difference that has served several of our customers very well in the past.

 

[whlphil]

That is a fair point solarsparkie, everyone is under increasing pressure to get systems on the roof for as little as possible. I hope the industry reputation does not suffer as a result.

- General point, and I appreciate that it is easier said than done, but it is worth focussing more on the performance aspects of a system such as yield, inverter features, etc over price.

Another often overlooked area is the aesthetic appeal of a finished array. I have seen many systems installed with how it will look on a roof almost an afterthought, with asymmetrical layout, and even panels overhanging the roof edge to get an extra one on. (!)

We have done well with selling "in roof" systems, and whilst they add to the cost of a system, the overall appeal of the array is greatly enhanced. Couple this with using black panels andblack brackets/clips can give installers a point of difference that has served several of our customers very well in the past.

If you want good looking systems then Sunpower is about as good as it gets! Lower thermal coefficient aswell so lower losses compared to other all black systems especially if its an in roof. No busbars as they are all back contact just pure black.

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

I agree whlphil, Sunpower are great to look at, especially due to the lack of busbars on the front. Great performers as well. Unfortunately they have a policy of their panels not being available via the wholesale market at the moment, and companies must be an "approved installer" to work with them. I understand the business model, but from our perspective it is a shame, as I am sure we would do well selling these panels!