Which panels and inverter to choose?

[langstroth2]

That's very helpful, thanks. Noted re: not factored in shading.

So if my maths isn't t'pot over a 25yr lifespan of operation there's a 435kWh/yr = 10,875kWh difference between the best set up (Sanyo/Fronius) and less well performing set up (Sharp/Powador), which equates to an extra ~£4,458 of FiT payments (ignoring bill savings, increase in FiT etc) ...which is an eye opener...

The question is whether the difference between the Sanyo and Upsolar warrants the additional cost:
260kWh/yr difference = 6500kWh = £2665 (which is probably conservative given the aforementioned ignoring of FiT increase, exports etc)

Food for thought

 

[SRE]

I've found that most panels produce 200 ish kwh extra a year when matched with either the Power One inverter or the Fronius TL. Both have excellent warranty offers at the moment as well as getting more out of all panels. I've stopped offering SMA now, they just can't compete with the other 2.

 

[SolarCity]

Indeed. I use the Fronius IG TL inverters more than any other inverter - the lack of personal display makes them unsuitable for some customers, however.

 

[liquidity]

I've received a quote for a system with 16 Sharp NU-E245J5 and a Power-One PV1 3.6 for 12K. Predicted output is 3831 kWh/year. Enecsys micro inverters would add 10% to the cost. There is some shading on the eastern third of the roof in the morning. Any comments on the value for money and choice of components would be appreciated.

 

[SolarCity]

I'd seriously question those output figures. Whereabouts in the country are you?

 

[liquidity]

Sorry, left out the location. South east Hampshire, about 5 miles from the coast. The roof faces 185 degrees and the shading is gone by 10:00 am.

 

[SolarCity]

Value for money is excellent. I'm not a big fan of the Sharp panels and I'm surprised by the figures but being in SE Hampshire is an ideal spot.

 

[liquidity]

Thanks for the reply - can you elaborate on your thinking on the Sharp panels?

 

[SolarCity]

Most panels tend to outperform Sharp panels in any of my calculations - althought the recent change to a positive power tolerance is an encouraging one.

 

[Solarcube]

16x CS6P Canadian Solar modules with SMA inverter with Schuco mounting system . Solarcube Authorised UK distributors of Canadian Solar.

 

[SolarCity]

Solarcube, I don't see how this is relevant to the thread. The OP is a customer asking other contractor's their advice on a good system. Advertising wholesale prices on a forum like this is not going to endear yourself to your potential customers. I would hope that a wholesaler of panels would generally understand this kind of relationship.

 

[Solarcube]

1. 14 x Suntech STP190Ad panels. 1 x SMA SB2500HF Inverter. Size = 2.66kWp. Cost = £8830. ROI 11.6%
2. 14 x Sanyo HIT SE10 235Wp panels. 1 x SMA SB3000HF Inverter. Size = 3.29kWp. Cost = £12450. ROI 10.2%
3. 13 x Azur P235 panels. 1 x SMA SB3000HF Inverter. Size = 3.055kWp. Cost = £11183. ROI 10.6%

This was the opening thread, also people making false assumptions like "Canadian Solar are entering the UK market as they have a warehouse in Europe full of stock" is mis-leading and ill informed. Its great we see such a price drop at the moment as it makes PV more accessable. We work with MCS installers many of which are Electricians. Transparency is the key, perhaps some installers do not wish the true price of PV or PV Kits to be made avaailable

 

[SolarCity]

1. 14 x Suntech STP190Ad panels. 1 x SMA SB2500HF Inverter. Size = 2.66kWp. Cost = £8830. ROI 11.6%
2. 14 x Sanyo HIT SE10 235Wp panels. 1 x SMA SB3000HF Inverter. Size = 3.29kWp. Cost = £12450. ROI 10.2%
3. 13 x Azur P235 panels. 1 x SMA SB3000HF Inverter. Size = 3.055kWp. Cost = £11183. ROI 10.6%

This was the opening thread

A customer asking experts their opinion on different systems. Seems reasonable enough.

Transparency is the key, perhaps some installers do not wish the true price of PV or PV Kits to be made avaailable

Tell me, Solarcube, if transparency is so important to you, how much do YOU pay for your panels.

 

[Solarcube]

Of course you can ask, no issues with that, 2 containers arrived yesterday of 240 mono and 190 mono £1.01pw

 

[SolarCity]

I've run three different systems through my software to see which panels come out with the best results.

All with SB4000TL inverters:

16 Suntech 250s - 3,539kWh

16 Sanyo 250s- 3,595kWh

16 Canadian Solar SC5P-250M- 3,307kWh



How is that for some transparency?