Which panels and inverter to choose?

[SolarCity]

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

That's a staggering bit of profit you're making there. Would you mind telling me what you do to earn that kind of income? You see, if you get it for that kind of money then why don't you pass it on to me at the same cost?

 

[SRE]

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




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

I guess Solarcube has to decide whether he/she wants to sell to one private customer or many installers who supply multiple private customers. IMO the business plan of transparency to one customer seems to be flawed - no other wholesalers advertise their cost prices on the forum - but then what do I know, maybe Solarcube will make enough from the single customer with his/her enviable transparency.

 

[dougalthedog]

I was under the apparently mistaken impression that a 250W panel from any manufacturer would generate the same annual kWh and that panel efficiency simply affected how large said 250W panel was.

From Biggssolar's posts above it seems that 16 panels can vary quite significantly in how much they generate - how can I tell from the manufacturers spec sheets how "good" an panel is - is it just the efficiency rating or should I be looking at other stats, graphs etc.

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

 

[SolarCity]

The 'efficiency' of the panel refers to the watts per square metre and if you took this statistic alone then it would appear that a 250w panel from any manufacturer would be the same. However, how the panel performs in hot weather and low light are also crucial stats - far more crucial in my humble opinion than the efficiency.


A 245w Sanyo HIT panel would greatly outperform one of the cheaper makes like Sharp.

 

[rt1200]

The 'efficiency' of the panel refers to the watts per square metre and if you took this statistic alone then it would appear that a 250w panel from any manufacturer would be the same. However, how the panel performs in hot weather and low light are also crucial stats - far more crucial in my humble opinion than the efficiency.


A 245w Sanyo HIT panel would greatly outperform one of the cheaper makes like Sharp.

BiggsSolar
Do you mind me asking - how do the schucco panels, 215W measure up against the others please, objectively, but also in your opinion?

By the way, without turning into a sycophant, this forum is really good. Im impressed that so many of you guys are so willing to help others and discuss issues the way you do, particularly as Im sure you have to work hard and long hours for your bucks. It must be reassuring to people viewing this site and considering a PV or electrical installation that there are trustworthy, responsible companies out there.

:clap:

 

[eclectic]

I too am looking for a complete system and have found this thread particually helpful

BiggsSolar your knowledge is astounding - do you supply and install? if so could you contact me at

[email protected]

cheers

 

[SolarCity]

BiggsSolar
Do you mind me asking - how do the schucco panels, 215W measure up against the others please, objectively, but also in your opinion?

I'll run some simulations through my software and let you know how they get on. Their stats look nice so I'd expect they will perform pretty well.

Sorry about the late reply - I've been flat out the last few days.

 

[rt1200]

I'll run some simulations through my software and let you know how they get on. Their stats look nice so I'd expect they will perform pretty well.

Sorry about the late reply - I've been flat out the last few days.

Dont apologise - I really appreciate it - your a star.

Thanks again.

Regards

 

[SolarCity]

Dont apologise - I really appreciate it - your a star.

Thanks again.

Regards

There are a few different types of Schuco 215w panels. Do you have the data sheet for the particular panel?

 

[rt1200]

There are a few different types of Schuco 215w panels. Do you have the data sheet for the particular panel?

Hi mate
sorry for the delay in replying. I have attached a pdf giving the spec for the MPE PS 05 215 .

One last thing, Ive been told that its possible to fit these panels with a gizmo which enables a particular type of inverter to recognise a each individual panel? This means the inverter can ignore a single panel if the output is low, (perhaps due to shading). This is instead of an entire string, which I believe is a minimum of 4 panels. Is this correct? Are these fittings just mini inverters by another name? Any advice gratefully received.

Many thanks once again.
Regards,
View attachment 7036View attachment 7036

 

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

I'm the original poster, and have re-read this whole thread again.

Many thanks for the advice offered. Particularly to Biggs Solar and BruceB, both of whom have been exceptionally helpful.

As it was, we went for the Sanyo panels. And they are, as of yesterday, installed! AND (even better), we have just produced our first KWH of juice. This morning I had the pleasure of watching the disk in our (old-fashioned) electricity meter turning the wrong way. (OK it was moving slowly, but it really was going backwards!)

I expect I sound like a kid with a new toy. For which I don't apologise!

The fitting was done in a day; two strings on two different rooves of a Victorian terrace house, with wiring to the inverter in the loft and from there to the electricity meter in the basement. Done by two chaps, both of whom worked hard all day. (They were expecting it to take two days, but I helped where I could and was happy for them to make a mess as they worked, which made things quicker and saved tidying up time.)

I am very pleased, both with the workmanship (and I am fussy when it comes to quality of workmanship) and the end result. To be honest I don't know how competitive their prices were but I am very happy to recommend them. I'm not sure whether I am allowed to put their details on this forum, and am aware also that they will be competitiors to BruceB and Biggs Solar, so maybe it's best if I don't. However if anyone wants to know then PM me and I'll send you their details.

I know I will never make a fortune from solar panels, but npower (our 'leccy supplier) announced an increase in prices yesterday - the day we had the panels fitted, and I couldn't resist a bit of a wry smile ...

Thanks again for the input and advice.


Oli.

 

[SolarCity]

Welcome to the club, Oli!

Glad we have helped.

 

[jgtec]

The real output of Suntech and Sanyo 250W panels

Hi!

I am looking at a 3kW system at the moment and I would appreciate some guidance. I understand that different panel types work best in different conditions.

My question is: Would a Sanyo or Suntech system work best? I am in North Kent and the roof faces SE with no shade.

From what I have read, the Sanyo panels work pretty well in the typically cloudy days that we have in Kent (Met Office say we have 4.5hrs sunshine a day on average - so mostly cloudy!). How about the Suntech panels? I am minded to go with the Sanyo system as they seem to produce about 10% more power than most other panels. I am just not sure how they compare with the Suntech ones.

Hope you can help. Thanks!

 

[zcacogp]

jgtec,

I have no reference point to compare with, but we went with Sanyo panels in the end. The advice seemed to be that they were worth the extra money given the UK weather we have!

I think that if you want a comparison between the two (Sanyo and Suntech) you would need to look at the specifications; given the number of other variables in an installation (shape, location, inclination, shading etc) you will never find two to make a direct comparison.


Oli.

 

[SRE]

Very quick & crude response - if you've got loads of cash and nothing that you desperately want to spend your cash on go Sanyo - over the years they will provide a greater return. If you've got some cash but still a list of things you'd like to do - go for Suntech not quite as good return but significantly less upfront costs. Everyone is different and we put a lot of both of those panels in. If you're planning to install before the end of October ask for a Fronius inverter with extra warranty - you'll get 20 years for the price of 10 - a bargain at the minute!