Advice on choosing a PV array

[1880]

Hi

I'd be grateful for any advice on which PV array to go with. We have a limited budget and have received the following 2 arrays and I can't decide which on to go with. The Sharp array gives slightly more payback, but the Sanyo panels are more efficient, so will this outweigh the slightly lower payback? The arrays are:

1. 12 x Sharp 185w NU-185E1H panels with a Sunny Boy String Inverter, 2000HF

2. 9 x Sanyo 240w HIT-N240SE10 panels with a Fronius IGTL3.0 Inverter.

Any advice welcome.

thanks
Mike

 

[SolarCity]

How much are these two systems?

The Sanyo system will far FAR outperform the Sharp system. Sanyo are the cream of the crop when it comes to solar panels and the Sharp panels are amongst the poorest performers. The iuverter selection, however, is very poor. The IG TL 30 is far too big for a 2.16kWp array. A Sunny Boy SB2000HF would be a much better (and cheaper) option.

The reason that the figures appear to show that the Sharp system will perform better is that there is a standard SAP calculation that installers must use to show expected yields of systems. It does not factor in solar panel characteristics and is therefore not a great indicator for comparing systems.

A Sanyo system should be far more expensive than a Sharp system.

 

[1880]

Hi

Thanks for the prompt reply.


The Sharp is around £8200 for 12 panels and the Sanyo around £8700 for 9 or £8200 for 8 panels.


I got the Fronius inverter wrong quote, sorry. It will be a Fronius IG 20.

thanks
Mike

 

[SolarCity]

Go for the Sanyo and go for the 9 panel - it's an excellent price and a far better system than the Sharp option.

 

[cjapeterborough]

Using the Sunny design software(sma website) shows the output to more or less equivalent @1311Kwh pa for both panel sets
on the 2000HF so imho its debatable paying the extra £500.
Take a look at the uksolarcasestudy site which is independant and shows historical data for installed systems.
This shows that panel choice doesnt make that much difference imho.
Fit as much as you can kw wise for your budget up to 4kw
I would have thought a 3Kw system should be within reach of your budget especially in such a competitive
market place.
Are you restricted on roof space?

 

[SolarCity]

The Sunny Design software is more aimed at finding suitable inverters for array set ups and it's not really there to give you an accurate idea of yield. The results from PV Sol are more accurate and this would show a much better yield from the Sanyo panels over the Sharp systems.

 

[1880]

Many thanks for the replies, they have be very helpful.

So to get this straight in my head. Even though the sharp array will in theory generate more than the sanyo as it is a slightly bigger array, the sanyo's greater efficiency will in reality generate a greater return.

thank
M

 

[dansk]

Many thanks for the replies, they have be very helpful.

So to get this straight in my head. Even though the sharp array will in theory generate more than the sanyo as it is a slightly bigger array, the sanyo's greater efficiency will in reality generate a greater return.

thank
M

Yes - tell me your location, pitch and oriantation (S?) and i will run through PV SOL for you and tell you the estimated generation.

Or i can make some educated estimates about roof pitch if you dont know.

 

[SolarCity]

Many thanks for the replies, they have be very helpful.

So to get this straight in my head. Even though the sharp array will in theory generate more than the sanyo as it is a slightly bigger array, the sanyo's greater efficiency will in reality generate a greater return.

thank
M

Not exactly. The extra efficiency of the Sanyo panels means that the panels are smaller (efficiency = Watts per square metre). However, the Sanyo panels have excellent results in low light and hot temperatures which make them the cream of the crop of solar.

I'm not in the office at the moment so I can't check but I'd imagine that the SB2000HF would be a better match for the Sanyo array and give better results.

 

[Rahul]

Hey,I would also suggest you try out TG Solar panels. Their efficiency is really good too. People are really praising these panels from TG. They have got different range in panels too and also have the best investors required.Check them out as well.

 

[SolarCity]

Call me a cynic but I have a feeling that Rahul may have his hand in TG somewhere......

 

[dansk]

What gives you that idea....

 

[steve44]

Please forward link to TG panels

 

[keval]

hey, i have many properties in UK and i decided to have solar panels on them. When i was deciding on which companies panels i should use, i wanted the panels to be efficient because i dont want to waste my money, but i also wanted the panels to have an average price and not to be too expensive, and many big companies panels are expensive. To find out whos panels where the most efficient, i searched the internet using google but the list i found were old and not updated. Then i found a graph which SMA released, officially labeling the the most efficient panels manufacturer. The most and second most efficient panel made by the companies were selling them for a high price, and then i tried the third highest efficient panel manufacturer, called "TG Solar". There prices were average, and so this company really did sound like what ive been looking for, so i talked to the owner of "TG Solar" and bought the panels and the company also arranged for a company that instal panels to install my panels. So from experience i recommend "TG Solar".

 

[SolarCity]

Seeing as we seem to be subject to a bizarre and comical marketing campaign from TG Solar or it's distributors, I suppose it's only fair that we take an objective look at the performance of these panels. I'll post back with some PV Sol results

 

[SolarCity]

Okay, some comparisons:

4kWp system comprising of 16no Sanyo 250w panels and IG TL 36 inverter:

3,759 kWh

4kWp system comprising of 16no Suntech 250w panels and IG TL 36 inverter:

3,727kWh


3.92kWp system comprising of 16no TG Solar 245w panels and IG TL 36 inverter:

A whopping..... 3,388kWh


I hope you didn't buy too many.....

 

[liquidity]

How about Sharp panels?

 

[SolarCity]

3,393kWh with 16 Sharp 245s and an IG TL 36 inverter.

This is on a WSW roof that I a currently working on and the location is Cornwall - unshaded.

 

[liquidity]

great; thanks

 

[OdeTheBear]

Just to add my newly learned opnion to this thread... I am having installed panels soon and going through the quotes and info about all related thing like panels right now. Couple of days ago I made up my mind to go for the Sharps but today I finally changed my mind and probably go for the Suntech ones as the best ones, Sanyo, are too expensive for me.

Why did I change my mind? Because mostly the advice given by pros, in this forum and by the installers providing quotes for me, is that they aren't that good - there are better ones available. This morning one company that I asked quotes for even said that they will install any other panel I ask for but not Sharps because they, apparently, have given them trouble in previous installations.

At the end of the day the only one I have so far found recommending them (edit: Sharp panels) appares to be an installation company that is a Sharp distributor.

 

[SolarCity]

Suntech are an excellent option that I would strongly recommend. However, take a look at the other recent forum and the worries about the cosmetic look of the new batch of panels. I'm hoping it's just a bad batch and not going to be a characteristic of the panel.

 

[northernsun]

I'd have to say you have made a good decision there Ode! In my opinion there are'nt really any rubbish modules and you will do well with a pv installation even with a cheaper panel. However, there are better panels. One of which is the Sanyo. Yes it is more expensive but should make up for that over time and give a higher payback. Suntech are very good too.
Sharp- I'd say the name is the best thing going for them. They are good panels, but nothing more and there are many, many I would choose before them for most peoples needs, whether it be budget, performance or quality.

 

[dansk]

Good move - Suntech is the largest PV supplier out of the three tier 1 Companys in China, Its then Yingli and Trina.

 

[solarfred]

Suntech are an excellent option that I would strongly recommend. However, take a look at the other recent forum and the worries about the cosmetic look of the new batch of panels. I'm hoping it's just a bad batch and not going to be a characteristic of the panel.

I understand that batch should not have been sold into the general market and were recalled but didn't make it back!. They were a test batch and had cosmetic irregularities which had nothing to do with their performance. I have nothing to do with them either for the record.

 

[SolarCity]

I spoke to our supplier yesterday and he informs me that this is a feature of the 'Black Pearl' panels and not a faulty batch. It is also something that will only affect the Black Pearl range and none of the others.