Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some quotes

[akaPABLO]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

8 grand for cheap panels

10 grand for sharp, this should be the going rate for a 4kWp system

earthing gas & water is extra charge as well as distance to travel, scaff inc in initial cost

its not worth putting a 4kWp system on a barn or 2 of them.



when you visit a barn try to pinch the roof material if it snaps clean then concrete and if it pulls away like its mixed with hair then its asbestos.

also asbestos is a dark grey colour compared to concrete which is the colour of a paving kerb.

 

[ktech]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

Don't quite figure how 2k adds to a Sharp system, thats 50 pence per watt premium. Either yuor buying Sharp at a very high price or you are getting very,very super cheap panels.

 

[akaPABLO]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

yes i buy at high prices

 

[exon16m]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

so someone explain me this...

Cheep versus expensive panel forgetting density of panel as space is not a problem. Inverter may be a different story.

They are all offering with a large insurance firm a guarantee that the at 10 they will offer 90% and at 25 80% of their first rated power. Surely on this basis a more budget panel is a no brain-er. Who is to say how much further the tec has advanced and the price has fallen. (from electronics industry history both are nearly guaranteed)

 

[Earthstore]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

All panels are tested under STC (standard test conditions), however some panels perform better in low light conditions, also when the panels heat up.

Some manufacturers use better quality cells, and also power match them, because if have one panel weaker that the others, this will drag the performance down.

One thing that all customers need to remember, they are buying a system that should last for 25 years, and the better it performs the more money you will make over the term.

Panels only make up part of the installation, if companies are very cheap, you need to question why.
Do they test asbestos by breaking a piece off and seeing if it has strands? As this type of roofing is called fibre cement the clue is in the name, and you can not tell by what colour it is....

I gave you my opinion on the roof, but by the sounds of things you are looking for the cheapest possible, I, and many others have seen "cheap", and it always comes with poor quality installs, and problems.

But, may I wish you luck.

 

[dansk]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

its like a car, they all go from a-b but which one is still going to be running smoothly in 25 years? the cheap one?

 

[ktech]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

All I can comment on is what we are doing: Big names but cost effective panels from manufacturers such as Yingi we are happy to sell. Poly panels not a problem on large roof areas / commercial installs. One thing that we have noticed is that manufacturers (and many do) that quote the +5 tollerance - quite often they quote each panel rating on the pallett and we have never seen this above 1% of STC. All the panels have a very similar rating so we see that these are sorted well in terms of performance. Last year all our commercial installs (mainly farms) insisted on German now they often don't even ask - although we still quote for what we regard as a quality panel these are generally Chineese. Interestingly customers still seem to not question the inverter that much. As this is a major component I always find this odd.
Last year the questions always asked was:
What is the efficiency - you can work this out yourself based on the dimensions and wattage of panel, lower efficiency are larger, again not a problem if roof space available
What is the tollerence - mentioned above although we always use positive tollerence
What is the warranty - not much in it from most manufacturers
What is the inverter start up voltage - quite often used to sell PowerOne over SMA - not much value in my opintion although PowerOne are a more cost effective inverter on the market.
A lot of the above questions that came from the customers, in my opinion, where due to previous 'sales' people clutching on headline figures (luckily not so many of these type about now).

However I do agree with EarthStone that the price only makes up part of the equation as installation quality is very important. We could knock out two 4kW installs in a day if we decided but always allow 1.5 days (generally). Quality matters a lot and also the fact that a fair price for a good quality job should also mean future contact with the installer is easy and they will be happy to answer any queries for you, rather than 'job done bye bye'.

 

[ktech]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

"its like a car, they all go from a-b but which one is still going to be running smoothly in 25 years? the cheap one?"
In relation to panels - who will know, i guess we will have to wait 25 years and see which does and which manufacturer is still about to warranty it?
Should you really take claims on datasheets on performance at face value?

 

[exon16m]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

"its like a car, they all go from a-b but which one is still going to be running smoothly in 25 years? the cheap one?"
In relation to panels - who will know, i guess we will have to wait 25 years and see which does and which manufacturer is still about to warranty it?
Should you really take claims on datasheets on performance at face value?

exactly my point but brand can be a poor way of telling this as can location of origin. Most of the insurance is by large insurance companies not the maker should be solid (but who knows in the current climate). I want a good system that is also a good value system.

 

[dansk]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

you get the jist, id put a fiver on a VW still running smoothly over a french car any day of the week. just like a good mid range panel, hyundai, LG, Bosch for example will in IMO be a safer 25 year bet then something un branded and un heard of.

 

[dansk]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

plus everyone knows insurance companies will do anything not to pay out.

 

[exon16m]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

so what is the view on Mitsubishi panels? big brand and good price.

 

[ktech]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

Mitsubishi panels - IMO overpriced.
'plus everyone knows insurance companies will do anything not to pay out.' oh yes !

Just a thought but - if you get a panel fail in 10 years from now - how much will it cost to replace? £50 in todays money for the panel? (plus labour of course).

 

[exon16m]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

but a good panel if all panels were the same price? and fronius inverters?

 

[Eco Deal]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

yingli 265w panda are great Panels.
Trina 235w if your looking for a good poly.
samsung are good

 

[Earthstore]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

The warrantee only covers panel performance, so it will be interesting to see how you prove that, plus it only covers the cost of the panel, not scaffold, (netting if required), labour, so choose something resonable, then you should not have a problem.

 

[ktech]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

Just a question to ask but how many manufacturers actually manufacturer everything from scratch right from wafers? BP Solar at one time was a 'big name' brand but from that i read they finish production they got rid of 2,500 staff (worldwide, from memory). When you look at SunTech employing 20k staff I can only think that BP didn't do the complete manufacturing process and a lot was re-branding and taking advantage of it's down brand name for marketing. How many of the other 'big name' brands work a similar game? Would I be correct in thinking this?

 

[ktech]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

'yingli 265w panda are great Panels.' - agreed can't go wrong with any Yingli panel from what we have experienced Poly or Mono both perform very well and although not an exact science to compare with others we have installed (Samsung, SunTech, Sharp, Scott) they have performed even better, but definately as good.

 

[exon16m]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

What would people quote to fit a set of panels. I think this would be the only way to get the exact parts I want.

 

[ktech]

Re: Barn installation needed 2x4kw on same roof ? asbesto in Sussex area need some qu

As per your original quote of 6k inc vat + scaffold. Many will know doubt disagree with this but we are fitting 4kw for £6200 inc vat and scaffold and we do a good job in one day most cases. So if you are confident of them doing a good job then in this climate I would say go for it. Interesting isn't it; many will say that 6k + scaffold, lets say £6400 is too cheap but then you get told 9k is too much. I would suggest if you go for this sort of price then get a couple of referrals from them and give at least one a ring and take a look at the job if possible. Also keep an eye on the job and take a look at the roof work + don't pay a deposit. Tesco do 4kW for 6.5k so why shouldn't you get a job for 6.2 that is good from a local installer? You can get ripped off what ever you pay just trust your instincts, don't pay a deposit (not needed at todays prices) and take a look at the work in progress, good luck.