solar edge and SAP

[sambotc]

How are you guys selling solar edge with regards to the SAP calculations required? (shading etc )

I've got the system designer tool but this isn't going to satisfy the MCS requirement for a SAP calc and also given that they will mainly be used for jobs with shading, it's quite awkward to make an estimate? I don't want to mis sell, but also don't want to be underselling the product either?


I don't have PVsol and don't intend getting it either.

 

[ktech]

Not found much consumer demand for solar edge or micro-inverters to be honest. When I have the premium cost kills it.

 

[babba]

I dont sell them but as with all systems the saps are flawed but look at the weather, not summer is it, more cloudy at the moment.
If I did sell them I would give the SAP as normal and inform the customer of 20% loss factors but every case of shading is different, only you have seen the house, is there shading ?

 

[FB.]

When we had snow, I found that the panel's own bypass diodes worked very well - the loss of power being roughly proportional to the area of panels still covered by snow.
It seems as if the major problems with shading are a moving "hard shadow" which passes across multiple panels, and which manages to partially or completely cover two or three panels at the same time, thus causing a sudden change in optimum voltage which the inverter MPPT software doesn't cope well with.

 

[SolarCity]

When you do the SAP calculations, you need to treat each area as a different system.

For example, if you have 10 panels on a south facing roof then you calculate that as a system. If you have 5 panels on the east roof then you calculate that as a seperate system - then you just add them both together.

 

[sambotc]

Don't worry I think I am over complicating my thought process, trying to see how the figures of SAP could be compared with or without solar edge on a system that had some shading issues. As far as I can make out it would never work.

I'm just looking at it from a customers point of view, when you suggest spending ££££ more for solar edge, how an installer could go about proving to a certain degree that the extra expense is worth it?

 

[sherbert]

If you have a problem with shading then solar edge can minimize the effect. I installed one on a house with SE and SW roofs so needed a 2 tracker or solar edge anyway. Shading was an issue in the morning so solar edge was a no brainer. I can now view the effect of shade on the web site starting at one side of the array and moving over during the morning. A normal system would generate atleast 20% less as that string wouldn't work effectively until about 11.00. On a normal system shading just one panel can reduce the output by 75%. I experienced this where a tree had grown and was shading 1 panel on a 2.3kWp system and the output reduced to 550W. Branch cut and output increased to 1750W. You should be able to justify solar edge on the correct system.

 

[sambotc]

Yeah i'm not questioning solaredge, it has it's uses which is why i want to be able to convince customers that in the right circumstances it is a worthy investment. The problem I have is that other than me saying 'spend ££££ on solaredge it's very good etc' I can not really prove it paying so to speak?

I suppose I will cross that bridge when I get there as i was speculating really but would be nice to have something solid ( so far as any yield estimation goes!) to show a potential customer.

 

[SolarCity]

Why not include a link to their website on your quote? Or brochure?

Their website does a really good job at convincing the solar newbie.

 

[sherbert]

I've directed many of my customers to the web site and most are convinced. I haven't lost one job where I quoted solar edge; just needs time to explain to the customer. Added warranty also good for sales

 

[infinity]

How come you think its £££ more? i dont think there is much of a difference in price between solar edge and string inverters at the moment.

 

[poheZ]

no, there i not much difference at all