Sunpower system, which is best? Opinions?

[Wortle]

Ok Thanks.
Yep the installers are great, it just seems God has it in for me, so wanted to check out the inverter was at least equivalent. They were as surprised as me that it was sent.

Photographed barcodes etc, guess thats all the same as you were asking for?

 

[Worcester]

Spot on - that's the right inverter at least

 

[Worcester]

Based on Energetics comments it would be interesting to see photos of the hook and rail installation as well as the electrics.

checking earth and bonding should have been done as part of the technical survey when they did the roof structural survey. Ask for a copy of the structural and wind load calculations that they must have done as well.

 

[Gavin A]

Do you actually check the Ze on an initial survey then Worcester?

We do visual checks, but if it's a suppliers earth that's at fault that's a bit much to expect to be picked up on the survey IMO. We've had similar issues maybe 2-3 times with TN-CS systems, couple more with fake TN-CS systems where someone's just strapped an earth band to the DNO cable without DNO premission, and a few using the water as the main earth, which are probably the ones that could have been picked up on a survey, but fairly easily missed unless it's an actual spark doing the survey (and even then...)

 

[Gavin A]

I'm amazed at the lack on Sunpower knowledge on this forum, Their inverters are the same as the normal Power Ones except for some snazzy sunpower branding and a 10 year warranty as standard. They cost about £300 more than a Samil.

Sunpower partners are chosen by Sunpower to represent them and have to pass rigorous conditions imposed by Sunpower so i wouldn't start worrying yet, sounds like the installers will be just as annoyed as you that they have not been able to finish the job!

Tbh this thread makes me quite happy not to know much about sunpower.

I've yet to see anyone ever being complimentary about their logistics, and this sounds pretty farcical.

 

[Worcester]

Do you actually check the Ze on an initial survey then Worcester?

Nope. like you visual checks, is it there, what's the supply type, what condition is it in, is it adequately sized - picked up one yesterday, no bonding on the oil line. OP's comments said: "Then discover no earth on whole system"

By which I took it that there was no main earthing terminal, which should have been spotted, hence my further comments about what else they might have missed / skimped e.g. structural survey.

From our discussions with Sunpower, they want to maintain this degree of control, however their selection process of installers to maintain this degree of 'exclusivity' with partners, seemed to be more one of how much you'd spend with them rather than the quality of your installation work - We walked away.

To be fair to the installers, this week has been c**p weather, Wednesday here was torrential, and even we wouldn't have got a lot done outside, and I'm sure also we've all had jobs when the materials turned up late. We always advise customers of the maximum length of time it could take , and also tell them what we'd like it to take, so no surprises, and no pressure on the team to rush the job or to take unnecessary risks.

 

[Earthstore]

For the OP, I believe from what you have told us so far you have chosen your installers wisely, yes they have had some issues with Earths and logistics, but it sounds like they are dealing with them as well as they can do and they are still turning up on site which is all credit to them.

 

[Gavin A]

By which I took it that there was no main earthing terminal, which should have been spotted, hence my further comments about what else they might have missed / skimped e.g. structural survey.

if the DNO were out working in the dark, that sounds a lot more like a fault on the DNO earth connections further down the line to me, which isn't going to get picked up via a visual in the house. Could be wrong, but that's what I took it to mean.

 

[SolarCity]

I've yet to see anyone ever being complimentary about their logistics, and this sounds pretty farcical.

To be fair, this is fairly typical of some suppliers that we have used previously. Very frustrating for the installer.

 

[Wortle]

Hi, I am in no way upset by anything the installers have done. They have reacted responsibly to everything which has happened. The earth fault business I dont understand but dont really think it was anything they would have expected as there was talk of renewing a box on a pole which seems down to the Power company.
here come the pics I hope

 

[Worcester]

Just for those that didn't notice - the DC isolator is built into the inverter (underside on the left).

Why the row of red tiles?

 

[JulianC]

Shame they've not ground the back of the tiles out to accommodate the hooks - they're standing proud. A couple of clips on the external AC cable wouldn't hurt either. And is that a 17th edition (twin RCD) MK Sentry board?

 

[Worcester]

On the basis that the panels weren't yet fitted and so therefore they hadn't yet finished and are coming back, I was keeping quiet ....
I presumed that they would come back and:
Cables tie wrapped to rails would be done when panels installed.
Dual colour code stickers and schematic at connection pint when they sign off and test the installation.
DC cable labels, Inverter and External AC Isolator labels when they commission the inverter.
What the hooks should look like to be MCS compliant:
(Had to do that on a 20KW install this spring .....200 tiles later...)

 

[Wortle]

Long story short. Tiles came off in 1987 and replacements couldnt be found. Ordinary double romans were used instead of the green glazed and painted. They were moved to be under the solar panels where they wouldnt show.

MK yes, have some kind of earth solution performed by western power.

PV stickers all over the inverter

All seems in order except the monitor isnt working properly, but as they finished the install on Saturday they couldnt talk to anyone about it and will sort Monday.

I guess if the system doesnt come off with the storm we have now I neednt ask them to come back and get notching?

Julian C -s comment "A couple of clips on the external AC cable wouldn't hurt either", I dont know what you mean, is that cable ties for neatnes....is it done right now? Expecting WP back again so will they do this?

 

[Worcester]

@Wortle,

I was just being exceedingly picky , and I have no doubt that if one of the other well known contributors on here had a look at one of our sites there would be something that they would do differently.

Nothing looks dangerous.

Re the red tiles, I thought it was something like that.

t is a pain and takes time, however we would have notched them., I've no doubt GavinA will have advice as to whether to leave it or get them to fix it. - They won't like coming back. However you don't want a problem over the next 25 years.

 

[jason121]

Worcester Do you still notch tiles with the REDTIP roof anchors

 

[Wortle]

@Wortle,

I was just being exceedingly picky

It's good to know this sort of thing before the event...but I got so much good advice on here that this is a detail perhaps the next non professional can benefit from when they start the PV research trail picking up advice on this forum. Meanwhile installers all over the country will be wondering who has spilt the beans to the notching while they sit whittling away at tiles!

Well as I said, I think the system is going to get well tested tonight as last reports showed us in the main storm path. Not looking forward to it really.

 

[Worcester]

Worcester Do you still notch tiles with the REDTIP roof anchors

Yes and no! - On plain tiles, don't need to In fact our MCS inspection this year was on a HookStop installation.


Other tile types, yes we still notch if needed.

 

[Gavin A]

I've no doubt GavinA will have advice as to whether to leave it or get them to fix it. - They won't like coming back. However you don't want a problem over the next 25 years.

I was staying well out of this tbh.

but yes we'd always grind out the lugs so the tiles sit down as a matter of course. Tbh I'm never so concerned about the middle ones, but the ones around the edges I work on the basis that they definitely shouldn't stick up to the point where you can actually see between the 2 tiles into the underside... ie so that wind blown rain can't get in below the tiles.

 

[Worcester]

I was staying well out of this tbh.

I was trying to!!