Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Dec 02, 2010 10:17 am Hi All I am in the process of selecting a PV system for our house. I am getting very confused about what to purchase. I like the sunpower panels. I was thinking of purchasing a 1.5kw system and a SMA 3800 inverter so I can upgrade it myself later as the panels are easy to add. My problem is, do I buy cheaper panels and get less efficiency, or more expensive and more efficient. Any feedback would be appreciated. Re: Rate your solar Panel 2Jan 05, 2011 1:35 pm I'm in the same boat and have spent hours reading posts on the Whirlpool website http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/ Its the best informative site and the rest is up to you Arfur Re: Rate your solar Panel 3Jan 05, 2011 3:00 pm We are currently waiting back from Western Power to see if our application will be approved. Like you we've gone for a larger invertor than we will have pv panels. Intending to upgrade with more later. We hope to get approval for a 4kw sma invertor but are getting ~3kw of pv panels. Assuming it is approved. Otherwise we will be trying for the 3 kw SMA invertor as well. All hinges on what we are allowed to have. We had 4 different quotes and although all were willing to use the same invertor we had a lot of different panels to sift through with 3 of the quote companies. In the end we went for a 4th company that only uses one brand of panel. Although we liked the suntech panels from 2 of the suppliers and were almost tempted by some much more powerful panels from the 3rd quote we ended up opting for schott panels with this 4th installer. It was a combination of what we researched, the mans pure knowledge and enthusiasm for the product which he actually had himself. ( to the point of being off the grid completely) and his attitude compared with the other people who did the quotes. Our 2 invertors of choice were SMA ( sunnyboy) or Aurora Re: Rate your solar Panel 4Jan 05, 2011 3:23 pm Is the Schott Panels shaade tolerant as there's bypass diodes built into the panels? I'm after the 3Kw system too. Do you mind pm the details of your system with price and the installer details? Thanks Re: Rate your solar Panel 5Jan 05, 2011 5:05 pm I think the suntechs might be slightly more tolerant. But the schotts have the best results of any. Of course this means they are pretty much the most exxy as well. My installer lives around Boyup Brook so not Perth. I can still pm you the details if you wish. Of course prices may be slightly better now that the revs have (I think) gone up. Re: Rate your solar Panel 6Jan 05, 2011 10:47 pm Oh... Don't worry about the contact if he is that far. I was thinking the solarfun panels Re: Rate your solar Panel 7Jan 06, 2011 5:38 am I'd also throw a vote towards the info at whirlpool. I even found a link there somewhere to a site where people upload their data. You can see where they are, how their panels are going, what output they are getting and exactly what system they have. Have a hunt round and perhaps you'll find it too. Sorry I don't have a link. Re: Rate your solar Panel 9Feb 21, 2011 7:43 pm We got the suntech panels that were being offered by solar unltd. The salesman was a great guy who really knew his stuff. They were about the same price as the rest but the sales rep had so many options to suit our house. Re: Rate your solar Panel 13Apr 20, 2011 1:54 pm Must be a good feeling though: getting energy from the sun. Re: Rate your solar Panel 14Apr 22, 2011 7:50 pm Quote: We got the suntech panels After spending many many hours reading on Whirlpool and looking into the components used by 23 companies (and their business ethics) I went for 16 Suntech panels with a SMA 3000TL Inverter, which is scheduled for install the Wednesday after Easter. In SA it appears from the Whirlpool website, that after October 2011 if you add more panels to your system you will lose ALL FIT on the entire system. IF this is correct it will place those who bought a smaller number of panels with a larger inverter, to expand later, at a distinct disadvantage. Arfur Re: Rate your solar Panel 15Apr 25, 2011 4:57 pm Uncle Arfur After spending many many hours reading on Whirlpool and looking into the components used by 23 companies (and their business ethics) I went for 16 Suntech panels with a SMA 3000TL Inverter, which is scheduled for install the Wednesday after Easter. abbeybox, hope you don't mind me jumping in here, but we chose the same system config as Uncle Arfur, and it was installed last week Just waiting on the inspection and then the meter change-over (scheduled for June 30) so we can be connected to the grid... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Our veggie bed thread: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=38476 Re: Rate your solar Panel 17Apr 26, 2011 1:46 pm lonnie Just waiting on the inspection and then the meter change-over (scheduled for June 30) so we can be connected to the grid... How much are they charging for the inspection and new meter? Re: Rate your solar Panel 18Apr 26, 2011 2:03 pm melbourne architect lonnie Just waiting on the inspection and then the meter change-over (scheduled for June 30) so we can be connected to the grid... How much are they charging for the inspection and new meter? I'll send you a PM. Our veggie bed thread: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=38476 Re: Rate your solar Panel 20Apr 26, 2011 10:21 pm planning to install 1 in the near future... but it seems that this is quite pricey here in victoria compared to all other states... reason behind that, was vic has a cooler climate... ___________________ Building with Carlisle Homes, Montrose 36 in Point Cook http://www.pointcookfb.blogspot.com/ I looked into it a few years ago and my conclusion was to just build a carport that will support panels and get a system installed separately. The company I looked at had… 1 6481 Thanks mate. Yeah good points! Leaning towards Option 3 to get a bit extra space in the cabinets but not going too crazy high (and expensive). Would require a mini… 13 39728 Broker here - legislation says that every true broker must put the clients best interests before theirs so in theory they must offer you the best options for you on their… 2 46014 |