Current PV panel prices

tony6403

My property has an unshaded hipped roof and any installation of around 2.3KW will have to be split between the south and west elevations.
I had a visit from an installer who said that systems generally work at a level detected by the panel least exposed to the available light. He said that his system had a device which would overcome this shortfall and boost the output to that of the panel(s) in the lightest area.
Does anyone know if this is really possible?
Also , can anyone give a rough estimate of a reasonable cost for a 2.3KW outfit ( no access problems , very substantial roof timbers and good electrical system ) The contractor's comments were that it may be anywhere from £9k to 12K - he would have to do his calculations.
Any advice on panels , inverter etc. would be appreciated. If anyone could recommend a company this would a big step forward.

free_juice?

If connected 'stupidly' it is indeed the case that two sets of panels as you describe would only work as well as the poorest performing set but I believe all the most often mentioned inverters will cope with that as your installer describes. If he is trying to convince you that he is doing anything out of the ordinary for you my inclination would be to label him a bit of a con artist and look for someone else.

A recommendation for someone else might benefit from knowing where you are.

zeupater

tony6403 wrote: »

My property has an unshaded hipped roof and any installation of around 2.3KW will have to be split between the south and west elevations.
I had a visit from an installer who said that systems generally work at a level detected by the panel least exposed to the available light. He said that his system had a device which would overcome this shortfall and boost the output to that of the panel(s) in the lightest area.
Does anyone know if this is really possible?
Also , can anyone give a rough estimate of a reasonable cost for a 2.3KW outfit ( no access problems , very substantial roof timbers and good electrical system ) The contractor's comments were that it may be anywhere from £9k to 12K - he would have to do his calculations.
Any advice on panels , inverter etc. would be appreciated. If anyone could recommend a company this would a big step forward.

Hi

Splitting a 2.3kWp system over two roofs will be a challenge. To do this and maintain efficiency you'll need an inverter with dual MPPTs, which, in the case of the SMA range, only start with the SB4000TL which will be far too large, so it looks like finding another make with twin MPPTs at around the size you mention (are there any ?), possibly a modular inverter system such as a StecaGrid 300/500, microinverters for each panel, or two separate inverters rated at 1200W each ....

HTH
Z

zeupater

ecofreaks wrote: »

power one inverters have dual MPPT from 2kw systems if you require some extra info pm me . :money:

or there is solar edge

or micro inverters :money:

Hi

Really ?, having twin trackers on such a small unit surprises me .... according to the Power-One literature the PVI-2000 (2.1kW) version of the Aurora has a single MPPT with dual MPPTs only appearing on the PVI-3600 (3.8kW) version ..... http://www.power-one.com/sites/power-one.com/files/pvi-2000-3600_ds_1.pdf ... am I looking at the right models ?

Regarding Solar-Edge, do they have single phase inverters below 3kW in their range ? .... http://www.solaredge.com/groups/inverter/single-phase-solar-inverter .... or is the reference for their power optimizers ?, if so the individual units seem to be priced at around the same price as microinverters, so with still requiring an inverter and having an optimizer per panel, the solution becomes quite expensive .....

.... so that that still leaves two 1200W inverters or microinverters or the StecaGrid 300/500 modular system .....

HTH
Z

Casper55

Halo all
I have been looking for a system for £12000 or less. That is my max budget. I now have about 5 quotes, 3 of which have now been surveyed.
I got all the installers from the MCS website.I have narrowed it down to a couple. Tessco I have ruled out as they are asking for a further 35% deposit before the work comences on top of the 25% when booking them. They currently have a 20% sale on. this works out that I can get a 4Kw system for the price of a 3kW.Inact who are agents for Tesco say they can match Tesco price or anyother for that matter. However they too require the additional 35%.
The installer(Local) which most impressed me came up with a price of £12000 for a 3.92 KW 16x sharp panels and a SMA sonnyboy inverter, Exactly the same system as Tesco offeerd + fitting a new mains distribution box. I asked him if he would match Tesco and drop the price by £500 to £11,500 and he agreed.The downside is that this installer has only been operating since june 2011. Although he was very keen to get my biusness I did not feel pressured in anyway and was only here for 1 hour in total.
I have had dealing with local flyby night doubleglazing outfits and once bitten twice shy, but feel this is an opertunity not to be missed. The question is can these guys be trusted. Best Regrds Casper

Cardew

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Hi,
Nice to have someone 'in the trade' albeit you are not allowed to put your website in the signature block and I suspect it will be removed.

On the subject of MCS scheme and REAL assurance, we were told when the FIT rates were announced that certified installers would stick rigidly to a code of conduct and not 'sell' their product like double glazing salesmen of yesteryear.

That seemed to last a couple of months and as WHICH commented in their recent report that there are many cases of MCS certified firms who greatly exaggerate the predicted output and the potential savings.

There are many posters confirming this on MSE - predictions of 1,300kWh per kWp and including in the savings estimate that you will use all the generated electricity in the house and save £400 or so on top of FITs

There are threads running currently about the outrageous claims on savings made by some 'Rent a Roof' firms.

Indeed I have been 'cold called' on the phone with some young girl making absolutely stupid claims - tel number withheld.

The reputation of solar thermal firms stunk as any Trading Standards officer will certify and they have been subject of plenty of 'Watchdog' type programmes.

It seems some of those firms have just switch to selling PV with the same techniques.

So my question is just what 'teeth' has REAL got to fine/suspend/strike off firms? Or will it turn out to be another toothless tiger.

N9eav

After having the Solatricity man around 2 weeks ago and turning him down. 'The boss' called up last night offering a 15 panel 2.1kw system for £10900.
I know their sales tactics have been questionable. But my sis in law had their panels installed and the work was good.

Is that a fair price? How good are Kyocera panels?

Is this graph realistic? What is the red triangle make?

keith_r59

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That may be so but a contract with Tesco, who you can safely guarantee will still be around for years after you have had your system installed, is worth a lot more than a contract with a small local installer who probably won't be.

Cardew

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Exactly!

Before long the Government will withdraw the FIT scheme for new applicants - there is only a finite pool of money we are assured.

There will be just no work for many small firms and they, understandably, will move to new pastures.

mickyduck

Just read a little about this. I would almost certainly have had this installed with my Solar PV system if I had known about it.