Solar Panels - Rating of Different Panel Manufacturers

gmgohara

Hi

I am currently obtaining a number of quotes for Solar PV

Can someone elighten me as to what panels are groupted/rated as best / next best / worst i.e. Sharp best, samsung next best

Currently I have had quotes for Sanyo, Sharp, Samsung, Suntech etc.

tks

zeupater

gmgohara wrote: »

Hi

I am currently obtaining a number of quotes for Solar PV

Can someone elighten me as to what panels are groupted/rated as best / next best / worst i.e. Sharp best, samsung next best

Currently I have had quotes for Sanyo, Sharp, Samsung, Suntech etc.

tks

Hi

For performance, most would say Sanyo(HIT), then the others listed above would be around the same, with much of the difference in what systems using these panels will actually generate being due to the performance tolerances on the packs supplied. I'm a little wary of the relative performance claims on the Sanyo panels in their sales brochures, this being due to the clause that they place upon the claim, so I personally wouldn't pay the price premium which most installers attempt to apply to them unless there was a need to maximise the generation from a confined area ....

On a direct comparison, ensure that all panels offered are the same cell technology, monocrystalline/polycrystalline, with poly crystalline usually being a cheaper unit to produce. If you're one of the few people who are still in anyway interested in supporting British manufacturing jobs and the economy, then Sharp would be your choice as they're made in Wrexham.

HTH
Z

Cardew

zeupater wrote: »

If you're one of the few people who are still in anyway interested in supporting British manufacturing jobs and the economy, then Sharp would be your choice as they're made in Wrexham.

HTH
Z

Mmm - That is rather like saying Toyota cars are Turkish, Russian & Mexican;)

zeupater

Cardew wrote: »

Mmm - That is rather like saying Toyota cars are Turkish, Russian & Mexican;)

:rotfl:.... I agree, but at least the Toyota cars assembled in the UK provide British jobs & help the economy, both local around Burnaston & Deeside and nationally through both their supplier network etc .... We've always bought cars made in Britiain, even if the parent company wasn't British ... if more people had the same attitude maybe the country wouldn't be in such a mess ... I really find it quite ironic that so many people moan about their own lott and the state of the economy and do absolutely nothing about it ! .... an example, I have a number of friends who are farmers and they're always bleating on about why people should buy British food to support British farmers and therefore British jobs .... I just ask them how many British jobs were lost when they bought their foreign tractor, 4x4, chemicals etc ... they usually go and :silenced: ......

Manufacturing supports the economy and no matter how successful it becomes, cannot outgrow the public sector, the public sector drains the economy, destroys manufacturing through making it uncompetitive and can easily outgrow everything else, which is exactly what has happened in the recent past .... if everyone in the public sector thought about this then so many wouldn't be looking at loosing their livelihood, but then again I'm probably just ... :wall:

Another point is that both Sharp & Toyota export a considerable proportion of their production which helps the balance of trade ... the country is just like my household ... I could pay my wife a million zeupounds a week for vacuuming the lounge, and she could pay me just as much for watching her mow the lawn , both important passtimes and that would be one healthy household economy, we could even grow the economy by paying each other to do the washing-up, or ironing etc, but unless we actually export our labour by going out to work or selling something we make in order to bring 'foreign' income into the house, we'll have to live on reserves or sell the family silver and everything we own in order to be able to afford our gas, electricity, food, clothes etc. If that household 'balance of trade' doesn't at least balance income to expenditure we'll soon be in trouble, no matter how many zeupounds we pay eachother, so why is it that the 'clever' people who run the economy don't understand this simple concept, is it that they do and they've been content to ignore the issue and sell the family silver because it wasn't likely to run-out under their watch, or is it that they're highly qualified but not that clever afterall ....

Renewable energy technology installers export nothing and expect everything to revolve around supporting their 'service sector' jobs, so in my view they're just like farmers .... they should support British products/jobs where possible or :silenced: ...

I do love a good off subject(ish) rant every now and then, thanks for the opportunity

HTH
Z

chubbster_1

Moser Baer panels are rated up there with Sharp in terms of energy produced and quality, but are considerably cheaper to buy if that helps any.

alisonmcginley

Does anyone have any knowledge of Siliken? I have been given a quote for these with claims of them being top performing in Independent Testing (Photon testing). The same company are slating Sanyo's HIT for needing Mediterranean temperature to maximise output.

Hungerdunger

And while we're about it, my installer tells me that Caymax panels are wonderful. But when I try to find reviews, it appears that most of the praise comes from importers of these panels and installers who use them, which doesn't really tell me much. Does anyone have good independent information about them?

Cardew

Hungerdunger wrote: »

And while we're about it, my installer tells me that Caymax panels are wonderful. But when I try to find reviews, it appears that most of the praise comes from importers of these panels and installers who use them, which doesn't really tell me much. Does anyone have good independent information about them?

As few people have had their PV system more than a year you might get some meaningful feedback in about 10 years time

Unless you can find controlled trials where the various panels are tested 'back to back' it will be difficult to conclude which gives a higher output. Especially as the tolerances for panels varies considerably +/- 10% I believe??

Then of course you have to consider the rate at which performance degrades over the years - will that be different for the various panels?

Lastly, perhaps the most important issue will be the longevity of the panels. 89 year guarantees;) will be meaningless as I suspect many firms will not be in business in a few years.

P.S.
I am a fan of wireless headphones(I can watch TV/listen to radio at my required volume|!) I invested years ago in an upmarket German set made by Sennheiser - German technology at its best!

Recently decided to buy their very latest(and very expensive £200!) model. Can't beat German Quality - except in tiny print hidden on the base is 'Made in China'!

So where are your PV panels made? - Are you sure;)

keith_r59

Cardew wrote: »

Lastly, perhaps the most important issue will be the longevity of the panels. 89 year guarantees;) will be meaningless as I suspect many firms will not be in business in a few years.

I can't vouch for all the solar panel manufacturers but the one I have used has been in business since 1912 so it is coming up to it's 100th anniversary!

I think there is a high probability that they will be around to see out my 25 year warranty.

milanonaj

gmgohara wrote: »

Hi

I am currently obtaining a number of quotes for Solar PV

Can someone elighten me as to what panels are groupted/rated as best / next best / worst i.e. Sharp best, samsung next best

Currently I have had quotes for Sanyo, Sharp, Samsung, Suntech etc.

tks

I intend to buy Suntech solar panels, but I think the Sanyo is good too. At least, Suntech has a manufacturing in USA and Europe.

lanstrom

milanonaj wrote: »

I intend to buy Suntech solar panels, but I think the Sanyo is good too. At least, Suntech has a manufacturing in USA and Europe.

Are they the Suntech STP245S ? I just had a quote for them but I have been told they won't be available until November.