Solar Panels - Rating of Different Panel Manufacturers

MildlyConcerned

All the companies that have quoted have stressed the importance of the choice of panels.

I am struggling with this as I compare quotes

I can't get a lot from the datsheets but as far as I can see the performance figures are generally built into the estimated returns - I fear that the important information, like long term reliability, performance and the value of the manufacturer's warranty are not on the datasheet.

Does anyone have any opinions on products from (in increasing order of price)

J A Solar
Mitsubishi
Solarworld

mardycow

Has anyone any knowledge of Tianwei tW230 panels. have had a quote with these but can't find much info about them?

Cardew

MildlyConcerned wrote: »

All the companies that have quoted have stressed the importance of the choice of panels.

So all the companies will state the panels they fit are the best!!!

Nothing to do with what gives them the biggest profit margin of course;)

keith_r59

MildlyConcerned wrote: »

All the companies that have quoted have stressed the importance of the choice of panels.

I am struggling with this as I compare quotes

I can't get a lot from the datsheets but as far as I can see the performance figures are generally built into the estimated returns - I fear that the important information, like long term reliability, performance and the value of the manufacturer's warranty are not on the datasheet.

Does anyone have any opinions on products from (in increasing order of price)

J A Solar
Mitsubishi
Solarworld

All solar panel manufacturers tend to give a similar warranty on their products based on output performance degradation over time. For example the Mitsubishi warranty is as follows:

90% of rated minimum Pmax for 10 years
80% of rated minimum Pmax for 25 years

As for which is the best, if you ask 10 different people you will probably get 10 different answers. From the three companies you have mentioned, I would personally choose Mitsubishi, not because their panels are better than the other two, but because as a company they have been around for a very long time and are likely to still be around for the lifetime of your system.

zeupater

mardycow wrote: »

Has anyone any knowledge of Tianwei tW230 panels. have had a quote with these but can't find much info about them?

Hi

What does that tell you about the panels and the installer then ?? ..... a quality installer & product, or what can be screwed to your roof for the lowest cost in order to maximise installation profit ??

Probably nothing wrong with the panels, but unless they are significantly cheaper than known brand UK/European (or other) competition why consider them ?? .....

HTH
Z

lanstrom

keith_r59 wrote: »

All solar panel manufacturers tend to give a similar warranty on their products based on output performance degradation over time. For example the Mitsubishi warranty is as follows:

90% of rated minimum Pmax for 10 years
80% of rated minimum Pmax for 25 years

As for which is the best, if you ask 10 different people you will probably get 10 different answers. From the three companies you have mentioned, I would personally choose Mitsubishi, not because their panels are better than the other two, but because as a company they have been around for a very long time and are likely to still be around for the lifetime of your system.

Would agree. I thought it would be easy to compare quotes but everyone I have asked has specified different panels or inverter.

Just for reference REW are giving an 90% guarantee after 25 years and 85% at 30 years.

Their panels are now Matt Black with a Black frame so it would suit my black tiled house

They also have a + only performance of +7% to +12% although I dont know if that really means anything ? Probably just marketing waffle.

And they are German engineered (dunno if thats better than Chinese).

Here's the details ...
http://www.rew-solar.co.uk/pdf/Datenblatt_REW_215-240-_Premium_Plus_UM_96_EN.pdf

I am having the installer come over today to measure up to make sure they fit as I have now decided on having 16 of these (3.84 KwH).

mardycow

well the quote is £8,329 for 3.22 kw system, with sma inverter so is significantly less than other quotes, thats with Eco kinetics. my brain is starting to frazzle!!

neilbhatia

I just had a look at eco kinetics website, its alot cheaper then other quotes I have received as well.
The cheapest i was getting before was £10,499 for 16 sunlink 245W (3.92KW) from global renewable, this is 17 Tianwei 230 (3.91KW) for £9197. I am confused as well.