Opinions on this quote for Solar

Pinklepurr

We are currently engaging companies for quotes for solar pv panels. The one which currently stands out has quoted the following:

3.57kwp system with LG panels & solar edge inverter
14 x LG black back panels
Estimated annual energy generation 3377 KWh
Investment payback 8.4 years
Return on investment 12%
Total £6641

We have a south facing roof, no shading.

The same company has suggested two alternatives:

REC panels with Fronius inverter - £5868
REc panels with Zeversolar inverter - £5746

We are also awaiting quotes from two other companies, but wondered what an experienced eye would make of these suggestions and prices quoted.

tunnel

Is there a reason why you are only being quoted on 14 panels @ 3.57kWp size? can you not fit 16 on?


I'd also be inclined to ditch the solaredge if you don't have any shading issues too, they are a great bit of kit but not necessary if there's no shading. Maybe get a SMA sunnyboy instead with duel string.


Rough location?


Do you also particularly want black on black(bobs) panels?

Pinklepurr

Thanks. We have only got 14 panels as we have a 3 storey home with two dormer style windows in the roof. Panels would be fixed in a M shape. Thanks for your feedback.

Re the sma sunny boy. I understand this is a very popular inverter but i believe it uses the solar panels in series so if one breaks, the lot goes off until it's repaired. I also believe there are small variances in the output of each panel. Using the solar edge allows each panel to work at its optimal output and if one panel fails things will carry on until it's swapped out, all be it with a lower output.

The company that's quoted this also remotely monitors the system and can see a panel starts to degrade.

We are aware that the panels these days are pretty reliable and the panels quoted being LG are on the higher end of panels available but having the solar edge I think is a bonus.

I am new to the solar thing so please do advise If I'm wrong or have been misguided...

tunnel

If an M shape then you will have shading, don't under-estimate it, it only takes 1 panel to go into shade by about 25% to knock them all out, dorma windows will do that and you'll have that morning and evening with a south facing roof.


There are other panels like sunpowers/ben-q's that are 327W. 12 of these may help you spread the panels out better and give you a 3.92kWp system(they are more expensive but you need less)

Pinklepurr

Thanks for your comments. I've researched the shading issue and this is why I'm interested in the solar edge as it can accommodate shading on a couple of panels.

tunnel

Pinklepurr wrote: »

Thanks. We have only got 14 panels as we have a 3 storey home with two dormer style windows in the roof. Panels would be fixed in a M shape. Thanks for your feedback.

Re the sma sunny boy. I understand this is a very popular inverter but i believe it uses the solar panels in series so if one breaks, the lot goes off until it's repaired. I also believe there are small variances in the output of each panel. Using the solar edge allows each panel to work at its optimal output and if one panel fails things will carry on until it's swapped out, all be it with a lower output.

The company that's quoted this also remotely monitors the system and can see a panel starts to degrade.

We are aware that the panels these days are pretty reliable and the panels quoted being LG are on the higher end of panels available but having the solar edge I think is a bonus.

I am new to the solar thing so please do advise If I'm wrong or have been misguided...

With solaredge you can monitor the output yourself, there's no need for the company to do it, its all online(I have it on one of my systems). Do bear in mind also that with solaredge each panel has to be fitted with a power optimiser, that's an extra 14 bits of kit on your roof that could go wrong


Had you stated that you had dormas in your OP I would have suggested the SE and not the sunnyboy.


What about the idea of bigger wattage panels? You could probably get 12 x benQ's and solaredge for around £6.5-£7k(at a push)

jimmyboy420

I had 12 sunpower and solaredge installed for just over £9k.

This was inroof, so included removing all the tiles, and I also had a chimney knocked down, so around £7,600 worth I guess without those extras.

Your price looks very good, though why not go for 12 sunpower panels or BenQ if the installer can get them?

James

jimjames

Prices look good.

One thing I would be wary of is the installer claims for ROI and payback times as they generally over estimate the electricity use and prices to give far more favourable numbers that are likely to be realistic.

nigelpm

Yeah, price looks good but I'd be extremely wary of the shading issue to the point that I'd fully investigate it.

It's amazing how much it impacts output even with individual inverters.