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Solar & Electrics Ltd, Worcester - reviews?

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I'm getting together quotes/estimates for having solar fitted as part of reroofing.

Does anyone know whether Solar & Electrics Ltd (http://solarpvworcester.co.uk) are recommended? They are listing 12x Benq 330 W panels plus Power-One Aurora 3.6 inverter installed for £6849. I gave them a call and they have experience of installing on lightweight roofing which will be important as they also install on agricultural buildings etc which are more like our roof than a traditional house roof.

Does this seem like a good price? It is higher than normal, but we do not have room for 4 kW of 'normal' panels.

Other option is sixteen 240 W Panasonic HIT panels, which would also fit, but my impression is this wouldn't be quite such a good option.

Ed
Solar install June 2022, Bath
4.8 kW array, Growatt SPH5000 inverter, 1x Seplos Mason 280L V3 battery 15.2 kWh.
SSW roof. ~22° pitch, BISF house. 12 x 400W Hyundai panels

Comments

  • nigelpm
    nigelpm Posts: 433 Forumite
    Get some more quotes to see but price looks a tad high although your requirements are slightly unusual.
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 15,374 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hiya Ed. I agree with Nigel it does seem just a little bit expensive for a 4kWp system, but if you're tight on space, then for BenQ's it's probably a good deal.

    You seem to be hinting at a problem with the Panasonics, is there an issue, or just a gut feeling you have?

    Mart.
    Mart. Cardiff. 8.72 kWp PV systems (2.12 SSW 4.6 ESE & 2.0 WNW). 20kWh battery storage. Two A2A units for cleaner heating. Two BEV's for cleaner driving.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • ed110220
    ed110220 Posts: 1,595 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Martyn1981 wrote: »
    Hiya Ed. I agree with Nigel it does seem just a little bit expensive for a 4kWp system, but if you're tight on space, then for BenQ's it's probably a good deal.

    You seem to be hinting at a problem with the Panasonics, is there an issue, or just a gut feeling you have?

    Mart.

    Hi Mart,

    that's the best price for higher-efficiency panels I've found, but if anyone has another suggestion that would be great!

    This is the type of roof covering they'll probably go on, so it would be an advantage to have someone with experience of commercial-type roofs:-

    13956591599_87cfd1c529_o.jpg

    No problem with the Panasonics in themselves, I'm sure they are a good panel, but we'd squeeze slightly more kWp in with the BenQs (12 x 330 = 3960 W) than Panasonics (16 x 240 = 3840 W), fewer panels might mean fewer potential problems and easier to install, cover slightly less area (not quite as close to the roof edges).

    I think the BenQs may perform slightly better than the Panasonics as they appear to share a design with Sunpower's panels that many say are the best available. I have no direct comparison of the two though.

    Ed
    Solar install June 2022, Bath
    4.8 kW array, Growatt SPH5000 inverter, 1x Seplos Mason 280L V3 battery 15.2 kWh.
    SSW roof. ~22° pitch, BISF house. 12 x 400W Hyundai panels
  • nigelpm
    nigelpm Posts: 433 Forumite
    ed110220 wrote: »
    but we'd squeeze slightly more kWp in with the BenQs (12 x 330 = 3960 W) than Panasonics (16 x 240 = 3840 W),

    Ed

    I wouldn't be concerned about an extra 120w.

    If you run an undersized inverter at say 3600w you'll hardly notice the difference anyway.
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 15,374 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hiya Ed, makes sense, I can see exactly where you are coming from. No idea if you're right, but it sounds good.

    @Nigel, assuming costs are similar, 120Wp is still 120Wp, and who doesn't want an extra 3%, or maybe I'm just getting greedy! :o

    Mart.
    Mart. Cardiff. 8.72 kWp PV systems (2.12 SSW 4.6 ESE & 2.0 WNW). 20kWh battery storage. Two A2A units for cleaner heating. Two BEV's for cleaner driving.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • ed110220
    ed110220 Posts: 1,595 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Martyn1981 wrote: »
    Hiya Ed, makes sense, I can see exactly where you are coming from. No idea if you're right, but it sounds good.

    @Nigel, assuming costs are similar, 120Wp is still 120Wp, and who doesn't want an extra 3%, or maybe I'm just getting greedy! :o

    Mart.

    Hi Mart, if I can get the Panasonics for significantly less I'd soon forget the 120 Wp and the other small advantages of the BenQs, but it seems they're a similar price... Panasonic of course have a lot more brand recognition that BenQ.

    Ed
    Solar install June 2022, Bath
    4.8 kW array, Growatt SPH5000 inverter, 1x Seplos Mason 280L V3 battery 15.2 kWh.
    SSW roof. ~22° pitch, BISF house. 12 x 400W Hyundai panels
  • legoman62
    legoman62 Posts: 4,975 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ed110220 wrote: »
    Hi Mart, if I can get the Panasonics for significantly less I'd soon forget the 120 Wp and the other small advantages of the BenQs, but it seems they're a similar price... Panasonic of course have a lot more brand recognition that BenQ.

    Ed

    What about Panasonic 250's?

    I've got them:)
    16 Sanyo Hit 250s.4kWp SMA 3.8kWp inverter. SW roof. 28° pitch. Minimal shade. Nov 2011 install. Hybrid car. Ripple Kirk Hill. N.E Lincs Coast.
  • ed110220
    ed110220 Posts: 1,595 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    legoman62 wrote: »
    What about Panasonic 250's?

    I've got them:)

    Oh, thanks, not come across them before! The Panasonic 240s seem slightly more expensive than the BenQs per Watt wholesale, but I'll get some quotes for both makes.

    Ed
    Solar install June 2022, Bath
    4.8 kW array, Growatt SPH5000 inverter, 1x Seplos Mason 280L V3 battery 15.2 kWh.
    SSW roof. ~22° pitch, BISF house. 12 x 400W Hyundai panels
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