Where to start with PV

Timid

Hi all,
First off thank you for all the replies, I must say since my first post I've done a mountain of reading and together with all the different threads that have popped up it's really opened my eyes as to the different panels, inverters, monitoring and add ons like the iboost. There really is so much to choose from!!

Anyhow
I have managed to get a couple of quotes this week so have come here for someone to cast their eye over them, please

First up
16 x solarworld panels with a samil inverter £4800
And the other
16 x ecofuture panels and a sma inverter £4900
Might add that these were the only panels and inverters offered by these installers

Is there any panels or inverters I should be asking for, something better?
Sorry for the waffling on but I want to get this right the first time around as spending this amount of money is not for the faint hearted. I really don't know how some of you could bring yourself to committing to them after reading some of the older threads from over 3 years ago when prices were upwards of £12000


Thanks

Martyn1981

Hiya Timid, nice prices.

Please don't ask me to go into much more depth (as I'm really just regurgitating) but Samil's are cheap, but have a reasonably good reputation, and are high efficiency. SMA's have a good reputation but cost a bit more. However they also have good shade management software (compared to Samil).

Both are fine (great even) but if you have any shading issues, the SMA may have the edge.

BTW, don't worry about us early adopters, the FiT was 3x more and for 25 years back then, so comparitively similar, but yes, slightly scarier sums of dosh. :eek:

Mart.

tunnel

I'll 2nd the prices, seems sub £5k is all the rage these days(wish it were when I wanted solar )

I'll 2nd Marts take on the inverters too, although do you have any shading though as there are ways to minimise the effects of shading if there is?

Panels? All much the same, some come and go...change names...but they all do the same, its only when you're pushed for space on the roof that there's a need to look at more expensive panels(something which with the looks of your quotes you don't)

Do get some more quotes though, maybe post your rough location so others could recommend their installers

evomatt

Good prices Timid

After a bit of research on here.Ive settled on 16 canadian solar and sma inverter at £4690 after getting quotes for £2000 more than that.

Going on next week

hinchie

super price evomatt where are you situated, my quote is a grand more for the same and am still in cooling off period.

ed110220

evomatt wrote: »

Good prices Timid

After a bit of research on here.Ive settled on 16 canadian solar and sma inverter at £4690 after getting quotes for £2000 more than that.

Going on next week

Wow, well done! £5000 barrier well and truly broken it seems!

lackingwedge

evomatt wrote: »

Good prices Timid

After a bit of research on here.Ive settled on 16 canadian solar and sma inverter at £4690 after getting quotes for £2000 more than that.

Going on next week

That looks like a great price, let me know how the install goes as i am after solar.

Where are you situated, i'm in Wolverhampton?

lackingwedge

I have recieved a the following quote:

A 4kw system comprising of the following –

16 x 250watt black on black panels ( Shinetime or Canadian Solar)
3.68 Omnik inverter
I-boost
Geo monitor – to enable you to monitor the performance of your system easily
All roof mountings, fixtures and fittings
All associated warranties and paperwork (including the feed in tariff paperwork) would be completed with you on the day of installation

Total price - £4750.00

That looks competitive on the price point, my questions are about the components used:

Is there much difference in the panels besides my personal preference about the look
How does the Inverter stack up against others mentioned here
Is the Iboost a decent quality diverter
What of the GEO monitor, i have read some people are able to see performance stats of each individual panel, is this necessary or something i'll get bored of after a couple of months?

Answers greatly appreciated.

tunnel

lackingwedge wrote: »

I have recieved a the following quote:

A 4kw system comprising of the following –

16 x 250watt black on black panels ( Shinetime or Canadian Solar)
3.68 Omnik inverter
I-boost
Geo monitor – to enable you to monitor the performance of your system easily
All roof mountings, fixtures and fittings
All associated warranties and paperwork (including the feed in tariff paperwork) would be completed with you on the day of installation

Total price - £4750.00

That looks competitive on the price point, my questions are about the components used:

Is there much difference in the panels besides my personal preference about the look
How does the Inverter stack up against others mentioned here
Is the Iboost a decent quality diverter
What of the GEO monitor, i have read some people are able to see performance stats of each individual panel, is this necessary or something i'll get bored of after a couple of months?

Answers greatly appreciated.

Canadians are fine (black on black)
Not heard of an omnik(ask about an SMA instead)although the omnik may be fine
Iboosts are fine(they are if inc in that price)
Geo's(don't know much about but know people with them and are fine)

Individual panel monitoring is via a solaredge system which is only necessary if you have shading issues(do you?)

lackingwedge

Hi Tunnel,

I don't have any shading issues. I asked about the SMA inverter. I was assured the Omnik has similar specs but the SMA will be an additional £200.