Final check before committing to solar PV quote

rew81

The jury is still out on the budget brand's product longevity. But it doesn't take much to "simulate" a warranty claim with a companies like Trina, Growatt etc. via their Customer Service departments to learn where you really stand, before making your purchase. 

Not sure on what you are basing your decision.
Can you, please, provide some facts to support your affirmation?
Trina or Growatt are not some convenience stores who decided to venture in the solar energy/smart energy solutions. A simple Google search will give you an idea of how big Trina is globally. 
Without any doubt  Sunpower,  Solarwatt, rec, Panasonic are reputable brands but that doesn't mean that Trina or other "budget brands" are less inovativ or their products are inferior.  
I can assure you that an Aldi product is not of a lesser quality than a similar one from Asda, Morrison,  Tesco, M&S or Sainsburys. 

Screwdriva

rew81 said:

Not sure on what you are basing your decision.
Can you, please, provide some facts to support your affirmation?
Trina or Growatt are not some convenience stores who decided to venture in the solar energy/smart energy solutions. A simple Google search will give you an idea of how big Trina is globally. 
Without any doubt  Sunpower,  Solarwatt, rec, Panasonic are reputable brands but that doesn't mean that Trina or other "budget brands" are less inovativ or their products are inferior.  
I can assure you that an Aldi product is not of a lesser quality than a similar one from Asda, Morrison,  Tesco, M&S or Sainsburys. 

Thanks for the grocery store analogy and advice on Googling. You're a relatively new and enthusiastic member here, so I hope you won't be offended when I suggest you search the forum for posts by more prominent members about their experiences with Growatt. If you have the time, check out reviews from Australian installers too -they bore the brunt of Growatt inverter failures back when I was actively installing. 

I've had Trina panels experience glass breakage, interconnect breakages, premature corrosion of the cells and interconnects etc. on past installs. No support whatsoever from the company, which was quick to blame these on external factors not related to the panel. I would never put any of the Chinese brands on my rooftops or in my home. Only exception would be JA Solar and that's only if I didn't have another panel option readily available. Sadly, my own experience is all I can offer so feel free to make your own decision. 

BTW, a more realistic comparison would be to ask if you would prefer to purchase a Candy/ Hoover washing machine instead of a Bosch Series 6 that's made in Germany. No matter what the marketing specifications say or what discount is offered, I know which one I'd want to have for the next 2-3 decades. 

rew81

Screwdriva said:

rew81 said:

Not sure on what you are basing your decision.
Can you, please, provide some facts to support your affirmation?
Trina or Growatt are not some convenience stores who decided to venture in the solar energy/smart energy solutions. A simple Google search will give you an idea of how big Trina is globally. 
Without any doubt  Sunpower,  Solarwatt, rec, Panasonic are reputable brands but that doesn't mean that Trina or other "budget brands" are less inovativ or their products are inferior.  
I can assure you that an Aldi product is not of a lesser quality than a similar one from Asda, Morrison,  Tesco, M&S or Sainsburys. 

Thanks for the grocery store analogy and advice on Googling. You're a relatively new and enthusiastic member here, so I hope you won't be offended when I suggest you search the forum for posts by more prominent members about their experiences with Growatt. If you have the time, check out reviews from Australian installers too -they bore the brunt of Growatt inverter failures back when I was actively installing. 

I've had Trina panels experience glass breakage, interconnect breakages, premature corrosion of the cells and interconnects etc. on past installs. No support whatsoever from the company, which was quick to blame these on external factors not related to the panel. I would never put any of the Chinese brands on my rooftops or in my home. Only exception would be JA Solar and that's only if I didn't have another panel option readily available. Sadly, my own experience is all I can offer so feel free to make your own decision. 

BTW, a more realistic comparison would be to ask if you would prefer to purchase a Candy/ Hoover washing machine instead of a Bosch Series 6 that's made in Germany. No matter what the marketing specifications say or what discount is offered, I know which one I'd want to have for the next 2-3 decades. 

My intention is not to change your opinion as I don't have any statistics on premium brands product failures vs budget brands and I'm sure you don't have either. 
One positive thing from all this opinions exchanges is that  newbies like me are challenged to research more and learn more about pv systems and not just accept quotes based on kw ,£  and produce availability. 
Before choosing Trina I have done a lot of research and compared their Vertex s+ range with similar competitors products and I can tell you that not many premium brands are offering the same level of warranty/ product performance as they offer.
The Solarwatt rep could not believe that Trina is offering that level of warranty and product performance until I showed him the product datasheet. All for a much more affordable price. 

Screwdriva

rew81 said: 

My intention is not to change your opinion as I don't have any statistics on premium brands product failures vs budget brands and I'm sure you don't have either. 
One positive thing from all this opinions exchanges is that  newbies like me are challenged to research more and learn more about pv systems and not just accept quotes based on kw ,£  and produce availability. 
Before choosing Trina I have done a lot of research and compared their Vertex s+ range with similar competitors products and I can tell you that not many premium brands are offering the same level of warranty/ product performance as they offer.
The Solarwatt rep could not believe that Trina is offering that level of warranty and product performance until I showed him the product datasheet. All for a much more affordable price. 

I'm sure you have done your desktop research as you continue to passionately recommend Trina panels without actually having owned them yet? Yes, the datasheet is excellent but how much will that piece of paper be worth in a decade? Have you sought out opinions from experienced installers (the one's who deal with the callbacks and who are not bidding for your business) on their honest experiences with these brands? I have no experience with their S+ range as I haven't installed in years, but I do have experience with their older components from both brands and don't trust them at all. 

If so, and you're still convinced you've made the right choice, I can only wish you the best of luck with the Candy/ Hoover! I'd recommend most stick with the German Bosch! 

Waywardmike

My two pennies' worth!

I made the 'right choice' 8 years ago and went all German for both my panels and inverter...  2017-2018 my panel manufacturer went bust!  

Did I make the right choice?  We'll only be able to tell if/when they need replacing, which could be in another 16 years.

Cylon73

Good evening,

ive recently joined the forum as I am also researching and have got several quotes to decide on the best approach.

Panel wise I have been quoted either JA panels @ 385w x 18 or Trina Vertex S 425w x 16 panels

inverter wise, a whole range of options quoted, Sofar , FoxEss and Sunsynk across my 3 quotes.

the cheapest is Trina and Sofar non hybrid 7kwh @ 8,500 , with foxess 6kwh hybrid with JA at similar price, it then jumps to 10k  with the Sunsynk hybrid inverter 8kwh .

non come with batteries, once batteries added, pushes the price up to 12k for a 5kwh. Artery, the Sofar required an addition inverter.

my preference is to go with solar only initially based on usage per day and if required add a battery. roi for me seems a lot longer with a battery.

I’ve not as yet been offered Trina vertex s plus panels but have seen 415w are available. 

I’m Manchester based and quotes from surrounding installers.

id like a view on Trina vs JA and what’s the best choice for inverter.  Sunsynk are more expensive, shorter warranty but some good reviews if you wish to add a battery now or later.

Magnitio

Screwdriva said:

If so, and you're still convinced you've made the right choice, I can only wish you the best of luck with the Candy/ Hoover! I'd recommend most stick with the German Bosch! 

I know this is slightly off topic but, my last two washing machines have been Bosch. The first one had a drum bearing failure after 4 years. I replaced the bearing and the motor failed the following year. I assumed I had bad luck and replaced it with another Bosch; the heating element has just failed, again after 4 years. Both of my daughters have cheap washing machines that they have had for many years with absolutely no problems and they use theirs far more than we do ours. I don't think Bosch is quite the quality it used to be.

Screwdriva

Magnitio said:

I know this is slightly off topic but, my last two washing machines have been Bosch. The first one had a drum bearing failure after 4 years. I replaced the bearing and the motor failed the following year. I assumed I had bad luck and replaced it with another Bosch; the heating element has just failed, again after 4 years. Both of my daughters have cheap washing machines that they have had for many years with absolutely no problems and they use theirs far more than we do ours. I don't think Bosch is quite the quality it used to be.

Depends on where it's made perhaps? Our Bosch appliances were made in DE and both running on their 11th year with zero issues (not even a service)

gefnew

So a Bosch made in China counts then, same as the electric mini now to be made in China same quality or not.

QrizB

Magnitio said:

Screwdriva said:

If so, and you're still convinced you've made the right choice, I can only wish you the best of luck with the Candy/ Hoover! I'd recommend most stick with the German Bosch! 

I know this is slightly off topic but, my last two washing machines have been Bosch.

Ive had the same experience. A Merloni machine that lasted a decade, then another Merloni that lasted a decade, then a Bosch that only lasted about five years. I'm back on another Merloni now.