FYI if considering solar

propnut

Having just gone down this journey there is something I think everyone should check if considering the same. Make 100% sure that when they arrive on the day of installation that the panels, inverters, batteries etc are EXACTLY what you ordered. In my case when they arrived I noticed the panels they were taking out the van were full black and I knew the ones I ordered (JA Solar 410W's) were silver framed. So I went out and checked the label on the back to find they had arrived with Trina 395W panels. A completely different manufacturer and lower wattage. Needless to say I told them to go away and come back with the right ones. Almost a month later I got a call to say they had the right ones but once again on the day, I was called to say the ones I ordered simply weren't available in the country and that they could only supply me JA Solar 405W. They then proceeded to tell me that there were exactly the same price, to which I responded "what manufacturer sells a lower spec panel at the same price as a higher spec?"  Whilst we were talking I was doing a Google search and found a supplier that had over 100 of the 410W's in stock (for next day delivery) and yes indeed, surprise surprise, the 405's were indeed cheaper. Not by a lot but cheaper nonetheless. At this stage I accepted the 405's as I just wanted the install to be finished but on the proviso that the appropriate discount be applied. In the end we agreed that they would fit the anti-nesting mesh which I was happy with.

There is a chap on Youtube called the Blackbelt Barrister who has a video outlining an almost identical experience. Now I suspect these installers buy panels in bulk and then try and capitalize on their savings by fitting them knowing that 99.9% of people will just accept that what is being fitted is what was ordered. The back of each panel has a label with manufacturer, model number, compliances, outputs etc. Make sure you aren't being undersold. I wonder how many houses out there have something completely different on the roof to what they were quoted ??

NOTE: The PIC below is NOT of my particular units, it is just an example of what to look for.

Reed_Richards

Bait and switch?

propnut

Yep, exactly that.

Screwdriva

This is an increasingly common practice. I have always advised customers to check the inverter and panels before allowing any to be installed. 

Raxiel

Following Screwdriva's advice I was sure to check mine when they arrived, which wasn't easy because they weren't boxed and these particular panels (Sharp 400W) have almost no markings on the back of them. They were the right manufacturer though, and Sharp's sub 400W panels look distinctly different, with the older 'metallic blue' appearance rather than the jet black of my selected product.

As another user who got the same kit from the same installer discovered, the inverter software lists them as Sharp 395W panels, but again, the colour of the panels means there's no mistaking the Sharp 395W for 400W or vice versa and its presumably just the nearest match available in the Solaredge software.

Slinky

Thanks for this, will bear it in mind.

Forgive me, you say these are 405, but I can only see 385 on the label?

propnut

Slinky said:

Thanks for this, will bear it in mind.

Forgive me, you say these are 405, but I can only see 385 on the label?

Those aren't mine. It was just a picture I found on the net to illustrate what to look for. It just so happens the first pic I found was coincidentally of a JA Solar panel.

Spies

Conversely my installers told me they couldn't get the ones they had specced but instead installed slightly higher wattage ones, I can see the label from my skylight are they are indeed what they said they were going to be. 

Screwdriva

Raxiel said:

They were the right manufacturer though, and Sharp's sub 400W panels look distinctly different, with the older 'metallic blue' appearance rather than the jet black of my selected product.

Those black Sharps are an attractive panel indeed!

FlimFlam01

I've got JA Solar 410W panels on my roof and they are black framed.  I took a photo of the label before they put them on the roof so I could be sure of the exact model.

propnut

FlimFlam01 said:

I've got JA Solar 410W panels on my roof and they are black framed.  I took a photo of the label before they put them on the roof so I could be sure of the exact model.

Ok so three things

1. JA Solar make different models of the 410W and have changed the spec between models. Like all manufacturers they have different series for different use cases. All black may look sexy but as they get hotter their efficiency tails off more than the silver lined which is why I specifically chose the latter.

2. I visually confirmed that what they brought me were Trina 395W's

3. Did you actually confirm they were what you think they are. I mean actually physically verified. When i do a search for all black JA solar. All i find is these. Now granted I haven't done an extensive search but nothing came up for 410W all black. Black frame yes, mono black yes, all black NO.

https://www.zerohomebills.com/product/ja-solar-jam60s21-365-mr-365w-solar-panel-ab/