Solar Panel Quotes - Help

Bianchiintenso

Officer_Dibble said:

Agreed Bianchiintenso - my cheap as chips Growatt system's going great guns. Any decent installer's not going to waste time putting stuff in that's going to drive them mad with warranty claims for the next decade, so if they're happy about reliability I'm happy. First year generation 4863kWh vs 4560 PVIS estimate.

That's good going Officer_Dibble!, I'm fairly early into my solar journey, started in the dark ages (last November) but 670kWh and it's growing nicely 

Screwdriva

Waywardmike said:

@screwdriva Many people have Pylontech batteries and have no problems with them.  You can't take the odd negative experience and claim they're a problem.

You're very keen to push the Libbi, which is strange considering the cost compared with alternatives and your stance on batteries not being a good ROI.  I suppose you won't find a negative experience with them though as they're not even available yet!  As for GivEnergy, the SOC bug that's plaguing most systems is hardly a good selling point.  They do have a fix though in the works, it was supposed to be rolled out 16th December 2022, and yet there's still no update of when/if it will be available.

Have you watched the videos linked above? If so, any thoughts on the treatment of the customer by Pylontech China?

I "push" products from companies with good reputations, achieved by offering good service should issues arise after purchase. I have always maintained that batteries are a poor investment for those who don't own heat pump/ EV (consumption below 3K kWh p.a.). Some just want them for non-financial reasons - fair play!

No company is perfect but I draw solace from the fact that Myenergi and GivEnergy actually engage with end users on issues that arise. In several instances, they send their own engineers to the site to address issues. Quite the departure from Pylontech's response, wouldn't you say?

Bianchiintenso said:

Personally I'm very happy with the cost/performance of my low end/budget panels batteries and inverter, even the inevitable abhorrent customer service that will eventually come my way from choosing them. 

I can think of many who would dread the abhorrent customer service you so confidently brush aside. Respectfully, I disagree wholeheartedly and recommend that any potential purchaser carefully read feedback for each component supplier they intend to purchase from before investing in those brands. This can save plenty of agro in the years ahead.

Officer_Dibble said:

Any decent installer's not going to waste time putting stuff in that's going to drive them mad with warranty claims for the next decade, so if they're happy about reliability I'm happy. 

I've come across too many installers who prey on this exact sentiment in recent times. Decent? Maybe not. But they're out there in droves! 

Officer_Dibble

Screwdriva said:

Officer_Dibble said:

Any decent installer's not going to waste time putting stuff in that's going to drive them mad with warranty claims for the next decade, so if they're happy about reliability I'm happy. 

I've come across too many installers who prey on this exact sentiment in recent times. Decent? Maybe not. But they're out there in droves! 

But it was your preferred suppliers who sent me down the Growatt route. They didn't at any stage suggest paying a bit more for something with better customer support and reliability. I presume you think they're a decent installer - I do (except when it comes to their paperwork). I don't think they'd be installing Growatt (and suggesting it without suggesting alternatives) if they thought they'd be back fixing it all the time.

Screwdriva

Officer_Dibble said:

But it was your preferred suppliers who sent me down the Growatt route. They didn't at any stage suggest paying a bit more for something with better customer support and reliability. I presume you think they're a decent installer - I do (except when it comes to their paperwork). I don't think they'd be installing Growatt (and suggesting it without suggesting alternatives) if they thought they'd be back fixing it all the time.

I actively dissuade Growatt purchases, despite what any installer may suggest. Unlike them, I earn £0.0 and, had we discussed your battery storage, I would have suggested going with LG batteries which they also supply(ied). Have a chat with your installer (not the sales guy) about some of the problems they've had with Growatt when you get a chance. I have. It may help explain why I suggest the battery brands I do. 

Here's some feedback from another installer. 

Officer_Dibble

I think you missed my point. I believe you recommend Light Renewables (unless I'm confusing you with someone else). You make disparaging comments about installers who quote for cheaper Chinese inverters and batteries, but Light Renewables do exactly that. I've got no objections to them doing that (though they could have offered alternatives) but seemingly you do.

Screwdriva

Officer_Dibble said:

I think you missed my point. I believe you recommend Light Renewables (unless I'm confusing you with someone else). You make disparaging comments about installers who quote for cheaper Chinese inverters and batteries, but Light Renewables do exactly that. I've got no objections to them doing that (though they could have offered alternatives) but seemingly you do.

I recommend Light Renewables because they are one of the few to supply Hyundai/ Sharp/REC panels and SolarEdge inverters at a price that rivals the low end components currently flooding the market with no semblance of aftersales support. 

They do offer Chinese batteries as budget options but they also offer LG/ SolarEdge batteries to those who can purchase them. As I do not have any formal association with them, or any other installer, I cannot control what they sell to their customers but I can do my best to advise against brands known to have terrible customer service reputations.

Sorry if that displeases you but it helps me sleep better at night.  

ispookie666

There are panels for each budget similar to IC cars. 

@Screwdriva GE is just a front for their Eastern company. They are heavily reliant on R&D from them, but for the £/kwh it is very good. 

Regarding their SoC bug, this was reported back on Nov 21 and the company has done nothing but undermine end users until a lot of users have been affected. I don't think they know how to fix this. Their beta firmware has been creating more problems than it is solving. 

I respect your point of view but I find it difficult to support products with questionable customer support or one which has not been launched. I'm hoping Libbi will have far better after-sales support, which would be worth the premium.

It's a shame LG exited the market for solar panels, they look and perform really well. 

UncleK

I guess we're lucky but so far (and only since November 2022) we have had good experience with Growatt panels and batteries - and even the app. We have 30 panels and 3 x 6.5 batteries and made 31 kWh of electrons yesterday, sending 13 of it back to the grid. Of course, we haven't had to go back to Growatt and our installer was good with the immediate wrinkles, but so far we are happy bunnies. I may regret saying that though, looking at Trustpilot!

Screwdriva

ispookie666 said:

@Screwdriva GE is just a front for their Eastern company. They are heavily reliant on R&D from them, but for the £/kwh it is very good. 

I'm aware of the issue. But they do address major faults by sending their own engineers in the UK. For those on a budget, I find it difficult to recommend another inexpensive brand that offers this basic level of service.

ispookie666 said:

I respect your point of view but I find it difficult to support products with questionable customer support or one which has not been launched. I'm hoping Libbi will have far better after-sales support, which would be worth the premium.

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/myenergi.com

Field reviews of the K-star batteries have been positive so far. Performance doesn't appear to suffer in sub zero temperatures as severely and the 5 kW charge/ discharge rate for the price continues to impress. Add on Myenegi's terrific customer support and integration via their app, and it would be the single choice of battery for me (I await news on the Powerwall 3). Also, you cannot install a Libbi unless you are trained by Myenergi, which should help with the cowboy installer problem a bit.

ispookie666 said:

It's a shame LG exited the market for solar panels, they look and perform really well. 

Agreed. Even after exiting the market, they continue to offer customer service to their existing customers. I know as I own their bi-facial panels.

mickyduck55

@Screwdriva I have watched the videos and agree its bang out of order BUT surely the warranty is with the supplier?

I don't know who they are but there have been a lot of negative comments about a certain company who are constantly "evolving" or just changing their name.

In my view his supplier should have swapped out the faulty from delivery unit without the customer having to go directly to Pylontech.