Solar & Battery advise

Screwdriva

Alnat1 said:

@Screwdriva I can't remember a post about panels failing, problems always seem to be with inverters. 

You seem obsessed with telling people they should be paying more to get certain brand named panels, can you provide any evidence that they will last longer or out perform any others?

Just because you keep banging on about it doesn't make it true. Give us some proof please.

Actually, I tell anyone willing to listen that they should be paying less money for more quality. The quotes I share on multiple forums attempt to save potential buyers £ upfront and future hassle down the road. That includes dozens of members on MSE who I have helped!

As far as evidence goes, without giving you a tour of an installers returns/ reject shed (where the rejected/ damaged panels are stored prior to paid recycling), the best I can do is to illustrate this example:

When LG exited the solar PV business in 6/22 - they offered to honour their panel warranties for the full duration of the remainder of the term. I called their customer support team to verify this and they immediately offered a pro rata refund once I sent them proof of purchase. Sharp has done this in the past as well.

Now, I would challenge you, Petrix or anyone to attempt to get any semblance of similar support from the long list of defunct Chinese brands that have left the PV market. Indeed, I would go a step further and attempt to get warranty support from any of the existing brands.

To argue that, as you haven't heard of panels going wrong, this must be true whilst in the same post arguing that what I share can't be true, is a bit farcical. The proof is in the actual repair/ returns rate (1-4% depending on brand) and the technical support received post purchase. 

Alnat1

Your link is behind a paywall but I think I saw the article was dated 2013, any more recent evidence?

Screwdriva

Alnat1 said:

Your link is behind a paywall but I think I saw the article was dated 2013, any more recent evidence?

Here's a summary outside of a paywall. Re: recency of "evidence", are you suggesting that the manufacturers suddenly grew a conscience? 

In all seriousness, my focus isn't on changing your views or your mind or any other customer who has already made their purchase. My goal is to help as many who are yet to purchase their rooftop PV get the best system possible for the minimum spend so that it serves them and the grid for as long as possible, as I believe this is the true meaning of "Green Moneysaving". 

(I've left the "Ethical" out entirely as its a lost cause where China is concerned!)

Alnat1

Top Performers | 2022 PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard

Here's some more up-to-date research results

Screwdriva

Alnat1 said:

Top Performers | 2022 PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard

Here's some more up-to-date research results

Interesting to note that Solarwatt or Aleo, Europe's topmost panel manufacturers, Panasonic, Hyundai or Sharp are not featured on PVELs list.

In fact, from the list of panels I recommend, only QCells and REC feature, which instantly raises questions about the comprehensiveness of their study, amongst other things. 

Alnat1

"Solar panels have a failure rate of only 0.05%. When you consider that the modern manufacturing process is more advanced than it was back then, you can be confident that the current failure rate is even lower!

Solar panels’ high level or reliability allows manufacturers to offer power output warranties of either 25 years or 30 years. In other words, the odds of your solar system experiencing failures is extremely unlikely. And if it does happen, you’ll be covered by the warranty and the panel will be replaced free of charge"

Several sources I found give panel failure at 0.05%

Screwdriva

Alnat1 said:

Several sources I found give panel failure at 0.05%

From the New York Times:

"One testing service reported the defect rate of panels inspected in Shanghai jumped from 7.8% to 13% between 2011 and 2012. Another said defect rates ranged from 5.5% to 22% in audits of 50 Chinese factories in the last 18 months."

Now you could argue there has been improvement since 2013, which I would agree to, but to suggest that the problem has magically disappeared, as you suggest, would defy logic, perhaps even reality.

I believe I've made my point and you have yours. If it's alright with you, I will continue to do my best to help others make informed decisions as long as I have the time to! 

mickyduck55

In @Screwdriva defence "his supplier" quotes are less than the published quotes by users asking advice.

I have a Chinese system "Yingli" installed in 2011, no idea if they are still in business and thankfully have never needed to test their customer service.  Everything is still working as it should so 12years on my budget panels are performing as expected... TBH when I purchased I had very little idea that there could be any difference in panel quality.

From my sig you will see I have Lux and pylontech, no issues whatsoever... in 3 years.

In summary any product can fail but in this field of technology most dont.. Now I had better get touching wood, crossing my fingers etc etc

paul991

Likewise my solarimmersion is still going strong since 2014, samil inverter and canadian solar panels too.Think inverters more reliable now as have a large heat sink as opposed to a fan which  would fail .

Mikeyboy01443

brvaland said:

Screwdriva said:

Hi Bhavesh!

I would recommend quote 3 as the panels are superior to Canadian Solar but I would insist that the installer swaps the inverter to GivEnergy or Solaredge. Growatt is terrible. 

Thanks for your reply.

I understand GivEnergy Inverter only works with their own battery not sure if pylontech works with GivEnergy. Is there any other brand inverter that is compatible with pylontech batteries.

Is Solar X1-HYBRID G4 inverter any good ?

With reference to Canadian Solar HiKu6 Mono PERC (CS6R-410MS) it offers 25 yrs Product and performance warranty but Sharp only offer 12 yrs product with 25 yrs performance warranty. Is Sharp better ?

I have the solax x1 hybrid g4, i like it very good lots of settings, flexible and reliable so far (1 year in)