Solar Quote-Opinions?

Exiled_Tyke

The installer folded so I had to get a new one on board to help me!

Even if this wasn't the case, SE resisted helping until they had no choice.

Screwdriva

SolarEdge has a firm policy of not shipping out equipment till they confirm failure via test. In the case of inverters, it's much more straightforward and they (SE or Installer) are able to remote diagnose failure (as was the case with the recent MSE forum member's failure). 

With an optimizer, they require the installer to test the panel and the optimizer on the roof and record findings via video. This is done to prevent abuse of the warranty policy whereby installers claim free optimizers when panels have failed (believe it or not, panels do fail). I suspect this is why SE was reluctant to support this claim. 

Sorry to hear it was such an arduous experience for you - it should not have been. To date, I have not seen a single optimizer fail and have now seen two inverter failures. In both instances, SolarEdge and the installer resolved the issue very professionally, which is the way it should be. 

Dave_Fowler

Screwdriva said:

SolarEdge has a firm policy of not shipping out equipment till they confirm failure via test. In the case of inverters, it's much more straightforward and they (SE or Installer) are able to remote diagnose failure (as was the case with the recent MSE forum member's failure). 

With an optimizer, they require the installer to test the panel and the optimizer on the roof and record findings via video. This is done to prevent abuse of the warranty policy whereby installers claim free optimizers when panels have failed (believe it or not, panels do fail). I suspect this is why SE was reluctant to support this claim. 

Sorry to hear it was such an arduous experience for you - it should not have been. To date, I have not seen a single optimizer fail and have now seen two inverter failures. In both instances, SolarEdge and the installer resolved the issue very professionally, which is the way it should be. 

I've had one inverter and two optimisers fail in my SE system (Installed Dec. 2011).  The inverter was only a day old and was replaced immediately.  One optimiser was replaced after many emails.  It suffered from water ingress.  The second optimiser is way out of warranty and only fails during very hot or wet conditions; so not a great problem,  I'll be checking on ebay to see if I can get a new replacement as soon as I get time.

Exiled_Tyke

SolarEdge are really not as good as you claim.  They could have given instructions to test each component to resolve the issue but they didn't. They insisted that it wasn't their fault and had me swap out the panel. It was only when this didn't work did they suggest further tests and then reluctantly admitted that they needed to send a new optimiser.  They also refused to send a replacement until they had the old one back for testing - even after the installer had sent them hard evidence.   I'd still recommend SE in the appropriate circumstances but I can't support any suggestion that their customer service is a reason to go with them. 

Screwdriva

I obviously cannot comment about your specific situation but do empathize.  Yes, they do insist that the panel is tested as fully functioning before dispatching replacement optimizers - I've seen this before and it does frustrate installers.

That said, the only PV company I've seen respond in a superior way to SolarEdge is Tesla, which has a no repair, only replacement policy on the Powerwalls. 

I'd prefer not to hijack this post so I'll leave it by saying you're welcome to disagree and not endorse SE products but that my direct experience over dozens of installations prompts me to recommend them without hesitation. I know of no other system that can offer the comparable capability and aftersales support at their price point.

philng

So had a number of quotes through including a 5kwh Battery to enable max use of over night cheaper rate with Octopus in the Winter.

As much as I like the idea I am struggling to see how nearly £10k outlay can pay back in reasonable time when I only use 2500kwh & my annual Electric bills are less than £500 after deduction of daily charge.  

Reed_Richards

philng said:

As much as I like the idea I am struggling to see how nearly £10k outlay can pay back in reasonable time when I only use 2500kwh & my annual Electric bills are less than £500 after deduction of daily charge.  

Maybe it doesn't?  But are you taking the money you will get from exporting your spare solar electricity into account?

Heedtheadvice

Get on the right tarrif and when your import is reduced you could be reduced to say 1000kWh import at 7.5p = £75. Plus export payment of maybe 2000kWh @ 15p= £300. Plus saves you 1500kWh @ 24p that you will not need to import cos you self generate =£360

 So 75+300+360=£735 per annum payback in about 13 years.( very rough rule of thumb calcs that will vary  depending upon circumstances and exludes inflation aspects and current value aspects )

It would be your choice if that is 'reasonable'.

I have worked out that my panels have paid back in straight  cash terms in under seven years and added batteries are on course for under 10 years. Given the green/eco credentials I think that is more than reasonable.... plus I am now charging a PHEV for 2/3 of my mileage for free.....

Screwdriva

philng said:

As much as I like the idea I am struggling to see how nearly £10k outlay can pay back in reasonable time when I only use 2500kwh & my annual Electric bills are less than £500 after deduction of daily charge.  

I'd skip the battery with such low consumption as that would worsen the equation. If you stick to £6K as the cost of the system, here are some basic estimates:

11 X 430W = 4.7mW - let's assume 4500 kWh of optimized annual generation (Check PGVIS for a more precise forecast). Using Octopus Flux incoming/ export tariffs below:

Assume you will consume 25% of 4500 kWh at a cost of 23p per kWh = 1125 kWh * 0.23p = £260 saved 
+
Assume you will export 75% of 4500 kWh at a rate of 17p per kWh = 3375 kWh * 0.17p = £575 earned.

That's a total of ~£835 p.a. against a cost of £6K. And I do not see energy prices coming down. 

Qyburn

Heedtheadvice said:

Get on the right tarrif and when your import is reduced you could be reduced to say 1000kWh import at 7.5p = £75. 

Are you assuming an EV tariff, or is that rate available somehow without?