Hi,
Finally found a good forum to post some questions...not sure if this is the right spot?

Im currently in the research phase of purchasing a grid connected solar power sysytem.
Most of these companies offering supply and instal packages seem a bit shadey when asked about
the nuts and bolts of their products/service.
Most wont give you a detailed breakdown of pannel price,pannel make, inverter price and labour price....
Because of this Im going to try and find my own registered installer and buy all the bits for him to install and then
organise my own rebate refunds. I managed to just squeeze in on the Australian $8000 government rebate and have
until april next year to have it installed. You also get a further REC's rebate which works out at about $1400 at present.

Sunpower are reputed to be the "top of the range" pannel but how much "better" are they?

Suntech in my research, are best Chinese made product with a proven track record...

I am looking at an aprox. 1.5 kw system and comparing the Sunpower set up $11795( 7x 205w pannels =1435w)
with a Suntech setup $9200 (8x 170w pannels = 1360w )

Is it worth paying the extra $2595 to get the Sunpower pannels? What do you think?

Now on the Inverter side of things I have narrowed it down to the SMA Sunnyboy 1700w $2790(allow me to add an extra pannel later)
Kaco 1500w
or a 100% Australian made product by Lartronics they have a 2500w $2992

Now firstly...the only one without a cooling fan is the sunnyboy..
Does the cooling fan use much power? If it breaks down is it going to cook the inverter? (probably)
How much power does it take to actually run the inverter?
How much extra power does it take to run a 2500 inverter than say a 1500w inverter?

Thanks for the website ...cheers

Thats correct, they wont give you a detailed answer, because they dont want to show how much profit they are making. A typical company offering a 'free' solar system will have a price breakdown like this:

Code: Select all

6 x 170W Chinese panels....  $750each (cost price)           $4500
1 x Inveter, Usually an SMA 1100, cost price                 $1350
Framing, wiring, etc,                                        $350
Installer Labour                                             $800
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                        $7000

They will also keep your RECs, so they will get a total of ~$8900 for the install.
Thus, making a total of nearly $2000 profit on each install.

Although many panels are Chinese, and are cheap, they are sill good quality panels and will easily last you 20 years.
There is a list of approved panels here: Approved Modules
Also, there is alot of Chinese Junk panels, like some of the uncertified garbage you see on ebay.
However, there are a few on ebay sellers, selling quality approved panels for cheap prices.

These panels have been tested to pass certain quality and performance standards, as stated on this page: Approved Products

The government will not give you the rebate if you dont use approved panels.

These days, 90% of solar panels are made in china, even BP solar moved their manufacturing to china a few months ago.
Sunpower and Suntech are the better brands, and you pay a premium for Sunpower modules, as they are higher efficiency.But effecieny doesnt matter, the total system power is watt matters here.

At the end of the day, i would save the 2595 dollars, and go for the cheaper option.
Why by a Mercedes if a corolla is going to the same job?
In fact, i would use that $2500 to purchase an extra 2 Suntech panels, and have a total system power of 1700 watts.
You could even push it and use Chinese, approved panels, and have a 1700 watt array for around $9000.

The SMA inverters are the best hands downs. I know various installers who have had issues with the Latronics. The reason the SMA Sunnyboy doesn't require a cooling is because it doesn't heat up as much. It runs more efficiently. Also, be aware when judging your inverter, there is a maximum efficiency, and a European efficiency. You should judge them all by the European efficiency not there maximum efficiency.

The European efficiency takes into account the fluctuating power levels/conditions throughout your average day.

Im not sure how much extra power the Sunnyboy uses, But just go for the most efficient inverter. You dont want to replace an invert every 5 years. Not worth it.

Thanks Tony,
I managed to track down an amazing supplier. They are going to supply me with the 205w BLK Sunpower pannels
cheaper! than I can get the Suntech 170w for...$1095 for genuine Sunpower 205w pannels amazing!!!
Aparently Sunpower has just opened an office in Sydney and this company (not sure if I can post names?) has struck a deal with them.
I have had a real learning curve with this project and my advice to anyone ..is ...do the buying and paperwork yourself!!!
You'll save thousands and get the best quality products.

I rang up an certified PV installer electrician who will do the instal for $950 which includes the wireing and switches.

So for a 1.64kw system with Sunpower pannels its going to cost :

8 x Sunpower 205w Pannels $8760
SMA 1700w inverter $2600
Aluminium rails and fixings $380
Inport/export meter $430
Instalation $950
-------------------------------------------
Sub Total $13120
Less Govt rebate -$8000
__________________________________
Sub Total $ 5120
Less RECS (aprox) $1400
------------------------------------------------
Total out of pocket expense $3720
__________________________________

Hi all,
new to this great forum and about to get solar power. have considered sourcing panels direct from China to cut down on cost or secure a good package deal here. Challenge I found that I want to pack the max capacity on approx usable 13sqm. Hence Sanyo, Sunpower of interest -- if the price is right.
can you be more specific on the sunpower offering / can one search for them ? I don't mind if an installer gets a little margin on the panels as they should be active to source good deals and have better buying power (trade discounts...). What I figured with some is that their install pricing and panels have been super expensive and your info confirms this.

cheers
Tom

re 1.4kw system on grid system
suntech and other quality chinese modules are very big in europe and good quality
your prices seem very high in oz for systems
supplied several to my family in melbourne , adelaide etc

1.4kw system £ 4999 GBP approx $ 9658 AUD
1.75kw system £ 5999 GBP approx $ 11,585 AUD

based on suntech or et solar or trina modules or yangli all on BCSE list
based on diehl platinum or power-one or sunny boys tgrid inverters o AS4771

these are complete plug & play systems
pv modules , roof mounting system , on grid inverter , all installation equipment ABB
cables , mc4 connectors , ac/dc disconnects , surge/lightning/over voltage protection etc
can ship FOC by air
grid systems 150w to utlity

scott from scotland - yes we have solar even in scotland

scott wrote:re 1.4kw system on grid system
suntech and other quality chinese modules are very big in europe and good quality
your prices seem very high in oz for systems
supplied several to my family in melbourne , adelaide etc

1.4kw system £ 4999 GBP approx $ 9658 AUD
1.75kw system £ 5999 GBP approx $ 11,585 AUD

based on suntech or et solar or trina modules or yangli all on BCSE list
based on diehl platinum or power-one or sunny boys tgrid inverters o AS4771

these are complete plug & play systems
pv modules , roof mounting system , on grid inverter , all installation equipment ABB
cables , mc4 connectors , ac/dc disconnects , surge/lightning/over voltage protection etc
can ship FOC by air
grid systems 150w to utlity

scott from scotland - yes we have solar even in scotland

I have just signed up for a 3kW system, 18 x 170W panels (Suntech) & a 4kW inverter (CMS) and it has only worked out to be $2.66 per watt after rebates...Good value in world terms I would have thought...I'm stoked

Hey which cms inverter is it??
i didn't know they made a 4kw version..

TonyB wrote:Hey which cms inverter is it??
i didn't know they made a 4kw version..

I really don't think there is a CMS inverter at 4K.. I would imagine that they would just supply two by 2K. That's fine - Diversification ???

For what it's worth, I feel that I have delved deeply enough into Panel-Choice, to know that it is far better to go for Medium-Quality cheap panels, than to seek the best performers.
The money that is saved can either buy the extra panels to make up any performance difference, or go to setting up a second system.

BUIDOI wrote:

TonyB wrote:Hey which cms inverter is it??
i didn't know they made a 4kw version..

I really don't think there is a CMS inverter at 4K.. I would imagine that they would just supply two by 2K. That's fine - Diversification ???

For what it's worth, I feel that I have delved deeply enough into Panel-Choice, to know that it is far better to go for Medium-Quality cheap panels, than to seek the best performers.
The money that is saved can either buy the extra panels to make up any performance difference, or go to setting up a second system.

Agreed. The payback period is indeed alot quicker.