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Ah, thanks for picking me up from that bit of laziness... I should have looked at the mpp electrical specs and figured that out. The LG300N1C-B3 that has been getting installed recently has a Vmpp of 32.0 and an Impp of 9.40, for a Pmpp of 300.8. The LG305N1C-B3 Pmpp comes out to 305.6. Whether the mpp numbers are a more reliable indicator of panel performance than the headline STC power rating, I don't know. If the Pmpp numbers are trustworthy, that puts the current model of LG300's at more like +0.85% over the Sunpower panel. Since the Sunpower panel power tolerance is +5% / -0%, and LG's tolerance is +3% / -0%, I think the differences are a wash. There is an expression about separating the fecal matter of insects that may apply here.... sometimes SAM's level of detail can be overkill.
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CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozx -
Understood.
No thanks required.
Fly frass from pepper is what most of the actual #'s are about. The methodology and meaning of all the alphabet soup, and how to use it to find stuff out is what counts much more in my book.
I find it's nice to have the detail and not need it, but not ascribe more accuracy/precision than warranted by the data or needed for the application.Comment
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Did the quotes specify what racking systems would be used?
The LA DPW is not allowing any system to be installed unless it carries a full UL2703 listing (there are currently very few).Comment
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constellation... I am again getting quotes now for my house.. the 1st one came in today
37 sunpower 335 panels (12395) $ 52338,(b4 rebates) which is $4.22 per .. we are in new York, if that makes any diff in panel price/installation... I believe (its not stated) that is with solaredge inverter/s
I have 3 more quotes coming... 1 will also be with sunpower panels, n the other 2 will be for Hyundai panels... both of the installers with the Hyundai panels say they are using them now instead of LG panels, as they are better made... not sure if that's a true statement or 'the talk of the salesman'
some of the more knowledgeable guys here (JPM, n sensij) if I'm reading their various posts properly, feel the sunpower panels are not worth the extra $$$, but if put up 30 300kwh panels, that's 9k, if u put up 30x327, u in theory are producing 10% more power, and the diff in price is approx. 10%... so to my nibble brain its a wash...
i'll post the other quotes I getComment
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First off, I'm not sure there is a proper way to read my posts except same as all posts: with a healthy dose of questioning. You get what you pay for here and it's all mostly opinion. Some of it may be more informed, but still opinion nonetheless, even and especially mine.
Those opinions also go for panel quality. Sunpower's good stuff. So is Hyundai. So is Kyocera, Solarworld, etc., etc. Most any reputable name panel will probably last longer than you'll own them. "better" is a pretty slippery word. It may well mean better availability or pricing to the vendor from the distributor.
Warranties, including Sunpower's are mostly marketing tools that are not utilized much, either as a result of product quality, or the possible idea that it's difficult to the point of practical impossibility to have a warranty claim honored, or both. Read the warranty fine print. Twice. Or more.
On price: You pay for an array by total nameplate Wattage for the whole system, not by individual panel. S.P labor is a bit less as is racking and wiring, but, Watt for Watt, the overall cost is still usually about 20+% higher for S.P. equipped systems, for what is probably no measureable increase in annual output or decrease in an annual bill.
FWIW: Hyundai systems seem to be running about $0.75+ /Watt lower than S.P. in So CA. NY may be diff. All prices before fed. tax credit.
Big diff. for you may be NYSERDA and utilities have good rebates that apply to most all panels. Those may bump up before tax credit prices because vendors can get away with charging more, maybe not.
On price: You pay a per nameplate Watt price for the total Wattage in the array, not by the panel. You'll need 10% more 300 Watt panels than 327 Watt panels, but You're paying $4.22/Watt for the 327 Watt panels and maybe $3.50/Watt for the 300 Watt panels, which 12,300 Watt system will cost less ? BTW: Annual output for either will be about the same, and therefore reduce your annual bill by about the same amount.
On individual panel size: Think of a solar array like a barrel you must fill with baseballs or softballs. Doesn't matter which, as long as you get a full barrel. The total cost (including packing and shipping to the ballpark) of all the softballs to fill the barrel is 25% more than the total cost of all the baseballs to fill the same barrel and accomplish the task. Same barrel. Same task - fill the barrel with balls. Different balls. Which do you choose? Probably the one with the lower overall cost to accomplish the task. Same with Sunpower vs. most any other panel.
I'd bet that some vendors like Sunpower as a profit increasing tool - and use S.P. to sell up by selling down - start at the high end/high price (S.P) and have an easier time selling something equally as fit for purpose, but at a higher profit margin on the lower price product because the price diff. between the two makes the lower price stuff SEEM like a deal and thus easier to close with a few extra bucks in the lower price. It's just business.Comment
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Actually in most cases SP is about 20% more per DC watt but provides only 10% more energy.
Of course costs differ in different parts of the county but you really need to understand what you are paying for and if getting more PV then you really need is worth the higher cost.Comment
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I got my 2nd quote this morn, the 1st for Hyundai panels
the proposal is for 35panels each panel 270kw- with a sma inverter/s, with ironside roof mount system... according to the paper work it should produce 12873 kwh over the year... price.. $35438 b4 rebates
yesterday's sunpower quote , produces 13212 kwh... for $52338
so for $17k, the sunpower system is giving approx. 2.5% more power...WOW...
the 2 other quotes I will be getting next week... i'll post em when received, but it appears Hyundai to be a no-brainerComment
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SP company info..
I'm also in LA and looking for a similarly sized system. I got a couple of quotes but my SP one was considerably higher than yours. I liked the company and the product; however, the quote was ~$5.4/kW.
We have limited roof space so paying a premium may be on the table. I'm just not sure if the difference between LG305 vs SP345 is worth it.
Can you pm me company info?Comment
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Be careful !
Are you confusing system size with annual output ?
In a prior post you stated you were quoted a system with 37 ea. 335 W Sunpower panels = 12,395 Watts. I didn't see any reference to annual system output on that one. The price came out to $4.22/Watt.
Now you have a quote for 35 Hyundai 270's = 9,450 Watts at $3.75/Watt = $35,438.
While the Hyundai system is less/nameplate, it's also a lot smaller SIZE system and will likely have about 25% less output due solely to being a smaller system.Comment
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Do an energy audit, reduced your load by 20% and go with the non S.P. system. For starters, your bills will be a lot less and the 20% larger footprint of the non S.P. system will meet the same load fraction as the S.P. system for a lot less money - as in 20% smaller (electrical size) for about 20% less per nameplate Watt, or about 2/3 as much up front total $$.Comment
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according to the salesman, the 37 sunpower 335's (12395kw) system will produce 13212 kwh over the year...
the Hyundai sales proposal is for 35 270kw (9450w) panels-and said to produce 12873 kwh over the year
in spite of all my readings, this is the part I still don't understand how 35x270 is producing what 37x335 will produce (less 2-3%), as when I do the calc, I too see the output tobe 25% less..
is this salesman B.S.??Comment
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