That is the exact configuration that another company bid. LG300N1C-B3 with SolarEdge inverter, but also with SolarEdge optimizers.
I don't have any bias against micro-inverters, but I can appreciate that you do.
I also have a bit of the unknown factor, but LG is a huge company and I figure the panel itself must be the same as the LG300N1C-B3 but they have made microinverters specifically optimized for those panels. I have confindence in LG. If it was a smaller company I don't know as much about, I would have much more reluctance.
Where I am (a bit inland) it is clear. The companies told me if I was coastal, this would not be viable at all, but since I am not and don't have that morning fog or marine layer, etc. it is viable. Yes, I understand it isn't as ideal. Next week the Engineer who is going to be responsible for creating the plans is going to come out, get on my roof and measure everything so he can draw them up. I am going to have him check to see if he thinks he can fit the 20 panels on the west facing side as you said with one vertical and one horizontal, or ANY combination of the two and still allow for the new 2014 fire code mandates. If so, then I will contact the folks who installed my solar thermal heating and see what they may charge to move all that to the east facing roof, and see what kind of impact we may be talking about to thermal production. It is possible that they say it pretty much kills the thermal. It sure sucks having a pool that is in the 70's and your wife and young kids dont want to go in as it is too chilly for them to enjoy it. Myself and my guy friends we dive in anyhow. With the thermal, we can keep it 85-88F easily!
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I was going to get those panels. But decided against it. Like you, I couldn't find any reviews about them, since they were just announced at Intersolar in July this year. I ended up getting the LG300N1C-B3 with SolarEdge inverter. My decision was based on the unknown factor, my installer's reluctance and my bias against micro-inverters in general.
I think you will lose lots of solar power by installing on the east facing roof. In San Diego, the morning is often cloudy. So you really need the south or south-west facing roof to capture the most sun power. With your SW proof, I think you can fit two rows, one vertically oriented, one horizontally. But relocating the solar water heater might be a problem. Also I'm assuming you will want to switch to the Solar TOU plan later, excess energy produced between 11-6 PM worth a lot more.
Have you tried pvwatts http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/pvwatts.php ?Leave a comment:
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About to install LG300A1C-B3 300W AC microinverters, got some Q's
I got a bunch of bids and in the end I decided to try a panel which seems to be brand spanking new as I can't find much info of it online anywhere. It is the LG 300W panel with LG microinverters, model number LG300A1C-B3. The spec sheet is attached. My installer says that they checked their distributor and I am about 2 weeks from being able to get these. Anyone have any knowledge of these? Any issues you can think of? Check the spec sheet? I really dont know a ton. I've done comparison between some similarly priced 250W panels and overpriced Sun Power 345W panels, etc. but beyond that I am a real novice.
I am doing 20 panels, upgrading my old 100A center fed crappy breaker box to a 125A model and all that for $25k. I get 30% back from the US Feds in April.
I am in San Diego, and the side of my home which faces southwest area I already have occupied with solar thermal heating for my pool. I debated on moving it, but at BEST I could only get 10 panels over on that side due to new 2014 fire code where I have to make sure to leave an extra 3' of space before the top of the roof, so it would end up being a single row of panels, rather than a double row (ideal) because of the needed 3'. So this helped me decide to leave the thermal on that side (my wife loves it as our pool gets use now as it is warm) and go with the other side of the home where I can fit the 20 panels. That side is less steep too. The companies have speculated that the system will produce roughly 7,029kWh/year. It isnt IDEAL having it on that side, but it doesnt seem to be a real deal killer.
I was wondering if there are any systems online where I can input my home in to the specs, place panels on it, specify 300W, determine the exact NSEW orientation, then somehow have it show me based on degree angle of the roof, my position in the USA, panels, etc. what time of day, what time of year, etc. the sun will be at, rough production information, etc. Anything like that exist for joe users like myself?
Attached image shows in orange where the thermal solar is
Red where I did NOT want solar (visual problems)
Then the panels shown in their preliminary place. It may change as engineer comes to spec it out.
I know I have a chimney. I know it will impact part of the day, and that is a loss in potential production. With the microinverters, I hope to lessen the impact to the other panels that are in direct sunlight.
image002.jpg
MonoXACe DS final_140827_FINAL.pdf
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