enphase s280 with LG315N1C-G4

[ncs55]

I mean it has been discontinued:

http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/sola...lg-LG300A1C-B3

I did not know that. If highest wattage is the concern have you considered using the Panasonic HIT 330? http://eu-solar.panasonic.net/en/products/n-325-330/

[rsilvers]

I was thinking in terms of when it was a current product and being compared to a 300 watt panel with a separate micro inverter - I am suggesting that even when it was new, it was not going to have any advantage to a customer such that they would ask for it - unless they really focused on making it a long-term product line. Of course now with it being discontinued, they will be trying to clear out the remainders, and the price can be lower.

[J.P.M.]

If a customer gets a lower price quote from it, then sure. But I can't picture that happening - as LG, the distributor, or the installer would find a way to keep that from happening.

Well, among several reasons to sell at a discount, holding older inventory ties up assets such as and including available credit lines. Selling at a reduced price is also one way to control inventory costs. Holding old(er) merchandise costs $$. An argument can be made for not making so much product in the first place, but predicting a product's future is not an exact science.

Inventory control and market forecasts are a lot better than they once were, but still not perfect. Between selling excess inventory or old merchandise at a discount, or watching the competition eat your lunch because you don't have enough product to meet demand, selling will win every time. Better to have too much than not enough.

That's just the way it works.

[rsilvers]

Huh? Just look at any online retailer... lower wattage panels generally cost less, within a brand and across brands. Selecting panel wattage is one of the few ways a customer can influence the quoted system cost.

We are talking about a special product - an LG module with a *built in* inverter. Again, LG, the distributor, or the installer will find some way to keep it from being cheaper for the customer. Which is ok, but just isn't a selling point to the customer. It seems to be sold to installers to save on labor.

[sensij]

If a customer gets a lower price quote from it, then sure. But I can't picture that happening - as LG, the distributor, or the installer would find a way to keep that from happening.

Huh? Just look at any online retailer... lower wattage panels generally cost less, within a brand and across brands. Selecting panel wattage is one of the few ways a customer can influence the quoted system cost.

[rsilvers]

If a customer gets a lower price quote from it, then sure. But I can't picture that happening - as LG, the distributor, or the installer would find a way to keep that from happening.

[J.P.M.]

I don't know why a customer would request them. Why would anyone want 300 watt panels when LG makes 315 and 320 watt panels, unless the 300s were lower dollars per watt, which a customer would not have visibility on. So the installer would have to be the one to talk the customer into it by offering a lower overall price due to reduced labor or something. It just seems like a short-lived product that someone may have trouble replacing in the future if they needed another one and could not find it.

As stated, older lower STC Wattage panels sell for less. Lower $$/Watt is why. Less $/Watt for about the same annual production/Watt. Kind of like buying last year's model car.

[rsilvers]

I don't know why a customer would request them. Why would anyone want 300 watt panels when LG makes 315 and 320 watt panels, unless the 300s were lower dollars per watt, which a customer would not have visibility on. So the installer would have to be the one to talk the customer into it by offering a lower overall price due to reduced labor or something. It just seems like a short-lived product that someone may have trouble replacing in the future if they needed another one and could not find it.

[rsilvers]

I mean it has been discontinued:

http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/sola...lg-LG300A1C-B3

[ncs55]

You never know do ya. I have been waiting for a customer to request these so I can monitor them. My supplier has them in stock and they look pretty robust. The inverter is NEMA 6. Internal temp is rated for 194 F. Mostly here in S.D. the modules run at around 150-160 F in full sunlight. The output specs look pretty good.

[SunEagle]

What do you mean it does not exist? http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/MonoXACe/index.jsp A well producing system is more than the wattage of the modules used in that system. Consider how the A and V work with the inverter as well. The difference in using 300 or 320 Watt modules is usually only a few modules more or less in the system.

Cool. Although I hope they went through a very rigid beta test for those panels. I would hate to have to replace both the panel and inverter should either part fail due to early death syndrome for electronics.

[ncs55]

Doesn't seem to exist. And if it did, it would not be for 315 or 320 panels.

What do you mean it does not exist? http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/MonoXACe/index.jsp A well producing system is more than the wattage of the modules used in that system. Consider how the A and V work with the inverter as well. The difference in using 300 or 320 Watt modules is usually only a few modules more or less in the system. If you for example were using a 3000 W string inverter maybe ten of the 320's would work, but 11 of the 300's may be a better string design and produce more. And could cost less. Also, usually the higher wattage modules go for a premium compared to yesterdays lower watt module. LG claims to have the highest AC output for a micro design with this module.

[rsilvers]

Also, have you considered the LG modules with built in micros?

Doesn't seem to exist. And if it did, it would not be for 315 or 320 panels.

[ButchDeal]

Bird poop would have to cover most of the module to make an effect like shading. One or two spots does not make a difference with either system. Snow will affect both systems equally also. I am curious why would you think the micros are more productive over a string inverter design in full sunlight? Also, have you considered the LG modules with built in micros?

The optimizers and micros can be slightly more productive in non-shade situations. Mostly due to utilization of module different production levels from the factory. They come usually +5% , -0%.
Then there is some efficiency gains with inverters like solarEdge, at near constant DC side voltages.

[ncs55]

Shading can also mean bird poop on a panel, or snow. I am new to this, but I can't see going SMA if EnPhase is the same price.

Bird poop would have to cover most of the module to make an effect like shading. One or two spots does not make a difference with either system. Snow will affect both systems equally also. I am curious why would you think the micros are more productive over a string inverter design in full sunlight? Also, have you considered the LG modules with built in micros?