Suntech 280 watt panels and design ideas

[So solar]

That can be said about alot of modules. The difference is about 50 watts. Why use enphase on all your installs when you max out at 200 watts. Seems odd. I believe enphase to be good for shady areas. That's the only reason. Your driving the cost up to the green customers, when its not necessary. Why limit yourself to 200 watts, extra eqipment and loads more wires. Especially with enphase lack of a track record?

[NABCEP Russ]

The only thing that makes a 280 watt panel 280 vs. 230 is the physical size. If you can only fir 12 230's, then you can't fit 12 280's. If you can fit 12 280's, then you can fit 15 230's.

Also, using an enphase microinverter on a 280 watt panel is a waste. The max output of the inverters is 199w. They're optimized for a 230w panel. Trust me, I use enphase on all of my installations and I don't use suntech 280s for a reason.

[So solar]

I think there have only been 5 verified incidents of this. (as of last week when I read about it) There are .

That's all I heard of too. I found it strangely humorous.

[Mike90250]

I think there have only been 5 verified incidents of this. (as of last week when I read about it) There are 3 large caps on a user accessible board, that is simple to replace. I think they extended the recall to the entire GT line, because the replacement is simple,and the bogus parts so prevalent.. I bet they have a very stern talk with their suppliers.

[So solar]

25000 inverters over a 5 year period. Its kinda large. And alot of people will get burned. Hopefully not by the covers exploding off the inverter. Do you happen to know what gas was being produced to cause this?

[Mike90250]

.......Xantrax had a huge recall on inverters ......

recall is only about a input filter board on their "GT" series ony, they can/will ship the owner a replacement and a check for labor.

Everybody is getting burned, or will be burned, by counterfeit parts, and the 3 caps on the filter board, were not designed to fail. There was a huge mess with computer motherboards a few years ago, and nearly every major electronics mfg has been burned by counterfeit caps.

[So solar]

Heat creates resistance. Therefore lower voltage, less wattage. I think SMA Sunny Boy makes a descent inverter. Although I've seen them fail after 6 years. One year after warranty. But that's far and few. Inverter location can effect longevity. The efficiency rating is high and is suitable for the input voltage required for the modules. Xantrax had a huge recall on inverters and Fronius is not a good product. There are definitely better modules out there. You can tell your contractor what you want. But you may have to wait longer for the product. My guess is he bought the suntech about a 1.75/ watt. Yinglii solar makes good modules. But there's a wait for product.

[russ]

As I mentioned above - the panel spec for TCoP calls for 0.47% per

[gtojohn]

suntech

quality and workmanship? I don't know, that's why I'm asking here. According to the specs on the link everything seems pretty typical. 25 year warranty. There isn't a lot of info on these, makes me a little skeptical. One site says they have a factory in Goodyear AZ. Panels are 77x39, just a little bigger than a typical 230w panel. I do have some shading, enphase would be nice. However the bigger company, who do the most installations in our city, just recommended a sunnyboy. Again I think he was giving me the lowest price, which isn't what I'm asking for, highest output is what I want. The contractor I like has less "sales" experience and more installation experience, and is more flexible on design and my role. House is in Austin TX, over 60 days in a row of 100 degree days was the record last year. I've measured roof and other materials in the direct sun between 130-150F, I do understand this degrades performance.

[So solar]

The 280 watts will be larger and may not. Fit into the space. Plus, I think the suntech 175-185 recently started to be sold to installers at good price/watt. Maybe making room for larger watt modules.

[greg kindy leed ap]

Oh I see, Sunking. Well anyway... that's what I'm doing.

[Sunking]

Interesting you mention that. Is there a chart somewhere regarding capacity loss per degree - when rooftop temps get to 100 degrees Fahrenheit up to the mentioned 120 degrees Fahrenheit? With specific data about those losses within the temperature range?

I'm thinking a chart would be helpful, comparing crystalline module manufacturers like Schott, Kyocera, Sharp, SolarWorld, and SunPower. A few of the top thin film companies too.

Each panel has it's own TCop You will have to make a chart fo reach one you are interested in.

[greg kindy leed ap]

Interesting you mention that. Is there a chart somewhere regarding capacity loss per degree - when rooftop temps get to 100 degrees Fahrenheit up to the mentioned 120 degrees Fahrenheit? With specific data about those losses within the temperature range?

I'm thinking a chart would be helpful, comparing crystalline module manufacturers like Schott, Kyocera, Sharp, SolarWorld, and SunPower. A few of the top thin film companies too.

[russ]

+ or - tolerance is no problem - you just have to subtract the minus from the published rating and ignore the positive. You know you get that much and anything extra is a bonus.

TCoP is also important - this panel has something like 0.47% capacity loss per degree C over 25

[greg kindy leed ap]

Isn't 185W for a module a bit dated? Seems like it pencils out fine to go with a 200W. Just be careful about power tolerance.

Read the spec sheet. Look for +/- 5%. Consider "positive-only" power tolerance as well. A 200W with a +10/-0 will according
to some manufacturers produce between 200 - 220W.