Sharp Mono or Kyocera Poly-crystalline?

[GoGreen]

I am going to be installing a 10kw system for one of my relatives and based on what he wanted, I was thinking the Kyocera KD235gx-lpb would be the best match for him. But then I started looking into the sharp NU-Q235f4 and noticed it is comparable in price and has a mono-crystalline structure. From what I understand Mono-crystalline will perform better in hot climates and will be more efficient during shaded times. My question is when I do a side by side comparison, the Sharp has a cell efficiency of 14.4 compared to Kyocera's 18.5 efficiency yet they are almost identical in size. And Sharp is Mono and Kyocera is Poly-Crystalline. What panel would you choose? These will be installed on the ground with an adjustable tilt in Lancaster, CA (Can get up to 110 degrees F in the summer). I will also be using enphase 215 micro-inverters. Thanks for any help.

[russ]

I am going to be installing a 10kw system for one of my relatives and based on what he wanted, I was thinking the Kyocera KD235gx-lpb would be the best match for him. But then I started looking into the sharp NU-Q235f4 and noticed it is comparable in price and has a mono-crystalline structure. From what I understand Mono-crystalline will perform better in hot climates and will be more efficient during shaded times. My question is when I do a side by side comparison, the Sharp has a cell efficiency of 14.4 compared to Kyocera's 18.5 efficiency yet they are almost identical in size. And Sharp is Mono and Kyocera is Poly-Crystalline. What panel would you choose? These will be installed on the ground with an adjustable tilt in Lancaster, CA (Can get up to 110 degrees F in the summer). I will also be using enphase 215 micro-inverters. Thanks for any help.

I believe that Kyocera panel has a efficiency very close to the Sharp

14.28%

14.42%

The max power temp coefficient is very close as well - Kyocera 0.46% loss per

[GoGreen]

Thank you Russ, that is a very helpful tool. I must have misread somewhere on Kyocera's 18.5% peak efficiency. They appear to be almost identical (only real difference is the crystalline structure). I guess it's going to come down to whichever one is more aesthetically pleasing. Which one would you choose?

[russ]

Flip a coin? I would probably pick Sharp just because I have known the name for a long time - poor reason.

Power tolerance spec Kyocera -3%/+5% vs Sharp +5%/+10%
Max power temp effect I gave earlier

Not much to separate them -

Back to the coin?

[Sunking]

Both are excellent panels, with like specifications. Go for the best value.

[GoGreen]

Thank you guys. Tough choice because they are so close in specs. It will probably come down to whichever one I can get a better deal on.

[mdh]

Thank you guys. Tough choice because they are so close in specs. It will probably come down to whichever one I can get a better deal on.

which panel did you go with? I am in the same situation. Sharp has a longer warranty... 25 years vs. 20. I am trying to decide between

Solarcity Kyocera + Solaredge inverters vs. Realgoods solar Samsung and Enphase

Solarcity configuration is lower cost by about $1500

I think the all black samsung panels look nicer...

[GoGreen]

which panel did you go with? I am in the same situation. Sharp has a longer warranty... 25 years vs. 20. I am trying to decide between

Solarcity Kyocera + Solaredge inverters vs. Realgoods solar Samsung and Enphase

Solarcity configuration is lower cost by about $1500

I think the all black samsung panels look nicer...

I haven't bought them yet. I am leaning toward the Sharp though I think they look a little nicer and you are right, they have a 25 year performance warranty compared to Kyocera's 20 year. The Samsung are also very nice and pretty much have identical specs compared to Sharp and Kyocera. I personally like the Enphase micro inverters so I would probably go with the Realgood proposal. You will be able to track each panel's power output online which is a very cool feature to have. Let me know which route you go.

[Kat]

Did you pull the trigger?

GoGreen,

Just curious about your decision (if you made it).

-Kat

[mdh]

I ended up with the Sharp 235F4 panels. I thought they were nicer looking panels, better matched the new enphase inverters and felt the mono based panels aremore proven (this was likely more marketing based. Doubt this is totally true)