Has anyone ever heard of Grape Solar????

[mihzyd777]

Ok all here's another for you,

In my neverending quest to find the perfect solar solution for our home, I did more research (Thanks again to this site) I found that Costco sells a 5170 watt Grape Solar panel system. Seems like the company has been around since 2009 and use to be called Centron Solar but was sued from a German company with a similar name and forced to change their name. They seem to be in all the big box stores and e-commerce and from Amazon reviews they seem like good panels.....

Costco price See here: http://www.costco.com/5170-Watt-Grid....11630267.html

I found the same system with 5.5kw at Lowes for a few hundred less see here: http://www.lowes.com/pd_182631-40683...lar&facetInfo=

So since there are no reviews from costco or anything here I'm looking to you all to hopefully give me some good insight. According to their site, there are installers all over the country etc...and they seem to have a good warranty.

Thanks,

Mike

[Naptown]

Grape is 2nd or third tier chinese manufacturer.
The one from lowes couple of hundred watts more and is a couple of hundred dollars lower but does not include racking. (how much is that )

[mihzyd777]

So junk? I just called them to ask about finding installers in my area and the guy straight up told me ya we have a huge network of installers and then he said they are probably not Grade A installers but they know how to install and read the manuals.....that kind of gave me a bad indication to stay away!

Mike

[inetdog]

but they know how to install and read the manuals.....that kind of gave me a bad indication to stay away!

I guess that is better than not reading, but if that is all they know, they are at the mercy of the person who writes (or translates) the manuals.

[Sunking]

Yes I have. It is a Chi-Com Government company. What else do you need to know?

[mihzyd777]

Sunking......so tell me more? I take it you don't like it? Any issues etc...who installed it for you?

Thanks!

[Noob]

That's odd, Costco is usually dirt cheap on big items.

But at $13K these are thousands more expensive than other systems I'm seeing. How does this Chinese brand compare with "ET" panels and Enphase microinverters?

[Sunking]

Sunking......so tell me more? I take it you don't like it? Any issues etc...who installed it for you?

Think about it. You are paying your enemy to destroy you. Exactly what Russia did with Germany.

[bonaire]

Enphase products are made in china, but the company is based in California.

[Naptown]

Enphase products are made in china, but the company is based in California.

Indonesia not China

[mihzyd777]

SunKing............Why did you buy it then? I take it you didn't know at the time right? The other company I'm looking at now Solar Universe is going to use Chinese make Yingli panels also so what's the difference? It's almost impossible to find something NOT made in china or the components come from China and assemble here in the states.

[Naptown]

Off the top of my head US manufacturers
Solar World
Motech
1 Soltech
Suniva (arra compliant modules)
Sunpower (arra compliant modules) although all cells are made in the Philippines.
Sharp (again the ARRA panels)

[SunEagle]

That's odd, Costco is usually dirt cheap on big items.

But at $13K these are thousands more expensive than other systems I'm seeing. How does this Chinese brand compare with "ET" panels and Enphase microinverters?

Most US distributors double the price of those items to make a killing in profit. If you decide to go with the off shore brands then purchase directly or face a major markup in cost.

[Naptown]

Most US Retailers double the price of those items to make a killing in profit. If you decide to go with the off shore brands then purchase directly or face a major markup in cost.

Fixed it for you. Most wholesalers work on a much lower margin (more like 10-15%)

[SunEagle]

Fixed it for you. Most wholesalers work on a much lower margin (more like 10-15%)

Thank you. You are correct.