Has anyone ever heard of Grape Solar????

[russ]

Noticed a single panel for sale on Amazon w/ a micro converter showing it plugged directly into an AC outlet. My first impulse was to think scary/unsafe then I thought well maybe the micro inverter shuts down without AC in the outlet (like during a power outage) if that's the case then it is actually a brilliant idea for the do it yourselfer. Does anybody know if a micro inverter by Enphase shuts down when AC goes out?

What you saw is unsafe and not legal.

[mike91945]

Grape panel w/micro inverter

Noticed a single panel for sale on Amazon w/ a micro converter showing it plugged directly into an AC outlet. My first impulse was to think scary/unsafe then I thought well maybe the micro inverter shuts down without AC in the outlet (like during a power outage) if that's the case then it is actually a brilliant idea for the do it yourselfer. Does anybody know if a micro inverter by Enphase shuts down when AC goes out?

[SunEagle]

BTW installers don't get even near that kind of markup

Yeah you are correct again. But most Contractors love to add on "extras" every time you make a simple little change.

[mihzyd777]

Can someone please explain what a "araa" system is? And out of that list provided of us solar PV manufactures which are the top brands tier 1 other than sun power?

[Naptown]

Thank you. You are correct.

BTW installers don't get even near that kind of markup

[SunEagle]

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

Thank you. You are correct.

[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]

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]

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)

[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]

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

Indonesia not China

[bonaire]

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

[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.

[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?

[mihzyd777]

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

Thanks!