diy solar systems which are good and which to stay away from

[foo1bar]

Awesome info, thank you.

Do you happen to have a guess on what all of that costa (ballpark)?

~ $19,250 total for my planned setup. (some of which I may have spent anyhow for upgrading the meter/main panel)
Solaredge inverter
31 panels (LG 275W)
8.525kW total nameplate wattage.

[gte]

Awesome info, thank you.

Do you happen to have a guess on what all of that costa (ballpark)?

Look at the description/specs for the panel.
If they have something like a built in micro-inverter (or built in power-optimizer) they'll make a big deal out of that.
Vast majority of panels don't have such things built into them.



Unlikely.

Generally price goes (cheapest to most expensive):
* string inverters
* power optimizers (Solaredge)
* microinverters (enphase)



Other items on my list:
* tools (torque wrench, cordless drill, cordless impact driver, conduit bender, conduit reamer, saw blade for cutting alum., shingle ripper, $300 for a specialized crimper tool)
* conduit
* conduit clamps
* junction boxes
* conduit flashing
* roofmount flashing (quickmount PV e-mount)
* Stainless steel bolts
* grounding lugs
* grounding panel clips (probably included in kit you were looking at)
* clips to hold wires in place - off roof/ next to panels (probably included in kit you were looking at)
* roof sealant
* ground wire
* circuit breaker (to go into main panel)
* wire from panels to inverter
* wire from inverter to main panel
* upgrade from 100A main panel to 200A main panel and meter (main panel/meter was so outdated it was necessary)
* permit
* reflective labels

And things that if I had a different configuration, might be needed
* subpanel to combine inverter outputs
* DC shutoff
* AC shutoff

There's probably more that I missed. I'm still working on it.

[foo1bar]

It'd be really nice to know if the Canadian panels come with a power conditioner or micro-inverter

Look at the description/specs for the panel.
If they have something like a built in micro-inverter (or built in power-optimizer) they'll make a big deal out of that.
Vast majority of panels don't have such things built into them.

if the micro-inverter cost can be less than the centralized inverter cost.

Unlikely.

Generally price goes (cheapest to most expensive):
* string inverters
* power optimizers (Solaredge)
* microinverters (enphase)

no idea if it requires any additional components or wiring

Other items on my list:
* tools (torque wrench, cordless drill, cordless impact driver, conduit bender, conduit reamer, saw blade for cutting alum., shingle ripper, $300 for a specialized crimper tool)
* conduit
* conduit clamps
* junction boxes
* conduit flashing
* roofmount flashing (quickmount PV e-mount)
* Stainless steel bolts
* grounding lugs
* grounding panel clips (probably included in kit you were looking at)
* clips to hold wires in place - off roof/ next to panels (probably included in kit you were looking at)
* roof sealant
* ground wire
* circuit breaker (to go into main panel)
* wire from panels to inverter
* wire from inverter to main panel
* upgrade from 100A main panel to 200A main panel and meter (main panel/meter was so outdated it was necessary)
* permit
* reflective labels

And things that if I had a different configuration, might be needed
* subpanel to combine inverter outputs
* DC shutoff
* AC shutoff

There's probably more that I missed. I'm still working on it.

[bcroe]

It appears that this 20000 watt kit uses 2 inverters and is $31k, a quick search has those inverters around $2600 dollars a piece (a cost of about $65 per panel)

It requires $1200 in roof mounting hardware, no idea if it requires any additional components or wiring

There will be "other" costs before it is working. Copper and hardware for grounding, copper
and maybe a combiner for DC, copper for AC, aluminum struts and stainless steel hardware
if you don't want it to rust solid. A meter or 2. Permit fee(s). Bruce Roe

[gte]

It appears that this 20000 watt kit uses 2 inverters and is $31k, a quick search has those inverters around $2600 dollars a piece (a cost of about $65 per panel)

It requires $1200 in roof mounting hardware, no idea if it requires any additional components or wiring

http://www.wholesalesolar.com/system/solaredge-80-astronergy-panel-gridtie-system.html

It appears to come with the panels, power optimizers and some sort of monitoring software




It'd be really nice to know if the Canadian panels come with a power conditioner or micro-inverter and if the micro-inverter cost can be less than the centralized inverter cost.

Another solar panel cost site

http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/surv...-price-survey/

[gte]

So then let's build a mock 20000 watt system (I'm very new to this)

Canadian Solar CS6P-255P (255 watts) $240 a panel - 79 panels required for 20000 watts ($20145 in panels) according to this link
Mounts, whether they are 2x4s or a metal rack kit
??? inverters (I can't find very many details on this, how many panels per inverter or if microinverters are reasonably priced or if the Canadian Solar panels come with microinverters)
DC isolator
AC isolator
Miscellaneous wiring, enclosures and connectors
Miscellaneous hardware

What components am I missing?
Do the Canadian Solar panels come with microinverters? I can't seem to find anything that gives great detail about inverter choice.

[deck60]

I am new here, but since nobody answers yet, I will answer with what I know. I believe good panels are Sunpower, Kyocera solar, Suniva, LG, Sharp, SolarWorld, and Canadian Solar. The better the panel, the price is more expensive. Each of them has its own advantage and disadvantage. For example, Sunpower claims to be the best panel in the world, but its price is the the most expensive too. SolarWorld is a good panel and the price is good, but the company is not profitable which questions the warranty in the future. I choose Canadian Solar because it is a good and cheapest panel with third party insurance. I also read an old news in April 2014 makes me feel better with my decision.

Major PV energy provider Canadian Solar has been selected to supply 43MW of its CS6P255P modules to the second largest solar power plant project in Japan, according to the company.
The company will supply 168,300 of its 60 cell CS6P255P modules (255Wp) with delivery expected to start in May 2014 and to be completed in February 2015.

the contract they got is a big reason why I am leaning towards them myself

[dat]

so what panels do you guys use the most

I have heard lots about Canadian solar but what else are good

not into lg the last 2 lg items I bought I had to take back and get another brand

I am new here, but since nobody answers yet, I will answer with what I know. I believe good panels are Sunpower, Kyocera solar, Suniva, LG, Sharp, SolarWorld, and Canadian Solar. The better the panel, the price is more expensive. Each of them has its own advantage and disadvantage. For example, Sunpower claims to be the best panel in the world, but its price is the the most expensive too. SolarWorld is a good panel and the price is good, but the company is not profitable which questions the warranty in the future. I choose Canadian Solar because it is a good and cheapest panel with third party insurance. I also read an old news in April 2014 makes me feel better with my decision.

Major PV energy provider Canadian Solar has been selected to supply 43MW of its CS6P255P modules to the second largest solar power plant project in Japan, according to the company.
The company will supply 168,300 of its 60 cell CS6P255P modules (255Wp) with delivery expected to start in May 2014 and to be completed in February 2015.

[gte]

I am also interested to know which panels are recommended as well as which micro-inverters?

[deck60]

so what panels do you guys use the most

I have heard lots about Canadian solar but what else are good

not into lg the last 2 lg items I bought I had to take back and get another brand

[J.P.M.]

Sure is - I goofed!

Well OK, just this once.

[deck60]

thanks for the input

I found this for an inverter

http://www.eco-distributing.com/SMA-Sunny-Boy-SB6000TL-US-22-6000-Watt-Inverter-with-SPS_p_1459.html

how about these panels

http://ressupply.com/store/solar-panels-by-the-pallet/greater-than-200-watts/canadian-solar-cs6p-255p-blk-pt-solar-panel-pallet

I have heard lots on the Canadian solar the seem to have gotten an huge contract in japan so from what I know of the Japanese they are not all about price but quality too

[PVAndy]

what are good panels for the money

and what inverters are the most reliable

The 2 Inverter brands I have the most experience with at ABB (Power One), Fronius and SMA.

Of those 3, we've had the highest reliability with SMA SunnBoy's. For the size system you're contemplating I would go with 3 SunnyBoy 6000TL-US-22 or even 5000TL .

Regarding panels, Right now the biggest bank for the buck is about 250 W Poly Panels from companies like Hyndai, LG, Phono Solar, Solar World. It all depends on what you can get the best buy one and like the appearance of.

Andy

NABCEP Certified Installation Professional
Solar Design Engineer

[deck60]

what are good panels for the money

and what inverters are the most reliable

[deck60]

I looked at my bill before work today and it is 1700kw and in January it was 1985

it looks like I need 13-15kw

I live on a farm so it is not just a house that I am feeding

thanks Dennis