SolarWorld vs LG

[J.P.M.]

I'm looking at the two data sheets for those panels and based on that somewhat limited data, I'm having a hard time understanding how one panel can have more impact resistance than the other in a predictive sense.

Perhaps the only clue for me might be that the Solarworld panel weighs about 2.7# more than the LG, or maybe about 5% more on an area basis. Since the glass thickness is not listed in either one and the framing seems perhaps a bit beefier on the LG, than on the Solarworld, maybe the Solarworld uses slightly thicker glass, but not much. If there is a better impact resistance, it may also have something to do with the fixation and rigidity (or flexibility) of the attachment methods of the glass to the framing or the distance of the glass to the surface - less allowing less glazing deflection, although I'd wonder how much effect such a distance has on impact failure mechanics.

Or, it just might be the luck of the draw on some ball strike velocity, trajectory and panel strike location. Sometimes, and under some loading conditions that are impact in nature, failures of brittle materials have some of the uncertainty characteristics of something called Euler buckling, referring to sudden, somewhat unpredictable and usually catastrophic failure of long, slender columns under various types of compressive loadings.

That's nice and academic, but mostly and probably absolutely useless for the OP's situation. I live about 100 ft. +/- from a tee box and sympathize. I could certainly be wrong, but I'm not sure a wholesale replacement of one panel to the will result in noticeably fewer failures due to ball strikes. Tough call.

[albert436]

Hypothetical question -- if you didn't live near a golf course/baseballfield/etc., would you still think it worthwhile to install Solarworld rather than LG?

Just curious.

[chr2002ca]

Great story.

Would netting be an option? I just googled 'invisible golf ball net' and got a hit or two.

Unfortunately no. There is no way to erect any sort of netting/fence on the perimeter of our property as it would have to be way too tall and would be an absolute eyesore. Placing a netting over top of the panels(maybe 8"-12" above the panels) would reduce their output and would also be an eyesore for us because our solar panels are at the front of our home and clearly visible from curbside and to anybody who visits the home. I'll give these SolarWorld panels a shot and see how it goes and report back.

[DanKegel]

I'm investigating a bulk trade-in right now with him because I can't be paying for LG panel replacements 2-3 times a year.

Great story.

Would netting be an option? I just googled 'invisible golf ball net' and got a hit or two.

[chr2002ca]

I live in the Carlsbad area of San Diego and I'm about 180 yards from a tee box along a golf course. We have a golf ball fall out of the sky and land in our yard or on our roof about once a day. They come in at a pretty good rate of speed. Our solar panels are mounted on the opposite side of the house and at a light down angle facing away from the incoming angle of the balls, but that really doesn't matter obviously. I just had a golf ball crack one of my LG 295N1C-A3 panels this weekend. Because the glass is sealed to the solar cells, you have to replace the whole panel when this happens. We just purchased the home 6 months ago and I found my paperwork and called the company that installed my system. They mentioned that they just replaced 2 of the panels on this home right before it went up for sale 8 months ago, so this frequency of damage and replacement is absurd. He said he warned the previous owner not to install the LG's due to the home's location and instead to use SolarWorld panels because their much more durable, but the previous owner didn't listen. I'm investigating a bulk trade-in right now with him because I can't be paying for LG panel replacements 2-3 times a year. The SolarWorld durability demo on YouTube convinced me. SolarWorld panels do come in black. I'll most likely be going with the 280s. There is a light drop in power there from my 295s, but we're overproducing right now anyways ever since we got rid of our spa so it's not an issue. If one of the SolarWorld panels crack due to a golf ball, I'll post again here and let everyone know.

[Ian S]

LG touts their lightweight panels. Maybe resistance to golf balls is a tradeoff for that.

[Alisobob]

ryan 3.jpg

My installer Ryan, with the Solar World 270 Watt Mono / Black


sw8.JPGsw9.JPGsw10.JPG

Installed

[SoCalsolar]

SolarWorld vs a Golf Ball

Don't know for sure but the below video maybe responsible for this statement. It's fun and it shows the black framed panels up close.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6v2lDa8Hos

The bank ability of SW is unsure. No manufacturer's future is guaranteed but as I have seen suggested in other posts to pick an installer that does work other than solar work, it may be wise to choose a manufacturer that is diversified as well. Have you seen this yet?

[Bikerscum]

The frames on my LG300's are black, but the backs are white, hence the white "diamonds" you see on the front/top.

[thejq]

Some websites call the LG 300 "black" and say a black frame but the surface looks latticed. Maybe we need some clarification or understanding of what "black" means in terms of solar panels.

When I said "black", I meant the frame and back which is the part you see when you look up. It's purely cosmetic and personal choice, IMO. I think SolarWorld also makes black frames, but at a slight cost premium. I have yet to see one installed or quoted near me.

The surface color is mostly determined by the silicon material. Both LG300 and W275 uses mono-Si so the color and shape should be the same. Some use poly-Si which has a blue tint to it. Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monocry...vs_mono-Si.png

[J.P.M.]

I wasn't aware LG made any all black 300w panels?

Some websites call the LG 300 "black" and say a black frame but the surface looks latticed. Maybe we need some clarification or understanding of what "black" means in terms of solar panels.

[Bikerscum]

I'm pretty sure LG makes more than just all black 300W modules, and Solarworld makes more than just silver 275's.

I wasn't aware LG made any all black 300w panels?

[sensij]

Really? Same price? which models? When I was looking, LG 300 was about 25c/W more than SolarWorld W275. Right now it's more like 30c+/W. Besides bankability, LG 300 also has higher efficiency and positive tolerance (wattage is always higher than rated). Not to mention, LG 300 won the 2012 Intersolar award, and is the ONLY certified carbon free solar manufacture (more for bragging right than anything). Being all black, the LG also looks better. The wattage also matches perfectly with my inverter of choice, SE with P300 optimizer. To me it was worth the premium.

PM sent.

I'm pretty sure LG makes more than just all black 300W modules, and Solarworld makes more than just silver 275's. For any specific model, given its electrical characteristics, its performance can be modeled in your location. For the most part, models with a similar rating will perform similarly. 300W are a relatively benign up-sell for most people... if you have enough space, you can typically save a few dollars by selecting a module with a lower rating and just putting up more of them.

Degradation over time is another factor to consider, and there isn't very much to go on besides the performance warranty that come with the module. For most of the product range, SolarWorld and LG offer the same degradation rates.

Perceived differences in warranty support are often difficult to support with actual data, and failure rates for "tier 1" panels are generally very low. SolarWorld went on the offensive last year claiming a difference between their rates and the lower tier panels, but did not provide a specific comparison. One organization has attempted to quantify panel quality, and has published a paper describing their technique conceptually. Whether or not those ratings will be meaningful in any particular installation is hard to say.

[J.P.M.]

Good point, I don't like on a golf course. And ha ha on the chicken wire!

A different installer did say that the panels are pretty comparable in build... that the SunWorld is slightly heavier and possibly has a more solid frame.

I took it as a forgone conclusion that of the two LG as a well-diversified multi-billion dollar corporation would definitely be around to back their warranty... but that SunWorld is questionable as they have had considerable financial troubles in the past.

The chicken wire does sound funny but was not entirely a joke. One local resident is across the street and about 150 yds. downcourse from a tee box. That resident has a (painted ) gray framed solar water heater (~ 64 ft^2) on a gray tile roof with chicken over the glazing supported by 1" X 1" X 6" metal angles, also painted gray (steel I'd assume given the slight rust weeps). Sounds weird, but it is really sort of difficult to see. I think the chicken wire gets replaced every few yrs. His array got grandfathered in before the CC & R's caught up with solar equipment some years back, but given how it looks (or doesn't look ) it might pass muster today. I don't know how practical such an arrangement would be for larger arrays however.

[thejq]

Thanks for the reply, I'm really glad I found this forum. I know I talked to one installer about the cost difference between the LG and SolarWorld and he was happy to do either and said the price would be the same.

My last plea was for installer recommendations in the San Diego area, I was hoping you would pm one. =)

Really? Same price? which models? When I was looking, LG 300 was about 25c/W more than SolarWorld W275. Right now it's more like 30c+/W. Besides bankability, LG 300 also has higher efficiency and positive tolerance (wattage is always higher than rated). Not to mention, LG 300 won the 2012 Intersolar award, and is the ONLY certified carbon free solar manufacture (more for bragging right than anything). Being all black, the LG also looks better. The wattage also matches perfectly with my inverter of choice, SE with P300 optimizer. To me it was worth the premium.

PM sent.