The material quality and construction of S.P. panels are very good, and I don't believe anyone is disputing that, particularly me................................... That Sunpower panels may be the best performing may, IMO, need a bit of further definition. In terms of panel failure, there may be some OBJECTIVE analysis that shows they fail less, or that they are more conservatively rated in terms of power output or efficiency, or other parameters dealing with reliability, when compared to other panels, but I'll need to plead ignorance on the existence of such information. I've not seen such information............................. Until I do, I'll continue to observe the ~~1,200 panels in my HOA that I watch like a hawk, and note that, to the best of my knowledge, no panel failures have occurred after 6+ years of watching, S.P. or anyone else's. I've not seen it..................................... As far as best performing from a COST/most bang for the buck standpoint, usually S.P. paneled systems are way down at or close t the bottom of that list (where the HIGHEST cost/delivered Watt is.). An objective cost analysis using realistic parameters will likely show that Sunpower equipped systems often and usually produce electricity at a leveled cost well above that of most other systems using other equally fit for purpose, quality panels, and also above POCO supplied power, sometimes by a fair amount. I also appreciate, perhaps better than some, that the parameters chosen for such an analysis can and often are changed depending on circumstances, but while some adjustment for the application and situation is usually appropriate and indeed necessary, the flip side is that such parameters can also be used to prove anything anyone wants to prove. At this time, I can probably make a system costing $7/Watt cost effective if I use a 25 year time span and 6%/year electricity rate inflation or other #'s that don't hold up to the common sense sniff test......................... Sunpower has a small manufacturing facility in Malpitas, CA. The bulk of their manufacturing takes place in the Philippines, So. Africa and other non U.S. locations. Sunpower itself is 55 % owned by the French Energy (oil) company Total ...........................It is indeed everyone's choice to do what they want and I'm usually among the first to support that choice. As usual, I only suggest that folks walk in well informed, with their eyes open............................ Makes no difference to me if someone wants to supply power to their home by building their own generating station powered by steam made by burning $100 bills. Just don't expect me to believe it's cost effective........................ Having been around alternate energy for better than half my life, and designed more than a few conventional energy systems for industrial, chemical, refinery and power applications, I'm of the opinion (only) that if more folks knew some of what I think I might know, there would be fewer and smaller PV systems on roofs, and, while glorying in the freedom to make any choice wanted, but basing a decision on economics ALONE, of those systems that did exist, a lot fewer would be Sunpower equipped........................
Take what you want of the above. Scrap the rest.
Take what you want of the above. Scrap the rest.
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