Are the LG 305w worth an extra $0.30/watt than Solar world 280w?

[solar_newbie]

thanks I didn't know that. for my size system it's about $750 to extend the warranty. It's probably worth it but in today's market not matching comparable warranty tells u something about the company. The only thing that's keeping me back from Enphase is the 250w vs the higher wattage of Solaredge

It is hard to say You might lose some while working in perfect lab environment. 1000w sun light and 25 degree and direct hit. I do not see it outside unless you install on a rack and measure 100% right on direction...

I would take the NOCT value as target ... it is quite match to the real world.

For NOCT, LG315 can product max of 230watt.

[ButchDeal]

thanks I didn't know that. for my size system it's about $750 to extend the warranty. It's probably worth it but in today's market not matching comparable warranty tells u something about the company. The only thing that's keeping me back from Enphase is the 250w vs the higher wattage of Solaredge

Most inverters are 10 rears standard. The solarEdge timizers have a 25 year warrant that covers labor, which is better than the enphase warrant which does not cover labor.

[Ashevillian]

$0.30 per watt is rather steep premium. I convinced my installer to open up on actual pricing. Difference between 305LGS and 275w SW was $0.18/watt. Push hard on the front end...ask what the actual labor is (my install, 48 panels...about 3K in labor). They only order the panels after you order...so no inventory. 30% mark up on the whole project is gouging. The deserve a far profit on the value (work) they bring to the project, which is the labor. Base the mark up against that, not the equipment cost.


FYI, there have been some bargains on the LG 300 AC modules. I was actually going with the SW panels, but when the installer went to order them a month or so , the price of the LG AC panels was less by$15/ panel than the SW w Solar edge optimizers and inverter. I was paying $2.92/w. After this, I am now at $2.62 (before tax credits).

So shop around...

[dannieboiz]

$0.30 per watt is rather steep premium. I convinced my installer to open up on actual pricing. Difference between 305LGS and 275w SW was $0.18/watt. Push hard on the front end...ask what the actual labor is (my install, 48 panels...about 3K in labor). They only order the panels after you order...so no inventory. 30% mark up on the whole project is gouging. The deserve a far profit on the value (work) they bring to the project, which is the labor. Base the mark up against that, not the equipment cost.


FYI, there have been some bargains on the LG 300 AC modules. I was actually going with the SW panels, but when the installer went to order them a month or so , the price of the LG AC panels was less by$15/ panel than the SW w Solar edge optimizers and inverter. I was paying $2.92/w. After this, I am now at $2.62 (before tax credits).

So shop around...

I don't think Californians are getting anywhere under $3/w. Labor here is just outrageous for everything. If the average is 3.30 to 3.70/w I'm ok with anything in between for the right company.

My price also include adding a sub panel or replacing an existing. Upgrading the main line would add too much cost. I have a 100amp main line.

[Ashevillian]

Initial quotes were in the $3.55/w to $3.80/w range....you need to push them to break down what is in the quote and then justify those costs. Its pretty easy to know what the major component cost. Don't let the sing that sad I have overhead song...what you pay for is their work and a fair profit on that. Its not your problem if they can't run their business efficiently. Shop around and compare. At $3.5/w, I had a 12 year payback...the installer was who was profiting on my capital. A $2.62/w I have an 8 year payback...still not great, but if the cells last 20 years I have an IRR around 10%, and installer still is making 100% on the actual costs they have.

[Ashevillian]

Do you have to feed into your panel? I know another option is to feed into the main feeding the panel...that is what i am doing as my feed is 60 amps, plus I have a odd set up..I have a generator system so I am feeding to the power company main before my breaker panels (I have 2 200 amp panels). This avoids issues with bus bar sizing, etc. A little more complicated. You have to have the power company cut off power to you when you make the tie in but avoids tying in through your panel then. Worth looking into rather than paying to upgrade your panel.

[SanDiego_installer]

System costs are already below $3/Watt on larger systems, on composition shingle roofs, using LG panels and SMA inverters. Chinese panels with Fronius inverters are cheaper yet. Larger systems are >9kW. Of course the sharks are still at +$4/Watt.

Keep in mind the Enphase 25 year warranty does not include labor. Every other inverter manufacturer includes labor. That is a huge red flag. Another red flag about Enphase is that they still lose money every quarter. I'm not rooting for them to fail, that would be bad for the industry. Just saying...

[dannieboiz]

System costs are already below $3/Watt on larger systems, on composition shingle roofs, using LG panels and SMA inverters. Chinese panels with Fronius inverters are cheaper yet. Larger systems are >9kW. Of course the sharks are still at +$4/Watt.

Keep in mind the Enphase 25 year warranty does not include labor. Every other inverter manufacturer includes labor. That is a huge red flag. Another red flag about Enphase is that they still lose money every quarter. I'm not rooting for them to fail, that would be bad for the industry. Just saying...

Thats good to know i think its more comforting if i went with soloredge