Where can i buy a pallet of canadian cs6p-265p-sd smart panels?

[Hillsider]

I had nearly finished my design of a 7.32KW system, based on 24 LG305W Neon panels, on a 5-Panel per section Powers Solar Frame Ballasted ground mount, when I noticed that Canadian Solar has announced ( October, 2015 ) as series of 260/265 poly panels,with integral SolarEdge optimizers. I wound prefer to use these panels, as that would eliminate my having to fab-up custom brackets for the SE P320 optimizers ( and eliminate the problem of including non-listed parts in the design ). I have no doubt that the product actually exists, but I cannot submit the plans and apply for a solar permit, until I have an accurate pricing figure for the system. Does anyone on this forum know who is repping this product? I have contacted Canadian Solar Customer Service twice, requesting the product status, but so far no reply. Searches on the "usual" panel-store sites have produced no hits. How about you Amy@altE? You post here frequently?

[Amy@altE]

Wow, I haven't had a chance to be on here in a very long time, I just happened to pop on today and see this. Yes, we're working out details with Canadian Solar right now, they should be available here in January. Here's their details of the solar panel + DC Optimizer, http://www.canadiansolar.com/solar-p...cs6p-p-sd.html I don't have access to pricing yet.

[sensij]

Interesting product. It looks like these OPJ300-LV optimizers will do some amount of optimization (panel level MPPT) no matter what inverter is installed. Parallel strings of different lengths are not recommended unless a SolarEdge inverter is also used, so you aren't getting the constant voltage inverter input unless you stay within the SolarEdge universe.

[Amy@altE]

Also if using a non-SolarEdge inverter, you need to get the "SolarEdge Safety & Monitoring Interface" for safety (I'm guessing rapid shutdown) and monitoring. Again, I don't have pricing yet, but if I were them, I'd be pricing it so that it didn't make sense not to use their inverter.

[solarix]

Man, don't do the built-in inverter AC panels. If you have any problems with the inverters, you now have to replace the panel. I know of one guy here that used these (Canadian Solar in fact, but with a different brand inverter) and had so many failures he is threatening to sue them. Canadian Solar had big problems with their first try at AC panels. I have come to believe that the number one consideration with solar inverters is reliability, reliability, reliability. The pain of installing a few simple brackets is far less than the problems you could have with inverter failures on AC panels.

[sensij]

Man, don't do the built-in inverter AC panels. If you have any problems with the inverters, you now have to replace the panel. I know of one guy here that used these (Canadian Solar in fact, but with a different brand inverter) and had so many failures he is threatening to sue them. Canadian Solar had big problems with their first try at AC panels. I have come to believe that the number one consideration with solar inverters is reliability, reliability, reliability. The pain of installing a few simple brackets is far less than the problems you could have with inverter failures on AC panels.

These aren't AC panels. However, your point sort of applies to built in optimizers, although the failure modes and rates will probably be different.

[Hillsider]

My design/plans include the SE7600A-US inverter, as well as SE optimizers. I definitely need panel-level MPPT optimizing, as I have a significant winter ( also early=spring, late-fall ) shading problem. Unlike many roof-top installs, that have hard-shade patterns from adjacent structural elements, my shade is "filtered", due to a row of tall trees along my southern ridgeline. Individual panels will get mottled ( mosaic ) shading as the sun passes east-to-west. With a ground mount I am not subject to the new rapid shutdown requirement. My understanding of the junction-box configuration, in which the embedded optimizer is housed, is that the OP electronics can be easily replaces in the box via pass-through connectors, in the event of failure. As my design calls for a 28 panel array, I am somewhat concerned that initial shipments of the CS6P-265P-SD panels will only be available as 26-panel pallets. Even so, I would expect that individual panels will be available by mid 2016, at which time I can easily add two more, one to each of the two parallel DC strings.

[Amy@altE]

Interesting product. It looks like these OPJ300-LV optimizers will do some amount of optimization (panel level MPPT) no matter what inverter is installed. Parallel strings of different lengths are not recommended unless a SolarEdge inverter is also used, so you aren't getting the constant voltage inverter input unless you stay within the SolarEdge universe.

I just got more information from Canadian Solar on their smart panels with built in DC optimizers. In the USA, they must be used with SolarEdge inverters. The module to allow them to be used with non-SolarEdge inverters will not be available in the USA. I'm meeting in person with Canadian Solar next week. If anyone has any questions they want answered about the panels, please let me know before 1/21/16.

[Hillsider]

I just got more information from Canadian Solar on their smart panels with built in DC optimizers. In the USA, they must be used with SolarEdge inverters. The module to allow them to be used with non-SolarEdge inverters will not be available in the USA. I'm meeting in person with Canadian Solar next week. If anyone has any questions they want answered about the panels, please let me know before 1/21/16.

Glad to hear you are meeting with Canadian Solar next week. I have collected "all" the PDFs available online related to the subject panels, as well as the explanatory PDF documents provided by Solaredge that explain their optimizer/inverter system design theory,& I feel that I have a good enough understanding of the power-processing sequence ( I am a retired Electrical/Electronics Engineer ) to design my solar project using the Canadian panels & Solaredge inverter. My main concern is that the "novelty" of this system will baffle the plan-checkers & inspectors in my AHJ ( Los Angeles County ), as they will be used to the electrical adjustment values & methods detailed in the 2011 National Electrical Code. It would be most helpful, if Canadian Solar & SolerEdge could collaborate & prepare a "White Paper" in PDF format, that reconciles the input current & voltage values of the combined panel/optimizer unit & it's output values, with the individual values of the comparable CS6P panels & solaredge P300 optimizers. Panel Voc & Isc values for individual panels are missing on the CS6P-265P-SD data sheet, & since these values are used to adjust system parameters, the plan-checker may conclude that the panels are not acceptable, even though they are listed on California's CSI database. In the absence of a comprehensive paper, I will submit my "data collection" with my plan, and attempt to tie it together myself.

Thanks for the help,

Garry S.

[sensij]

I'm not sure I see any difference between this integrated panel and a system based designed with standard panels and optimizers. The data sheet does show the Voc, so really the Isc is the only value that would typically be included in the plans that isn't readily available. The max output of 60 V and 15 A is identical to what the standard optimizers put out, and are the more important numbers for conductor sizing.

SolarEdge does actually have a white paper describing how they interpret their system with the 2011 NEC, although ultimately, satisfying your AHJ will be necessary.

[Hillsider]

I'm not sure I see any difference between this integrated panel and a system based designed with standard panels and optimizers. The data sheet does show the Voc, so really the Isc is the only value that would typically be included in the plans that isn't readily available. The max output of 60 V and 15 A is identical to what the standard optimizers put out, and are the more important numbers for conductor sizing.

SolarEdge does actually have a white paper describing how they interpret their system with the 2011 NEC, although ultimately, satisfying your AHJ will be necessary.

You are correct on all counts. I should have said "the Voc value on the data sheet, which pertains to the panel ( as a separate component ) tends to be confused by including it on the same sheet as the voltage range ( 5-60 VDC ) which pertains to the output of the combined panel/optimizer". As you said, the optimizer output voltage range is the only parameter necessary to correctly size the system conductors. The documents you refer to are part of the data-package I have attached to my plan, as well as an additional technical note issued by SolarEdge, detailing how the voltages of individual panels/optimizers are derived, when one panel in a string is shaded. Since I reside in Un-incorporated Los Angeles County, I am obliged to submit my plans online in PDF format, so my chance of corresponding with an actual human are close to zero. Hence, my concern that the package be as "self-tutorial" as possible.

[Amy@altE]

Great input guys, I'll pass it on.

[Amy@altE]

If you want more information about the Canadian Solar Smart Module, my interview with Canadian Solar's Technical Product Manager is on YouTube. Search for "Canadian Solar CS6P-P-SD SMART MODULE Interview ".

[Hillsider]

I checked out the YouTube video -- very informative, particularly the demo on replacing a defective OPJ300-LV optimizer. Most folks on this forum think it is a good idea to acquire one or two spare optimizers, in case they are discontinued in the future. Since the OPJ300 is listed as an embedded unit, I am wondering if it will also be available as an off-the-shelf spare? Any info on that Amy?