SunEdison panels any good?

[inetdog]

I love that. At their discretion they may send someone to repair a module on site under warranty instead of requiring you to ship it back. But if they do that they can then bill you for all of their expenses.

[sensij]

I can't find any current official document that states labor is included in the replacement warranty. In the latest http://www.solaredge.us/files/pdfs/s...ember-2014.pdf

That link is to an outdated document. The current warranty is here:

http://www.solaredge.us/files/pdfs/s...ember-2015.pdf

The relevant text hasn't changed. However, if an *installer* (like ButchDeal) is saying SolarEdge covers labor, it may very well be true. The warranty does also say:

All other costs, including, without limitation, travel and boarding costs of SolarEdge service personnel that are incurred for repairs of Products on-site, as well as costs related to buyer’s employees and contractors repair or replacement activities, are not covered by the Limited Warranty and, unless otherwise agreed in writing in advance by SolarEdge, shall be borne by the buyer.

which leaves open the possibility of supplemental agreements between SolarEdge and installers. The online installer support ticket process means SolarEdge can be made aware of every step of the troubleshooting and repair activity, and form ad hoc agreements in writing to compensate the installer for their labor. The limited warranty as it is written may not require this to happen, and it would be better if the warranty did, but for now, the actual experience of installers is the best info we have.

[solar pete]

Which is more reliable, an Enphase inverter under the shade of the panel OR the String inverter box on the side of your house sitting in the sun?

We generally find a way to install string inverters in the shade, sometimes its not possible but very rarely. The type of inverter one chooses is a matter of personal choice, that said I would estimate 90% of the actual solar-pro's on this forum will recommend a string inverter if shade on the panels is not an issue.

[thejq]

Sorry if I was a little obtuse. The point I was making is that enphase inverters are in the shade, while a string inverter box can sit in the sun.

Nothing lasts as long if it sits in the sun.

The micros are normally attached to the railings and relatively close to the solar panel if not touching. So even though it's in the shade, the operating temperature in a hot summer day is really high. This has contributed to the high failure rate of their 1st and 2nd gen products, but the current gen (and hopefully future ones) seems to be able to withstand the temperature much better. A central inverter can be located in the garage or under the shade at the side of house and operate in much cooler conditions. It's definitely not recommended to install them in direct sunlight.

[thejq]

I can't find the US version but there is a similar version of this:
https://www.solartradesales.co.uk/ca...ept-2014-7.pdf

they compensate the installer for the labor if it was installed by a certified installer, was monitored and solaredge called for the repair.

You could be right (I hope so, since I also have SE), but given the language in your linked document, one has to assume it only applies to a specific region somewhere in Europe, eg. needs to use "Fedex Hungary" and reimbursed in euros or pounds etc.

FYI, my installer also told me verbally that SE covers labor. So there's a good chance they do, but it's not written in anything official. Hence while hoping for the best, one also has to prepare for the worst.

[Yaryman]

the roof and the side will both have shade.

Sorry if I was a little obtuse. The point I was making is that enphase inverters are in the shade, while a string inverter box can sit in the sun.

Nothing lasts as long if it sits in the sun.

[ButchDeal]

I can't find any current official document that states labor is included in the replacement warranty. In the latest http://www.solaredge.us/files/pdfs/s...ember-2014.pdf, it says:

"Where SolarEdge decides to repair the Product or part(s), warranty coverage includes labor and material costs necessarily incurred to correct the Product defect; and where SolarEdge decides to replace the Product or part(s) to which the Limited Warranty applies, warranty coverage includes the cost of the replacement of the Product or part(s). "

So essentially, they will repair (part + labor) or replace it for free, but your installer has to obsorb the labor to take it down, send it in, and re-install. If it happens outside of your installer's warranty (normally 10 to 15 yrs) or installer bellied up, you're OOL.

I can't find the US version but there is a similar version of this:

https://www.solartradesales.co.uk/cache/downloads/SolarEdge-RMA-and-Labor-Compensation-Processes-Sept-2014-7.pdf

they compensate the installer for the labor if it was installed by a certified installer, was monitored and solaredge called for the repair.

[thejq]

Why would you pay out of pocket. SolarEdge optimizers are warrantied for 25 years and include labor.

I can't find any current official document that states labor is included in the replacement warranty. In the latest http://www.solaredge.us/files/pdfs/s...ember-2014.pdf, it says:

"Where SolarEdge decides to repair the Product or part(s), warranty coverage includes labor and material costs necessarily incurred to correct the Product defect; and where SolarEdge decides to replace the Product or part(s) to which the Limited Warranty applies, warranty coverage includes the cost of the replacement of the Product or part(s). "

So essentially, they will repair (part + labor) or replace it for free, but your installer has to obsorb the labor to take it down, send it in, and re-install. If it happens outside of your installer's warranty (normally 10 to 15 yrs) or installer bellied up, you're OOL.

[ButchDeal]

Yes, you're right. SE inverter + optimizer as a system will have per-panel monitoring/optimization. If one goes down, it doesn't take out the whole array (like a string inverter). But if it happens, you still have to replace it which can be expensive if you have to pay out-of-pocket.

Why would you pay out of pocket. SolarEdge optimizers are warrantied for 25 years and include labor.

[ButchDeal]

Doesnt solaredge inverter along with optimizers provide the same advantages as the enphase micros? With SE inverters and optimizers, we should be able to monitor individual panel performance and one panel malfunctioning does not take out the entire system, no?

yes.
Though a note. The SolarEdge optimizers are not optional with the solaredge inverter. The inverter does not have any MPPT on its own and requires the optimizers to function.

[thejq]

Doesnt solaredge inverter along with optimizers provide the same advantages as the enphase micros? With SE inverters and optimizers, we should be able to monitor individual panel performance and one panel malfunctioning does not take out the entire system, no?

Yes, you're right. SE inverter + optimizer as a system will have per-panel monitoring/optimization. If one goes down, it doesn't take out the whole array (like a string inverter). But if it happens, you still have to replace it which can be expensive if you have to pay out-of-pocket.

[ziggyziggy]

Doesnt solaredge inverter along with optimizers provide the same advantages as the enphase micros? With SE inverters and optimizers, we should be able to monitor individual panel performance and one panel malfunctioning does not take out the entire system, no?

[thejq]

A reputable string inverter is probably the most reliable and easiest to change if it was to break. Changing either a micro or optimizer can cost a lot of money if the installer's warranty doesn't cover it. If you don't have shading issue and/or don't care about per-panel monitoring and/or the best performance possible, you should be fine with central string inverter. Many people on this forum picked Enphase or SE even though they're not strictly required (myself included), because we are tech nerds, liked the technical aspect of per-panel optimization, and wanted the best performance possible, and share with friends or other forum members. As for Enphase vs SE, it's mostly personally preference. The current gen of Enphase (M250) has some disadvantage pairing with higher wattage panels. The newer S280 might or might not be commercially available yet. In any event, Enphase is a little shaky financially.

[ziggyziggy]

the roof and the side will both have shade.

[Yaryman]

Which is more reliable, an Enphase inverter under the shade of the panel OR the String inverter box on the side of your house sitting in the sun?