Lowest cost per watt, PSI rankings be damned?

[Beachsolar]

How concerned should I be about a lower rated panel on the PSI rankings?

The two options I'm presently considering here in NJ are $2.95/watt for Canadian Solar BlueJay CS6K-255-260P panels, or $3.25/watt for LG 315s. Everything else except number of panels stays the same (same installer, optimizers, inverter, etc.).

Would you avoid the Canadian Solar panels since they are near the bottom of the PSI list (most similar one is ranked #144), or is that list not that useful for deciding between systems?

A third option would be Winaico WSP-300M6 panels for somewhere in between those two prices (no specific quote yet).

Admin note, deleted the link as not sure about these guys

[silversaver]

I would rather pay a little more and get the LG315. Less panels and less weight, which mean less leaking points and leave space for future expansion if needed.

PS.

The newer panel will have lesser degrading, lower temp coef and better power tolerance that result in more power output . That is pretty common for almost all the panels.

[DanKegel]

I don't understand it myself.

All of those panels are in the top 97th percentile of the database (according to the right-hand column), so it's probably not trying to say the cs6k's are that bad.

http://www.principalsolarinstitute.o...ingsSystem.pdf doesn't really explain what their rating system does. It seems to be secret. Anyone know what that number (11.57 for their top-ranked panel) actually means?

[DaveDE2]

This is the first time I've seen this. Somebody help me out here. The Principal Solar Instute (PSI) gives a PSI rating on the LEP (Lifetime Energy Production) of solar modules but I can't for the life of me find what the LEP for particular modules is on their website or how exactly they go about determining that.

[DaveDE2]

DanKegal beat me to the post and following his link, I see that the PSI rating does include most of the factors that affect LEP. What is missing here though is how PSI relates to LEP ie; if the PSI for your modules is 90% of the top brand, does that mean that the top brand will out produce your module by 10% over 25 years?

[FFE]

I noticed that they include Total Area Efficiency in the PSI rankings. It doesn't seem like that should be included. That would just effect the number of panels installed. It would also give certain companies a higher rating that would have nothing to do with LEP.

[inetdog]

I noticed that they include Total Area Efficiency in the PSI rankings. It doesn't seem like that should be included. That would just effect the number of panels installed. It would also give certain companies a higher rating that would have nothing to do with LEP.

I mostly agree with you on that. But for some people (with limited panel installation space) high TAE really does provide a benefit. It just does not seem fair to include it, even at a low multiplier, in the general rankings.

[sensij]

I looked closely at PSI ratings when I was shopping. For me, based on what I understand of how the ratings work, I deemed anything above the 85th percentile as good enough to put on my roof. Beyond that, a black frame was the only concession I made to $/W, and my Canadian Solar panels are performing through the first year as well as I think any of the others would (PVOutput comparisons support this).

[J.P.M.]

Without further information about how their rating system and some explanation of how it works and how it's constructed, I wouldn't be able to put any faith in PSI or it's rating system. They may be legit, but to me they have the look and feel of a bunch of carny barkers who prey on the solar ignorant.

[solarix]

I've installed more Canadian Solar panels than anything else (Thousands), and like them very much.
Did have one fail due to fractured glass, but that may have been our fault.
They pretty much ignored our warranty claim anyway.

[skellig]

Also in NJ. Would you mind sharing the names of the companies you are getting estimates from?

[cebury]

I've installed more Canadian Solar panels than anything ...
They pretty much ignored our warranty claim anyway.

Ouch that's not a good sign for us Canadian Solar panel owners when an installer who uses their product can't get communication back.

[sensij]

Ouch that's not a good sign for us Canadian Solar panel owners when an installer who uses their product can't get communication back.

Just one failure in thousands installed doesn't sound bad to me. With panels so cheap, the warranties are almost useless anyway... even if you could prove a claim, shipping and replacement costs probably make just buying a new panel the least expensive way to go.

[kommong2]

I just had a good LG300 and enphase system installed here in NJ and waiting for utility company to replace meter. If you need more info about my system then let me know.

[Beachsolar]

kommong2, could you please let me know who your installer was? How pleased were you with their work? Thanks.

[kommong2]

hi Beachsolar I am Sanjay. I am pleased with their work and my system. Dan is a very good guy at sun101. Don't know if solarpaneltalk would let me send my installer link but you can ask for Dan on Sun101. Don't know if I can post pictures of my installation or my contact info.

[Beachsolar]

Thanks kommong2. I will look into them. I almost pulled the trigger a few months back with a different installer but I got delayed for unrelated reasons. Now I'm wondering if prices have come down even more compared to earlier this year and whether it's worth getting a whole new round of price quotes.