Cheap solar panels

[Naptown]

Thanks Russ & MarineLiner.

Yeah, it's frustrating when you see a great price but can't get enough info either way to have some confidence in a decision. Especially given the magnitude of the purchase.

My thoughts at this point based on the limited info available is that since DMSolar is now selling the Canadian Solar panels for nearly the same $$, why risk taking a chance on the newer, DMSolar brand panel? Even if the panels are made by the same manufacturer as Canadian Solar (or IS Canadian Solar), even if it was to better specs, these long term warranties are based on whoever's name is on the panel and DMSolar doesn't have much track record.

I think I'll start a new message thread soon asking for people's experience with Canadian Solar's reliability, if warranty is honored in a reasonable manner, and in general (non-brand-specific) what are the chances that any given solar panel that's working fine in the first couple years is likely to have issues long term.

The price saved up front by paying $1.85/watt would already start me off ahead by 5 panels. Ie, if 5 panels failed in the future AND I couldn't get warranty coverage, I wouldn't be any worse off than if I had bought the next best deal.

But what would make it more enticing is the (yet-to-be-verified) hope that my previously-fast-jack'ed roof setup can support the longer 280+ watt panels without shading/overlap issues. If so, the added savings per year by being able to use CSI 295 Watt panels would mean every two years I'd have saved myself enough $$ to cover an additional panel. Ie, six years from now, if *8* (25%+) of my total panels failed AND weren't covered by warranty, it still wouldn't have cost me more than going with the next best deal I've found (with more reputable Schott 230's). Seems like a good amount of buffer?

If you are concerned about warranty issues then look at Astronergy Modules.
These have the unique warranty in that it is insured by Deutsche RE a German insurance company.
The warranty on The Canadian Solar says to return them to China freight prepaid. I haven't had to do this. I have requested that they open a North American service center for warranty claims but nothing so far.
Most of the CS panels now are the new edge designed for the Zep mounting system.
Although they are back compatable to many mounting systems it would seem a waste of money to pay the additional for the new edge and then have to purchase another racking system. BTW the new edge modules are optimally mounted in a landscape orientation with the Zep mounting. Microinverters are a PITA with that system.
At that price it appears you are getting a close out on some older modules.

[Naptown]

DMSolar pricing seems pretty incredible: $1.80 - $1.85/watt for Canadian Solar or DMSolar's brand (which is basically built to their spec by the major Chinese producers, one of which is the builder of Canadian Solar panels) in 230w, 280w, and 295w panel sizing.

The 280w+ offerings are really enticing to me since I have limited roof space (based on panel width, not necessarily length) and a lot of energy needs .

Does anyone have any experience or educated thoughts regarding DMSolar and/or Canadian Solar with regards to if purchasing these panels through DMSolar is a reasonable choice or if it is likely to be a mistake?

Thanks!

If you are buying Canadian Solar at 1.80 a watt that is a very good price for a good panel. We have installed about 60KW of them and haven't had a single problem.

[solarsocal]

[QUOTE=MarineLiner;22012]

[MarineLiner]

I found no negative comments on a quick net search.

I have asked the same question on the forum before but no replies so apparently no one here has tried DMSolar.

Russ

[russ]

I found no negative comments on a quick net search.

I have asked the same question on the forum before but no replies so apparently no one here has tried DMSolar.

Russ

[solarsocal]

I have looked at this price comparison site from time to time.

http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels.htm

DMSolar pricing seems pretty incredible: $1.80 - $1.85/watt for Canadian Solar or DMSolar's brand (which is basically built to their spec by the major Chinese producers, one of which is the builder of Canadian Solar panels) in 230w, 280w, and 295w panel sizing.

The 280w+ offerings are really enticing to me since I have limited roof space (based on panel width, not necessarily length) and a lot of energy needs .

Does anyone have any experience or educated thoughts regarding DMSolar and/or Canadian Solar with regards to if purchasing these panels through DMSolar is a reasonable choice or if it is likely to be a mistake?

Thanks!

[raydias]

I have looked at this price comparison site from time to time.

http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels.htm

[Mike90250]

http://store.solar-electric.com/ is likely pretty close , and having ordered from them several times in the past, I trust them, they even have a brick & mortar store you can walk into.

[russ]

Depends on your location.

[waceycornia]

Where is the best place to find and buy solar panels?