Hyundai vs LG vs Sunpower

[SunEagle]

the issue here is - what level of RS is required? If it's 2014 NEC then shutting down wires coming off array was good enough. If it's post 2017 (I don't know exact requirement timeline) then RS is required at the module level. Looking at the latest fire rage here in OC leaves me wondering why someone would give ... about RSS of any kind, those houses were just burned to the ground without anyone climbing any roofs. I do get it- SoCal is not the whole US but sometimes I get a feeling these regulations go over board.

So the question I ask, is RSS worth the trouble and cost to everyone just to save the life of one First Responder?

I will continue with another question, is it worth the inconvenience to a homeowner to not get power from their PV system if the grid goes down due to a grid tie inverter shutting down to protect a POCO worker from getting electrocuted?

Simple answer for me is Yes to both questions.

[DrLumen]

the issue here is - what level of RS is required? If it's 2014 NEC then shutting down wires coming off array was good enough. If it's post 2017 (I don't know exact requirement timeline) then RS is required at the module level. Looking at the latest fire rage here in OC leaves me wondering why someone would give ... about RSS of any kind, those houses were just burned to the ground without anyone climbing any roofs. I do get it- SoCal is not the whole US but sometimes I get a feeling these regulations go over board.

I agree they sometimes go overboard. Typical of any government agency, they are paranoid and try to target the absolute worst case in every situation. I figured with the regulation floating around out there that I would try to future proof my system. It didn't cost me anything extra so there was no reason or incentive to not do it.

[max2k]

Granted that rapid shutdown may not be part of the current electrical code requirements but I went ahead with a system compatible with RS. Electrical codes are usually grandfathered but it is not unusual for the fire dept to enforce new code changes across the board. They won't grandfather some things - at least not around here.

the issue here is - what level of RS is required? If it's 2014 NEC then shutting down wires coming off array was good enough. If it's post 2017 (I don't know exact requirement timeline) then RS is required at the module level. Looking at the latest fire rage here in OC leaves me wondering why someone would give ... about RSS of any kind, those houses were just burned to the ground without anyone climbing any roofs. I do get it- SoCal is not the whole US but sometimes I get a feeling these regulations go over board.

[J.P.M.]

Your overall cost seems high for San Diego. I just completed a 5.5kw system install 2 months ago. Contact me privately and I can share my numbers.

I went with Sunline. They should be able to beat those offers (unless you have a complicated install) if you give them a shot.

858-252-2280, ask for the Matt, the owner, to quote you. I'm "key" btw and they completed my install about 2 months back, not that the price would be any different.

Any chance you're in line for a referral fee ?

[DrLumen]

Granted that rapid shutdown may not be part of the current electrical code requirements but I went ahead with a system compatible with RS. Electrical codes are usually grandfathered but it is not unusual for the fire dept to enforce new code changes across the board. They won't grandfather some things - at least not around here.

[sensij]

Something changed recently with the PM system? I recall I was able to PM before.

PM system has not been active in several years. There is a "visitor message" system, but it is public.

[inspron]

The forum PM system is not active. You are encouraged to share your numbers publicly, and if your installer has a solarreviews.com page, post it here.

Something changed recently with the PM system? I recall I was able to PM before.

[sensij]

Your overall costs seems high for San Diego. I just completed a 5.5kw system install 2 months ago. Contact me privately and I can share my numbers.

The forum PM system is not active. You are encouraged to share your numbers publicly, and if your installer has a solarreviews.com page, post it here.

[inspron]

Hello,

I am considering solar at my House in San Diego. I got a couple of quotes from some reputable installers for a 6.5kW system:

1. Solar Panels: Sunpower E20 327W
Inverters : Sunpower built-in micro inverters
Cost: $3.35/W
Warranty: 25 years on panels and Inverters

2. Solar Panels: Hyundai HIS-S290RG-BF
Inverters : SolarEdge - SE7600A-US
Cost: $2.9/W
Warranty: 25 yrs on panel/12 yrs on inverter


I am in the proess of getting another quote on LG panels and I am estimating they will come somewhere arounf $3/kW. My instinct is to go with Hyundai panels due to cost but I do unsderstand that they offer lower effeciency in the long runcompared to Sunpower. My questions are:

- Any feedback on Hyundai panels?
- Are sunpower panels worth the higher cost?
- Is warranty and effeciency is a real concern? Sunpwoer apparently offer warranty on service too (whereas LG and Hyundai do not)
- Do microinverters offer any real advantage over Solaredge inverters apart from aesthetics (no panel for microinverters)?

Thank you in advance!

Your overall cost seems high for San Diego. I just completed a 5.5kw system install 2 months ago. Contact me privately and I can share my numbers.

I went with Sunline. They should be able to beat those offers (unless you have a complicated install) if you give them a shot.

858-252-2280, ask for the Matt, the owner, to quote you. I'm "key" btw and they completed my install about 2 months back, not that the price would be any different.

[emartin00]

No one is subject to 2017 RSS requirements yet. The requirements don't take effect until 2019, even if you have adopted the latest code.

[max2k]

Huh? Orange County's code page suggests they adopted NEC, 2014 edition.

my bad, thanks for correction. The point I was trying to make- it is not subject to 2017 RSS requirements yet.

[Mike90250]

Most installers are moving away from standard string inverters these days. Microinverters or optimizers are a much easier way to comply with rapid shutdown requirements.

Cheap and easy for them, they are not going to be around in 3 years when repairs are needed. The middle panels run the hottest, and those are the modules that will fail first, so you have to remove 2 or 3 panels to get to the dead unit. Any original savings is now lost.
Not a good idea in the long term.

[J.P.M.]

you are good BTW, it provides follow up employment to the company as well, future proofing their business: just installing solar is working on the shrinking market but if you got big enough customer base you could live off the maintenance. From this point of view there's no reason for installer to use most reliable design/components- just 'reliable enough' so to visit their customers once a year or so.

Well, good is a relative term and a long, boring story. If you mean good in the sense I've seen/learned enough from 10 + yrs. in a prior iteration of life as a peddler before re-education (and a pay cut BTW) to engineering to know some tricks and be able to think outside the box on ways to spot opportunity to game a system, so be it. But, part of the trick of peddling is keep your integrity while not becoming a complete cynic about humanity. That's always a work in progress.

[sensij]

correct, it depends on location. Orange County CA is still on 2008 NEC. When they switch to 2017 only new installations or major changes to the existing installations requiring new permits will be subject to 2017 requirements.

Huh? Orange County's code page suggests they adopted NEC, 2014 edition.

[max2k]

That does not fully meet NEC 2017 RSS though, and only shuts down the conductors leaving the array.
Primarily why SMA purchased tigo optimizers is to fully meet NEC 2017.

correct, it depends on location. Orange County CA is still on 2008 NEC. When they switch to 2017 only new installations or major changes to the existing installations requiring new permits will be subject to 2017 requirements.