Hi all
Looking to get some solar panels installed at home and have had various quotes.
Due to size of roof, it looks like I can only get 3kw system. Roof is south facing.
I have been told best option for me would be
8 x 250w Hyundai photovoltaic panels,
5 x 218w Hyundai panels
Samil 4000TL Inverter
Has anyone any experience of these? Are they good brands in solar industry? Is the system listed any good?
Tried to do some research but so many facts and figures, I am not sure what I'm looking at
Thanks
A friend of mine runs this company and they're not far from you:
http://www.thephoenixworks.com/
quote:
Originally posted by JonnyS
A friend of mine runs this company and they're not far from you:
http://www.thephoenixworks.com/
look into the lifespan of the inverters and cost of replacement before you go down the dark road.
quote:
Originally posted by ashg
look into the lifespan of the inverters and cost of replacement before you go down the dark road.
BE CAREFULL!!
quote:
Originally posted by steve8274
quote:
Originally posted by ashg
look into the lifespan of the inverters and cost of replacement before you go down the dark road.
The samil inverter has a warranty of 10 years. Not sure on replacement costs
I had a 4kW installatiion put in 15 months ago (Nov '11). I would point out that it would not have made any economic sense without the daftly
high level of government subsidy (now reduced), but obviously the cost of panels has dropped dramatically in that time, I paid £10k for my
installation, I would imagine for a 3kW install at todays price you're looking at around £4?
My roof faces approx SW, not ideal; more to the point it is in shade due to large trees for substantial chunks of the day - even so I felt it was
worth a go as the returns were so high & I've not been disappointed. In the first full year the panels have generated over 2000kW of power,
I've already had cheques thro' for around £1000 (10% of initial investment) + over £200 off my electricity bill last year so I'm a
happy bunny - can't think of anywhere else you can get a TAX FREE return of 12% on your capital nowadays!
That said it only works if you have the cash to pay for it currently earning peanuts in the bank & you're happy to be living in the same
place for the next few years at least until it has paid for itself.
I have a friend up in Newcastle who has an East/West installation, again far from ideal & he's way further north than me, but he's
generated more power than I have simply because he doesn't get the shadow across his roof that I do, so if you're anywhere south of
Newcastle your 3kW installation would probs supply as much as my 4kW install, you will however only be getting the new lower tariffs in terms of
return.
In terms of the quality of what is out there, it all has to meet the government criteria & is guaranteed for 25 years (on a reducing basis), yes
the inverter is "only" guaranteed for 10 years but they are specified to take the max power the panels can produce, which will probably
never actually happen for more than a few minutes at a time so are way over specified in terms of capacity, as they are solid state there's not
much to go wrong, but as with everything in solar at present prices will only come down (or inflation go up whilst they stay static) so I doubt an
inverter would be more than £800 in real terms in say 12 years time if it packed up & if the next one is also guaranteed for 10 years & lasts
12 then your installation is by then at the end of its life anyway
I would ask to speak to previous clients of the company to see what their experience of install has been like & obviously google them to see if
anyone is dissing them on forums etc.
Is it practical yet to buy the panels and inverter and install it yourself ? I can't abide the idea of wasting money paying someone to do a basic engineering job i could do myself.
Thanks for the responses. All greatly received.
@ashg I take on board the cost of replacing inverter. It was one of the reasons the company offered the samil one with its manufacturers 10 year
warranty. Apparently some others only offer 5 years
@evonigel. Be careful of what? More info needed
@russbost. Great info. Thanks. My roof is south facing with no shading and I am in northwest so I should get a good result.
Have seen the companies work and it looks good. In fact 2 people from work have used them and they very happy so far. Although I must add, different
panels and inverter. They both have 4 kw system cos they had space and the panels used on theirs wouldn't fit on mine. Or they would but would
end up with less than 3kw
I suppose I should trust the companies judgement since they should know more than me. Just wanted to know if anyone had experiences of the equipment
recommended for me.
quote:
Originally posted by Not Anumber
Is it practical yet to buy the panels and inverter and install it yourself ? I can't abide the idea of wasting money paying someone to do a basic engineering job i could do myself.
quote:
Originally posted by steve8274
quote:
Originally posted by Not Anumber
Is it practical yet to buy the panels and inverter and install it yourself ? I can't abide the idea of wasting money paying someone to do a basic engineering job i could do myself.
Not so sure of that and definitely don't think Missus would allow it. Plus thought you had to have it installed by accredited companies in order to get the feed in tariff etc
All the equipment and the installer have to be approved by the MCS otherwise you cannot claim tariffs.
MCS- microgeneration certification scheme.
Anyone know of installers that will certify an adequate DIY installation - my experience has been that plenty of gas fitters and electricians are happy to inspect and certify for a fee.