Which Solar Panels Should I Get?

acinod on 09/12/2020 - 18:02
Last edited 09/12/2020 - 18:03

I've been getting solar quotes for my home and tossing up between a handful of options (also posted on whirlpool but didn't get much traction).

The first quote I got from Smart Energy Answers was $6.5k (after the VIC $1.85k rebate) and included:

  1. 11 x LG Mono X Plus 370W panels (LG370S1C-U6) or 4.07kW – 15 Year Warranty
  2. SolarEdge Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology (SE5000H-AU) – 4.985kW – 12 Year Warranty
  3. 11 x SolarEdge P505 Power Optimizer for higher current modules
  4. 10 Year Workmanship Guarantee
  5. 1 x Clenergy 'PV-ezRack' Mounting System – 10 year warranty

Replacing the LG panels with Canadian Solar (CS3L-370MS) saves me $587. However, the panels seem to have similar specs with the Canadian having slightly more module efficiency (20% vs LG's 19.8%) but 12 year warranty instead of 15.

Should I go with LG or Canadian?

I also got a separate quote from Clipsal which said that 11 panels was not possible for my roof size and instead recommended me a 2.64kW system using 8 x JA Solar panels (JAM60S10-330/PR) for $5k. I had another look at my roof and 11 might be possible but it would be very packed and barely fit.

Is having too many panels that just fit on the roof dangerous? Is Clipsal and a smaller system size the way to go?

Home & Garden Solar Energy System

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 09/12/2020 - 19:22

    Canadian and JA are both on the crap end according to https://www.solarquotes.com.au/solar-brands-trust.html

    The LG Mono Plus X is only middle tier. I don't know if that's worth the extra 587. But if it was me I would go with the better panels.

  • avoidfullprice on 09/12/2020 - 22:48

    brand vs brand: firstly, look at the performance degradation over the time you will live in that place. In one situation, cheaper panels may have comparable efficiency first use, but after 5 years the system loses so much performance it won't generate much power. More expensive ones may take you longer to break even, but after that point the performance is still high so you get more out of the life of the system . For your case, I've checked the data sheet and based on what both claim, they will be different by 3% at year 25. Secondly, look at how it copes in hot temperature. You don't want it to lose too much efficiently above 30C days. From datasheet they are similar as as well. So in addition to them having similar efficiency, they both perform and degrade similar on paper, so pick the cheaper one maybe? There are other factors to consider as well, so dyor on their reputation.

    you should consider how much your system will generate winter/summer and what you will use it for during the day.

    I have not done calculations for your situation, nor giving advice here, and may say incorrect things .. but as an owner of a 3.5kw west facing solar system running for 2 years in Canberra, I say this - my system will take 7 years to break even. If you choose 2.64kw @ $5k, I reckon it will take as long. Less than 3kw is not even that cost effective these days, so I wouldn't consider it.

  • brad1-8tsi on 10/12/2020 - 21:21

    Why are they under-driving the inverter? 4kw of panels on a 5kw inverter. It will be so inefficient. A 5 kw inverter should have 6.5kw of panels driving it.

    • acinod on 11/12/2020 - 09:04

      My roof can barely just fit 4kW unfortunately.

      • lgacb08 on 11/12/2020 - 12:26

        Do you have shading, if you do just ditch Solaredge and go with enphase. Solaredge does help with shading but it is still string inverter and there're inherent flaw in string system for small fragmented roof space. If no shade then just go with normal inverter like fronius or sma and save the money for larger capacity panel.
        I wouldn't give a crap about lg or sunpower, any decent chinese will do, by the time your warranty end or in 10 years time all of them will be obsolete, sam price panel would probably have double capacity by then.

    • brad1-8tsi on 11/12/2020 - 16:24

      4kw of panels should use a 3kw inverter.

      I'd love to see your roof plan. Mine is only 35 sqm (floor space of 4m x 10m but there are skylights) and I can fit 6kw of panels.

      • acinod on 11/12/2020 - 19:53

        My roof is a bit oddly-shaped. There's slants in all 4 directions so I'm struggling to put more than 2 panels on each side.

  • Isla Brown on 31/08/2021 - 21:03

    Canadian solar panels get a high score for their improved efficiency.

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