Solar Panels

Hi all,

We are thinking of installing solar panels for our PPOR.

I've received quotes via solarquotes.com.au and at a crossroads regarding what kind of panels and inverter to go with.

The proposed google earth view of the installation is attached our bills would run under $500/qtr so a 6.6kw system was recommended

Quotes received are:

$5500 5kw SMA Inverter/18 x 370W Trina Panels
$6200 5kw SMA Inverter/19 x 350W Hyundai panels
$4900 5kw GoodWe inverter/19 x 350W Hyundai panels
$5266 5kw Sungrow inverter/18 x 370W Trina panels
$4483 5kw Growatt inverter/18 x 370W Trina panels
$4700 5kw GoodWe inverter/18 x 370W Trina panels

Asking the experts here regarding solar, and anything in particular to be aware of? Which brands have you installed and would recommend?

I have researched a bit and am receiving mixed messages as to which one is more important, the panels or inverter. Although would prefer a Fronius inverter myself as that seems to be well regarded.

 

I read in a choice article that there are clear standouts in the panels.

The only issue is the technology moves and the article can become out of date.

Aug 2019 Trinasolar came in equal top and 'recommended'.

 

Results of survey of satisfaction of users conducted by choice.

'There was very little difference in satisfaction between the panel brands. However, satisfaction with inverter brands did differ, with Enphase, Fronius and SMA* rating significantly higher than Sunny Boy* and Aurora.


Inverter brand Average satisfaction rating (out of 100)
Enphase 90
Fronius 88
SMA* 88
Sunny Boy* 81
Aurora 79
Other 79

* Sunny Boy is a model name used by SMA, so they are in fact the same brand, but many respondents identified their inverter as a Sunny Boy while others identified theirs as SMA (the split was 50/50). We have shown the separate scores here; the combined SMA/Sunny Boy score is 85. Sunny Boy respondents tended to have systems of 2kW or less, which suggests they tend to be older systems.'

once again could be a bit dated (2019?)

 

How to buy the best solar inverter | CHOICE

 

My understanding is that LG makes the best panels and Enphase make the best inverter . Both have very long warranties - but they are also quite expensive compare to what you have listed.

 

LG, although expensive, didn't rate that well in the testing that choice did. Was not one of the recommended brands.

 

Are you referring to the August 2019 review on Choice ? If so , they didn’t look at the high end LG panels I was referring to .

Solar Panels | Low Cost & Efficient Solar Power from LG Solar Australia

 

I work with solar as a client and while I get quality for my work (Trina/Longi and Fronius usually), I think that quality is somewhat of a diminishing return, especially for STC systems (systems under 100kW).
A system can be twice as expensive as another, but does that mean that it will put out twice the energy over its life (to get a levelised cost of electricity)? No, most probably not!

Personally, I'd be more than happy to have a Growatt or Huawei inverter (for example) and REC, ET or Canadian Solar panels on my roof.
The quality of the installation is far more important than whether you buy high-end components!

 

It isn't the panel or inverter that matters, it's the company that you deal with that is your only priority

So many installation companies aren't around for any of the warranty period

The company operates for a few years then disappears, only for a new company to open and operate from the same address and similar name (for me that was Australian home services Melb, reborn as Australian solar services, now gone again ).

The warranty and the claim process is usually claimed via the company you purchased from, not the manufacturer

I was lucky, I'd paid good money for a Tindo Solar System that failed, Australian home services dodged us and made excuses for over 6 months then ceased to exist, so I chased Tindo and as an Australian manufacturing company they covered my claim (excl installation).

When I upgraded I went with Solaray in Sydney
They use their own installers (not subcontractors) and have been great with after sales care, the ongoing monitoring via the myenlighten app is also great

 

check the warranty on the inverter , they need a crappy fan to cool it , so a $5 fan failure can fry your inverter and the repair is NOT cheap

 

I got a 9.9kw 30*330W Trina Solar/10kw Solis inverter system installed for $5400 in Sydney in March last year. However prices may have moved since then.

 

Glad I found this thread, here is the recommendation by solar world:-


Panels: 18 X 370 Watt Trina 370w Mono Half Cut Tire 1 Panels.
Inverter: 1 x FRONIUS SYMO 5.0KW 3PH Inverter Wi-Fi, Symo 5.0-3-M
Installation Kit – complying with all local engineering standards. All
safety labels required by Australian Safety Standards (AS4777)
INSTALLATION (by qualified CEC Installer)
Panel Warranty = 25 years.
Inverter Warranty = 5 + 5 = 10 years.
Workmanship Warranty = 10 years

I haven't checked with Solaray yet

Any tips/rexommendations be appreciated.

 

Careful there, panel warranty is not 25 years, that's the performance guarantee, not product.
Also, the 5+5 warranty on the inverter is different to a 10 year warranty. If there's a fault after 5 years, you pay for all labour, they just send you the inverter.

But having said that, the equipment is good. What price are they quoting you?

 

I got canadian panel and Xantrex invertor, over ten years now still going good...

 

I have Trina panels with a sungrow inverter. Works fine.

 

Got Longi panels and a Solaredge inverter last year, doing well for me. A lot of installers will do a desktop quote which generally is okay however it you have shading or any peculiarities for your site, a walkthrough may help. I say may because you dont want them to send a sales guy out.

 

Have just had Longi panels and spent a bit more on the inverter so we went with solaredge. Great monitoring app so you can see your solars output and your household power usage.

 

Hi @spludgey

Thank you for the tip, I will ask if they can just give straight 10 yrs etc

At the moment $3700 but final rate be around $3350

 

Give this a go if it helps.

Australian Photovoltaic Institute • APVI Solar Maps

One other idea is dependant on the inverter. Installing say a 10 Kw v two 5Kw. I understand the national standards are for a 10Kw single phase, the feed-in tariff is limited to 5Kw but if two separate systems are installed, both are eligible for the feed-in tariff. May cost slightly more but the returns as a result could result in a reasonable short pay back period of the additional cost.

 

That's a good price!