canalsiderenovation Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 So, need to make a decision on which actual solar panels for our in roof system of 12 horizontal panels. It's either the JA Solar 310W LW Mono Percium All Black with MC4 or the JA Solar 320W Mono Percium LW Black Frame with MC4. Aside from the watt, there is difference in the panel itself as the 320w has a white backsheet and the 310w is black. Any advice on which I should choose. There is around a £50 difference with the 310w ones being more expensive so negligible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan F Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 From the datasheets the panels look almost identical and only difference I can see is backsheet color and wattage. They have same temperature co-efficient and anual degredation at least from what I saw, which are two other things to look at when comparing panels. The color of the backsheet is purely aesthetic, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canalsiderenovation Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Dan F said: From the datasheets the panels look almost identical and only difference I can see is backsheet color and wattage. They have same temperature co-efficient and anual degredation at least from what I saw, which are two other things to look at when comparing panels. The color of the backsheet is purely aesthetic, Thanks @Dan F it makes more sense I guess to go for the 320w then I guess. The quote is with a Growatt 3600 inverter and Solid 200 immersion controller. Edited September 11, 2020 by canalsiderenovation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan F Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 How much are the 310W all-black panels? We're about to put an order in for 360W all-black panels at about £180.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canalsiderenovation Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Dan F said: How much are the 310W all-black panels? We're about to put an order in for 360W all-black panels at about £180.. This is the quote, the 320w ones are cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 I discounted PV from the start due to lack of FIT but that looks cheap (compared to a few years ago!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canalsiderenovation Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 1 minute ago, joe90 said: I discounted PV from the start due to lack of FIT but that looks cheap (compared to a few years ago!). We have had a variety of prices and I've been negotiating for a while on materials, spec etc and it started far higher. I've been back and to to various companies negotiating. We aren't going down FIT or MCS so our electrician/builder will be fitting so my priority has been trying to get the materials at a reasonable cost. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan F Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 12 minutes ago, canalsiderenovation said: We aren't going down FIT or MCS so our electrician/builder will be fitting so my priority has been trying to get the materials at a reasonable cost. Do you not plan to export any excess production at any time of the year? In order to get export payments under SEG (not FIT) my understanding is that you need an MCS certified install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canalsiderenovation Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 23 minutes ago, Dan F said: Do you not plan to export any excess production at any time of the year? In order to get export payments under SEG (not FIT) my understanding is that you need an MCS certified install. Nope. The MCS install cost wasn't worth the extra as we both work from home so are solely doing it for our use. In my case with various quotes it was more than double the cost for an MCS install, some quotes were triple. I know we need to add the fitting cost onto the material cost of the quote above but I can't see us ever getting back £3-£4k plus with SEG it would cost for the MCS install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reiver Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 39 minutes ago, canalsiderenovation said: Nope. The MCS install cost wasn't worth the extra as we both work from home so are solely doing it for our use. In my case with various quotes it was more than double the cost for an MCS install, some quotes were triple. I know we need to add the fitting cost onto the material cost of the quote above but I can't see us ever getting back £3-£4k plus with SEG it would cost for the MCS install. ....so the rules and regs can work against the environment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan F Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 14 minutes ago, Reiver said: ....so the rules and regs can work against the environment! Well, the inverter is still connected to the grid isn't it, so aren't you still exporting excess but can't be paid for it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 Every now and then we do the odd house for a small builder Recently he’s built a group of four cottages and really pushed the boat out Natural stone Cedar cladding Solar panels His joinery company tackle most things But decided to bring in a specialist company for the solar Panels While we where boarding the loft space we could see and here them following a you tube guide to fitting 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 41 minutes ago, nod said: Every now and then we do the odd house for a small builder Recently he’s built a group of four cottages and really pushed the boat out Natural stone Cedar cladding Solar panels His joinery company tackle most things But decided to bring in a specialist company for the solar Panels While we where boarding the loft space we could see and here them following a you tube guide to fitting I would prefer contractors to read / look at install instructions rather than wing it, which a lot do. I once had some chippies install expensive cement cladding. They decided on a 155mm lap although it should have been 180mm. Cost me an extra £1,800 and some of the junctions looked crap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 10 minutes ago, Mr Punter said: I would prefer contractors to read / look at install instructions rather than wing it, which a lot do. I once had some chippies install expensive cement cladding. They decided on a 155mm lap although it should have been 180mm. Cost me an extra £1,800 and some of the junctions looked crap. They had all the gear but no idea There first install Good job they had you tube to be a bit of hand holding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reiver Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 On 11/09/2020 at 19:31, Dan F said: Well, the inverter is still connected to the grid isn't it, so aren't you still exporting excess but can't be paid for it? If you're not going to get paid for it is it worth the cost of hooking up to the grid at all? I think it would put some folk off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 24 minutes ago, Reiver said: If you're not going to get paid for it is it worth the cost of hooking up to the grid at all? I think it would put some folk off. You then end up buying expensive batteries and somehow split wiring the house to use battery for some non critical areas. That seems much more complex than having a standard build that has a (much cheaper) grid tied inverter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan F Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 28 minutes ago, PeterW said: You then end up buying expensive batteries and somehow split wiring the house to use battery for some non critical areas. That seems much more complex than having a standard build that has a (much cheaper) grid tied inverter. And you need a generator for when you don't have enough PV to meet demand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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