Daniel Karstens Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 HI all. Daniel here from Cape Town. I need to help choosing the right panels. What to look for and why? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 14 minutes ago, Daniel Karstens said: What to look for and why? My 2C Worth. Keep in mind what inverter or MPPT you want to use and match the VOC of the panels with the VOC of the equipment you have in mind, Reputable make, someone that will back up there warranty. Few of the smaller company's went under and are not around anymore although their panels are still "Under Warranty" Newest is better, it ensures that you have the latest technology as well as offer you an opportunity to find the same panel in a year or 2 when you decide you want to expand your setup. Bigger in a way is also better ( Again Depending on the other equipment you plan to use.) Lately the price per watt on bigger panels are lower that the price per watt on smaller panels and If you chose to opt for 270 watts for example now, you might not be able to find them again in 2 years time. Tier 1 panels is a must, some engineers and sparkies will refuse to sign off the installation if Tier 1 panels were not used, without the COC the insurance companies wont insure your equipment as well. I personally like the Canadian solar brand a lot and use them for most of my installations, sometimes i will chose JA solar for Mono Perc Panels and the new Artsolar is also drawing my attention. ___ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Karstens Posted November 4, 2019 Author Share Posted November 4, 2019 Please explain Tier 1 vs Tier 2 . How do the physically differ. How to physically spot the differences? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 8 hours ago, Daniel Karstens said: Please explain Tier 1 vs Tier 2 . Tier 1 vs Tier 2 is nothing more than a rating system, mostly based on marked position and not physical quality.... Although the company's market position are believed to be some indication of the quality of panel they produce . Read these three articles, it will explain it better than this Afrikaans booytjie can.. https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-tier-1-vs-tier-2-solar-panels https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/what-is-a-tier-1-solar-panel-tier-2-or-3/ https://www.infiniteenergy.com.au/tier-1-solar-panels 8 hours ago, Daniel Karstens said: How to physically spot the differences? You wont be able to see the difference in most cases, but when defects like serious discoloring, cracks, misalignment of solar cells ext is visible, you can know for sure its not in the Tier1 class and in the industry panels with visible defects normally gets sold as Tier 3 at a ridiculously low price. (I got offered a hole lot of them a while back at R3 per watt) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Karstens Posted November 5, 2019 Author Share Posted November 5, 2019 As I understand it you cant see it physically, you say it from looking at the specs. Its purely based on brand is that correct ? Quote The SolarReviews final Say: We think it is worthwhile to pay a small price premium, in the range of $.20-$.30 per watt to use premium tier 1 panels. We can't say for sure that it will make a difference to either quality or long term reliability (but it may), and we cant necessarily say any particular tier 1 vendor will be in business in 10 or 15 years, but we do think these brands will want to protect their reputation and so will be more likely to respond to warranty claims if they are still in business. Typically tier 1 solar panels are 10-30% more expensive than tier 2 and tier 3 solar panels . Not in SA by the looks of it. what is the average price of a 325w panel local. seem to be around R2000 So on physical inspection what makes a good panel vs a bad panel ? Thanks for all the education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 48 minutes ago, Daniel Karstens said: Its purely based on brand is that correct ? Yes that is what it comes down to. 48 minutes ago, Daniel Karstens said: So on physical inspection what makes a good panel vs a bad panel ? Good panels has no visible defects (Normally). Build Quality is a good indication of quality. Bad soldering, bad build quality, cracks, misaligned cells, big color difference between cells used in the same panel, differed size cells used in the same panel.. may all be an indication of a "Bad Panel" 48 minutes ago, Daniel Karstens said: you say it from looking at the specs. No, I see it from the rating I receive from my suppliers and occasionally I look at the Bloomberg quarterly ratings. EDIT: Better example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerlach Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 @Jaco de Jongh let me give you a bit of light on Daniel story. He imported a pallet of 27 panels. He posted on Fb that he needed info what he need to complete his instillation , like what brand Inverter and batteries and all the stuff that will go with it. He added he wanted do it him self "DIY", and then the shooting of the FB keyboard hero's started because he stated DIY. You know how that part go's Jaco. One of the FB persons stated and comparing the specs of the panels that Daniel imported to T1 and T2 with Canadian panels. @Daniel Karstens post a image of the rear of the panel with specs and the front of the panel. They guys on the forum will help with the right stuff and @Jaco de Jongh is hands on with his stuff. Jaco De Jongh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 4 minutes ago, Gerlach said: let me give you a bit of light on Daniel story Thanks, now I understand better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Karstens Posted November 5, 2019 Author Share Posted November 5, 2019 So yes I have a so called expert tell me my panels are CRAP but he cant say why he said so. He said my panels are not even worth R500 each, but no reason as to why he said so. So basically the expert starts to bully me on FB , but he cant say why my panels are crap. If i have it correct anything that was not bought from him of that is not the same brand as to what he sells is crap. Now me having little knowledge on the panels ask for education and all i get from so called "industry experts" is spend money by us and we will help. If not get stuffed and you equipment is crap. Now sorry I dont work like that, if there is enthusiast that will help and advise I am great full. If you want to bully me because I did not buy local F** Off. @Gerlach or am I taking his "lack of assisting" with advise in the wrong way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) 43 minutes ago, Daniel Karstens said: FB I've left all four PV related facebook groups I've ever been on, including: 1. Crap Solar, Ausie group (I discovered I don't deal well with tradie insults). 2. Solar PV South Africa (people figured out who I am IRL and started using FB as a support channel). 3. Shoddy solar installations (they started bashing a friend of mine's installations which were actually not shoddy). 4. Quality Solar installations (or something like that, someone didn't like my joke about the sticker kit he uses on his Voltronics and I decided to remove myself from the temptation of making more bad jokes) I am also banned from commenting by at least two pages, Sokolic solar being just one... also for pointing out rather respectfully that some consultation might be required for some inverters in Cape Town). Basically... I just don't do Solar on Facebook. Ever. Edited November 5, 2019 by plonkster PJJ and Ironman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 1 hour ago, Daniel Karstens said: if there is enthusiast that will help and advise I am great full. I guess there is a few members here that would not mind giving an opinion, but we need to see the panels and the specks to be able to form an opinion. Without seeing them our opinions will be worth nothing. Please post more info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerlach Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 1 hour ago, Daniel Karstens said: @Gerlach or am I taking his "lack of assisting" with advise in the wrong way? Nope, you didn't. Just ignore mr "H" post on fb because his got a c#$%^ attitude and you not the only one he have picked on. That type of people I flat ignore and go on what i'm busy with. If you don't mind, I will post the pick you send me of the solar panel, the guys on the forum will give you more info and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Karstens Posted November 5, 2019 Author Share Posted November 5, 2019 @Gerlach Thanks I was starting to thing there is a Solar installer MAFIA with all the " get a installer , you dont buy form us we dont give you advice" attitude. Look I might have worded it wrongly. I dont intend to do the connection and programming myself. For that I will get a professional and to check my work and sign off the job. But why pay crazy rate to fit brakets to my battons. I want to learn and do all the "dummy" work myself. I only imported the panels as I dont see how panels really can go wrong when you pay 50% of the local price and if they do I import more. MPPT and Inverter I want to get local. Batteries I am in two minds , between local or import. This was my purchase. Bear in mind my i have little to no knowledge about these. So are these are " crap" as he made them out to be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 Go and read some other people's experiences on this site, DIY, semi DIY, installer, installer then DIY the fix after the fact. Everyone's situation is different so you need to figure out what works for you. Gerlach 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerlach Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 Jip, and this what i like about this platform, you learn from other people. 15 even 20 years ago no one was in sort of game. It was the guys that stayed on farms that bought from the hand full of solar places and that time everyone learn from trail and error and DIY stuff. @Daniel Karstens drop your question here and scan the forum and see how other did there stuff. ibiza 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.g00 Posted November 6, 2019 Share Posted November 6, 2019 @Daniel Karstens, I'd like to know a bit more about your import experience if I may? What was the shipping cost and customs, and the final delivered price? What was the time between ordering and delivery? Was it seller's risk until delivery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Karstens Posted November 6, 2019 Author Share Posted November 6, 2019 @phil.g00 no Duties only VAT. I just placed in a Container with all my other goods that I import for my other business. Thus I did not do a full calculation on landed cost. They had stock so delivered in 2 days. They delivered to Shipping agent in GZ and there the risk become mine. Painless process. phil.g00 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 On 2019/11/05 at 6:02 PM, plonkster said: Basically... I just don't do Solar on Facebook. Ever. Lol - I don’t do facebook. Closed my account three years ago. Don’t miss it at all. ibiza, PJJ and Fuenkli 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJJ Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 On 2019/11/05 at 6:02 PM, plonkster said: Basically... I just don't do Solar on Facebook. Ever. Why not go the full Monty and join the rest of us that quit Facebook entirely? 2 years ago I did 2 things: -Canned my Facebook account - Unsubscribed from the News24 newsletter My life is now pure bliss. ___ and ibiza 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 And whatsapp and twitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 1 hour ago, PJJ said: quit Facebook entirely? I used to stick around because that was the social comms channel used by the ballroom/latin dancing school I was a part of. Lately I stick around because of a few high end groups I am a member of (mostly academic, philosophy related). But when it comes to trade related things like plumbing, electrical work, and solar... it's just an ad-hominem fest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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