The Best PV Panels?

[ecohome]

There seems to be a fair amount of experience on the forum, so I'll ask the question.

I want to buy the best pv panels and associated products for the UK, that's best in performance, guarantee and wholesale/distributor price.

Also if most of these are coming out of China, how can I argue my green credentials if I'm shipping product half-way acroos the world?

Very interested in all replies, here or by pm.

Thanks all, Jim.

 

[ecohome]

across the world even lol

 

[vvaannmmaann]

This will show you lots of numbers relating to PV panels.
http://www.rensmart.com/Products/SolarPV

I am struggling to find UK based manufacturers.There are a couple here,but I don't know anything about them.
http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/UK/pv-panel.html

I imagine the problem is that the Chinese are buying up the raw materials to manufacture the panels,so you have little choice but to import from there.

 

[ecohome]

I imagine the problem is that the Chinese are buying up the raw materials to manufacture the panels,so you have little choice but to import from there.

Thanks for this vvaanmmaann but buying British 'if the numbers stack' is important for me, here's another question, within the question for everyone.

Does anyone know who makes British Gas's units?

 

[vvaannmmaann]

A factory in Shanghai?

 

[ecohome]

No a factory in Germany!

 

[ecohome]

Just not sure which one...

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Is it this lot?
http://www.schueco.com/web/de/start/home/start/solar_strom_und_waerme

 

[ecohome]

Not sure I think it could be solarworld but it could be any one of a handful.

British Gas not too keen to divulge, anyone else have an idea?

 

[provman]

Please PM me to discuss.

 

[Morganian]

Thanks for this vvaanmmaann but buying British 'if the numbers stack' is important for me, here's another question, within the question for everyone.

Does anyone know who makes British Gas's units?

ROMAG are the only truly British ones. PM me. Check out the latest photon reports - best buy and best performance are solarworld (German). Wholesale £10900 for a 4kw system. £5990 for a 2kw system. Add £2k for fitting.

 

[skiesnpies]

I just put Sanyo's on the front of my roof and they have been excellent - regularly putting out their maximum rating. I went for the more expensive panels as I was stuck for space.
I am told, that the best policy is to go cheaper if you have space and more expensive if space is an issue.
Although German panels are supposedly the best, I do know that there are very good panels coming out of China now so I wouldn't necessarily shy away from them, just do your homework and ensure you have a good warranty - maybe with a 3rd party.

 

[roydmoorian]

ROMAG are the only truly British ones. PM me. Check out the latest photon reports - best buy and best performance are solarworld (German). Wholesale £10900 for a 4kw system. £5990 for a 2kw system. Add £2k for fitting.

Any idea of the costs for setting up a 4.5 megawatt system on southerly sloping fields which are overlooked by no-one ?

 

[skiesnpies]

A slope, not a roof?

The problem with slopes is one of security usually, being valuable, you may need fencing around your panels.

On a roof, I would say a 4K system could be installed, with inverter for £12K or so. I would be wary of going > 4K though, as the feedin tarrif drops off at that point. 4K would probably pay more than 4.5k silly as it may seem.

 

[roydmoorian]

A slope, not a roof?

The problem with slopes is one of security usually, being valuable, you may need fencing around your panels.

On a roof, I would say a 4K system could be installed, with inverter for £12K or so. I would be wary of going > 4K though, as the feedin tarrif drops off at that point. 4K would probably pay more than 4.5k silly as it may seem.

4.5 megawatt The FIT drops again at 5 megawatts we are looking at renting out the area so someone else has the major risk

 

[skiesnpies]

Megawatt, sorry I didn't read it properly. It depends where you are in the country.
How far north are you?
Silly rental figures have been bandied about in Devon, but few have come good on the deal.
I have seen full contracts which offer £1400 per acre over 25 years, increased by RPI every 5 years. I think this is quite generous. I don't know what the install cost would be, but planning in some areas alone could cost £100K to get through.
If you are serious, I can put you in touch with an install agent I know who is paying good rates (a credible outfit you will have heard of). PM me.

 

[Somecamel]

Also check with your DNO as they are getting a bit funny recently with installs over 3.6kw as these go above G83/1.