Topic: PV Panels - articvle on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3

PV Panels - articvle on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

With PV prices PLUMMETING by the day, there is currently a flight to quality in Aus towards what are called "Tier 1" panels - basically high quality panels from suppliers with track records (even though a number of the German companies have gone into liquidation this year and more are expected to follow).

Here is a good article on the different suppliers and where they sit (and where prices are heading):

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2012/brave-new-world-as-solar-pv-heads-to-50cwatt-29404

Seeker

Re: PV Panels - article on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

just fixing the title of the original post ...... :-)

Re: PV Panels - article on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

Im waiting for microinverters to become standard, then I'll be able to place cluster of panels in different areas and extend as budget allows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzj2a-9M4qo&feature=g-vrec

explains it all and why this development is so exciting.

Re: PV Panels - article on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

Hi John Hornblow

You probably don't need to wait - try searching a product called TIGO - it is basically a system with a MPPT for each module but keeping the power direct current (D.C.), and then taking each "optimised" output to an inverter - it means you can point your panels in any direction you want (within reason!!).

Seeker

Re: PV Panels - article on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

Microinverters do away with DC and main inverters, each panel is totaly independant, but watch some of the youtube vidoes, they can gather stats from each panel, when it starts, ends, what it produces etc.
.
Oh well, I can dream on, drain blocked again to remind me that other priorities such as old tile drains first...

Re: PV Panels - article on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

Microinverters are the future. They fit to the rear of panels and the allow split arrays of panels to be at different pitches and facing different directions without an overall impact on the system. There will no longer be any need for multi-directional inverters because each panel will have it's own inverter.

Also the three tiers of solar don't really apply to NZ yet. We simply exist on the 3rd tier for now as far as I know no one is importing 1st tier panels (Sunpower, Conergy, Ameri, Canadian Solar, Trina, Sharp) We are only really getting re branded Chinese crap.

Tier one panels are generally manufactured by companies who have been operating for 10+ years and who issue atleast 10 year manufacturers warranties and 25 year performance warranties. The other dead give away is the coating on the aluminium. If the outside edge of the panel is coated black as opposed to silver it's probably a decent panel (though not always.)

Tier two panels usually come with a 5-10 year manufacturers (product warranty) and will have a reasonable reputation in the industry.

Tier three is everything else. 3-5 year manufacturers warranty and a manufacturer who probably won't be around in a year or two anyway.

Same goes with inverters, though there really only is two tiers.

Tier 1 - SMA, Foronius.
Tier 2 - xanatrax, Samil, growwatt, Aurora and everything else.

Re: PV Panels - article on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

And one other thing, don't buy anything until the supplier gives you all the information on the panels, the inverter and the installer. Alot of people shop on capacity (i.e, 1.5KW) when really you should shop on the yield(per day/year) and the performance output. Because it is an investment and if you shop on capacity alone you will probably get your hands burnt.

Re: PV Panels - article on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

http://thinksolar.co.nz/tier-one-solar-panels

I was writing in another thread about these guys, they seem to make some claims about their panels and I can now confirm they're using Ameri (according to their website). I'm trying to get a gig installing for them at the moment but if you want more info on the three tiers check them out.

Re: PV Panels - article on Tier 1 /Tier 2 /Tier 3 

From my understand, being that I am part of Industry a few keys points to distinguish between the tiers.

Tier 1 - Manufacturers who grows their own silicon, make them into wafers and then produces their own modules. A tier one also invests heavily into their own R&D, and is completely transparent about their bankability. Good way to assess bankability and transparency is if the company is on a global stock exchange where they must disclose their quarterly financials.

Tier 2 - Manufacturers that make own wafers, but also buy from other suppliers, and few other components are outsourced to make the complete module/panel.

Tier 3 - Companies that buy all the components of the panel/ module from various suppliers and re-badge as their own.

Another good way to analyse if your panels are Tier 1 or at least good quality - Is the brand registered or had independent testing done by companies like Photon Magazine?
Photon magasine based out of Germany, constantly tests the big global PV Solar module brands that present their panels to be placed under the microscope.