Most cost effective UL listed Grid Tie Inverter?

[unseengundam]

I have been trying to find UL List Grid Tie inverter that are cost effective and I will get most Watt for price. I have noticed range from $0.30 per Watt to over $1 per Watt (more than solar panel) for Grid Tie Inverters.

The Grid Tie Inverter seem to be making my whole project few thousand dollar more expensive

What Grid Tie Inverter out there that are UL listed to do the job and are most cost effective (watt/price)?

[solarix]

The usual GT inverter choices (ABB, Advanced Energy, Enphase, Fronius, Kaco, SMA, SolarEdge) are really quite closely competitive on price/watt. The real difference in cost competitiveness is going to show up when you figure in reliability and how long that inverter is going to last. A unit that goes 15 years is going to be much more cost effective than one that only makes it 10 years. Problem is, we don't have any real world results yet on how long these electronic marvels really last. For what its worth, I've installed them all and my money is on SMA's SunnyBoys

[emartin00]

I would advise against trying to find the lowest price. Pick one from a reliable company that will honor its warranty and that you know will last several years.

[SunEagle]

I have been trying to find UL List Grid Tie inverter that are cost effective and I will get most Watt for price. I have noticed range from $0.30 per Watt to over $1 per Watt (more than solar panel) for Grid Tie Inverters.

The Grid Tie Inverter seem to be making my whole project few thousand dollar more expensive

What Grid Tie Inverter out there that are UL listed to do the job and are most cost effective (watt/price)?

Besides the cost you have to know how many watts your solar array is going to be and how many amps you are allowed to connect to your main power panel.

From what I have looked at the SMA looks to be about $0.50/watt and is an approved quality Grid Tie inverter. There are other ones out there but how big you want to go and what type of warranty did you want to pay for is part of the formula in picking your equipment.

Who will be performing the wiring connection to your main power panel? Sometimes they may have some background information that may help you pick your inverter.

[J.P.M.]

I would advise against trying to find the lowest price. Pick one from a reliable company that will honor its warranty and that you know will last several years.

Like most long term outlooks, it's more about most bang for the buck, rather than low buck as an end in itself. The trick is in predicting the future.

[unseengundam]

I see Solar Edge systems has 12 year warranty while SMA has 10 years. Is Solar Edge comparable to SMA?

What Inverters have the longest warranties out of the box (with no extensions)?

[SunEagle]

I see Solar Edge systems has 12 year warranty while SMA has 10 years. Is Solar Edge comparable to SMA? What Inverters have the longest warranties out of the box (with no extensions)?

I don't believe Solar Edge and SMA are compatible. I also wouldn't put too much into believing about a warranty (anyone's) really fully protecting you to the stated end date.

[solarix]

I almost think the companies with the extra long warranties are the ones with not so good reliability and are trying to con buyers into trusting them. I don't want a faulty inverter that the manufacturer is willing to replace a few times, I want the one that is well built and gonna be flat reliable.

[SunEagle]

I almost think the companies with the extra long warranties are the ones with not so good reliability and are trying to con buyers into trusting them. I don't want a faulty inverter that the manufacturer is willing to replace a few times, I want the one that is well built and gonna be flat reliable.

I agree. I would rather have a product with a reasonable warranty and a company with a good track record than one that is unrealistic like the SP 25yr warranty.

[J.P.M.]

I almost think the companies with the extra long warranties are the ones with not so good reliability and are trying to con buyers into trusting them. I don't want a faulty inverter that the manufacturer is willing to replace a few times, I want the one that is well built and gonna be flat reliable.

Smack on ! Add: Too much talk/emphasis on warranties seems to perhaps distract from the issue of quality as a vendor and equipment selection metric. Talking about how safe I'll be due to some warranty with fuzzy, ill understood terms when my equipment fails seems like faulty logic or priorities out of whack or something. I put my efforts into working with a knowledgeable, experienced vendor installing fit for purpose equipment in a well designed system in a professional manner to decrease the probability of problems as my best long term defense against problems, while knowing the future is a crap shoot. Basically, my approach was to anticipate problems as best as I could with quality and head the problems off as best as I can before they occur. I considered a warranty as a somewhat secondary issue. Still somewhat important as a consideration, but by no means a deal killer.

[unseengundam]

Smack on ! Add: Too much talk/emphasis on warranties seems to perhaps distract from the issue of quality as a vendor and equipment selection metric. Talking about how safe I'll be due to some warranty with fuzzy, ill understood terms when my equipment fails seems like faulty logic or priorities out of whack or something. I put my efforts into working with a knowledgeable, experienced vendor installing fit for purpose equipment in a well designed system in a professional manner to decrease the probability of problems as my best long term defense against problems, while knowing the future is a crap shoot. Basically, my approach was to anticipate problems as best as I could with quality and head the problems off as best as I can before they occur. I considered a warranty as a somewhat secondary issue. Still somewhat important as a consideration, but by no means a deal killer.

I am hearing a lot about SMA. Other than them is are any other quality Grid Tie Inverter Manufacturer?

I have heard some about Solar Edge on this forum.

[J.P.M.]

I am hearing a lot about SMA. Other than them is are any other quality Grid Tie Inverter Manufacturer? I have heard some about Solar Edge on this forum.

SMA's are well built, reliable and have been around a while. I've got a rebadged Power One - 19+ months in and not a problem, but that's still in infancy.