Q Cell BLK-G10+360W vs Q Cells DUO BLK-G6 340W

[kingkong0809]

I'm new to the forum and I'm currently shopping for a solar install in NJ and I have received two quotes for two different Q cell panels and microinverters.

1st offer -> (28) Hanwha Q.Peak Duo BLK-G10+ 360W and (28) IQ7Plus microinverters (10.08 kW)

2nd offer-> (30) Hanwha Q Cells Q-Peak DUO BLK-G6 340W and (30) IQ7 inverters (10.20 kW)

Is there a real big difference between this modules and inverters? There is a $2k difference between the quotes and I'm not sure I will have any gains to justify the price difference. I intend to only live in my current house for 15-17 years or so.

[scrambler]

These are two different sizes (9.52 kW vs 10.8 kW) so you need to compare the $ per Watt of each array

Then it depends how much production capacity you need per year. The way to evaluate that if to know how many kWh per year you want too cover, then run a simulation of each array on PVWATT.org to see how much production you can expect from each one.

Finally, if you go for the smaller array using the 340W panels, I would ask for a quote using the IQ7-PLUS over the IQ7, as the IQ7 would limit the panels to 250W so a lot of lost production capacity.
At least the IQ7-PLUS can go up to 295W per panel

[kingkong0809]

Thanks for the information. I realized that I had flipped the counts correctly but the sizes are still different (10.08 vs 10.20). With that being said, I did use the PVWATT calculator to check the production and both are very similar and will cover my annual usage. The $ per watt for each offer is somewhat close as well but equates to about $1900 dollar difference

1st offer -> 2.75 per kW
2nd offer -> 2.45 per kW

Does the panel models being different matter that much? The installer for the 340w panels came back to me and told me that it's really only size of the panel (more photo-voltaic cells) that is different. In addition, he recommended that the IQ7 should be used for the 340 as the IQ7plus do not operate very well for panels under 350w and would produce less per year. Is he correct?

[scrambler]

These panels are very similar, so it all comes to $/watt.
Regarding the IQ7 vs IQ7+, it does depend on where you are located and what kind of exposure you have.

If you are in an area with a lot of sunny clear sky days, and have a south exposure, your panel will have a lot of days where they could produce at full potential, and so I would definitely want the IQ7+, as not to leave so much power of the table.

But if you are in an area with rare sunny days or bad exposure, and therefore your panels will very rarely produce at their full capacity, then IQ7 could be fine.

[kingkong0809]

I live in NJ so I get all kinds of weather. I do have some shading impact from a tree during the day as well so I guess the IQ7 will work. Thank you very much for the explanation.

[scrambler]

Just know that on sunny days with a clear sky, your panels' production will be clipped at 250Watt, and you will lose the 45 extra wat per panel they could deliver (1.35kW for the array during peak hours)

[Preaky]

On the surface G10 seems like a no brainer, but I would go with the G6.

Look up 2021 PVEL PV module reliability scorecard - they do quality and performance testing more intense than UL (Thermal Cycling, Damp Heat, Backsheet Durability, Mechanical Stress, PID, and LID).

Q Cells G6 is a top performer in every test. G8 is not a top performer in every test. G10 was not tested.