Sunpower 327 panels worth the cost?

[Naptown]

Sunpower is limited to the smaller panels on the AC modules. However the dealers know about them. I think the dealers are shying away from fear of what they cost. They are substantially more expensive than the 327's therefore not a much of a value unless absolutely needed.

[salq]

They are substantially more expensive than the 327's therefore not a much of a value unless absolutely needed.

Any idea what substantial means? Being very simplistic, wouldn't the comparison cost be

ACPV panel count = x
Cost = x * ($ per ACPV)

versus

SPR-327 panel count = 72/96 * x
Cost = 72/96 * x * ($ per SPR-327) + ($ for single inverter)

[Naptown]

Simple answer
It takes more of them to get the same wattage.
This increases labor cost.
They cost more for the dealer per watt to buy than the 327's and string inverter.
No I will not tell you how much more as you are in a different market than I even though they are priced the same for me as anyone else

[salq]

Simple answer
It takes more of them to get the same wattage.
This increases labor cost.
They cost more for the dealer per watt to buy than the 327's and string inverter.
No I will not tell you how much more as you are in a different market than I even though they are priced the same for me as anyone else

Maybe someone else can respond then. I don't see how it's purely a per watt calculation, total watts should matter. Given that the single inverter isn't an insignificant cost (I've been told $3k to $3.5k so far), there must be watt outputs (i.e. panel counts) that favor the 327's + inverter, an output where it's close to even, and watt outputs that favor the AVCPs.

Now if 3 AVCP panels cost the same or more than 2 327's plus an inverter (minimum counts for both to have roughly the same output), then I get that AVCP will always be more expensive than 327's as soon as you add additional panels. That still doesn't say what "significant" means, but I could imagine 18 panels in that scenario being significant.

Labor cost is a factor, but that's potentially offset by supposedly better performance from micro inverters. It's also offset by a set of micro inverters with a 25 year warranty, versus the 10 year warranty on the single. Less panels in the 327 case means less chance for failure or "acts of [fill in your diety here]"... and I'm sure there are more. But I've got to start somewhere, and that's why I'm being simple and looking at the rough BOMs for comparison.

[Naptown]

I believe I am the only one here privy to dealer cost on Sunpower.
Reason I hesitate is other costs ( labor, burden etc) will vary market to market. And what works here may not work everywhere

[salq]

I believe I am the only one here privy to dealer cost on Sunpower.
Reason I hesitate is other costs ( labor, burden etc) will vary market to market. And what works here may not work everywhere

Understood. I was only looking for rough and relative, I wasn't planning on using it for actual budgetary purposes.

[SoCalsolar]

salq AC Panels

Salq

Good questions and logic applied I have a few answers for you. Two factors I'm not sure you are fully accounting for in the added cost is scale and production. The AC panels require labor and processes unlike any other SP panel. They are not made on the same scale as the other SP panels. That being said they are around 50 cents higher per watt when compared to a 327 with a string inverter. This is a bit on the high side but close enough I believe for this scenario. The product I most often see paired up with SP products is a maximizer like Solar Edge or Tigo. Engineer types usually like these products so study up and report back on your findings. I'm curious to see what you find and between the two I believe you will favor Solar Edge. Good Luck.

[palocat]

Sunpower 327 with Micros

Salq-

I had 40 Sunpower E315s on my old house. The panels were great, but I had significant shading during the winter. Sunpower did not have an AC product at the time. I ended up retrofitting the panels with a Tigo Maximizer that can handle the higher power produced by the E315/327. The Tigo works but you still need the main inverters, and the cost is crazy for a retrofit at about 40 cents per watt installed. You will save some money if you spec the Tigo at install but not a lot of dealers are going to want to/know how to install it. The Tigo will give you panel level power feedback and maximize the current per string. I just would not recommend this approach unless you do not have any other options. The Sunpower AC product at the higher cost would be a better way to go. Good Luck-

[salq]

Thanks for that palocat, it's good to know there's a possible option.

In San Diego, there's this premise that shading won't be a problem. In your case, was the winter shading due to trees, spotty skies, or something else?

[palocat]

Sunpower 327 with Micros

Salq,

I was a little aggressive with a limited roof space- The neighbor's trees came into play from about October to February when the sun was lower on the horizon. I underestimated how much partial shading will really reduce the output of a string of panels even if only a couple panels are shaded.

[salq]

On the one hand, I'm on a hill with no trees near me, and a set of sales guys have consistently said that the single inverter is fine. I can buy that. On the other hand, some say the microinverters are an advantage. One priced both for me... during the pitch, he said a single is probably fine, the micros don't provide much for the cost, and when I asked for a quote, he said "well, the power output is going to be higher, so we'll have to raise the amount we charge you per month" (not a straight-purchase). He calculated the output, I told him it looks like you could drop a panel or two to get back to 5kw, and he said "oh", and it was about a wash.

So I'm still not completely sure about whether microinverters would help in my case.

[Volusiano]

Why have 20 or so inverters cook on your hot roof when you can have a single one in your cool garage . I don't think you will see much differences in output with one vs. another. But if you decide on enphase, keep in mind that unless your installer sets it up , say goodbye to individual panel monitoring ...

More importantly, if you decide to go with micro-inverters, make sure that your installer covers both parts AND LABOR for the replacement of any micro-inverters that go bad. I hear that Enphase no longer covers labor warranty for their M250 anymore. And it's going to be the labor that's going to kill you since each micro-inverter represents a potential point of failure.

[bradhs]

Just came across this thread, great information! I am also in San Diego and looking for a good system. If any of you in San Diego have completed yours I'm curious what you used.

[J.P.M.]

Just came across this thread, great information! I am also in San Diego and looking for a good system. If any of you in San Diego have completed yours I'm curious what you used.

Spend some time with prior threads. Get ready for an education.

[kellycross]

Very useful information.