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  • solarAZ
    Junior Member
    • Aug 2009
    • 1

    #31
    I love how you have people in a web environment making assumptions over products a. they don't own or b. don't sell. I actually do both. I own a SunPower system and I am also a SunPower dealer. Just because someone is a SunPower dealer doesn't mean they can only sell SunPower. I sell and install all brands of Solar Panels from Kyocera, Mitsu, Sanyo, Sharp, Evergreen and Sunpower.

    IMHO I don't think there is one best panel for all homes. It depends on where you live. I live in Phoenix, Arizona where we have 300 plus days of unobstructed sun and high heat conditions. For this market the best panels are going to be Sanyo or SunPower because of their temp coefficient and types of light they take in. For instance going off client installation data I find SunPower systems wake up and go to bed much sooner than lets say a sharp. Sanyo have the highest temp coefficient the cost is higher than all panels. SunPower comes in #2. During cloudy or hazy days SunPower generates more kWh's. I would agree efficiency only matters in certain conditions but when it comes to electrical generation I find SunPower generates the most. We have installed over 500kW worth of Solar and that has been all the above mentioned. It's funny to hear people say well thier "positive grounded" as if that means something bad. This doesn't prolong the install process what so ever and its done because to discharge static charge. Another thing with SunPower is all other panels have an instant power degration between 2-5 percent once exposed to the sun. SunPower doesn't have this problem due to the doping process of the cells.

    Most panel manufactures actual PV cells come from the same place China or QCells. SunPower make thier own and Sanyo have both anomorphus and crystaline structure. Keep im mind these systems can last between 20-50 years is it worth skimping a few thousand dollars. I mean in the end your going to get paid back and thensome in accumulated savings.

    I am not saying SunPower is the best in the World what I am saying is that they are definitly high quality panels with actual data to back it up. When looking for the best anything take the word of someone that actually has the product not people who think they know whats best. Dont see any SunPower dealers or owners giving feedback on a product they actually sell or own. Other than myself.

    Facts about SunPower:
    10 Year Workmanship Warranty/25 Output...Evergreen 5....Sanyo/Kyocera/Sharp 2 Years Workmanship

    US Based but manufactures cells in Phillipines....they pay taxes in US

    Only Business is Solar...not LCD, Cars, Cell Phones

    Patented Solar Cell Techonology....MOst cells come from same place

    Hold World Record for Efficiency

    Second place for Temp CoEfficienct Sanyo is the lowest.


    Cell Gridlines and Connections on back of cell doesn't prevent sun from hitting cell.

    More SunPower panels on residential, business, and utility than any other brand.

    Only select dealers can sell not anyone off the street can sell and install SunPower.

    Comment

    • JustinSolarGuy
      Junior Member
      • Jun 2009
      • 27

      #32
      They certainly are nice panels but how much do they cost? An Acura or Lexus is nicer than a honda or toyota but when if are buying a car just to get you around you are probably going to buy the Honda or Toyota. Sure they put out more per STC watt and perform better under certain conditions however I have a hard enough time getting someone to buy panels at $2.75 per watt. My customers seem to care about one thing. Spending the least amount of money to save the most off of their bill. You could call that cost efficiecny. Sunpower doesnt seem to stack up in that arena. Panel to panel or STC watt to STC watt they are certainly fantastic modules but I think you can generate just as much KWH for less money. Especially in my state where rebate is per installed watt not per KWH generated. But maybe I am wrong. If I could easily obtain the modules at a competitive price I would certainly consider using them. But I have found when I bid against a sunpower installer I usually win the job with a less expensive American Made module.

      Comment

      • greg kindy leed ap
        Junior Member
        • Oct 2010
        • 14

        #33
        SunPower vs. Kyocera

        I think SunPower modules are too expensive, still.

        It's buyer beware- as always. A salesperson will always add the sizzle when a smart customer is really just wanting the steak.
        The SunPower "Premier Dealer" thing is just sizzle really, I think. The dealers I know have a hard time closing the sale, because
        the modules are pricey. It's simply about getting the electricity from a PV system for the best price! Also, an installation of high
        quality matters- having installers who know all the tricks of the trade regarding inverters and strings.

        Why pay more for a premium dealer? Do they give the customer off-the-chart terrific service for the extra cost? They better.....

        As far as Kyocera vs. SunPower, I know of a department store with a large system with over 100 strings and 3 sub-arrays, using
        the SunPower T10 module. Right in the specs it rates their 215W down to 198.5W-ptc. Why not go with a Kyocera KD210GX-LP?

        Conservatively, this module has an output of 199.5 watts (W-ptc).

        My region is Southern California. I know of a +1MW installed system using the Kyocera KD210. It's beautiful, by the way. And kicks it
        just fine in terms of kWh. I'm specifying this module for systems I've just recently designed. It does the job. I am impressed actually.
        I use the MOST conservative numbers, and figure in all system losses and the Kyocera KD210 is pretty awesome in kWh.

        Last word for this post: Kyocera is an "open" company. SunPower has a different model through their premium dealer network. Tight.
        With Kyocera you can get much more performance data, up front.

        And Kyocera has a new solar-panel factory in Kearny Mesa (San Diego). Which is great for me and my customers in SoCal.
        Greg Kindy, leed ap

        Comment

        • greg kindy leed ap
          Junior Member
          • Oct 2010
          • 14

          #34
          Does anyone have information about the difference between the monocrystalline in SunPower's panel versus the multicrystalline in Kyocera's panel, in terms of output in extreme heat? I'm talking about well over 100 degree temperatures on rooftops. I'm just curious. I kept hearing about issues in high heat with a panel with monocrystalline. But nothing more than rumor. Any data please? Thanks.
          Greg Kindy, leed ap

          Comment

          • russ
            Solar Fanatic
            • Jul 2009
            • 10360

            #35
            Hi Greg, Welcome to Solar Panel Talk!

            Let us see what kind of replies you get.

            Russ
            [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

            Comment

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