How to Choose The Best Solar Panel

[@heshydrew]

As a solar consultant myself, I am super impressed with this video it's 100/100% perfect I strongly stand behind this video.

[@rockcrusher7000]

it's a pleasure listening to your video's , concise and not drawn out cheers

[@heshydrew]

I would add that SunPower provides 25 year labor warranty for the panels and the inverters from SunPower directly. So that is a bit of an advantage that SunPower has over LG (if comparing 2 premium brands)

[@bobqzzi]

You have a knack for very clear explanations.

[@SolarSurge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kjrchannel1480]

What would be nice is for people to start listing the MSRP of solar panels that way people can be more aware of price scalpers.

[@Robert-dy8jt]

Do you install Sunpower systems? Great video!!

[@chibuzorikeonyeije5852]

Hi I sent a mail and I'm yet to get a response... I'm not a US resident I'm interested in purchasing either the LG or the Qcells panel. Thanks

[@sharingtheadventure]

You really nail these videos. Great work!

[@SolarSurge]

Thank you very much!

[@johnross6314]

Which ones are internal “wired” not in series? Meaning when shade hits a few cells, knocks out 25-50% decrease in output if cells are wired in series? On home roofs this can still matter due to environment. Thanks.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi John and thanks for writing in. The Qcells Duo Cell design mitigates this problem by providing multiple electron pathways through the module. Check out last week's video that explains this a little more in depth.

[@johnross6314]

@@SolarSurge Thank you! You are the best content provider for this ecosystem on KZbin. Assuming your main business is run as professionally as here, you are also top of the heap.

[@SolarSurge]

@@johnross6314 Thanks for the support!

[@allsolartexas]

Great video! Spot on analysis. 👍🏼

[@SolarSurge]

Appreciate it!

[@heshydrew]

I would add that the 400W is a 66 cell... it's a bit bigger and sometimes a smaller 60 cell at 350W can provide an overall bigger system in KW

[@MHAfundy]

Durability. What panel resists hail damage, for example.

[@SolarSurge]

Good question. Especially for Texas. In that regard, the panels are just about all the same. Rated to withstand 120MPH hail impact.

[@celianolan3837]

I guess you don't want any women as clients. Really, just sell to men and mention the "wife" as perhaps interested in the aesthetics? We're informed customers who make decisions on household expenses, and I left with an extremely negative impression of your company after this video. This is the equivalent of car dealerships who only talk to the man and then look at the wife only when mentioning paint options.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Celia and thanks for writing in. This is good feedback for us to have. I have personally encountered the scenario I mentioned several times, but you are correct that there are many informed women buyers out there who are interested in detailed technical analysis in addition to aesthetics.

[@mpirokajosephmgcokoca2355]

Excellent presentation 👏

[@eugenedeleon448]

Hi joe. What’s the appropriate iq8 intervter to go with the qcell 400

[@SolarSurge]

IQ8+ or IQ8M

[@MichaelJ.Catallo]

Which solar panels would be best suited for hot climates such as Nevada?

[@SolarSurge]

REC or Qcells

[@lunatik9696]

Does Solar Surge have resources for the DIY solar buyer/ installer?

[@SolarSurge]

No I'm afraid not. We do 100% complete turn-key installation with a warranty. For a solar DIY project, I recommend www.altestore.com or unboundsolar.com/

[@CC-mj3zq]

None are bad, they are all good quality. Given its a long term decision though i would always choose sunpower. I base this on technology, build quality, warranty and company reputation. Imo only and yes biased selling and installing sunpower since 2010.

[@ththtut]

Good Work. Please more update on "How to Choose" with new emerging products.

[@timsteinkamp2245]

Depending of course but I say put in more panels. My nine I bought a few years ago of the poly 60 cell or 6 x 10 running at 30 volt. I run them 3 to a string with three strings. I can get 2200 watts right after a rain and the sun comes out from behind a cloud. My summer harvest is up to 13 kwh but on a cloudy day I can get less than 1 kwh. It is a bummer wasting all that electricity in the summer to have enough in the winter so I use the generator for my off grid home.

[@jedics1]

How can you do a segment comparing panels by price, performance and aesthetics and not tell us approximate price per watt? It makes the video next to useless!

[@sukrittyagi2393]

Hey Love how informative these videos are. The NeonRs here in Australia are all black and they look bomb

[@VernalFilm]

Thanks again Joe for informational video. I have a question for you that I hope you have time for: 1) According to your experience, what sort of c-Si tech performs better for cloudy/low-light conditions between HJT, N-type or P-type cells? I live in Norway at about 60 degrees latitude with mixed weather. Thank you. -T

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

No mention of Solaria, which I thought was one of higher sales volume brands in US. We’ve been looking at their Power XT370. In terms of performance, >20% efficiency they are in LG/SunPower class. 92% efficiency guarantee too puts them in that class. The all black appearance wins in aesthetics and the price is less than Neon-R and SunPower, at least here in CO. What am I missing or is this just a brand your firm does not carry?

[@SolarSurge]

I like Solaria Power-XT 370 panels. I even covered them when they first came out back in 2018. However, with SilFab offering an all-black 370W module at a price point $0.30W less, I don't see a place for Solaria in my lineup. I do have it available though.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

@@SolarSurge One of the big selling points, at least purported by my solar installer, is the Solaria’s superior performance in partial shade. We have a lot of tall pines and firs near home that will partially shade the panels, especially in Fall-Spring when sun lower on horizon. In your experience is this a valid claim that Solaria’s are superior when panel is partially shaded?

[@SolarSurge]

@@MichaelM-to4sg Yes this is valid. The Solaria Power-XT module design has better shade mitigation than a standard solar panel.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

@@SolarSurge Thank you sir, much appreciated

[@Robert-dy8jt]

Solaria panels Output @ end of warranty is 86% . Sunpower is 92% . Quality always has a cost .

[@Just_An_Idea_For_Consideration]

I am wanting to expand our exiting business, to add a solar sales and installation department, any recommendations?

[@premsun]

I am thinking to go with Silfab.. hopefully I am making a good choice

[@blazeharding574]

As always, great video. I love what you and your company stand for. The video are always informative and concise. I will be building my home next year. Hopefully you continue to expand your market and will be available in my area.

[@coziii.1829]

I just want the best all round cost is nothing

[@SolarSurge]

LG Neon R all the way!

[@Anna-ss4sf]

Sure do wish your service area extended to southern PA.

[@matureprogamers4674]

It would have been nice to ad the actual Price per watt on each panel presented

[@matureprogamers4674]

It would have been nice to ad the price per kWh on this video.

[@saquist]

Yes was looking for this

[@RMC-7211]

So what about the Aptos solar panels? What do you think of there solar panels? The DNA 360w and has a 30 year warranty with 82.4% at 30 years 85.1@. 25 years.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi and thanks for writing in. From what I can tell, the Aptos panels are on par with SilFab in terms of price, performance, and aesthetics.

[@RagionamentiFinanziari]

Insightful, thank you

[@Natedoc808]

Do you do business in GA?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, we cover all of GA. You can use this link to book an appt: calendly.com/solar-surge-sales-team/solar-consultation

[@paultribbett7765]

you stated on another video that sunpower had built-in micro inverters ,, would that not bring their cost down since lg and others would have to add inverters also,,this driving up their costs

[@SolarSurge]

Good question. Even considering the cost of inverters and labor, SunPower systems are generally the most expensive.

[@MohammadRafiq-kt8nj]

Very nice videos. Where are you located and how you deal with customer in New Jersey. Thanks

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Mohammad. We are proud to serve all of NJ. Please use the website to book a virtual appt and we would be happy to show you options and pricing for NJ.

[@bobstone1741]

Once again, awesome job.

[@mrhmuhammad]

Joe, do you have any videos on solar shingles and its quality, cost or availability?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Harold and thanks for writing in. We do not work with the solar shingles at this time. I still consider this a beta test stage product. Tesla is still trying to figure this out and they keep raising the price. The standard solar panels offer far better value and efficiency today.

[@whiteandnerdytuba]

Where’s the Tesla solar roof competitor? Would love to spend less on a roof than a house is worth

[@SolarSurge]

The Tesla roof is still in beta test from what I understand. Tesla has been raising the price. The standard solar panels still deliver the best value for money.

[@d.reidmorgan7531]

You did not discuss the warranty differences on the life of the panel itself, only the output warranty. Doesn't LG offer a 25/25 warranty, and some of its competitors only offer a 12/25 warranty?

[@datsuntoyy]

I've always thought the waranty and output waranty are redundant. Say the panel has a 10 year waranty and an output of 25 years. If the panel fails at 11 years, its out of waranty but now it's not producing and the output waranty states it should be. They'd still have to replace the panel wouldn't they?

[@d.reidmorgan7531]

@@datsuntoyy No. That's the point most solar installers WILL NOT tell you. If the reason the panel fails at 11 years is due to the materials the panel is made of, then your 25 yr output is worthless. I'm a 30 year electric industry person / and a retired JP Morgan Chase Managing Director. When the lawyers give you two warranties with a different term for each, you had better read the fine print to find out what each warranty provides for. Have you seen a reply from this channel's host yet? Ask to get both warranties for any solar panel by any company and read BOTH carefully. The big bucks per hour billing rates corporate lawyers charge are justified by the protection they give to the manufacturer providing the warranties. Installers only "pass through" the warranties that come with the manufacturer's solar panels and do not stand by them themselves. They don't have the balance sheets to back them up even if they claim that they do (and they by and large don't). I would go with a 20-25?/25 yr warranty from an LG Neon R series panel any day compared to a 10-12/25 yr warranty of one of the others any day.

[@rickylindsay6658]

Good video. It would be more informative if you actually gave us prices or estimate prices. Just saying it's cheaper doesn't help.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Ricky and thanks for writing in. Prices vary by state and roof type. Please use this link to book a call with a designer so that you can receive a price quote: calendly.com/solar-surge-sales-team/solar-consultation

[@rickylindsay6658]

@@SolarSurge what about a raw price? I get there being subsidies and rebates and such that vary by state, but a raw price would be nice. Could the raw prices vary that much from state to state?

[@datsuntoyy]

just had 18 REC alpha black 370s installed. Ironically, it's been cloudy and rainy since they installed them. lol Ideally they should produce 6.6KW but actually I'm expecting more like 4.8 - 6kw depending on outside temp and sunshine. My inverter is limited to 6kw output so I'll never hit 6.6kw. The first day the system was installed I had an hour of sunshine and the main meter was running backwards (slowly) with both ACs running at about medium capacity, kicked the pool pump on... forget about it.

[@VernalFilm]

Hi, are you happy with the REC Alphas so far? I live in Norway where we have about 50/50 overcast(incl precipitation)/sun and Im considering the Alphas. Have you gotten the impression the they produce better under lowlight/cloudy conditions? Wondering if the extra cost pays off. Thanks! -T

[@datsuntoyy]

@@VernalFilm give me a few more days to see. I didn't get the monitor log on untill sun was going down yesterday. They didn't cost much more than some of the more popular cheaper cells. I got them because they have a 92% 20 year production rating where as many of the other ones being pushed are 80%.

[@datsuntoyy]

@@VernalFilm First full day of monitoring. Sunny all day. high in the mid 90's. produced from 0530 to 1730 with 0740 to 1650 being >1kw. peak was 5.63kw and total for the day was 34.8KWH. That peaked out at 312.8 W per pannel. halfway between rated and NMOT. Given the slight drop in eficiency for the inverter, optimizers and line, I'm happy. Probably an actual panel output of about 325W Although in hind site, I wish I would have gotten 2-4 more pannels.

[@Joda30088]

Hey Joe what do you think about the efficiency of the Jinko JKM375M-6RL3-V ?

[@SolarSurge]

Personally, I don't like Jinko. In terms of performance and efficiency, this is on par with the SilFab Elite 370. The SilFab panel looks nicer. I would go with SilFab or Qcells if it were me.

[@Joda30088]

@@SolarSurge That's a bummer, I've already signed a contract with my installer. I'll see if they offer other options. Thanks for the advice

[@SolarSurge]

@@Joda30088 Most contracts have a rescission period where you can cancel if you change your mind. Let us know if need a quote with another panel option. www.solarsurge.net

[@Joda30088]

@@SolarSurge Thanks, I'll look into it

[@Joda30088]

@@SolarSurge What do you think about the LG Neon 2 Black, LG370N1K-A6 compared to that Jinko one?