New German SOLAR PANEL - Meyer Burger Review

Mark meets Brendan and Tim from Meyer Burger to discuss their new solar panels made in Germany with 96% materials sourced from Europe.
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Featuring Mark Cavanagh, Brendan Kay, and Tim Degen
1:39 Meyer Burger’s origin story
5:49 The SmartWire Connection Technology difference
7:31 Competing with the premium panels
8:58 Precision technology from a history in the watch-making industry
10:21 Heterojunction Technology (HJT) reduces panel degradation
12:58 Better solar panel design with glass-glass and aluminum EVA backsheets
17:07 Bigger’s not always better for solar panel size
19:51 Where they source materials
22:32 When the panels arrive in Australia

[@annawulf4910]

This panel can put out close to 100 watts kzbin.infoUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.

[@mik2137]

In my neighborhood in Switzerland we just finished installing 12 independent PV systems with the gorgeous Meyer Burger Black modules. 12 families built together 12x 16.5kWp with about 500 panels. It was a great project and we all love our Meyer Burger panels! 😍

[@platin2148]

Is there a way to get them more or less directly without he 20ish distributors in between.

[@mcelectrical]

Nice! Did you get glass glass, or glass back sheet? I’m looking forward to testing them.

[@Ocram222222]

Scheissdreck Module. Bus Bar schräge eingelötet. Die ersten Module die ich nach 30Jahren montiert habe die nicht rechtwinklig waren. Die Leistung ist abscheulich 15% niedriger als Stsndart Module. Unglaublich ihre Darstellung.

[@mik2137]

@@mcelectrical we used "black" modules, so with a back sheet.

[@Suburp212]

Excellent

[@willscheidegger4115]

I really must wonder what those “horror stories” about frameless panels would be? Frameless panels for in-roof systems are very popular here in Switzerland. They do cost a bit more than cheap asian panels, but you don’t need a roof anymore as the panel _is_ the roof. And I have a 30 year warranty on it.

[@adamanthony7465]

A good story...I came from Africa many years ago to witness Meyer Burger at Intersolar and to propagate the idea of a bridge from.the resurrected home of PV being the EEG of Germany back to what may well be given incoming demographic an interesting market in Africa. Is it not correct that the environmental responsiveness of Europe should be given the privilege of work arising from this research and development. Hats off to the technical institutes of Europe..respect to Frauennhofer and co. Quality is a long term value.

[@ahbeng888]

The name sounded familiar. I remember doing my research a few years ago when I was looking for panels and I remember seeing their name alongside HJT. Think they supplied REC with the machines to manufacture their Alpha range. Nice to see that MB are now getting into the panel game themselves now.

[@mcelectrical]

That connection with REC alpha pure gives so much credibility. I’m pretty keen to see what happens from here!

[@ZisWile]

@@mcelectrical Really when rec alpha panels are now having warranty claims made, due to delaminations?

[@klausb5953]

Wäre nur noch die Frage warum die Module fast das Doppelte von z.B. Heckert kosten müssen.

[@snarfdwarf]

I don't understand dismissing cheap Chinese panels. It is economically not feasible to buy a $300 high-end 400 Wp panel compared to a $100 cheap 400 Wp panel. The cheap panels also last for more then 10 years and in 10 years you might want to replace the panels anyway with double capacity panels. I bought my panels in 2014 (250 Wp) and maybe in 5 years time I'm going to replace the 11 panels on my roof with 10 slightly bigger 500Wp panels assuming 500Wp is the standard in 5 years.

[@rossr6616]

I used to operate an ingot saw at Fairchild Semiconductor in the 1970's while in college; disc blade under tension with the center open and diamond coated edge. Ingot was stationary and the disc mount was lowered to cut the ingot. They were very touchy about rate of cut because those blades were ao very thin(to not waste the doped material), also processed and graded the wafers for consistency of thickness. I never worked in the crucible area where the raw silicon was melted and mixed with the dopants. It has been so long but I believe we also mechanically polished to remove kerf marks and to thickness.. That plant, like many others at the time was eventually closed due to triclorethane solvent contamination of groundwater. In the early days semi producers often dumped drums of spent chemicals out the back door! Ah silicon valley!

[@solexxx8588]

Panels with a length to width ratio of 2/1 are best for installers. It makes more configurations possible.

[@mcelectrical]

Oh wow, a 2 meter panel? Not on residential!

[@rokadamlje5365]

@@mcelectrical boo hoo like theres much of a difference between 1.75m and 2m ...

[@satman1140]

@@mcelectrical”ratio of 2/1”

[@JamalHashe]

Thanks Mark and team. I recently installed the Trina Dual Glass 440 Watt panels on my house, very happy with the outcome. I previously had a smaller system which I replaced. They were Jinko Panels, - they struggled in the hottest days but performed well during the milder weather of Sep - Nov and March - Apr. My new Trina panels are working very well in this out of season sunny days in May here in Melbourne. I would like to know, if Meyer Burger tested their new panels in the Australian Conditions? Because lets face it, Australia's weather swings between extremes, specially in hot summer days.

[@mcelectrical]

Hi Jamal, It’s Mark. I’ll be honest, the whole “testing in Austrian conditions” is a misnomer. Quality lab testing with heat, humidity and wind is what we really need. To be fair, I should have asked those questions - I’ll ask them next week.

[@Francis-yc9nc]

Meyer burger has bought in 2010 Pasan SA the industry solarpanel / cell testing standard. They know what they do. 😁

[@el-lex6822]

Alter Schwede! Muss man als Deutscher auf einem australischen Electric Kanal auf Englisch erfahren, dass wir doch noch Solarindustrie in Deutschland haben. Ich bin begeistert.🎉

[@mcelectrical]

Danke! Keep tuned because SMA are making a comeback as a residential inverter in Australia too. It probably won’t be till early next year, but I’m really looking forward to Fronius having competition!

[@el-lex6822]

@@mcelectrical I was very pleased about your answer. 🥰 In Germany, the balcony power plant "Balkonkraftwerk" is a matter at the moment. Tenants can use their basic needs directly via 2 solar panels 600-800W. Maybe this topic is also of interest to your audience.

[@user-el6cn3jf8n]

Whatever we say, the price of the modules is decisive and will be more decisive after it is filled with PV energy producers, and the kwh is falling, as a price. The competition does not sleep, it even overtakes, including in terms of quality. Protection policies don't work here, you can't make anyone buy expensive. Ultimately, the market decides.

[@Causemoi]

Volume too low.

[@mcelectrical]

Sorry about that. Glen Morris said the same. He’s given us a few tips :)

[@wleizero]

One of the most exciting announcements I have heard in years. Thanks.

[@Erik-gg2vb]

In the early 1990's My machine shop in Carson Ca. made silicon ingot carts for after they grow them. The plant was for 6" diameter ingots. The company was Sanyo Solar.

[@mcelectrical]

Oh wow, that’s the early days of solar!

[@andysPARK]

Good job guys!

[@daispy101]

Really need to boost the sound on this one. This may be the quietest video I've seen on KZbin

[@jamesb2059]

Meyer Burger make excellent panels, well engineered and innovative, and ithey are not just another importer from China

[@mcelectrical]

Yeh it’s a bit of a different proposition from anything else on the market!

[@bsd2000au2000]

I have REC panels...great panels and a major competitor for Meyer Burger apparently. The German panels will likely be amazing. I also have dual Fronius inverters which have been a little disappointing. Their use of MS Azure data services is a mistake if I am understanding the problem. They lose connectivity on a weekly basis. It is seriously annoying and I think unnecessary. Is there any hope of Fronius fixing this problem?

[@Suburp212]

Frameless looks completely different and waaaay better. And the sand dust does not accumulate in the corners.

[@FrankJewelry]

Hi Mark. I love your chanel! I am from Austria and also have a Fronius Gen24 10kw inverter and about 11kwp panels on my roof feeding the inverter. everything is connected to a byd hvm 19,3. we use here kioto panels that are made in austria too(like fronius) and they are often found to be used here because they also have 385w per panel, are highly diffuse efficient and do not reflect the sun so neighbours will not get blinded by the light! My system works pretty well. regarding the meyer burger panels i have heard a looooooot of great things here too. it seems they have now the same watt number. i just want to know if there is anywere a sheet that gives info about watt / squareinch or something like that to compare which panel can produce how much with the same size. many think that 400watt / m2 = 400 w/m2 which issnt the case. Some of my solarfriends once said LG is the best of the best because of its watt and size and quality, but lately these opinions seemed to change. Maybe you have some infos on that. Thanks for your channel! have a nice day!

[@mcelectrical]

Hi Frank. Thanks 😊. Look at the panels efficiency. Panels are sitting around 21 or 22 percent. The Meyer Burger panel may be .3 percent less efficient because there is more frame compared to cell - when compared to a larger footprint panel.

[@myceliata]

Meyer Burger sounds great - but their new factory with a huge roof in sunny Colorado doesn't have solar panels on it!

[@mxtthompson]

Nice interview. Would definitely consider Myer Burger for installs

[@mcelectrical]

Thanks mxt! I’m working on my interview skills but this was a really interesting one for me too.

[@ahbeng888]

You should definitely consider Meyer Burger or REC for panels. I’ve noticed the difference on hot summer days with having the original REC Alpha’s on my roof with panel level monitoring via Enphase. They have been performing as expected when I see what wattage they are producing and working back from there with the temperature coefficients.

[@mcelectrical]

Very nice. I’m setting up a test on my new warehouse comparing REC APpha pure r to Qmax. I’ll do a video with results. I hope I see a difference but i think I’ll need to wait till summer.

[@Notyou5556]

Cost?

[@Cordycep1]

I noticed the Meyer Burger are biracial, so max watt wont be achived on rooftop? thanks

[@mcelectrical]

Ah interesting interpretation. Yes they have a bifacial panel but the flash test does not include the back. So you get the normal output on rooftop, and higher output in the right conditions.

[@pitvondone]

Year you must get good quote even my 100 Watt solar bag they doubled the prise.

[@dreamcat4]

i approve and would like to buy panels manufactured in europe. but what i also want to know is if these innovations can be combined and complement those new pervoskite which are also now being manufactured in germany (oxford pv). can these technologies actually work together, and be incorporated into the same product?

[@mcelectrical]

Pervoskite is pretty exciting tech. Qcells for one is working on it. But, despite the hype, it’s not happening this year or next year mainstream. Completely different tech, can’t wait till it’s here!

[@zedaye9552]

When can i put my order in? Need to bring some down to Melbourne

[@mcelectrical]

You can line up behind me! It seems it will start out at low volumes. Might be worth getting in touch with them.

[@user-sb8kl1yu4l]

Have you done a recent video or post about your experience with Maxeon panels? I've been leaning towards them, and I notice you used to like them, but you seem to have changed your opinion?

[@mcelectrical]

No, I haven’t. Unfortunately Sunpower went down hill after the good old 327w panel. The 40’year warranty is ridiculous especially when they argue about clear and numerous warranty issues.

[@user-sb8kl1yu4l]

@@mcelectrical Thanks so much for your helpful reply. What you've said is very interesting to hear! I guess I'll be looking at other options now 🙂

[@platin2148]

Hmm might also take a look at Energetica PV. Or Sonnenkraft..?

[@mcelectrical]

Interesting, I just had a quick Google. Austrian panels right. But I don’t believe they are available in Australia :(

[@platin2148]

@@mcelectrical Yep i was under the impression Sonnenkraft sells internationally at least there structure solar panels.

[@typxxilps]

Longi 535 Wp are now below 160€ for 32 Meyer Burger is about twice the price for 400 Wp And I am talking about module prices, not per Wp. They might last longer like all glas glas, but if the Longi pay of twice as fast I will do the bet that our system is working longer than the 5 years it needs to have paid of. And if I use the money saved to invest into more panels the roi gets even better. Germany - Australia is also quite a long shipping so CO2 emission wise not the first choice. Yes, made in germany can be expected but why is Wp per sqm lower than the competition? And even in Germany some customers complained about the long time of delivery too, so how should they ship in time if they struggle in a 500 km germany cause there factory is not further away than 500 km from close to 95 % of german customers?

[@raymondschembri5042]

Yes , look at their car industry it’s failing. A car it just a mode of transport that gets you from a to b. Go and buy a a German car and see how much it costs you to keep it on the road . A LOT OF MAINTENANCE 😄😄😄😄

[@reneotter]

Increase the sound level please.

[@go-live]

Why don't you make triangular panels? Australia has horribly designed roofs which means that if you had triangular panels to fill in the gaps you would get on average 15% increase in solar real-estate. Each triangular panel just needs to be half of a full panel and matched in pairs.

[@jetfu400]

why is the sound level so low? your like whispering?

[@aatkarelse8218]

Ah yes the perfect beginning to a yt vid first put the audio at a normal or below level and then have and extra loud jingle, reminds me i have to install the compressor plugin. cant watch your vid, i have work to do.

[@aatkarelse8218]

Yuup sound normal now, thx for the heads up.

[@bwatson7586]

plug the solar panel in so we can hear you

[@mcelectrical]

Ha, sorry, next time we’ll try that. Seems to just ok for most but probably not loud enough if you are in a noisy environment (or maybe device dependent?)

[@elimin8er]

Looking forward to selling into Tasmania. Can someone tell me who we contact 😊

[@mcelectrical]

www.meyerburger.com/en/newsroom/artikel/meyer-burger-enters-australian-market-and-exhibits-at-smart-energy-expo-in-sydney

[@edmundzed9870]

How about mentioning efficiency, price and a place where one can actually buy these things in Germany. Never mind I am too old fashioned I guess.

[@mcelectrical]

They haven’t hit the Australian market yet, so price is still not announced (I’m not sure about Germany). It will be the higher end of the price range. I think we mentioned efficiency is similar to other panels. Around 22 percent.

[@edmundzed9870]

@@mcelectrical How about Germany, as far as I can see they don't even want sell it to private home owners.

[@KoDeMondo]

​@@mcelectricalthe issues with Australian market is not only having a better and self sustainable electric grid but mainly a better insulated houses with good quality product, not definitely asbestos!

[@ZisWile]

Now that Rec alpha panels using this tech have reached 2 years use we are already seeing failures delamination. No doubt in 2 years we will see the same with Meyer Burger.

[@mcelectrical]

Interesting. I just met with Gus, the country manager for REC. He said it was not delaminating but a discolouring of the cell. This did not reduce the output. He’s sending me a white paper on it. His explanation was that they were reinventing the solar panel, and, some teething issues occurred. I too have hesitations about new tech, probably it is wise to hold of on Myerberger for a few years

[@ZisWile]

@@mcelectrical But that really is the point, How much testing occurs before the Guinea pig consumers get caught out. Trust is being eroded and giving life to tin foil brigade.

[@HT-vd4in]

Why would you ship a PV-Panel all around the world? They are all basically the same

[@mcelectrical]

Hmm, thats kind of like saying all cars are the same. I’ve seen some garbage panels over the years, and seem others that are holding up really well after 15+ years

[@philipdamask2279]

Sound volume is too low. Hard to hear!

[@abdurrahmanpatel6380]

At the end of the day it boils down to Price /kW. European products are out priced for most maekets.

[@mcelectrical]

Yeh, for many it is about price. But there is a section of the market that just wants the best.

[@albertdupont4351]

Europe has money for his homemade solar product and more they bail it for that , do you in your country ?

[@NoidoDev]

Your sound while talking is too low compared to other videos and also your intro. Maybe check such things better and more systematically. Anyways, thanks for the video.

[@petersvan7880]

Audio way too low.

[@litestuffllc7249]

Get to the point; I watched for 10 minutes without any value as to why this product would be worth a dollar more. There wasn't much reason provided. i never got any performance data in 10 minutes of time wasted.

[@mcelectrical]

Their main selling point is hjt, and the fact that it is a European built panel. That holds more value to some than it does to other.

[@lnostdal]

Oh, nice. Too bad no one can buy European made solar panels anywhere in a normal webshop. I'll stick with stuff made in China; thanks.

[@bobgentleman1534]

The audio is terrible

[@decibel_tastic2869]

Forgive me, but...audio is rolled off, over compressed, damped, reverb is non-existent, like an anechoic chamber. It's mildly painful to listen too, unnatural. Not sure if it's in post, the mics, or from the interviewees body language, the room itself. Content is great, but please fix the room.

[@srh2301]

What a pity. So much effort to create this video and then you saved money on the sound engineer. Normalizing the audio volume is just a few clicks in you video editing software. Maybe you fix the almost unhearable sound and re-upload the video?

[@mcelectrical]

:( yeh sorry. We’re just working this out step by step.

[@Fritsvrolijk]

In 5 years all panels are old crap so i stick 2 the cheap China panels and get in 5 years new panels

[@mcelectrical]

Hmm, that ain’t so. Crap panels last 5 years. And crap panels don’t belong in our industry.

[@Fritsvrolijk]

@@mcelectrical In Holland all 5 year old panels getting of the roof and sold for a view dollars

[@mcelectrical]

I see. Yes, we replace systems after 3 or 5 years on a weekly basis. That’s why you should pay more. I don’t think we need to pay REC alpha pure R, or Meyer Burger panel, but a decent panel installed by a quality installation will last well past 20 years.

[@JamalHashe]

@@mcelectrical I understand completely, but rarely do people expect to have the same panels for 20 years. Probably 10 years max. By which time technology has improved so much that it necessities that you upgrade your system to take advantage of it. I had an old 3 KW system which I installed back in 2011. At the time, it was top dollar install and I was under the impression that this will last the full warranty of 25 years. But now, I had to replace them because 10KW System with newer panels, newer more efficient inverters and software capabilities, these were the reason why I had to replace my old trusty system even-though it was working well.

[@glenmcneill1675]

Curious what are the primary panel issues you are seeing that limit life to 5 years?