Solar PV brands ... anything to avoid or recommend?

I'm just pricing around for a photovoltaic installation and I've had some pretty reasonable quotes, I'm just wondering are there any equipment makers I should be aware of that are particularly good or bad?

Jinko N Type Panels were quoted with Sofar inverter and batteries and an Eddi ...

Reasonably good kit?

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058305953/solar-pv-brands-anything-to-avoid-or-recommend

Just make sure they are a Tier 1 panel and you will be ok.

Apparently they are.

Also just wondering is there likely to be much hassle installing this on a slate roof? They use roofers obviously, but I’m just wondering how it actually attaches to the roof.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120880583#Comment_120880583

This is a short video of how. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3y6xN2_vOk&t=47s

idc

Tier 1 doesn't apply to the panel but the manufacturer. From Bloombergs own documents BNEF Short Form Template (Grid) (bloomberglp.com)

Tier 1 module manufacturers are those which have provided own-brand, own-manufacture products to at least six different projects, which have been financed non-recourse by six different commercial (ie not development, not export-import) banks, in the past two years.

Thus the panel you buy may not be the panel used in the above 6 projects and from a cheaper product line!

Further the document also states!

We strongly recommend that module purchasers and banks do not use this list as a measure of quality

con747

Here's some info on tier 1 vs tier 2 panels. https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-tier-1-vs-tier-2-solar-panels

I’m just worried that they’re natural slate and tend to be quite fragile and it’s got some seriously long overlaps on the slates.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120881313#Comment_120881313

The good installers have their own roofers so they should be well able to do it. If you have a few spares handy though on the off chance because nothing is guaranteed. Any installer worth their weight will rectify any damage so just check they have insurance for peace of mind. If they are SEAI registered for the grant they should have all that in place.

buzz11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120881313#Comment_120881313

I had one of the 'established' PV installation companies fit panels on my house, the roofer was a subbie with a young lad to help him, so in reality it was one guy in a big hurry to get in & out and stay ahead of the electricians on each job. They broke dozens of tiles through rough handling and carelessness and I was too trusting that they knew what they were doing and were properly supervised-- I was wrong on both counts.

If you have an expensive natural slate roof then take precautions, e.g. get someone with a drone to take before & after photos and keep regular tabs on the roofing job, check how many slates are being broke and keep asking why.