Comparing different panels.

[Chispas]

Im in the thinking about it stage for a new project & have been looking at panels from my supplier, trying to compare what's on offer with regard to price & performance. As with wine, I thought its best not to buy the cheapest on the list, so next up is a Tensite EM-600-PH 144 cell mono at €115
STC numbers.
PMAX 600W
VMP : 44.68V
IMP : 13.43A
VOC : 53.99V
ISC : 15,95A
It has a 15 year product guarantee & 30 year lineal performance (good luck with that) & claims %23 efficiency.

Then we have the Jinko TR78M series JKM570M-7RL4-V (156 cells) at €294
STC numbers
PMAX 570W
VMP : 44.29 V
IMP : 12.87A
VOC : 53.74 V
ISC : 13.52 A
12 Year Product Warranty & 25 Year Linear Power Warranty.
Apart form the obvious difference in PMAX what would i be getting for 2.5 times the money ? Both claim grade A cells, same glass thickness, snow and wind rating etc. The Jinko is 133 mm wider & a bit heavier. What am i missing here? Should I be comparing the NOTC numbers?
The vendor, Autosolar have a solid rep here in Spain & I've bought a few things from them over the years, with great customer service. The page for their 24V panels is here . Im looking at 2400 W of panels or there abouts so no massive gains to be had in terms of efficiency but quite a few Pesetas to be saved. What do folks think?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

I haven't heard of Tensite.

I have heard of Jinko.
I try to stick with brands that appear here consistently:

https://scorecard.pvel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-PV-Module-Reliability-Scorecard.pdf

Tensite isn't even listed.

 

[Chispas]

I dont really know much about Tensite but they offer AIO & grid tie inverters , SCCs & batteries. The LiFePO4 batteries have 7 year warranty, the inverters 3 & 12 on the panels. The charge controllers look like a generic item with a Tensite brand. Dunno ?
I've skimmed through the test, it's very comprehensive, ill give it some proper scrutiny later, thanks for that. One problem i see with this test is the absolute tonne of different models & variations from each manufacture & Kiwa can only test a few each year. So maybe panels from JA or AIKO ? or trust in Autosolar ?

 

[GXMnow]

I just found the Tensite web page. They don't even list a 600 watt option on their own web page.

Paneles Solares | Produce tu propia energía con nuestras placas

Paneles Solares Tensite. Produce tu propia energía instalando placas solares. Placas solares para cualquier tipo de instalación fotovoltaica

www.tensite-energy.com

The largest I can see is a 550 watt 144 cell panel. VMP 41.95 volts IMP 13.12 amps = 550 watts. Temp Coefficient is -0.35%, not bad, mine are worse at -0.38%. The VOC of 49.8 volts is good, with the VMP being 84% of VOC, meaning the panel has decent series R loss. My cheap DC system panels are 82%, so this is in line with good numbers.

I agree a bit with Eggo, but for this much money savings, it may be worth it. But will the company be around in 10 years if you need warranty support? The company appears to have been around since at least 2012. Jinko has ben around a lot longer. But Jinko has also had some problems with early failure. They even had a line of solar panels recalled. It appears they have taken care of those issues and produce quality panels now though.

For my main system, I paid for a bit more expensive name brand panel. But for my extra DC charging array, I bought cheap panels off of Amazon. They have been working great for 2 years so far, but will they hold up as long as my SilFab panels? Who knows. Time will tell.

If I was completely dependent on the power from a solar array, I would go with a bigger well known brand. But for trying to save money on the utility bill... Going with cheap panels will improve the short term return on investment. When I bought the SilFab panels, I did look into SunPower. They were listed as a far better panel as far as degradation over time, and power loss in high temps, but the cost was so much higher, I could buy nearly double the power in SilFab panels for the same total price. Even with far worse degradation, the SilFab panels will still end up making a lot more energy per dollar over my lifetime compared to the pricey SunPower panels. There is certainly a point where the extra cost is just not worth it.

 

[shadowmaker]

Almost 0,52e/W is way too expensive for solar panel these days. Like three times too much even for quality N-type bifacial with 24% efficiency, 80% bifaciality and -0,30% temp coeff.

 

[Chispas]

I just found the Tensite web page. They don't even list a 600 watt option on their own web page.

Autosolar list a EM600-PH at €115 & a bifacial 600W TMB 600 at €103. It could be old stock or simply that haven't updated their website.

If I was completely dependent on the power from a solar array, I would go with a bigger well known brand.

Yep, my build, if it happens, will be for an off grid set up probably 2400 W, so I don't want a failed panel. Im looking at this AIKO-A600-MAH72Mw which seems to have some pretty good numbers claiming a temp coefficient Pmax of 0.26% . Im trying to build a "budget" system but saving a total of 80 pavos on 4 panels is pointless, considering when I've priced in a Victron SCC & inverter.
Strangely enough, the STC & NOCT numbers of the Tensite & Aiko are identical....

 

[Chispas]

Almost 0,52e/W is way too expensive for solar panel these days. Like three times too much even for quality N-type bifacial with 24% efficiency, 80% bifaciality and -0,30% temp coeff.

Yeah, that's wild. Spanish ways of doing business and consuming are distinct, to say the least & there is little DIY culture here. I remember years ago changing the front discs & pads on our car & a Spanish amigo was getting really alarmed.

 

[Suijkerbuijk]

Yeah, that's wild. Spanish ways of doing business and consuming are distinct, to say the least & there is little DIY culture here. I remember years ago changing the front discs & pads on our car & a Spanish amigo was getting really alarmed.

You life in the EU .
So you can order from all the Country in the EU.
Wy not order Germany panels.

High-quality, high efficiency PV modules, made with German quality standards .

AESOLAR is a leading PV module manufacturer. We deliver high-quality, durable, and efficient PV modules, showcasing German engineering & quality. Presence in 100+ markets.

ae-solar.com

Or

Solar Panels Store | Solar Panels Online | Europe Solar Store

Shop poly and mono solar panels from 50 watt up to 390 watt online for solar system with the fast worldwide delivery on Europe-SolarStore.com

www.europe-solarstore.com

 

[Chispas]

You life in the EU .
So you can order from all the Country in the EU.
Wy not order Germany panels.

High-quality, high efficiency PV modules, made with German quality standards .

AESOLAR is a leading PV module manufacturer. We deliver high-quality, durable, and efficient PV modules, showcasing German engineering & quality. Presence in 100+ markets.

ae-solar.com

Or

Solar Panels Store | Solar Panels Online | Europe Solar Store

Shop poly and mono solar panels from 50 watt up to 390 watt online for solar system with the fast worldwide delivery on Europe-SolarStore.com

www.europe-solarstore.com

Yeah, ill take a look at that mate, but the transport might be expensive.Thanks for the links.
Edit. The Europe solar store only has panels up to 400W & the German site - impressive graphics - but i doubt that it will be viable with the cost of shipping to Spain for just 4 panels. Maybe they have a distributor here ?

 

[Suijkerbuijk]

Yeah, ill take a look at that mate, but the transport might be expensive.Thanks for the links.
Edit. The Europe solar store only has panels up to 400W & the German site - impressive graphics - but i doubt that it will be viable with the cost of shipping to Spain for just 4 panels. Maybe they have a distributor here ?

You can see Amazon .
Some have store on amazon.

 

[Chispas]

You can see Amazon .
Some have store on amazon.

I avoid Amazon if possible.

 

[MattiFin]

Definitely do some shopping around.

This was first one I found from Spain via google:

Solar panel LONGI Hi-MO X6 72-cell 580W / Tienda Solar

Find your Solar panel LONGI Hi-MO X6 72-cell 580W at Tienda Solar | Top brands at best price| Free shipping for orther over 150€

tienda-solar.es

121 eur including tax and shipping (in Spain I guess)

LONGI Hi-MO X6 72-cell 580W​

 

[Chispas]

Definitely do some shopping around.

I have done & found the AIKO panels at €114 delivered ! Ive also found that Li Time have a web store on Amazon Spain which could be a game changer !