Tulex
Solar Wizard
No different than cars. It depends on how you look at it.
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Sol-Ark's Comment on EG4 18k-PV-12-LV
- Thread starter HighTechLab
- Start date
SignatureSolarJames
Try Solar, the Grid will always take you back
literally had a big installer get furious when he realized this.
marketing and branding pays off
Yes, this is what turns me off to SolArk as well. Sure they may be tweaking a few things here and there, but their units are Deye inverters. Most people interested enough in solar and alternative energy enough to actively participate here know this already.
I don’t own any SolArk or EG4 equipment. The price of SolArk is a turn off for me when I know what the actual cost of the units is. Sorry, I just don’t buy into the value add that they claim. I’m happy to spend money on good equipment and tools (most of my power tools are festool, I have SMA Sunny Islands currently etc.). Like most people I think, I take issue with all of the patriotic claims along with the attendant surcharge when the unit is 100% Chinese made and almost 100% Chinese design.
This new EG4 unit is quite intriguing on the other hand. It seems to offer performance that is really on par with the SolArk/Deye 15k. On top of that, EG4 is not trying to make any claims that this unit is not in fact a LuxPower inverter that they have collaborated and had some input on. At its core though, this is a LuxPower inverter and that point is made clear. On top of that, EG4 is selling this at a reasonable price. There is no question that Signature Solar has some work to do in the customer service and Q/C departments. Quality seems to be an issue with certain products they offer, but not others. This has kept me from considering them as a vendor so far, however I can also see that they are working hard to deliver quality products. I like that they aren’t hiding the origin of their products and claiming that they are great patriots.
Having the 9540 listing will be nice when that is completed. Definitely considering the EG4.
I don’t own any SolArk or EG4 equipment. The price of SolArk is a turn off for me when I know what the actual cost of the units is. Sorry, I just don’t buy into the value add that they claim. I’m happy to spend money on good equipment and tools (most of my power tools are festool, I have SMA Sunny Islands currently etc.). Like most people I think, I take issue with all of the patriotic claims along with the attendant surcharge when the unit is 100% Chinese made and almost 100% Chinese design.
This new EG4 unit is quite intriguing on the other hand. It seems to offer performance that is really on par with the SolArk/Deye 15k. On top of that, EG4 is not trying to make any claims that this unit is not in fact a LuxPower inverter that they have collaborated and had some input on. At its core though, this is a LuxPower inverter and that point is made clear. On top of that, EG4 is selling this at a reasonable price. There is no question that Signature Solar has some work to do in the customer service and Q/C departments. Quality seems to be an issue with certain products they offer, but not others. This has kept me from considering them as a vendor so far, however I can also see that they are working hard to deliver quality products. I like that they aren’t hiding the origin of their products and claiming that they are great patriots.
Having the 9540 listing will be nice when that is completed. Definitely considering the EG4.
Quattrohead
Solar Wizard
In that case you won't buy anything, the price doubles on everything as soon as it hits the ports. You think that Ford truck really cost $80k to make ?
Tulex
Solar Wizard
I thought only half the unit was from China, I thought I read on here that Sol-Ark builds part of it here, and makes their own software.
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
Too bad there isn't a millisecond adjustment for off grid frequency. Seems like your clock chip is running a little fast.
Which software? The the data and web hosted stuff for the Sol-Ark was/is hosted from servers in China. They have started to change that so that new installs send data to the USA but older units are still sending to China.
Interesting comparison. I would never buy a BMW because I don't consider it really a product with a great track record. I've noticed there are a heck of a lot more old Fords still driving around (proportionally) than old BMWs. Probably because BMWs are expensive to maintain and repair, so when they get older they get junked because richy people won't be seen in an "old" car and middle class or poor people can't afford the repair bills on them!
And I'm not even a Ford fan in the slightest.
There is a common phrase about German cars. If you can't afford a new one, you can't afford a used one.
Having owned a few Mercs since new that have become quite high mileage, I completely agree with that phrase.
BlueMarblePA
Solar Enthusiast
I just used the Trina 280w panels which are easy to handle and carry. So I will carry the salt with you!
MrM1
I'm Here, But I'm Not All There
@HighTechLab
Can you post a link to the calculator used in your pics?
Can you post a link to the calculator used in your pics?
This one is also good: https://www.midnitesolar.com/sizingTool/index.php
MrM1
I'm Here, But I'm Not All There
Is the MS calc this calc ?
I am familiar with MS's calc. I have used it for the past 6 years to design systems. Just wasn't thinking what HighTechLab used was the same. I could be wrong. Often am.
houseofancients
Solar Wizard
exactly my thought
houseofancients
Solar Wizard
sorry , but nonsense
Honestly for me, the price isn't a huge differentiator (just a consideration), but the "properly sized" wiring compartment sure is. SolArk could really use an extended gutter option, as @HighTechLab is aware from his personal install.
I'll be trying to go into permit and utility application with a series of acceptable alternates listed on the plans for AIO inverters and maybe even the XW-Pro 6848 ecosystem.
I'll be trying to go into permit and utility application with a series of acceptable alternates listed on the plans for AIO inverters and maybe even the XW-Pro 6848 ecosystem.
houseofancients
Solar Wizard
and to add insult to injury.
deye( including sunsynk users, dc is in london) is moving data to uk for eu users, usa for north and south american users ( including sol-ark ) and the rest stays in china .
probably has more to do with strickter eu/uk laws on privacy and the general bad vibes between the us and china than anything
just saying
SignatureSolarJames
Try Solar, the Grid will always take you back
XW Pro is genuine gold some have 18 years under their belt lol
They're amazing, the issue is the balance of the system. It just adds up. I can get 3 xw pros for 5500cad each, but the balance of parts is another ~10k.
You guys really have an advantage with the lack of PDP, AGS, monitoring, etc. It's a really attractive alternative.
I understand quite well how business works, but thanks. My point is that IF Sol Ark didn’t have an exclusive deal with Deye in NA, then the same exact units would cost roughly to a little more than half of what they sell them for…. Off the boat here in the US. What I take issue with is the implication that you are paying for a specia American product at an all American price when we know that isn’t true at all. That’s it. If they didn’t take this approach, I would have zero issues with SolArk ??
. Again, as I posted on my original post, I have no problem ponying up premium money for premium items. Sure I like a bargain, but I’m definitely not the guy always looking to save a few bucks.
