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**solar pete** · 09-19-2015, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by Hugo Z Hackenbush

Thanks to the folks on this panel, my wife and I have narrowed the field to two contractors either of whom will save us about $7000 on installation costs.

We are about to go with a 14 panel Kyocera 335W panel grid system paired to Solar Edge 5000 for $3.85/watt (before tax break and not including panel upgrade).

Does anyone have thoughts on Kyocera panels? As good as LG? Sunpower?

Do I need to get the Zigbee comms? Intaller recommended it but it's $500.

Finally, anyone with experience with CM Solar please PM me your thoughts.

Thanks again to all on this panel who helped out. This really is a wonderful resource.

Thanks,
Hugo

Hi Hugo,

They seem like a good company from looking here, the pre screened solar pro status is a good thing, means they have been investigated by SolarReviews, for things like proper accreditation and insurances etc

Compare solar companies, solar panels, and solar prices | SolarReviews

http://www.solarreviews.com/installers/cm-solar-electric-reviews/

CM Solar Electric reviews and complaints, reviews of the brands of solar panels they sell, their locations and the cost of installations reported to us for 2024. Get the best deal.

**Willaby** · 09-19-2015, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by Hugo Z Hackenbush

Thanks to the folks on this panel, my wife and I have narrowed the field to two contractors either of whom will save us about $7000 on installation costs.

We are about to go with a 14 panel Kyocera 335W panel grid system paired to Solar Edge 5000 for $3.85/watt (before tax break and not including panel upgrade).

Does anyone have thoughts on Kyocera panels? As good as LG? Sunpower?

Do I need to get the Zigbee comms? Intaller recommended it but it's $500.

Finally, anyone with experience with CM Solar please PM me your thoughts.

Thanks again to all on this panel who helped out. This really is a wonderful resource.

Thanks,
Hugo

Regarding the Kyocera, I believe those are the poly, larger dimension, 80 cell panels. Look into that as they are ~12" wider than standard making them about equivalent to a 260w LG or similar standard panel. I don't know enough to say if they are good or bad otherwise. Down the road if you needed to replace one, or add to your system, you'd be very limited if you wanted new ones to match.

For the Zigbee, that is way too much money. I hard wired mine and put the Zigbee in a box. PM me if you want it for $150.

On the panel upgrade, SDGE just started offering some kind of sub-panel adapter that does the job for half the price for some installations:

Page not found | San Diego Gas & Electric

http://www.sdge.com/environment/renewable-meter-adapter

**sensij** · 09-20-2015, 01:53 AM

With respect to the Zigbee, I would push for hardwired ethernet, or ask your installer to hook up a wifi adapter like what is described in this thread:

Solaredge zigbee keeps crashing - Solar Panels - Solar Panels Forum

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?22362-Solaredge-zigbee-keeps-crashing

If you are a homeowner who is about to put a solar panel system on your home or you are a newbie to the solar market, get started here! A non-technical forum to help you understand the in's and out's of solar.

My zigbee worked mostly ok for a few weeks, but would flake out just often enough to be annoying. Since I switched to a wifi adapter, the connection hasn't dropped once.

As far as Kyocera goes, they are not usually the least expensive brand, but make some good panels. The 335 W panels aren't their best, if you go by the ratings on this site.

**sensij** · 09-20-2015, 01:56 AM

Originally posted by Willaby

On the panel upgrade, SDGE just started offering some kind of sub-panel adapter that does the job for half the price for some installations:

http://www.sdge.com/environment/renewable-meter-adapter

SDG&E has been talking about it for a few months... is it real yet? As of May, the quote to install one was about $1400, and August was the guess for when they would start being available. More information in this thread:

200 Amp Center-Fed Service Panel Options? - Solar Panels - Solar Panels Forum

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?21258-200-Amp-Center-Fed-Service-Panel-Options&p=156413&viewfull=1#post156413

If you are a homeowner who is about to put a solar panel system on your home or you are a newbie to the solar market, get started here! A non-technical forum to help you understand the in's and out's of solar.

**thejq** · 09-20-2015, 02:05 AM

I didn't find any Kyocera 335W panels anywhere. Did you mean 325W, eg. http://www.civicsolar.com/product/ky...ht-solar-panel If so, it's poly like Willaby said, and it's a lot cheaper than the LG 30x W panels. You can find LG panels on the same site for comparison.

You don't need the Zigbee if you already have Wifi coverage where the inverter is installed. You can get a WiFi extender/bridge and connect the LAN port to it.

**MARKSDCA** · 09-20-2015, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Hugo Z Hackenbush

Thanks to the folks on this panel, my wife and I have narrowed the field to two contractors either of whom will save us about $7000 on installation costs.

We are about to go with a 14 panel Kyocera 335W panel grid system paired to Solar Edge 5000 for $3.85/watt (before tax break and not including panel upgrade).
Hugo

Hey just looking at the math and the statement about saving $7000 on installation......I roughly calculate that the parts/plans/permits for this size of a system assuming no extraordinary install hardware or issues would be around $9000. (or it should be if you shop it yourself). So you are going to pay close to another $9000 for the install which is discounted from $16,000?

I did a 7kW system myself (not the install...I hired experts for that) for thousands less than your 4.6kW system.

**SanDiego_installer** · 09-20-2015, 06:01 PM

This is a 72 cell panel and is intended for commercial use. Not that it can't be installed on a house, it will just look odd. They are a foot taller than a 60 cell Kyocera 260 Watt panel. Kyocera is a fine brand.

**Hugo Z Hackenbush** · 09-20-2015, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by SanDiego_installer

This is a 72 cell panel and is intended for commercial use. Not that it can't be installed on a house, it will just look odd. They are a foot taller than a 60 cell Kyocera 260 Watt panel. Kyocera is a fine brand.

This is very helpful. Can't thank you enough.

**Hugo Z Hackenbush** · 09-20-2015, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by thejq

I didn't find any Kyocera 335W panels anywhere. Did you mean 325W, eg. http://www.civicsolar.com/product/ky...ht-solar-panel If so, it's poly like Willaby said, and it's a lot cheaper than the LG 30x W panels. You can find LG panels on the same site for comparison.

You don't need the Zigbee if you already have Wifi coverage where the inverter is installed. You can get a WiFi extender/bridge and connect the LAN port to it.

The Kyocera 335s are being released this month, according to the installer. I didn't realize that they are commercial panels.

**UkiwiS** · 09-20-2015, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by Hugo Z Hackenbush

The Kyocera 335s are being released this month, according to the installer. I didn't realize that they are commercial panels.

I have 18 Kyocera KD325GX-LPB panels on my roof. They seem to be doing OK but they are mounted flat and collect a lot of crap from the planes and the I5 which is about 200 yards away.

**Hugo Z Hackenbush** · 09-20-2015, 08:53 PM

Originally posted by UkiwiS

I have 18 Kyocera KD325GX-LPB panels on my roof. They seem to be doing OK but they are mounted flat and collect a lot of crap from the planes and the I5 which is about 200 yards away.

Thanks. Appreciate the feedback.

**forrest1** · 09-26-2015, 09:51 AM

Any update? Did you pull the trigger?

**Hugo Z Hackenbush** · 09-26-2015, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by forrest1

Any update? Did you pull the trigger?

Hi Forrest,

I went with Jamar. I decided not to go with the contractor I referenced above because they have not been licensed anywhere close to as long as Jamar.

Hugo

**forrest1** · 09-26-2015, 08:07 PM

Good choice...I'm sure that you will be happy with Jamar!

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About to pull trigger on 4.6kw system in San Diego? Thoughts on Kyocera panels?

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