I'm considering buying a solar kit with 14 Aptos 440W panels and the Aptos dual mac-800 microinverters. I have a few questions about the setup:
1. How much energy can I realistically expect from this arrangement? I plan to have 12 panels facing south and 2 facing north on a sloped shingle roof (about 23 degrees) in Southern California, with no shaded areas on the panels.
2. Given that each panel is rated at 440W but each microinverter can handle up to 800W for two panels, am I going to miss out on some energy? I'm a bit confused because the bifacial panels have a specification that mentions a potential of 550W with bifacial gain.
3. Are the panels and inverters I'm considering any good? If not, what alternatives do you recommend that would be in a similar price range? I noticed they come with a decent warranty, but do panels and inverters typically need replacing every few years? I'm aware some of them might fail after a while. Thanks for any insights!
3 Answers
From what I've seen, the Aptos microinverters are rated to output 800W AC, and they're typically paired with panels in the 320-540W range. Your setup with two 440W panels would give about 880W combined, but since the inverter has a cap at 800W for two panels, you might not fully utilize their output. For estimating performance, you can check out PVWatts to gauge your expected output more accurately!
Just an FYI—if you're mounting bifacial panels flat on a roof, you're likely not going to see any additional gain from the back. The advertised higher outputs can be a bit misleading as those numbers are typically under ideal lab conditions. Remember to look at the NOCT rating which is more realistic. You can use PVGIS to get a better idea of how much electricity you might generate throughout the year. Prices and brands can vary a lot, so shop around based on your region.
As a bifacial panel owner, I can tell you that if they're mounted on something like a porch roof, you could gain an extra 10-20% from reflectivity, but on a roof, that advantage is pretty much lost. Plus, these panels can be heavier and require specific mounting gear to allow for airflow to prevent overheating. If your roof setup is limited, it might not give you the value you expect. Also, regarding longevity, yes, panels can fail, but with good brands, you usually get solid warranties and decent lifespans!
Gotcha! So, if I can get similar pricing with monofacial panels that are lighter and easier to mount, it may be the smarter move for my roof setup!
Thanks for the clarity on the bifacial aspect; I appreciate it! I'll definitely check PVGIS for more details.