Solar Panels at the best prices

[Haggers12]

Thanks for the hard work Chris.

RCT-AXPERT 1K 3 712 RCT 1000VA/ 800W Inverter
RCT-AXPERT 3K 4 872 RCT 3000VA/ 2400W Inverter
RCT-AXPERT 5K 8 064 RCT 5000VA/ 4000W Inverter

http://www.dc3.co.za/index.php/pricelist

 

[savage]

Thanks for the hard work Chris.

RCT-AXPERT 1K 3 712 RCT 1000VA/ 800W Inverter
RCT-AXPERT 3K 4 872 RCT 3000VA/ 2400W Inverter
RCT-AXPERT 5K 8 064 RCT 5000VA/ 4000W Inverter

http://www.dc3.co.za/index.php/pricelist

WOW - I knew *someone* must have common sense I'll send through my application forms shortly, that's for sure...

My price on the 5KVA (from my current distributor) is a tad bit over R15K if I'm not mistaken - hence, I was quite furious when I found some overseas agents selling at USD660. Granted, there are shipping / duties / taxes to add yes.

I really don't want to enter the import business, so yes - DC3 is a very, very good option at the moment.

 

[Haggers12]

WOW - I knew *someone* must have common sense I'll send through my application forms shortly, that's for sure...

My price on the 5KVA (from my current distributor) is a tad bit over R15K if I'm not mistaken - hence, I was quite furious when I found some overseas agents selling at USD660. Granted, there are shipping / duties / taxes to add yes.

I really don't want to enter the import business, so yes - DC3 is a very, very good option at the moment.

No problem Chris - I use Dc3 for computer stuff mainly and always very well priced. Now you owe me I am looking for an infinsolar 3kw or 5kw (if available) plus for under R15k/R20k

Anyways, keep up the good work in getting to the bottom of this.

Regards
Haggers

 

[mmacleod]

Just spoke to a very friendly lady at a factory who manufactures locally in durban, prices for their 310 watt modules currently -
R7.50/w exclusive.
They have some b grade modules currently available for R7.10/w exclusive

Spoke to a less friendly gentleman at a manufacturer in cape town, they were rather cagey about not selling to the public due to what sounds like some kind of a protectionist scheme typical in this country, but after some perseverance managed to get a R7.99 exclusive price out of them - but would need a registered retail business to actually purchase from them.


The price from the durban company is good, its a local industry which is great both in terms of supporting the local economy and e.g. product support - and this is more in the sort of ballpark where pricing should be. It's unfortunate that they are in durban and not capetown but I'm going to try get a formal quote from them on the b grade modules including shipping and probably go ahead with that.

 

[savage]

Just spoke to a very friendly lady at a factory who manufactures locally in durban, prices for their 310 watt modules currently -
R7.50/w exclusive.
They have some b grade modules currently available for R7.10/w exclusive

Spoke to a less friendly gentleman at a manufacturer in cape town, they were rather cagey about not selling to the public due to what sounds like some kind of a protectionist scheme typical in this country, but after some perseverance managed to get a R7.99 exclusive price out of them - but would need a registered retail business to actually purchase from them.


The price from the durban company is good, its a local industry which is great both in terms of supporting the local economy and e.g. product support - and this is more in the sort of ballpark where pricing should be. It's unfortunate that they are in durban and not capetown but I'm going to try get a formal quote from them on the b grade modules including shipping and probably go ahead with that.

Pretty sure it's the same place I contacted They don't have a min order requirement, but I think that shipping (especially DBN to CPT), will make this a rather expensive option. At R8.55/Wp (incl. VAT, excl Shipping to CPT), there are cheaper options available in CPT already (with well known brands such as ReneSola).

Can't say whether it's good or bad products, but I have been offered panels for "testing." I wonder if I shouldn't take them up on that... It is just very strange to me that every single company, is priced together within a +- 50c per Wp bracket. Doesn't matter whether the panels come from China, South Africa, or Germany even... It just doesn't add up for me personally...

 

[mmacleod]

Pretty sure it's the same place I contacted They don't have a min order requirement, but I think that shipping (especially DBN to CPT), will make this a rather expensive option. At R8.55/Wp (incl. VAT, excl Shipping to CPT), there are cheaper options available in CPT already (with well known brands such as ReneSola).

Almost certainly the same place yes. For those wondering - so we don't all keep independently phoning the same people, the company is 'artsolar'
I'd personally go for the b grades, there is no reason I need a grade on my roof, so that works out to R8.09/w inclusive w/o shipping - with shipping - depending on how much it is - it should be comparable to the prices I'm seeing quoted on the renesolar panels, maybe slightly less - price being equal I'd prefer to support local industry.

Can't say whether it's good or bad products, but I have been offered panels for "testing." I wonder if I shouldn't take them up on that... It is just very strange to me that every single company, is priced together within a +- 50c per Wp bracket. Doesn't matter whether the panels come from China, South Africa, or Germany even... It just doesn't add up for me personally...

Another price point in the same range - SetSolar R8.49/w (imported cells assembled locally so varies on exchange rate), interestingly for both thin film and normal are the same price.

I'd love to know the pricing of a few more local factories, e.g. the new jinko factory in cape town, but I can't even find a contact number for jinko and they ignore emails on the africa@jinkosolar.com address, but yes it is strange, collusion seems the most likely thing (especially since they are so cagey on giving prices to the public), though I suppose there is a small possibility that local labour is just so expensive that it works out to about the same as importing.

 

[mmacleod]

Shipping for 15 modules works out to about R2600 VAT and insurance included, so a further R0.56/w - Putting the total to get them to Cape town at R8.65/w. I suppose a larger order would probably be more economical per watt for shipping.

 

[mmacleod]

Specs for the Artsolar panels in case anyone is curious.


I'll upload some pictures when mine arrive.

 

[mmacleod]

So the panels arrived today, a day ahead of schedule and in what seems like good condition.


Now for the scary part of actually getting these beauties up and safely attached on the roof while I wait for the charge controller and other parts of the system to arrive.

 

[esadie]

Seems Solair is the agents in Cape Town for Renesola
http://www.solairetechnologies.com/products/renesola/

Not cheap at R2999
http://www.alternagy.co.za/shop/renesola-300w-solar-panels/

 

[igeorge]

Finished mounting the 10 panels I bought some time back (R1800/300W). Now need to wire up to the inverter I bought.
Ian

 

[igeorge]

Quick rant:
I needed 2 more panels to get my inverter to kick in - one option was 260W Jinko panels. I contacted a supplier of them I've used in the past, but they only supply pallets of 25 at R2300excl ea. But they do supply to Ellies, so I call them for a price...

R4423excl each:wtf: And then I read this in the morning paper http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/retail/2015/07/16/ellies-loss-sparks-doubt-over-recovery

Seems they are 'struggling to deal with headwinds' .... well if this is how your business model works, then I can believe it. This is the age of the internet, guys. When I mentioned to the agent their pricing is rather high, he said I'd get a better price if I had an account with them. So penalise the guy that walks in and gives you cash!!!

Got some 250W Renosola panels from 4x4 direct for R2500incl.

 

[savage]

Finished mounting the 10 panels I bought some time back (R1800/300W).

Got some 250W Renosola panels from 4x4 direct for R2500incl.

So you have 250W and 300W panels mixed? Just be aware (if you aren't) about the technicalities in terms of performance loss of the panels when you do this...

 

[mmacleod]

Quick rant:
I needed 2 more panels to get my inverter to kick in - one option was 260W Jinko panels. I contacted a supplier of them I've used in the past, but they only supply pallets of 25 at R2300excl ea. But they do supply to Ellies, so I call them for a price...

R4423excl each:wtf: And then I read this in the morning paper http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/retail/2015/07/16/ellies-loss-sparks-doubt-over-recovery

Seems they are 'struggling to deal with headwinds' .... well if this is how your business model works, then I can believe it. This is the age of the internet, guys. When I mentioned to the agent their pricing is rather high, he said I'd get a better price if I had an account with them. So penalise the guy that walks in and gives you cash!!!

Got some 250W Renosola panels from 4x4 direct for R2500incl.

Yeah it's shocking.

 

[igeorge]

So you have 250W and 300W panels mixed? Just be aware (if you aren't) about the technicalities in terms of performance loss of the panels when you do this...

Hi Chris

They are connected in series, and both have the same current rating (diff voltage). Both types are Renosola

Cheers

 

[Virge]

Hi all,

Any interest in PVs lately? What choices are there for people like me willing to buy at least 3000w panels, maybe 3600w for an Axpert 5KVA? Prices went ridiculously high lately. Please help me out with some advice.

Cheers

 

[itareanlnotani]

Was at a provider the other day buying mounting, seems market price at the moment is R8 + vat (less in volume).
Obviously this is going to increase another 10-15% fairly shortly, as the rand dropped majorly against the dollar yesterday.

 

[Virge]

Hi Isheed,
Do you know a supplier with decent prices in Johannesburg? I would like to buy 12 x 300w panels. I did a search and some chinese suppliers and manufacturers offer complete kits at between 0.5 and 0.6 $ per watt, do you think it makes sense to import?

 

[itareanlnotani]

i = i
I = I
l != i


Importing makes sense if you do import in some volume. Shipping is cheap. Clearance here is extremely overpriced.
Flash test panels prior to shipping to ensure quality is what they claim it to be.
Pricing in .cn appears to be in the 700RMB ($110) range for A grade 300W panels at the moment from various suppliers, B grade around 580 or so ($90)

If you're selling upcountry, you'll need to get panels rated for higher hail conditions than normal, which will cost more.

6.41RMB to the Dollar at the moment.

Add shipping, and duties, plus clearance charges to that for local landed pricing. If you're going to test (not really viable for low qty), add test costs. Probably looking at about 2k odd landed a piece for a palette of 30 at a rough guesstimate (60k landed in rand value).
i.e. $110 x 30 x 1.14 + clearance fee's.

Luckily the rmb devalued recently, so pricing isn't as bad as it could have been, although the weak rand : dollar ratio's are not helping.

Back to the question - it makes sense to import if you are going to sell / use sufficient numbers. If you are not, then I'd recommend buying locally.

As for kits - I'm not keen on those, as its typically sub par stuff.

If you are importing panels, importing inverters and mounting systems at the same time is also highly suggested.

 

[Virge]

Thanks for advice, you have a lot of experience. I intend to buy only for myself and I need only maximum 24 x 300w PVs Renesola specs type. If it is a only once off import, do I need a clearing agent? If it is a well known brand and they claim it is an A class panel, do I need to have them tested?
What local supplier would have good quality and well priced panels?