Was buying a 3.5 kw solar system but the install delays caused me to ask around . Now Confused as heck. Chose BP and fronius but another salesman tells me they are junk and wants me to buy rec panels and sma. Research on rec panels found massive recall and fronius search showed inverter problems. Any help/advice out there?

All I can add is that I have heard about the recalls and end users haveing problems with Fronius. Maybe they fixed it, but personally I would avoid it. SMA seem to have a good reputation, I am not familar with rec panels.

I have many systems with the Fronius inverters with no problems. Some of the earlier models would not stand up to the elements in outdoor installs but they have pretty much fixed that problem. SMA inverters are very very good inverters though.

Well I went with the fronius 3.8i plus. Talked to company tech rep and most earlier problems said to be resolved. This is for an outside mount in covered alcove and meets the temp and tamper/child resistant needs. No exposed control. Also Supposed to keep bugs out of electronics and cooling system. Buying solar here is like buying from a used car lot.

Personally, you should go with a PVPowered inverter. The reason why is because it is US based company ( helps our economy ). Also, they used to have their inverters as part of Sunpower Corporations "lineup" of inverters. The only reason they chose not to continue with PVPowered is because they are not "globally based". PVPowered inverters have less parts than any other inverter and they work very well in hot weather conditions ( provided they are not always in direct sun contact ). SMA has good inverters too, if you like the way the Germans make their inverters, and they also work well in hot conditions. But field test a PVPowered inverter against any of the competitors and you are bound to go with a PVPowered inverter after all #'s have been factored in. Fronius inverters....heh, they are "ok", I guess, but just not up to par with what is out in the field so far. BP has good panels, they are coming out with their BP 3225T ( 225 Watt ) module which will be available in Q1 2010. Most important thing to remember is warranty. Technically, Sharp is the ONLY company that mfgs solar panels who can actually get away with providing a 20 year ( or better ) warranty because they have been making panels ( pv ) for over 50 years. Maybe you should get into the 230's ( ND-U230C1 or the ND-V230A1 ) and get the warranty situated for a product that you know you can trust? Good luck.

Now that the design capacity of my grid-tie-only solar PV system has increased from 3.5 to about 7.5 KW (DC), my installer has changed the:

inverter spec from a Motech PVMate 3900U to a Fronius IG Plus 7.5-1.  Of interest with this change is that the Fronius is active cooled (vs. passive for the Motech - inverter location will be inside a garage.)

panel specification from 230 W Canadian Solar CS5P (polycrystalline) to Astronergy CHSM (monocrystalline).  I believe this change is to use up a little less roof area and to provide a little more power at lower solar levels.  (Panels will be roof-top mounted.)

Of interest here is that this will be a power purchase agreement style arrangement, where the installer fronts the capital and installation costs and I will in return pay for the KWH produced.  Thus the installer specifies panel and inverter manufacturers/models, and I would think would therefore be motivated to choose components that are efficient and reliable.

Best regards,

Bill