Should I pay extra $$$ for REC panels

Solar Quote Reviews
1

Hi,
I’m in Wagga, NSW, and have a couple of quotes for systems. I see much cheaper quotes around so that concerns me,
I’d have panels on the north, east and west facing sections of roof. The north face has some shading from a large street tree, particularly in winter.

I’ve been quoted:
6.65kw system net price $9,192
Jinko Tiger Neo 60HL4-V panels

Enphase IQ8AC micro inverters (5.04kw inverter power)
6.65kw system with Sungrow string inverters (same panels as above) net system price $7,833

Another provider
6.9kw system net price $12,709
REC alpha pure - rx series panels (460AA-PURE-RX)
Enphasr IQ8X-80-M-INT (5.7kw inverter power)

Are these quotes reasonable?
Is it worth the money to go for the most expensive quote? Will the extra spend be recouped over the life of the panels?

The company with the expensive quote sent their sales person round, rather than installer, and they have sold me on that system… but I don’t know if it’s worth the extra $3,700.
Are micro inverters worth the extra $1300 when 6 Jinko panels are likely to be partially shaded for part of the year?

Thank you

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2

I personally think REC is very good, but the latest Chinese panels, such as those from Aiko, have caught up on efficiency and performance.

The prices quoted are all above average (for NSW), so I would recommend you go with the first option and ask for the Aiko panels, which should not be much more expensive.

If shading is only during mid winter, Microinverters will help, but they are significantly more expensive and will not provide a saving over the Sungrow string inverter (which does have a shading tracking algorithm)