I have A 2015 solar city (now Tesla) install. If I were buying now, the choice for me would be between Tesla and Third party, with Tesla being a purely cost consideration. If I was going to go with a third party install, I would also likely go with microinverters.
The biggest reasons reasons would be the ones that @BGbreeder already laid out, which were:
There generally is a cost difference going with a third party vs Tesla directly, but if I was already going with a different supplier than Tesla, I would probably want microinverters. Maybe not the priciest iQ8s or something, but whichever ones would work with powerwalls (IQ7? IQ7+? I dont know these model numbers and features).
I dont have any specific issue with Tesla solar, my system has worked well, and they have addressed issues I ended up having with my powerwalls to my complete 100% satisfaction, however it did take quite a bit of time and quite a bit of "gentle, polite prodding" for that to happen. If I was already going with a third party, I would look hard at microinverters, and also upgraded panels, but thats just my own personal opinion. No wrong answer here at all.
The biggest reasons reasons would be the ones that @BGbreeder already laid out, which were:
- If one of your microinverters goes out, you might lose 2% of your production until it is fixed. If one of your inverters dies, you are out closer to 50%.
- Microinverters warranties are 25 years or so. Inverter warranties are 7-10 years. The manufacturers know the longevity of their products, and we don't. To me the warranty length difference is a reflection of the manufacturer's expectations for how long they expect the item to last.
There generally is a cost difference going with a third party vs Tesla directly, but if I was already going with a different supplier than Tesla, I would probably want microinverters. Maybe not the priciest iQ8s or something, but whichever ones would work with powerwalls (IQ7? IQ7+? I dont know these model numbers and features).
I dont have any specific issue with Tesla solar, my system has worked well, and they have addressed issues I ended up having with my powerwalls to my complete 100% satisfaction, however it did take quite a bit of time and quite a bit of "gentle, polite prodding" for that to happen. If I was already going with a third party, I would look hard at microinverters, and also upgraded panels, but thats just my own personal opinion. No wrong answer here at all.