I have a limited budget for my first solar system, but I would like to expand on it in the future. Spending $2000+ on a SuntieXR v5 and startiong with a single string would be ideal. Giving me expansion capabilities inthe future. But then I realized that SMA just came out with the SunnBoy mini inverters. Anybody have any feelings about those? I might end up being the first person to try and install one!

Hi Rodger,

I haven't used one , but they are rated 1-2% lower in efficentcy then the SB2500 , due to there lower operational voltages (this is both in the grid (120) and the DC input which you can check with sma but I believe it is also 1/2 the 2500 sunnyboy.

This would mean there is NO yeild difference to the Suntie and it has NO upgrade options for later.

I disagree based on my specific circumstance...

The Suntie is $2500, thus meaning I can only buy (3) 185w panels instead of the 5 I want to get. The baby SunnyBoy 700U is less then a thou (I have a limited budget here).

The ST XR 5.0 is a great idea, but that requires that I shell out the cash for the larger 2500watt unit in the beginning when I am only installing a single string of maybe 5 panels. That extra money is much better spent on other things for my house right now (Like paint), meaning I am not going to shell out an additional $1500 for something I might never use, since my roof doesnt have much ideal space for panels.

Using only 25% of anything I buy truly bothers me.

Whereas if I spend less then a grand on a SB700U I can immediately throw up a small array and at least have SOMETHING, which as we all know is better then nothing.

Ultimately if I get another string in the future I would have to buy another SB 700U. Which will eventually end up costing me more, but right now I am either stuck with a BIG inverter and amost no panels, giving me lots of expandability, or a small no expandable inverter with almost twice as many panels.

Where are you shopping ?
http://www.altenergystore.com/cart/1052.html as the Suntie 2500 watt for $2150 and you should be able to get the Suntie 1500 watt for about $1800