Hi from Raleigh, NC

[NCS]

Hi,

I've been shadowing this solar Panel Talk forum the past few months to get my solar IQ up to speed to make a smart solar purchase decision.

I purchased my new Energy Star rated home several months ago and it went through an energy audit to get energy certified. The company that did the certification modeled our home for a yearly energy consumption footprint of 22,000 kWh It's a 2850 sq ft home, all electric. Based on the 1 electric bill I have I'd say that is pretty accurate. I've gotten the home as energy efficient as I can get - all new appliances, even replaced my under cabinet lights from halogen to LED, otherwise the entire house is CFL. The cost of energy here is $.11/kWh

I live in a small HOA of about 30 homes, with an architectural review committee. I have not submitted my proposal to them yet. I'm gathering solar bids now.
My south facing front roof, due to multiple gables, can handle 20 panels in a balanced, single line formation. I've decided since I'm the first in the neighborhood to go solar, and
because I want this to look as nice as possible, to go with all black panels and black mounting system to match the black roof.

I did some research and from an aesthetics standpoint I thought the SunPower X21-335 All Black would be the way to go, though there may be others that fit the goal. I plan to get 3 or 4 quotes before proceeding.

I got my first quote back:
Sunpower 335 Mono Quantity: 20
SMA Inverter(s) with Secure Power Supply
eGauge Monitoring System
Roof Mount Installation
Racking, Wire and Conduit System is direct grid‐tied (Net-Metered schedule) with no battery backup
Permits, Interconnection Applications and Filings

Total - $37,193 (pre-rebate) for the 6.7 kW system, location Raleigh NC.
That comes to $5.55/W installed price. I have a hunch that is high, but I don't have comparable local market data to make that conclusion, but from reading the threads here it would appear so.
At this time I don't have any other quote to compare it to, I am having several more bidders coming this week. I don't mind paying a premium for Sunpower panels due to roof space, but it seems out of line to my expectations,
which I admit to being set from what other posters have shared here.

I don't know what to expect with my HOA or how that process even works - I'll get in touch with the management company to find that out when the time comes. I read one thread from NC about HOA approval that has me concerned about the effort and hurdles, so I want to get the proposal right the first time. In general, I'm impressed with how pro-solar the state and some of the utility's are.

Is the bid worth considering and what is considered a reasonable east coast bid (or bid in general) for a Sunpower/ Non SunPower 6.7 Kw system? Do you feel there are other panels that should be considered? I like the idea of the SMA inverter with the Secure Power Supply feature, and the monitoring system seemed like a low cost investment to tracking not only panel performance but my electric consumption patterns in general. Thank you for your time.

[solar pete]

Hi,

I've been shadowing this solar Panel Talk forum the past few months to get my solar IQ up to speed to make a smart solar purchase decision.

I purchased my new Energy Star rated home several months ago and it went through an energy audit to get energy certified. The company that did the certification modeled our home for a yearly energy consumption footprint of 22,000 kWh It's a 2850 sq ft home, all electric. Based on the 1 electric bill I have I'd say that is pretty accurate. I've gotten the home as energy efficient as I can get - all new appliances, even replaced my under cabinet lights from halogen to LED, otherwise the entire house is CFL. The cost of energy here is $.11/kWh

I live in a small HOA of about 30 homes, with an architectural review committee. I have not submitted my proposal to them yet. I'm gathering solar bids now.
My south facing front roof, due to multiple gables, can handle 20 panels in a balanced, single line formation. I've decided since I'm the first in the neighborhood to go solar, and
because I want this to look as nice as possible, to go with all black panels and black mounting system to match the black roof.

I did some research and from an aesthetics standpoint I thought the SunPower X21-335 All Black would be the way to go, though there may be others that fit the goal. I plan to get 3 or 4 quotes before proceeding.

I got my first quote back:
Sunpower 335 Mono Quantity: 20
SMA Inverter(s) with Secure Power Supply
eGauge Monitoring System
Roof Mount Installation
Racking, Wire and Conduit System is direct grid‐tied (Net-Metered schedule) with no battery backup
Permits, Interconnection Applications and Filings

Total - $37,193 (pre-rebate) for the 6.7 kW system, location Raleigh NC.
That comes to $5.55/W installed price. I have a hunch that is high, but I don't have comparable local market data to make that conclusion, but from reading the threads here it would appear so.
At this time I don't have any other quote to compare it to, I am having several more bidders coming this week. I don't mind paying a premium for Sunpower panels due to roof space, but it seems out of line to my expectations,
which I admit to being set from what other posters have shared here.

I don't know what to expect with my HOA or how that process even works - I'll get in touch with the management company to find that out when the time comes. I read one thread from NC about HOA approval that has me concerned about the effort and hurdles, so I want to get the proposal right the first time. In general, I'm impressed with how pro-solar the state and some of the utility's are.

Is the bid worth considering and what is considered a reasonable east coast bid (or bid in general) for a Sunpower/ Non SunPower 6.7 Kw system? Do you feel there are other panels that should be considered? I like the idea of the SMA inverter with the Secure Power Supply feature, and the monitoring system seemed like a low cost investment to tracking not only panel performance but my electric consumption patterns in general. Thank you for your time.

Howdy NCS and welcome to the neighborhood

Your quote does sound a bit expensive but I dont have any first hand experience in your area. I think a few people with experience in your area might chime in. You could also check out your zip code at our site sponsors www.solarreviews.com ,good luck with it, cheers

[J.P.M.]

I'd consider contacting the ARC of the HOA ASAP. If they are on the ball, they can be an ally if on your side and a PITA if you don't show a little respect. Better to have them in the tent with you and pissing out than the other way around. They are holding more aces than you.

Your hunch is spot on. Sunpower is good stuff but vey overpriced. You can get very fit for purpose equipment for probably about 20-25% less up front.

That's a lot of usage for a 2850 ft^2 home, especially energy star. The U.S. average is something like 10 - 12,000 kWh/yr. for everyone and most of those aren't energy star.