Q Cell vs LG vs SunPower

[MKI]

Hi,

I am having a difficult time making a decision. Insight on my below quotes is appreciated. I have read a lot of posts, but still can't figure out the best option.


1) Q-Cell 260 & SolarEdge SE3800
DC=4.16
price=~$16,000
$/DC=3.75

2) LG310 & Enphase
DC = 3.72
price =~$16,000
$/DC = 4.40

3) LG315NIC-G4 & SolarEdge SE3800
DC = 4.1
price=~$15,000
$/DC = 3.76

4) SP X21 345 & SMA SB5000TL-240v
DC = 4.1
price = ~$18,000
$/DC = 4.30

I wish it was more clear-cut.

[emartin00]

To be honest, none of those prices are great. I don't know where you are, but you should be able to get pretty close to $3.50/W or better.
Q cells are a top tier module, so nothing against them, but not at that price.

[MKI]

To be honest, none of those prices are great. I don't know where you are, but you should be able to get pretty close to $3.50/W or better.
Q cells are a top tier module, so nothing against them, but not at that price.

Hi, I wish I could find a better price. I am in San Diego where people are rushing to get Solar installed plus my system is small. Thanks for the feedback on Q Cell. Are they comparable to LGs? It seems as though everyone around here quotes LG or SunPower. Thanks!

[J.P.M.]

Hi, I wish I could find a better price. I am in San Diego where people are rushing to get Solar installed plus my system is small. Thanks for the feedback on Q Cell. Are they comparable to LGs? It seems as though everyone around here quotes LG or SunPower. Thanks!

You'll pay more than $3.50 around here based on the size, probably closer to $3.75/$4.00/Watt, but Sunpower is still the least cost effective choice you can make.

[MKI]

J.P.M. - what are your thoughts on NEM 1.0 ending timeframe?

[Dave296]

in the same boat

I am (was) close to settling on a proposal for the LG 310 enphase until I started reading on here. Now I am more confused--or should I say feel need to be more informed--before making my final decision. My quote is for 3.68 per watt going for a 14.kw system.

[J.P.M.]

J.P.M. - what are your thoughts on NEM 1.0 ending timeframe?

I follow Sensij's ongoing post, and the same MEM cap info as SDG & E is required by law to publish. Either way, a few mouse clicks.

1.) See what the difference to % of fulfillment to the cap and 5% is.

2.) See what the recent %/mo. fulfillment is.

3.) Divide 1 above by 2 above.

4.) Take a gut check for other factors like possible weather, what the peddlers are using for scare tactics, perceived pricing for what comes into my HOA for review, etc.

5.) Add a GUESS as to when it will hit, and the type of impact NEM 2.0 will have on people's perceptions of the worth of residential PV.

Bottom line and a real swag: I think if a system is not signed within the next 8-12 weeks, chances of being SOL for NEM 1.0 might be somewhat greater. The cap date is, by it's very nature, a moving target.

Looks like about 132 MW of PV PV installs in SDG & E territory until the 5% cutoff, or slightly less than 4% filled, more or less.

Recent applications (Oct.), and my gut tells me the rate of jobs going into the SDG & E queue will be about 20 MW/mo. or so. --->>> 132/20 ~ = 6.5 mo. from now, maybe sooner, maybe later, we'll be at or close to 5%.

If applications jump to , say, 25 MW/mo., the cap date moves in to ~ 132/25 = ~ 5 months or a bit more.

I wouldn't panic, but I'd sure not want to be the last one to the party with the door closing. Most of this hasn't dawned on the great unwashed masses yet and probably won't until it's either too late or close to it, and so, there will probably be a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth at the end like the fights for milk and white bread after blizzard warnings are issued in Buffalo and other snowy climate urban areas.

(BTW: Hey Bruce: got milk ??)