Comparing two quotes and negotiating...

[Stapleton80238]

Hello,

I've received two quotes that come in around the same amount, but are dramatically different...

Quote 1:
31 Trina 255 poly panels
31 Enphase M-215 micro-inverters
Upgraded mounting brackets
1 Enphase Envoy monitor
All permits, install wiring etc.

7.75kW
10,032 Annual kWh

Gross Cost per watt = $3.75
Net Cost per watt = $2.63

System cost = 29,094
Fed 30% = 8728
Net = 20,365

Colorado Xcel also rebates .09 for each kWh for 10 years, about 8700 over 10 years.

Quote 2:

21 SunPower SPR-327NE-WHT-D 327
1 Fronius IG Plus A 6.0-1 Inverter (with 20 year warranty)
SunPower Wireless Monitoring SystemUnirac
SolarMount® Roof Mounting System
All permits, install wiring etc.

6.867 kW
9,420 Annual kWh

Gross Cost per watt = $4.40
Net Cost per watt = $3.08

System cost =30,231
Fed 30% =9,096
Net = 21,162

Colorado Xcel also rebates .09 for each kWh for 10 years, about 8290 over 10 years.

Here are my questions...
Are these fair quotes?
Which one looks better? String or micro inverter?
Is it better to have less panels for a greater price?
Can I negotiate a better rate? Does this happen often?
Can I reduce the cost of the whole bid by 10% if I reduce the overall kWh of the system 10%?

Thoughts?

Thank you!

[Ian S]

Here are my questions...
Are these fair quotes?
Need someone in CO to comment
Which one looks better? String or micro inverter?
Sunpower is a top of the line monocrystalline panel; Trina polycrystalline is less desirable but cheaper. Micros are better if there are shade issues. If you don't have shade issues, then string is fine. FYI, I don't think there are micros available to use with those Sunpower panels.
Is it better to have less panels for a greater price?
Because the Sunpower panels are more efficient, they will take up less space on your roof but if space is not an issue, then that's not a real advantage
Can I negotiate a better rate?
Perhaps. You also might want to get another Sunpower quote as they can vary a bit. Does this happen often?
Can I reduce the cost of the whole bid by 10% if I reduce the overall kWh of the system 10%?
Well, there are some fixed costs that won't get reduced so it'd be a bit less than 10% savings.

Thoughts?

Thank you!

See answers in red.

[runner77]

Hello,

I've received two quotes that come in around the same amount, but are dramatically different...

Quote 1:
31 Trina 255 poly panels
31 Enphase M-215 micro-inverters
Upgraded mounting brackets
1 Enphase Envoy monitor
All permits, install wiring etc.

7.75kW
10,032 Annual kWh

Gross Cost per watt = $3.75
Net Cost per watt = $2.63

System cost = 29,094
Fed 30% = 8728
Net = 20,365

Colorado Xcel also rebates .09 for each kWh for 10 years, about 8700 over 10 years.

Quote 2:

21 SunPower SPR-327NE-WHT-D 327
1 Fronius IG Plus A 6.0-1 Inverter (with 20 year warranty)
SunPower Wireless Monitoring SystemUnirac
SolarMount® Roof Mounting System
All permits, install wiring etc.

6.867 kW
9,420 Annual kWh

Gross Cost per watt = $4.40
Net Cost per watt = $3.08

System cost =30,231
Fed 30% =9,096
Net = 21,162

Colorado Xcel also rebates .09 for each kWh for 10 years, about 8290 over 10 years.

Here are my questions...
Are these fair quotes?
Which one looks better? String or micro inverter?
Is it better to have less panels for a greater price?
Can I negotiate a better rate? Does this happen often?
Can I reduce the cost of the whole bid by 10% if I reduce the overall kWh of the system 10%?

Thoughts?

Thank you!

Hey there neighbor! (I also live in stapleton!)

I'm very curious what solution you went with, and who the contractors were. If you're willing to share your experience with me, I'd love to pick your brain. PM me any feedback you have now that you're a few months in, who'd you go with? Were you able to negotiate any? etc. etc.

Thanks in advance for your help! If you have a glowing recommendation, I could maybe get you a referral bonus as well!

[Stapleton80238]

Reply--Can't PM

Hey there neighbor! (I also live in stapleton!)

I'm very curious what solution you went with, and who the contractors were. If you're willing to share your experience with me, I'd love to pick your brain. PM me any feedback you have now that you're a few months in, who'd you go with? Were you able to negotiate any? etc. etc.

Thanks in advance for your help! If you have a glowing recommendation, I could maybe get you a referral bonus as well!

Hello,

I am not able to PM you because of limited messages...

I had a total of four quotes. Solar City was a joke. All they wanted to do was to sell me a solar ppa or lease so I dismissed their quote in a few minutes.

The other three companies were:
Namaste Solar (the 21 Sun Power Panels with a string inverter)
Pure Logic Green Energy (31 Trina with micro inverters)
Stellar Energy Contractors (30 Panels with micro inverters)

Stellar was a little more expensive so I passed on them.

Namaste was much more expensive per watt and I liked the benefits of micro-inverters so I dismissed their quote. Overall the company (from Boulder) was very good, I see a lot of their signs in Cherry Creek. Price was more of an issue than other factors.

Pure Logic was a good fit, but quoted more power than I needed. I had them cut the system down to 6.75kW and negoiated it down to just under 25K, about 1K off what they were asking. I have everything being installed on Monday. They did have trouble getting Trina panels so we swapped them for RenSola panels that are a little more efficient. I also like the look of black, but wasn't able to get all black from Trina, so with the swap they covered the cost (about $10 per panel) for all black.

Brannon Bloom was the sales guy, he has been timely and seems honest. I will have more information after Monday, but so far so good. If nothing else I would recommend them for an estimate.

[J.P.M.]

Hello,

I am not able to PM you because of limited messages...

I had a total of four quotes. Solar City was a joke. All they wanted to do was to sell me a solar ppa or lease so I dismissed their quote in a few minutes.

The other three companies were:
Namaste Solar (the 21 Sun Power Panels with a string inverter)
Pure Logic Green Energy (31 Trina with micro inverters)
Stellar Energy Contractors (30 Panels with micro inverters)

Stellar was a little more expensive so I passed on them.

Namaste was much more expensive per watt and I liked the benefits of micro-inverters so I dismissed their quote. Overall the company (from Boulder) was very good, I see a lot of their signs in Cherry Creek. Price was more of an issue than other factors.

Pure Logic was a good fit, but quoted more power than I needed. I had them cut the system down to 6.75kW and negoiated it down to just under 25K, about 1K off what they were asking. I have everything being installed on Monday. They did have trouble getting Trina panels so we swapped them for RenSola panels that are a little more efficient. I also like the look of black, but wasn't able to get all black from Trina, so with the swap they covered the cost (about $10 per panel) for all black.

Brannon Bloom was the sales guy, he has been timely and seems honest. I will have more information after Monday, but so far so good. If nothing else I would recommend them for an estimate.

Guess this one snuck through the no vendor name filter huh ?

[inetdog]

Guess this one snuck through the no vendor name filter huh ?

At least no links.

It is not nearly as problematic when it is just a reference for a quote and nothing is said about the vendor one way or the other.

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."
--W. Churchill.

[russ]

Guess this one snuck through the no vendor name filter huh ?

Not at all - an honest evaluation not pushing anyone - no real problem