Sunpower vs Canadian Solar vs REC Solar

[SunEagle]

What would you think This costs in Maryland
240 ET300 poly's
5 Fronius IG+10.0-1 inverters
2 Fronius IG+ 11.4 -1 inverters
Schletter FS ground mount racking
7 Combiner boxes
new 400A service to accomodate a line tap
2 new meters (one to sub meter and one for SREC's
Installed turnkey

72 KW

Depends on who is paying for it. Did you install it in your backyard?

It is pretty big so you would think the price per watt is lower than a smaller system. So how much?

[russ]

Most people seem to have an idea that dealer profit margins are large - Naptown, KRenn and others know this is not true.

[Naptown]

Depends on who is paying for it. Did you install it in your backyard?

It is pretty big so you would think the price per watt is lower than a smaller system. So how much?

No this is a retail sale to a homeowner

[SunEagle]

No this is a retail sale to a homeowner

72 kilowatts for a home? What the heck does he need that much power for?

And how much does it cost?

[Naptown]

farm actually
The object is for you to guess

[silversaver]

farm? that will be business, not homeowner/residential.

[Naptown]

Yes but they live there also

[SunEagle]

Yes but they live there also

Wait. The Farm!!!!. How did you get that intel?

[SunEagle]

I just read about a couple in Ohio that is installing a 59.5kw system for their 8000 ft home. Initial cost before Fed rebate is about $180,000.

The reason to install such a big system was to off set a monthly electric bill of about $1500. It will also help charge their two new Tesla sedans.

Must be hard to live like that.

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/13/08/couple-goes-solar-big-way&utm_medium=eNL&utm_campaign=RB_DAILY2&utm_term=Original-Member

[Sunking]

Must be hard to live like that.

Especially when they get that fat check from the USDA Farm Subsidy every year.

[KRenn]

I just read about a couple in Ohio that is installing a 59.5kw system for their 8000 ft home. Initial cost before Fed rebate is about $180,000.

The reason to install such a big system was to off set a monthly electric bill of about $1500. It will also help charge their two new Tesla sedans.

Must be hard to live like that.

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article...riginal-Member

There have been some like that here in Arizona. I know of a 70 kilowatt system that was put on a massive home down in Tucson. Crazy.

[jlgarza15]

I just received a quote from REC today. Central Valley, CA. $17,500 for a 4.5 kW system and $18,500 for a 5 kW system. They did however quote me $17,500 for a 5 kW system at first only to call me back about an hour later and say they made a mistake.

[EvinPhoenix]

Hello,

I am trying to understand few things. I have the following quotes for solar installation

16 Sunpower X series 345W - $27,368
6 kw Canadian Solar system - $19,200
6 Kw REC Solar system - 17,100

All of the above prices are before the tax credit of 30%. The second and third quotes are from local installers so not sure if they would be around during the entire warranty period while the 1st sunpower one is from a elite dealer.....

Question: Are the Sunpower panels really worth the addition $7K is cost? Will the cost over the length of say 10 years come ahead vs investing the additional 7k somewhere else?...

I am a solar analyst in Maryland and I almost never suggest SunPower. Canadian all the way! North American panel, awesome positive power tolerance, high efficiency, great value on price per watt, gold standard industry warranty, and you'll get a better ROI?! Of course it will also pay for itself faster than SPWR too. Sunpower is awesome, but it's getting harder to justify the extra cost. If SunPower decides to stop manufacturing residential modules soon (there are whispers in the industry), then you're up a creek if you need a replacement because they can't integrate with other modules. If you really want to put your Canadian Solar system into lightspeed, then get Solar Edge Power Optimizers too!

Also, I believe the Elite dealer status relates to the amount of SPWR panels sold, and the training provided to installers and sales reps. Awesome, but not necessarily relating to the longevity of the company. Base that on customer reviews found online - the better the reviews, the more serious the company is about being in it to win it for the long haul.

Check out this exciting news on Canadian!! - http://www.pvsolarreport.com/blog/it...est-pct-rating

[itnetpro]

I have the same exact Canadian Solar Panels original poster received quote on CS6P 40x250w with Enphase 215w (Clip at 225w). I paid $3.60 per watt before Fed Credit, PA grant and utility credit. They were installed last year. I can say they are awesome. Best value price vs quality. Not to mention a 3rd party insurance policy incase company goes out of business on the warranty. I live near Philadelphia, PA and agree. Take a serious look at Canadian Solar. Don't just look at the specs on paper. Actually look at the panels themselves if you can. Best quality chinese made panels on the market in my opinion.

John

I am a solar analyst in Maryland and I almost never suggest SunPower. Canadian all the way! North American panel, awesome positive power tolerance, high efficiency, great value on price per watt, gold standard industry warranty, and you'll get a better ROI?! Of course it will also pay for itself faster than SPWR too. Sunpower is awesome, but it's getting harder to justify the extra cost. If SunPower decides to stop manufacturing residential modules soon (there are whispers in the industry), then you're up a creek if you need a replacement because they can't integrate with other modules. If you really want to put your Canadian Solar system into lightspeed, then get Solar Edge Power Optimizers too!

Also, I believe the Elite dealer status relates to the amount of SPWR panels sold, and the training provided to installers and sales reps. Awesome, but not necessarily relating to the longevity of the company. Base that on customer reviews found online - the better the reviews, the more serious the company is about being in it to win it for the long haul.

Check out this exciting news on Canadian!! - http://www.pvsolarreport.com/blog/it...est-pct-rating

[KRenn]

I am a solar analyst in Maryland and I almost never suggest SunPower. Canadian all the way! North American panel, awesome positive power tolerance, high efficiency, great value on price per watt, gold standard industry warranty, and you'll get a better ROI?! Of course it will also pay for itself faster than SPWR too. Sunpower is awesome, but it's getting harder to justify the extra cost. If SunPower decides to stop manufacturing residential modules soon (there are whispers in the industry), then you're up a creek if you need a replacement because they can't integrate with other modules. If you really want to put your Canadian Solar system into lightspeed, then get Solar Edge Power Optimizers too!

Also, I believe the Elite dealer status relates to the amount of SPWR panels sold, and the training provided to installers and sales reps. Awesome, but not necessarily relating to the longevity of the company. Base that on customer reviews found online - the better the reviews, the more serious the company is about being in it to win it for the long haul.

Check out this exciting news on Canadian!! - http://www.pvsolarreport.com/blog/it...est-pct-rating

You're a really funny guy. One of the key differences I look at with Canadian versus SunPower is....do I want the money to go back to China or do I want the money to stay here in the U.S.?