Getting bids for system in the OC

[Solarfordummy]

I ended up going with Advanced Improvements in Anaheim, CA. They ended up matching the SunRun price of $3.15 per kw and were willing to put in writing that they cover labor to replace failed inverters/panels. I basically gave up about $400 in Costco cash to get a better warranty. Hopefully they will be around in 5-10 years should I need warranty work done....

Hi,
Are you happy with Advanced Improvements?
I'm consider using them too, but they said the waiting is 2 months long. Is it worth the wait? Thanks.

[Solarfordummy]

$3.25/W on a 5.4 KW system sounds roughly right. But I think the installer maybe cutting corners by offering M215 which works well with panel less than 250W. Not sure about the Suniva brand though. I'm about to sign a contract for a 4.8 KW system in San Diego using LG 300N1Cs + SolarEdge optimizer. From my experience, for $3.3-$3.4/W, you can get SolarWorld W275 + Enphase M250 (or SolarEdge optimizer). At $3.4-3.5/W, you can get the LG panels. Interestingly I too started with Enphase but slowly changed my mind to SolarEdge which is optimizer + string because of what I read here. I also bought a Prius Plugin exactly 2 month ago (during their -$4K+0% APR sale) from Autonation Irvine (don't tell me you got yours from there too). My electric bill went up $70 in a month which is why I've decided to install solar in the first place. I have some local installers' names but not sure if they will go up to OC. Let me know if you want them.

Hi,
Would you the PM me the installers infor? Thanks.

[crapz1]

Company in SoCal

Hi all,

New to this forum but I've been reading and researching for a system for my home on and off for the past year. I've got a couple of bids from companies that I've randomly reached out to. Right now I have a bid for an 6.3kW LG/SE system that's coming in around $3.5/watt. Not sure if it's okay mentioning but its with LASolar. I'd appreciate if anyone could PM me some contact info of some reputable companies in the OC area, specifically Irvine.

TIA.

[buellwinkle]

Hey darkhelmet. Can you please PM me your contact from SunRun. Hopefully I can get them to give me a price in the lower $3's. Thanks in advanced.

They seem to work territories and I was not able to get a price in the 3's at all from SunRun, even after mentioning the deals mentioned here.

[timmybgood07]

Hey darkhelmet. Can you please PM me your contact from SunRun. Hopefully I can get them to give me a price in the lower $3's. Thanks in advanced.

[LouieA]

Looks good. So what invertor did you get?

Hey JQ,

I live in San Marcos -- Would you please PM me who you used to install your system?

Thanks,

LouieA

[buellwinkle]

Oh man, you are lucky, 2 weeks. I'm still waiting for SDG&E to give me permission to operate. Luckily it's the time of year with the lowest usage, but just anxious to get my first under $200 bill in years.

[darkhelmet]

Quick update. Panels are producing between 27 - 20 kwh a day depending on temp and cloud/fog. SCE turned Net Metering on Sept. 27th, a little over two weeks after final inspection. So far so good. Thanks again for everyone's help.

[wrlsguy]

The Envoy needed to update to a newer version before it could use the USB wifi dongle. Got it updated this morning and it senses it just fine. The USB is a TP-Link model #TL-WN721N and costs about $12-15 online. Just plug it in and you can attach the Envoy to your Wifi.

What version of firmware are you now running? From other posts on the forum, I have a fear if I trigger the firmware update on my Envoy, I could lose my grandfathered per panel visibility (last year I did not have to pay the extra $250). I am using a TP Link nano router in client mode for now...

[rbintl]

I went with Rob Smith at Solar Symphony, PM me for the contact info as I'm not sure what I can post here, but tell him I sent you. He's the owner, so no sales commission overhead many of these outfits have.

Thanks buellwinkle. I'll PM you after I get to 10 post.

[buellwinkle]

I went with Rob Smith at Solar Symphony, PM me for the contact info as I'm not sure what I can post here, but tell him I sent you. He's the owner, so no sales commission overhead many of these outfits have.

[thejq]

That is awesome. How long did it take to get permits from the time you signed the contract? Just started my process by signing the contract. The cost is 3.22/W and includes 26 LG 280W panels and an SMA Inverted. I did not go with string inverters because my roof is delicate and wanted to minimize future foot traffic on it for any warranty repairs and also liked the 1,500W outlet box on the inverter that allows you to plug things in during a power outage. I figure it will be a month before I can get it installed.

Thanks for you help, if not for you, I would have paid much more.

Congrats on the signing. So did you go with the guy that I PM'd you from San Diego?

[darkhelmet]

Took 32 days to get everything installed. Permitting is quick in my city. Still need a final inspection before net metering is enabled with SCE. Not sure how long that will take.

[rbintl]

That is awesome. How long did it take to get permits from the time you signed the contract? Just started my process by signing the contract. The cost is 3.22/W and includes 26 LG 280W panels and an SMA Inverted. I did not go with string inverters because my roof is delicate and wanted to minimize future foot traffic on it for any warranty repairs and also liked the 1,500W outlet box on the inverter that allows you to plug things in during a power outage. I figure it will be a month before I can get it installed.

Thanks for you help, if not for you, I would have paid much more.

buellwinkle, who did you end up going with to get down to $3.22/w?

[buellwinkle]

That is awesome. How long did it take to get permits from the time you signed the contract? Just started my process by signing the contract. The cost is 3.22/W and includes 26 LG 280W panels and an SMA Inverted. I did not go with string inverters because my roof is delicate and wanted to minimize future foot traffic on it for any warranty repairs and also liked the 1,500W outlet box on the inverter that allows you to plug things in during a power outage. I figure it will be a month before I can get it installed.

Thanks for you help, if not for you, I would have paid much more.