Solar Quote Comparison Help - TOU-D-EV on SCE 11.5KW system

[asim77]

Hello,

I love reading everyone's experiences on this forum, I appreciate the knowledge! I've gotten a few quotes over the months and would love some feedback:

Here are some quick facts about my situation:

1. I'm on TOU-D-EV SCE rate because I own a Tesla S and charge Super Off Peak between 12am and 6am for about $0.10 a kWh. I run everything I can during that time (pool, fountain, laundry, electric toothbrush charging, etc.).
2. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong it would be best for me to only offset peak, and off peak usage.
3. I live in SoCal and am with SCE.
3. My annual usage was 32,545. The breakdown was like this:
Peak: 3,940
Off-Peak: 15,500
Super-Offpeak: 13,105
4. I think a 15,000kWH generation should suffice because the credits that I would generate in Peak times would offset more than the rate at which I'm paying the Off-Peak rates.
5. I believe I need a 11.5KW system.

Here are the quotes that I received:

Local Contractor:
1. Seems to be a solid guy, is doing a neighbor's house in the area and they are happy with his work.

11.5KW solar system
47 245 Watt BenQ panels
47 Enphase 215 microinverters.
$33,350. ($2.9/KW)
Monitoring System a separate $750 (is this needed?)

SunRun
11.4KW
44 REC Solar REC260PE
SolarEdge Tech SE100000A-US inverter
$48,750 ($4.26/KW)

SolarCity
4.5/KW

Sungevity
3.98/KW

Thanks for helping me review. Let me know if you have any other thoughts.

[J.P.M.]

Hello,

I love reading everyone's experiences on this forum, I appreciate the knowledge! I've gotten a few quotes over the months and would love some feedback:

Here are some quick facts about my situation:

1. I'm on TOU-D-EV SCE rate because I own a Tesla S and charge Super Off Peak between 12am and 6am for about $0.10 a kWh. I run everything I can during that time (pool, fountain, laundry, electric toothbrush charging, etc.).
2. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong it would be best for me to only offset peak, and off peak usage.
3. I live in SoCal and am with SCE.
3. My annual usage was 32,545. The breakdown was like this:
Peak: 3,940
Off-Peak: 15,500
Super-Offpeak: 13,105
4. I think a 15,000kWH generation should suffice because the credits that I would generate in Peak times would offset more than the rate at which I'm paying the Off-Peak rates.
5. I believe I need a 11.5KW system.

Here are the quotes that I received:

Local Contractor:
1. Seems to be a solid guy, is doing a neighbor's house in the area and they are happy with his work.

11.5KW solar system
47 245 Watt BenQ panels
47 Enphase 215 microinverters.
$33,350. ($2.9/KW)
Monitoring System a separate $750 (is this needed?)

SunRun
11.4KW
44 REC Solar REC260PE
SolarEdge Tech SE100000A-US inverter
$48,750 ($4.26/KW)

SolarCity
4.5/KW

Sungevity
3.98/KW

Thanks for helping me review. Let me know if you have any other thoughts.

Since you ask:

I'd run the new PVWatts with the standard panel option, and orientation (azimuth & el.) your considering, and see what size you need for however much annual generation you want. Depending on orientation/shading 11.5 kW sys. will probably get you there and maybe a bit more.

The novelty of monitoring sometimes wears off quickly, but is nice/fun if you're into that sort of thing. Also has some use to spot problems or when to clean array if a sharp eyeball is not available.

I'd also suggest that conservation is more cost effective than solar. You are sort of a a mega user.

Finally, T.O.U. rate structures are not cast in stone. Rate reform will affect such things, probably sooner rather than later with many large users such as you winding up with lower bills as a result. That may likely affect the economic considerations some.

Prices except the fist one seem a bit on the high side by ~ 10% +.

[thejq]

47 panels? That's a lot of area. Are you sure you can fit them all on the roof in the optimal direction. More panels do not mean you always get more production. Sometimes, getting high powered panels facing either S or SW (best for TOU plans) will work out better in price and performance. < $3/W sounds really good, but make sure the contractor has the right license (C10) and worker's comp. If it's not installed properly, you may lose much more then what you put on there, or worse someone got injured without insurance. It's important to save $$$, but cutting corners is not the right way.

[asim77]

PVWatts

Since you ask:

I'd run the new PVWatts with the standard panel option, and orientation (azimuth & el.) your considering, and see what size you need for however much annual generation you want. Depending on orientation/shading 11.5 kW sys. will probably get you there and maybe a bit more.

The novelty of monitoring sometimes wears off quickly, but is nice/fun if you're into that sort of thing. Also has some use to spot problems or when to clean array if a sharp eyeball is not available.

I'd also suggest that conservation is more cost effective than solar. You are sort of a a mega user.

Finally, T.O.U. rate structures are not cast in stone. Rate reform will affect such things, probably sooner rather than later with many large users such as you winding up with lower bills as a result. That may likely affect the economic considerations some.

Prices except the fist one seem a bit on the high side by ~ 10% +.

I ran the PVWatts and got 18,244 kWh per Year. Thanks, would love to hear any more advice. We've conserved quite a bit already.

[asim77]

Direction

47 panels? That's a lot of area. Are you sure you can fit them all on the roof in the optimal direction. More panels do not mean you always get more production. Sometimes, getting high powered panels facing either S or SW (best for TOU plans) will work out better in price and performance. < $3/W sounds really good, but make sure the contractor has the right license (C10) and worker's comp. If it's not installed properly, you may lose much more then what you put on there, or worse someone got injured without insurance. It's important to save $$$, but cutting corners is not the right way.

Yeah, it's a big system, but we have a decent sized house, almost 5000 sq ft, 1950's ranch house. With a ranch house we have a perfect S facing house and lots of room. Thanks for the advice. Let me know if I should know anything else.

[asim77]

245 vs 255/260

Any real benefit (besides less panels) to getting 255/260 vs 245?

[russ]

Any real benefit (besides less panels) to getting 255/260 vs 245?

A couple less panels means a little less racking cost and wiring - other than that nothing.

[J.P.M.]

I ran the PVWatts and got 18,244 kWh per Year. Thanks, would love to hear any more advice. We've conserved quite a bit already.

None of my business about how much you use. Everyone does what they want in a free country.

On advice, since you're not leasing, not using Sunpower equipment and are aware of the joys of conservation (3 wise decisions in my book), the next big things: Get familiar with your utility's rate structure, how it's likely to change, and how those changes will affect your situation. I'd also get a few more quotes and see if I could get ~~<= $3.50/Watt. That one quote at $2.90/Watt reminds me that it's bad to pay too much but worse to pay too little. The others at $4+/W seem high. Maybe a goldilocks quote or 2 in the middle from established electrical contractors you feel confident about be of interest.

[asim77]

None of my business about how much you use. Everyone does what they want in a free country.

On advice, since you're not leasing, not using Sunpower equipment and are aware of the joys of conservation (3 wise decisions in my book), the next big things: Get familiar with your utility's rate structure, how it's likely to change, and how those changes will affect your situation. I'd also get a few more quotes and see if I could get ~~<= $3.50/Watt. That one quote at $2.90/Watt reminds me that it's bad to pay too much but worse to pay too little. The others at $4+/W seem high. Maybe a goldilocks quote or 2 in the middle from established electrical contractors you feel confident about be of interest.

Thanks again. Yes, I'm happy I fulfill those 3 magic components.

I'm familiar with the TOU-D-EV. While I know this will change eventually right now it is not changing soon. I've structured my usage spectacularly right now using home automation (NESTS, Swimming Pool and fountain timers, etc) to ensure peak usage is at a minimum as you can see.

Now let's say that for some reason rates change. I'm still going to be able to provide my house with solar power, that won't really change. And likely, I'll still be consuming about this much power. So either way it will be better than paying more to SCE.

I will take your advice and get a couple of more quotes before I proceed.