Solar install turning out really bad - looking for some help/advice please.

[HX_Guy]

$12/watt would be almost $150,000...I dont think I have quite that much emotional grief.

But in all seriousness, if I would have went with another installer at a price of $3.54/watt all cash, my net cost would have been $29,730 or $2.40/watt.

With how it ended up, figuring it will eventually work out, I'm looking at $8,550 net cash ($0.69/watt) so we're talking about a $21,000 difference...at $3,000/yr in electric costs, that changes my pay back period from about 10 years to about 3 years.

Of course I would have prefered to get the same end price I did and have a quality installation which I what I was expecting and was led to believe I was getting (from the permit).

[Alisobob]

I dont know if your trying to be funny... or serious.

Just in emotional grief... you have about $12 a watt tied up in this.

I wouldnt be bragging how cheap this was.

I dont know anyone who would want to follow in your footsteps.

[Mb190e]

Thank you, I'm still being an optimist and hoping it'll end up well...it's so close and really it's fine to operate (once those MC4 connectors are properly crimped) so it's just "paperwork" at this point really. Though who knows what else the city will say, it won't be over till it's over.

As you said though, the risk may very well be worth it in the end. Check this out...looking at net cash out of pocket for this project after tax incentives and barter...I'll be at $0.69/watt! That's pretty crazy.

$.69/Watt is pretty impressive, but your time has to be worth something. The average person spending 5 or 6 hours total going through quotes and some paperwork. You have days if not weeks invested of your time, that has to be worth something. Like silversaver said I hope it's smooth sailing after you get the permit signed off and it's up and running.

[HX_Guy]

Thank you, I'm still being an optimist and hoping it'll end up well...it's so close and really it's fine to operate (once those MC4 connectors are properly crimped) so it's just "paperwork" at this point really. Though who knows what else the city will say, it won't be over till it's over.

As you said though, the risk may very well be worth it in the end. Check this out...looking at net cash out of pocket for this project after tax incentives and barter...I'll be at $0.69/watt! That's pretty crazy.

[silversaver]

Bosch and SMA are good products, though I would guess less expensive compared to a SolarEdge setup like mine because of less parts.
Not to mention the TileTrac mounts in your system that cost around $9.00 per mount vs $36.00 per mount for the Quick Mount PV mounts in my system.

My numbers are $2.77/watt before incentives for a 12,400W system for a total cost of $34,350. Before going with this installer, I got a quote from someone else for an Enphase micro inverter system which I believe is similarly priced to SolarEdge and it was $3.54/watt pre-incentives, which would have cost almost $10,000 more at $43,900. So that's a $10,000 savings there.

Then if I look at it without the barter, which is not direct cash out of my pocket that I have to pay (the barter has already been fulfilled)...that would make my system $19,600 cash out of pocket or $1.58/watt before tax incentives.

No wonder you pick a F rating installer, the saving might worth the risk if everything is smooth. For me, I don't have the time or standing on my roof (haha) so I have to pick a good installer with a good pricing. I was very disappointed on the TiltTrac mounting system, I thought they are Unirack mounting system since the sales told me.... But anyway, life has to go on and I don't have the time to mess with the job already completed.....

Hope everything is smooth for you after the permit and inspection completed. Good luck.

[HX_Guy]

Bosch and SMA are good products, though I would guess less expensive compared to a SolarEdge setup like mine because of less parts.
Not to mention the TileTrac mounts in your system that cost around $9.00 per mount vs $36.00 per mount for the Quick Mount PV mounts in my system.

My numbers are $2.77/watt before incentives for a 12,400W system for a total cost of $34,350. Before going with this installer, I got a quote from someone else for an Enphase micro inverter system which I believe is similarly priced to SolarEdge and it was $3.54/watt pre-incentives, which would have cost almost $10,000 more at $43,900. So that's a $10,000 savings there.

Then if I look at it without the barter, which is not direct cash out of my pocket that I have to pay (the barter has already been fulfilled)...that would make my system $19,600 cash out of pocket or $1.58/watt before tax incentives.

[silversaver]

Keep laughing silversaver, I have a feeling I'll be the one getting the last laugh with a nice big system and top notch install and components at a very good price/watt.

And this city does update online in almost real time.

That would be the best result for you.

I choose Bosch 26 X 255W panel with SMA 6000TL inverter on S-tiles roof for $2.84/Watt before incentives, turn key service without all the trouble....

If you cut the labor part from your installer, your cost might be a new record

[Willy T]

I have not seen any city hall process an application and update their website ASAP.

You think you have found a bad installer.... (basically you just like to take advantage of paying with your credit)

Like a kid keeps playing with fire and crying of getting burn.... classic

Have you found a way to save more money by firing your insaller?

No, but he's been trying from the get go.

[HX_Guy]

Keep laughing silversaver, I have a feeling I'll be the one getting the last laugh with a nice big system and top notch install and components at a very good price/watt.

And this city does update online in almost real time.

[silversaver]

Well looks like the installer actually DID resubmit the permit to the city. Must have done it this morning because as I said before, they did not have it as of Thursday afternoon (city office is closed on Fridays) even though he had said he dropped it off Wednesday. Maybe the ROC complaint motivated him.

Sometimes the "squeaky wheel" motivation works.

I have not seen any city hall process an application and update their website ASAP.

You think you have found a bad installer.... (basically you just like to take advantage of paying with your credit)

Like a kid keeps playing with fire and crying of getting burn.... classic

Have you found a way to save more money by firing your insaller?

[SunEagle]

Well looks like the installer actually DID resubmit the permit to the city. Must have done it this morning because as I said before, they did not have it as of Thursday afternoon (city office is closed on Fridays) even though he had said he dropped it off Wednesday. Maybe the ROC complaint motivated him.

Sometimes the "squeaky wheel" motivation works.

[HX_Guy]

Well looks like the installer actually DID resubmit the permit to the city. Must have done it this morning because as I said before, they did not have it as of Thursday afternoon (city office is closed on Fridays) even though he had said he dropped it off Wednesday. Maybe the ROC complaint motivated him.

[Alisobob]

somehow i have a feeling there's going to be another new thread about how to fire a f rating installer on budget

x 2

[silversaver]

Somehow I have a feeling there's going to be another new thread about how to fire a F rating installer on budget

[alienwulf]

I have been following this tread from the first. I have to agree with other posters this has gone way too far. I would of filed a complaint and got a lawyer on retainer long ago to protect my rights and property.
He sounds like a fly by night take the money and run kind of guy even though you have the money end protected. People like him is what we all try and hope not to get for our projects . Good luck on the rest of this saga.