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

[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

[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]

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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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).

[SunEagle]

$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).

Heck with the amount of research and physical work you have put into your system I can imagine you could provide "consulting services" to neighbors that want to install a system.

[control4userguy]

I actually didn't have a problem with a 7 year payback... I did applaud you for the attention to detail but if this comes down to bucks or daily production "happy posts" every other day I guess I'll unsubscribe from this thread.

[HX_Guy]

This thread is a progress thread of the project...for some reason people like silversaver decide to chime in every now and then laughing at the situation, like that will help anything. Im hoping in the next few days Ill be able to post "IT"S FINALLY OVER!"

[Living Large]

I think it's safe to say that nobody would choose to go the route that you did, regardless of cost. Rationalizing after the fact is a method of mitigating the feeling of loss. Many jack-of-all-trades DIYers will find themselves in this situation at least once. I can remember the way I felt after installing my own hardwood floors. I said I would never do it again and should have hired a professional. And that was just the nailing. Just one example. With age comes wisdom.

I also admire the extent to which you rose to the occasion to make up for the installer's deficiencies. It isn't often that would happen.

[alienwulf]

I am waiting for the next part to kick in, after all your time and work is worth money all so. Let alone this guy will probably go after his time even though he messed it all up.
He will most likely not agree with you about the pay. I have a feeling your saga is far from over.

[HX_Guy]

He will most likely not agree with you about the pay. I have a feeling your saga is far from over.

Agree to which part about the pay?

[alienwulf]

I thought you said earlier you were going to take the barter payment back by contacting he barter company. Maybe I read it wrong so much in this thread a lot to keep track off.

[HX_Guy]

I thought you said earlier you were going to take the barter payment back by contacting he barter company. Maybe I read it wrong so much in this thread a lot to keep track off.

I did say that but only if he didn't finish the job and it doesn't pass inspection. I have not taken that payment back but it's still an option if this doesn't finish up soon here.