New Solar install in NJ, please guide making the right choice

[dreamzz2004]

I have been spending some time the last few weeks reading this forum and would like the opinions of the people here to guide me to make the right decision.

I have a mostly east/west facing roof in central nj and a small part of the roof facing south.

The following is the quotes that i have received so far. Still waiting for a quote from another two installers

Approx 11.25 kw systems. My current yearly usage is 12.45kw

Installer 1 (Quote with physical site inspection)
1) Axitec 250w panels * 45 + Solar Edge 11400 Inverter with 45 Power optimizers - $33,400 = $2.97/watt
2) Solarworld SW 280 Mono * 41 + Solar Edge 11400 Inverter with 45 Power optimizers - $35000 = $3.05/watt
3) SunPower E20/327W * 34 + SMA Inverters - $43,300 - $3.89/watt

Installer 2 (Quote without any physical inspection)
1) Renogy Solar 260w panels * 43 + Solar Edge Inverter with power optimizers - $33,540 = $3.00/watt


I am waiting on one more dealer to come back with a quote (just did initial site inspection today) and another to come down for a site inspection next Friday.

Installer 1-
So far I have decided to ignore the Axitec option as i haven't heard much about them and the installer cannot recommend an existing installation with those panels.

Installer 1 is ready to upgrade the Solar Edge inverter warranty to 25 years from 12, if I go with option 2.

Currently deciding between Option #2 and Option #3 of Installer 1 and waiting to hear the quote from the second SunPower dealer.

My question to the forum members is, is it worth to pay the extra money for SunPower and get the added benefit of their warranty + less number of panels so that i can if needed add more panels in the future.

[J.P.M.]

Read recent and not so recent prior threads. Sunpower is usually considered to be overpriced and over rated for what you get.

[dreamzz2004]

Updates....

I have been spending the past few days reading tons of posts and am down to decision time so that the system can get installed before summer. This is something i would like to do, not necessarily push for it.

I have a home energy audit scheduled on May 4th.

This is the current set of quotes

Installer 1 - in business since 2008, small company, no reviews on solar reviews, however references check out and 7 odd reviews on google reviews all positive (no negative).
This installer has been the most responsive so far and answers any questions promptly.

Installer has given in writing that they will adjust the system size based on home energy audit results.

1) SW280 mono panels x 41 + SolarEdge 11400 Inverter and Solar Edge OP300-MV - $35000 before credits. comes to $3.05/watt
2) Hyundai HiS-S280RG mono panels x 41+ SolarEdge 11400 Inverter and Solar Edge OP300-MV - $35000 before credits. comes to $3.05/watt
3) LG300 x 38 + SolarEdge 11400 Inverter and Solar Edge OP300-MV - $37300 before credits. comes to $3.27/watt
4) SunPower E327 x 34 panels + SMA Inverter - $43,300 - $3.79/watt

For all three options, the installer is providing an upgraded SolarEdge warranty of 20 years.

The reason to look at Hyundai versus Solarworld was the concern regarding SolarWorld and it's current financial stability.
I am leaning towards the Hyundai (even though those panels are currently discontinued).

Question here is should i stick with SolarWorld compared to Hyundai or pay up a bit more for the LG panels (3 less panels)

Installer 2 - Bigger commercial corporation, good solar reviews (big corp but the sales guy is just 2 months in the company and can't answer most questions and has to come back with answers)
SunPower E327 x 37 + SPR 7501f (25 panels) + SPR-3600p-TLK-240 (12 panels) - $52,025.70 - $4.30/watt

Installer 3 - Medium sized company with 3 solar reviews all positive, no face to face meeting,
SunPower E327 x 35 + Power-One string inverter - $48,000 - $4.19/watt

I am leaning towards installer 1 as their price and response so far has been the most competitive. They are not pushy and seem to want my business. My only concern at this point is will they be in business for the next 10 years. This installer has a small commercial arm and their own solar farm which supports a residential development the owner owns.

Any help is appreciated ....

[J.P.M.]

Annual output per D. C. Watt will be about the same for most decent panels, including your quoted panels, the Sunpowers included. You have noted the prices.

An established installer is worth a premium. Smaller does not mean bad, and big doesn't mean better. I'd find some users - if possible without vendors' help and see what you find.

[kad153]

I live in central NJ (Metuchen actually), and put up a 14.5k system at the end of 2013. My roof is also mostly east / west with a bit of south. Ended up with 58 black LG panels and 3 SMA inverters (the ones with the outlet you can use during a power outage). I did a prepaid lease where I own all my SRECs, and worked with a large installer in NJ I'd definitely recommend. Happy to chat if you like - send me a PM if interested.