8.7kW system coming Orange County, SoCal

[s_man]

Hi all,
Thank you all for recommendations and feedback; I have learned of better system and save good money. After research, your recommendations and getting quotes from 6 vendors I have narrowed down to couple choices and getting ready to sign contract.

Company A: 20 years history according to Contractors State License Board
8.540kW:
Panels: 28 x LG305
Inverter: SolarEdge SE7600 and 28xP300 optimizers
Total price pre-tax credit: $33,650 ($3.94/watt)

Company B: 5 years history as registered with the Board. Have 3 forum's members recommended.
8.7kW
Panels: 29 x LG300
Inverter: 29 x Enphase M250
Total price pre-credit: $29,580 ($3.4/watt)
Electric service panel replace: $1499

Company C: 3 years history as registered with the Board. One forum member contracted recently.
8.7kW
Panel: 29 x LG300
Inverter: SolarEdge SE10000 and optimizers
Total price pre-credit: $28,449 ($3.27/watt)
Electric service panel replace: $1800

Company B would price-match company C for the same system with SolarEdge. At first the salesman of company B have insisted on recommendation for Enphase many times. But I was firm on SolarEdge due to main reason that I don't want possible clipping with my system, so he reluctantly goes with it, and this make me kind of nervous what if his company does not do much and have less experience installing SolarEdge. But this company does make our forum members who recommended to me quite satisfied with their installations so it's a plus. This company also has a plus that they do other stuff like heating, cooling, water filtration, service and repair beside just solar.

Company C is very responsive so far but I am not so sure because only get 1 recommendation vs 3 of company B. Just from a member's installation, it was a 1 day project with 7 people and went reasonably well. He does have a little doubt it being in business long term, workmanship is good.

I am also kind of worry about my roof; it was a 16 years roof and have leaked 1 time on a different site about 2 years ago when we had a heavy raining day. So I probably need to have the roof check 1st, or consider doing roof in the areas of installation. Both company B and C would have free re-installation if I would do roof with them in the future. (If anyone know of a good roofer please P.M. me, it would be great. Thanks!)

Any suggestion or recommendation would be greatly appreciated!

[gvl]

Can you avoid replacing your panel if you stick with the SE-7600? If C is the company I used the doubt is mainly about them being in business long term, the workmanship was good.

[thejq]

Can't you not able to get company A to match company C or B's pricing? Have you checked the BBB, solarreview.com and yelp.com for reviews? If company A can stay in business for 20 years, they must be doing something right. Did you check if they (esp the smaller ones) have the C-10 license and worker's comp? If they only have C-46, they have to (or are supposed to) get an electrician to do the interconnect to the grid. Without worker's comp and insurance, you could lose everything if someone fell off your roof. Did you ask about mounting HW? It's a common place to cut corners to save $$$. With company A, are you trying to avoid having to upgrade the main panel by going with SE7600? If so, and don't mind some minor clipping, won't company C be even cheaper with that setup?

[gvl]

With company A, are you trying to avoid having to upgrade the main panel by going with SE7600? If so, and don't mind some minor clipping, won't company C be even cheaper with that setup?

7.6kW and 10kW SE price differential is nothing in the larger scheme of things... Their mechanical specs are the same, I wouldn't be surprised if they are the same inverter with power throttle in the software.

[s_man]

Can you avoid replacing your panel if you stick with the SE-7600? If C is the company I used the doubt is mainly about them being in business long term, the workmanship was good.

Thanks gvl, edited.

[Alisobob]

My experience with "B" was outstanding... and the upgraded box was a no brainer

http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Electrical/ProductsandServices/Residential/GroupMeteringandMeterBreakers/SolarPowerCenters/index.htm#tabs-1

Its not some "El-Cheapo" from Lowes or H/D.... its specifically made by Eaton, for solar installs.

All copper buss bar, and construction is top notch.

I would go with them again, in a instant.

[s_man]

Can't you not able to get company A to match company C or B's pricing? Have you checked the BBB, solarreview.com and yelp.com for reviews? If company A can stay in business for 20 years, they must be doing something right. Did you check if they (esp the smaller ones) have the C-10 license and worker's comp? If they only have C-46, they have to (or are supposed to) get an electrician to do the interconnect to the grid. Without worker's comp and insurance, you could lose everything if someone fell off your roof. Did you ask about mounting HW? It's a common place to cut corners to save $$$. With company A, are you trying to avoid having to upgrade the main panel by going with SE7600? If so, and don't mind some minor clipping, won't company C be even cheaper with that setup?

Their exact quote
"The sweet taste of low price fades quickly, but the bitterness of low quality last and lasts.
Thanks for the opportunity anyway and good luck."

[gvl]

Their exact quote
"The sweet taste of low price fades quickly, but the bitterness of low quality last and lasts.
Thanks for the opportunity anyway and good luck."

How about a real reason why they think their quality is better?

[s_man]

How about a real reason why they think their quality is better?

I emailed them and that's all they responded; don't even care to explain why. Probably just for being able to survive in the business for 20 years, and getting used to sell to people who doesn't research.

[s_man]

Can't you not able to get company A to match company C or B's pricing? Have you checked the BBB, solarreview.com and yelp.com for reviews? If company A can stay in business for 20 years, they must be doing something right. Did you check if they (esp the smaller ones) have the C-10 license and worker's comp? If they only have C-46, they have to (or are supposed to) get an electrician to do the interconnect to the grid. Without worker's comp and insurance, you could lose everything if someone fell off your roof. Did you ask about mounting HW? It's a common place to cut corners to save $$$. With company A, are you trying to avoid having to upgrade the main panel by going with SE7600? If so, and don't mind some minor clipping, won't company C be even cheaper with that setup?

Yeah, I checked B & C. They have mostly good reviews from yelp and no serious complaints in BBB. Workcomp and insurance ok. Now price of B is a bit less than C and Bob said they even do extra sub panel for his EV(free, I believe ).

[Alisobob]

...Bob said they even do extra sub panel for his EV(free, I believe ).

Nothing in life is "Free". You haggle enough, and then its " included".

Do your best...

[thejq]

Yeah, I checked B & C. They have mostly good reviews from yelp and no serious complaints in BBB. Workcomp and insurance ok. Now price of B is a bit less than C and Bob said they even do extra sub panel for his EV(free, I believe ).

Sounds like you've already made your choice. BTW, for one EV, I don't think you need a separate sub panel. A standard 240V NEMA 14-50 outlet on a separate 30A or 40A breaker should do. Good luck.

[gvl]

Sounds like you've already made your choice. BTW, for one EV, I don't think you need a separate sub panel. A standard 240V NEMA 14-50 outlet on a separate 30A or 40A breaker should do. Good luck.

NEMA 14-50 won't do for a Tesla with dual chargers Still there should be no need for a sub-panel.

[thejq]

NEMA 14-50 won't do for a Tesla with dual chargers Still there should be no need for a sub-panel.

Sure, in that case you'd need 2x NEMA 14-50s on two separate 50A breakers. I can only imagine the amount of heat it generates when charging at full capacity (20KW).

[gvl]

Sure, in that case you'd need 2x NEMA 14-50s on two separate 50A breakers. I can only imagine the amount of heat it generates when charging at full capacity (20KW).

Not as much as when it is charging at 120kW DC The dual charges are internal, you still have one plug going into the car, so it would be a 100A circuit and a hardwired EVSE.