I'm live with my 11.48 kw system in Orange County, CA

[sdn]

Maintenance

Hi, here's an update. I got my trees trimmed. On a fairly sunny May day yesterday, we peaked at 9.5 kW, so I'm getting 232 or so per panel peak. I hope that's good?

Congratulations! You've mentioned 1 year free quarterly maintenance/cleaning. Does your contract also include:

1) labor warranty for the roof-work? How many years?
2) labor to replace the defective M250 or the panel or other output issues? How many years? OEMs normally won't cover the labor to install/replace M250.

I have gotten some quotes that I will analyze in detail over the weekend after reading the book.
Quote 1 is ~24 KW DC (estimated annual 38000 kwh) with LG280W + M250 @ $3.43/watt
Quote 2 is ~26 KW DC (estimated annual 41500 kwh) with LG305W + 2 Fronius inverter @ $3.47/watt
Quote 3 is ~24.4 KW DC (estimated annual 38000 kwh) with Yingli 305 + 1 SMA inverter @ $3.35/watt

[J.P.M.]

Congratulations! You've mentioned 1 year free quarterly maintenance/cleaning. Does your contract also include:

1) labor warranty for the roof-work? How many years?
2) labor to replace the defective M250 or the panel or other output issues? How many years? OEMs normally won't cover the labor to install/replace M250.

I have gotten some quotes that I will analyze in detail over the weekend after reading the book.
Quote 1 is ~24 KW DC (estimated annual 38000 kwh) with LG280W + M250 @ $3.43/watt
Quote 2 is ~26 KW DC (estimated annual 41500 kwh) with LG305W + 2 Fronius inverter @ $3.47/watt
Quote 3 is ~24.4 KW DC (estimated annual 38000 kwh) with Yingli 305 + 1 SMA inverter @ $3.35/watt

Price seems OK.

None of my business, but if this is a residential application, and your sizing for your total usage, you seem in need of a serious energy conservation intervention - Your usage is ~ 3-4X greater than average.

[SunEagle]

Price seems OK.

None of my business, but if this is a residential application, and your sizing for your total usage, you seem in need of a serious energy conservation intervention - Your usage is ~ 3-4X greater than average.

Not to mention the amount of real estate or roof space needed to install a 24kw system. That is a big house.

[sdn]

Price seems OK.

None of my business, but if this is a residential application, and your sizing for your total usage, you seem in need of a serious energy conservation intervention - Your usage is ~ 3-4X greater than average.

Sorry, I should've mentioned. This is for a Commercial Install. Also, your contribution/expertise has been very beneficial in the forum.
I have learned quite a bit just by going thru the forums.

I've some basic questions:

- I've seen it mentioned that many installers are also active here. Is there a way to identify?

- I'm leaning towards the micro-inverter based design. Any major concerns there?

- I need to check this with my roof warranty company as well but is there a concern if the solar contractor does a hard connection into the roof vs. the concrete block based design?

- I'm located in North SD county. Would you please recommend some installation contractors? I've had only 3 quotes and looks like I should be getting more.

Thanks.

[J.P.M.]

Sorry, I should've mentioned. This is for a Commercial Install. Also, your contribution/expertise has been very beneficial in the forum. Thanks.

You're welcome.

Opinions vary.

Anyway, if commercial, you may do a bit better w/ a commercial contractor or mfg. rep. that can get O.E.M. pricing.

[sdn]

You're welcome.

Opinions vary.

Anyway, if commercial, you may do a bit better w/ a commercial contractor or mfg. rep. that can get O.E.M. pricing.

All the contractors I contacted do both Residential & Commercial. Should I just google the reps for mfg rep/OEM pricing? I tried to PM you but my post count isn't enough yet.

BTW, I've some basic questions:

- I've seen it mentioned that many installers are also active here. Is there a way to identify?

- I'm leaning towards the micro-inverter based design. Any major concerns there?

- I need to check this with my roof warranty company as well but is there a concern if the solar contractor does a hard connection into the roof vs. the concrete block based design?

- I'm located in North SD county. Would you please recommend some installation contractors? I've had only 3 quotes and looks like I should be getting more.

Thanks.

[J.P.M.]

All the contractors I contacted do both Residential & Commercial. Should I just google the reps for mfg rep/OEM pricing? I tried to PM you but my post count isn't enough yet.

BTW, I've some basic questions:

- I've seen it mentioned that many installers are also active here. Is there a way to identify?

- I'm leaning towards the micro-inverter based design. Any major concerns there?

- I need to check this with my roof warranty company as well but is there a concern if the solar contractor does a hard connection into the roof vs. the concrete block based design?

- I'm located in North SD county. Would you please recommend some installation contractors? I've had only 3 quotes and looks like I should be getting more.

Thanks.

sdn:

1.) For a lot of reasons, I do not recommend installers. Nothing personal. Just policy.

2.) I'd suggest if you do not have shade, skip the micros. They cost more and introduce multiple failure points.

3.) I cannot speak for the forum owners or moderators, but folks posting here who are in the solar business seem, for the most part, to all be classy enough to keep their self promotion out of their posting.

4.) If by concrete block design you mean ballasted systems - most arrays on buildings are permanently fixed to the roof. Ballasted systems are not usually used. Too much problem with seismic/wind loadings, not to mention the added dead loads.

5.) I'd call a few reputable mfg. and see if they have commercial div's. If you contact local outfits, stick with known established electrical contractors that you know and who have sold solar for 5+ years. Comm. systems have diff. requirements, not only for permitting, but tax treatment can be quite diff. - accelerated depreciation being just one example. That can also have a large impact on cost effectiveness.

Good luck.

[sdn]

sdn:

1.) For a lot of reasons, I do not recommend installers. Nothing personal. Just policy.

2.) I'd suggest if you do not have shade, skip the micros. They cost more and introduce multiple failure points.

3.) I cannot speak for the forum owners or moderators, but folks posting here who are in the solar business seem, for the most part, to all be classy enough to keep their self promotion out of their posting.

4.) If by concrete block design you mean ballasted systems - most arrays on buildings are permanently fixed to the roof. Ballasted systems are not usually used. Too much problem with seismic/wind loadings, not to mention the added dead loads.

5.) I'd call a few reputable mfg. and see if they have commercial div's. If you contact local outfits, stick with known established electrical contractors that you know and who have sold solar for 5+ years. Comm. systems have diff. requirements, not only for permitting, but tax treatment can be quite diff. - accelerated depreciation being just one example. That can also have a large impact on cost effectiveness.

Good luck.

You're spot on. Thanks.