New Quotes- Based on what I have learned from my friends at Solar Panel Talk

[rrwsandiego]

So I have some new quotes based on the info I have collected on this forum. Thank you all for the help
Here is a recap.

San Diego/Rancho Bernardo location. End of cul de sac with slight shading in early morning.
System would have 3 arrays based on configuration of our roof (photo attached large tree to be removed).
FYI:It gets extremely hot here in summer months.
New 12 month usage average is 11,076
Need new panel up to 125 but will consider RMA because I need to try my best have completed by end of year to offset tax liability for 2015.
For reference the RMA cost is $1,326.00 and can be deducted from total cost to reflect cost per watt. The quote for new panel is $2,500.00 - $2,600.00 but will take much longer to get approved and installed. Each quote can be adjusted in cost with panel upgrade.

Quote #1 with RMA install $23,981
22 panels - LG315N1C-G4 - 12 year warranty
SYSTEM SIZE KW (DC-STC) 6.93
Central/Optimized - Solar Edge SE6000 Inverter - 12 year warranty
(22) P320 Power Optimizers - 25 year warranty
Mounting hardware, Unirac, Iron Ridge, or Quick Mount PV
Panel monitoring included for life of system
30 Years in business, electrical license, 5 star rated all around.
*I am leaning towards this system. It is the largest of all 3 quotes and also the best priced. I am worried about the limited warranty but figure it may be worth the reduction in cost. Contractor has full 10 year warranty.

Quote #2 with RMA install $27,498
21 panels - SPR320
SYSTEM SIZE KW (DC-STC) 6.72
Cengtral/Dual MPPT (2) SunnyBoy 3000T
Mounting hardware, Unirac, Iron Ridge, or Quick Mount PV
Panel monitoring for life of system
30 Years in business, electrical license, 5 star rated all around. Contractor has full 10 year warranty.
*I like this system because of the full 25 year warranty on labor but I am not thinking it constitutes the extra 4K. Thoughts?

Quote #3 with RMA install $24,844 (based of older 12 month average of 10,126)
19 LG LG300N1KG4
DC System Size 5.70
300W Monocrystalline Modules/enPhase M250-240 inverters.
Per panel monitoring. Charge after a few years to continue.
10 years in business, licensed, 4.9 star rated all around.
* This was my original contractor. I asked them to reprice me. They were annoyed I was asking for better pricing from my last quote.
I am also worried about micro inverters on my hot, hot roof in summer months. Contractor has full 10 year warranty.
Pricing is high and system is small.

Also should I be concerned with power outage? The cost seems crazy high and the technology does not appear to be there quite yet reading some of the posts on the forum.

Let me know what I missed and if I did better this time.

Thank you
Rachel

[J.P.M.]

#1 sounds about right on the going rate around here.

Unless you have a small roof, Sunpower stuff is overpriced for what you get. Most every equally sized electrical size) system using decent equipment, in the same location, orientation and service will produce about equal annual output for as long as you are likely to own it. Still, that's not a bad price for S, but still high.

I'd stay with string inverter. You can avoid the roof heat angst you have, and in the opinion of some get a better design. If the morning shade is slight, that's how much I'd worry about it.

The power outage option from SMA is a nice touch, but it wouldn't be a deal killer for me.

Paying more than about $3.50/Watt around here, even to a quality vendor, is leaving money on the table.

Choose your vendor wisely and get your roof inspected/serviced. A lot of the roofs in Rancho Bernardo look like they're as old as most of the residents.

[rrwsandiego]

Ha ha ...@J.P.M you are so right.... RB is Heaven's Waiting Room

[J.P.M.]

Ha ha ...@J.P.M you are so right.... RB is Heaven's Waiting Room

Seems that way. All kidding aside, getting a roof inspected/serviced is a good/necessary measure. The smart money seems to believe solar PV will last a long time. Not much evidence has come along yet that would counter that belief. Giving an old(er) roof under an array the best chance to stay leak and maint. free for as long as the array functions seems like cheap insurance.

I can verify that doing so brings peace of mind at 3 A.M. in a winter rain that's hard to quantify, especially when I simultaneously consider all the holes in the roof from the 32 supports.

[inetdog]

And once you have got the new roof in place and the array installed with proper sealant/flashing, etc. the array will provide sunlight protection to the new roof under it, making it likely to last longer than the rest of the new roof.

[J.P.M.]

And once you have got the new roof in place and the array installed with proper sealant/flashing, etc. the array will provide sunlight protection to the new roof under it, making it likely to last longer than the rest of the new roof.

And, as some early adopters are finding out, sometimes becoming a different color than the exposed roof when arrays are removed.

[genesmasher]

...
Quote #1 with RMA install $23,981
...
30 Years in business, electrical license, 5 star rated all around.
...

Looks like another potential customer for this popular San Diego vendor

[rvv]

rrw, can you please PM me with the installer name for your quote #1 below?
Thanks much in advance.

So I have some new quotes based on the info I have collected on this forum. Thank you all for the help
Here is a recap.

San Diego/Rancho Bernardo location. End of cul de sac with slight shading in early morning.
System would have 3 arrays based on configuration of our roof (photo attached large tree to be removed).
FYI:It gets extremely hot here in summer months.
New 12 month usage average is 11,076
Need new panel up to 125 but will consider RMA because I need to try my best have completed by end of year to offset tax liability for 2015.
For reference the RMA cost is $1,326.00 and can be deducted from total cost to reflect cost per watt. The quote for new panel is $2,500.00 - $2,600.00 but will take much longer to get approved and installed. Each quote can be adjusted in cost with panel upgrade.

Quote #1 with RMA install $23,981
22 panels - LG315N1C-G4 - 12 year warranty
SYSTEM SIZE KW (DC-STC) 6.93
Central/Optimized - Solar Edge SE6000 Inverter - 12 year warranty
(22) P320 Power Optimizers - 25 year warranty
Mounting hardware, Unirac, Iron Ridge, or Quick Mount PV
Panel monitoring included for life of system
30 Years in business, electrical license, 5 star rated all around.
*I am leaning towards this system. It is the largest of all 3 quotes and also the best priced. I am worried about the limited warranty but figure it may be worth the reduction in cost. Contractor has full 10 year warranty.

Quote #2 with RMA install $27,498
21 panels - SPR320
SYSTEM SIZE KW (DC-STC) 6.72
Cengtral/Dual MPPT (2) SunnyBoy 3000T
Mounting hardware, Unirac, Iron Ridge, or Quick Mount PV
Panel monitoring for life of system
30 Years in business, electrical license, 5 star rated all around. Contractor has full 10 year warranty.
*I like this system because of the full 25 year warranty on labor but I am not thinking it constitutes the extra 4K. Thoughts?

Quote #3 with RMA install $24,844 (based of older 12 month average of 10,126)
19 LG LG300N1KG4
DC System Size 5.70
300W Monocrystalline Modules/enPhase M250-240 inverters.
Per panel monitoring. Charge after a few years to continue.
10 years in business, licensed, 4.9 star rated all around.
* This was my original contractor. I asked them to reprice me. They were annoyed I was asking for better pricing from my last quote.
I am also worried about micro inverters on my hot, hot roof in summer months. Contractor has full 10 year warranty.
Pricing is high and system is small.

Also should I be concerned with power outage? The cost seems crazy high and the technology does not appear to be there quite yet reading some of the posts on the forum.

Let me know what I missed and if I did better this time.

Thank you
Rachel

[rrwsandiego]

[QUOTE[/QUOTE]
So went through all due diligence was going to sign contract and installer #1 can't start until Feb 2016.
I don't think we can wait that long..what to do?

[rvv]

[QUOTE

So went through all due diligence was going to sign contract and installer #1 can't start until Feb 2016.
I don't think we can wait that long..what to do?[/QUOTE]

You must have two concerns namely 2015 rebate from the department of energy and net metering, which is likely to be discontinued very soon. The net metering application can be submitted as soon as you sign up with an installer so that should be safe. The rebate is a different story. There are many people getting solar for both reasons right now. To make matters worse, the honest installers wont commit to an install in 2015 at this point due to expected El nino rains in Nov. and December. I heard something like 3 weeks of possible work stoppage is expected in the next two months due to rain.

[J.P.M.]

So went through all due diligence was going to sign contract and installer #1 can't start until Feb 2016.
I don't think we can wait that long..what to do?

You must have two concerns namely 2015 rebate from the department of energy and net metering, which is likely to be discontinued very soon. The net metering application can be submitted as soon as you sign up with an installer so that should be safe. The rebate is a different story. There are many people getting solar for both reasons right now. To make matters worse, the honest installers wont commit to an install in 2015 at this point due to expected El nino rains in Nov. and December. I heard something like 3 weeks of possible work stoppage is expected in the next two months due to rain.[/QUOTE]

What Dept. of Energy rebate are you referring to ?

[rvv]

You must have two concerns namely 2015 rebate from the department of energy and net metering, which is likely to be discontinued very soon. The net metering application can be submitted as soon as you sign up with an installer so that should be safe. The rebate is a different story. There are many people getting solar for both reasons right now. To make matters worse, the honest installers wont commit to an install in 2015 at this point due to expected El nino rains in Nov. and December. I heard something like 3 weeks of possible work stoppage is expected in the next two months due to rain.

What Dept. of Energy rebate are you referring to ?[/QUOTE]

The fereral 30% rebate that is paid out in June of the following year of install.

[J.P.M.]

What Dept. of Energy rebate are you referring to ?

The federal 30% rebate that is paid out in June of the following year of install.[/QUOTE]

Unless you are referring to the 30% federal investment tax credit that can be claimed on some systems installed in the U.S. before 12/31/2016, I'm unfamiliar with that rebate. Guess I better do some homework.

[rrwsandiego]

Yes I needed to try an at least attempt install by end of year.
As a contractor myself we stop bidding jobs when we are booked three months out.
We also leave turn times on our voicemail to set client expectation. I guess I have to find an installer who is not so busy even if I pay a but more. It will be a wash when it comes down to sdge bill for next 6 months and payments on loan I already took out to pay for system.

[rrwsandiego]

New Pricing from reputable contractor we work with on other projects. In business over 50 years, electrical contractor as well.
The pricing is slightly more BUT...

I am getting the SE7600 inverter now instead of 6000.

Full 25 Year warranty on entire system with labor included opposed to 10 year

Contractor is getting me a cal fire exception so I only need 2 arrays and can use most of my SW facing roof -old bid had inferior design and 3 arrays.

50/50 they will complete job by end of year and guaranteed no later than 2nd week in Jan.

I figure system will be up and running at least 2 months sooner then previous bid and I get a little bit more tax credit.