Need advice on solar panel installation in Phoenix, AZ. Thanks

[J.P.M.]

We love that input, and that behavior is very much welcome from a customer. Mostly it is the engineer types that do this to understand how the products are being installed. However, we cannot allow the customer use of our ladders or equipment to get on their roofs for insurance purposes.

I know how the products ought to be installed - per the drawings the vendor provided - which I checked and reviewed. Like most homeowners, I have ladders. I'm not an engineer anymore. I'm retired.

I also have one example of why it can be a good idea to keep an eye on things during install: Last week, I was walking outside my HOA. I walked past the back side of a home in a different (gated) community where solar was being installed. I could not tell who the vendor was because I couldn't see a truck, and, because it was gated, couldn't get to the dwelling. The people on the roof had no ID on their clothing. There were four of them that I could see.The roof is flat concrete tile and the penetrations were being made. A worker was using a drill, probably doing pilot holes for the roof attachments. No big deal. What caught my attention was the repeated and loud "thump", as the drill chuck would impact the roof deck over and over several times, telling me the drill probably didn't hit a rafter. The worker would repeat the process two or more times until he got two "non thumping" holes drilled, move on to the next support location and repeated the process. This went on for three other support locations - same process. I'd guess about half the holes missed their mark. I moved on - not my house/project/etc. On my return trip, about an hr. or so later, the supports were in place and the racking was being installed, with the tiles following along. I wasn't close enough or present to see if the missed holes were plugged, but I have my doubts. I do appreciate that rafters are hard to hit, and it can be a real PITA, - been there, done that - but I bet there are a few extraneous and maybe open holes in that roof that might not be there if the owner had been.

[azdave]

Hello Dave, may I ask who installed your solar system?

It was Harmon Solar (Harmon Electric). Dennis A. was my contact. I studied the info fully and asked lots of questions before I signed. I did not have a single worry or surprise with them. The system performs exactly as they estimated and we couldn't be happier. They stayed in contact during the work and my system went live with only a small delay while waiting on SRP to give it the final blessing.

SRP recently chose me to participate in a 2-year study of advanced inverter functions and Harmon Solar is doing the retro-fit at my home later this month.

[sensij]

I contact the installer and ask about the double flashed roofing mount and he respond that he does something better: Pro-Solar tile mount, its a triple seal.

It would be worth understanding the difference between flashing and sealing. Pro-Solar sells an established tile mount product, as does QuickMountPV I'm not going to take a position here as to which is "better", but there are trade-offs associated with each.

[sunnyguy]

It would be worth understanding the difference between flashing and sealing. Pro-Solar sells an established tile mount product, as does QuickMountPV I'm not going to take a position here as to which is "better", but there are trade-offs associated with each.

Haha yeah three globs of geocel is not impressive. Verde flashings are made in phoenix tell him to get with the program.

[Spektre]

Q (OP) - status update? Did you make a decision on which system to go with?

[qn03]

Specktre,

I narrow down to 2 companies, both has decent reviews. I will be meeting with them some time next week to choose one.

Company	PSI-Rating	Panel	Effic	#Panel	Inverter		Price Per Watt		System	Cost
Company1	8.61	Hyundai Mono280	17.10%	18	Enphase Micro M250		$2.71		5.04KW	$13,677
Company2	8.74	Canadian 275	16.80%	18	SolarEdge w/Opt		$2.88		4.95KW	$14,280

[qn03]

Q (OP) - status update? Did you make a decision on which system to go with?

Will be choosing one next week. If you have any question let me know.

[sunnyguy]

Your efficiency on the Hyundai should be 17.1% I think?

[qn03]

Your efficiency on the Hyundai should be 17.1% I think?

You are correct. Thanks for looking out.

[lj404160]

I'm new to this Solar energy thing but I'm 100% sure I will be buying solar panels for my home in the next 30 days. I have 3 different Solar Companies offering me to buy their Solar system for my home -- I will be living in my home for at least 30 years - I want a good system for a wholesale price --- Which one should I choose? - All 3 companies offer a 25 year warranty on their panels.
My annual electric usage for my home is about 12,500 kWh -- I want to replace 98%-100% of my electric annual usage


#1. System price $23,959 by La Solar Group (1 solar edge 7.6W Inverter with Optimizers , 24 Suniva 335 Watt panels
#2 System price $19,500 by a wholesale contractor - 30 - 260 -watt Ecosolargy modules (poly) 30 - 215 watt Enphase Micro Inverters - 7.8 kw
#3 System price $23,263 by a wholesale contractor - 25 Hanwah Q CELLS USA- 325 Watt modules -8.1 DC and inverter 8.2

Which system and panels would you advise??

[qn03]

I'm new to this Solar energy thing but I'm 100% sure I will be buying solar panels for my home in the next 30 days. I have 3 different Solar Companies offering me to buy their Solar system for my home -- I will be living in my home for at least 30 years - I want a good system for a wholesale price --- Which one should I choose? - All 3 companies offer a 25 year warranty on their panels.
My annual electric usage for my home is about 12,500 kWh -- I want to replace 98%-100% of my electric annual usage


#1. System price $23,959 by La Solar Group (1 solar edge 7.6W Inverter with Optimizers , 24 Suniva 335 Watt panels
#2 System price $19,500 by a wholesale contractor - 30 - 260 -watt Ecosolargy modules (poly) 30 - 215 watt Enphase Micro Inverters - 7.8 kw
#3 System price $23,263 by a wholesale contractor - 25 Hanwah Q CELLS USA- 325 Watt modules -8.1 DC and inverter 8.2

Which system and panels would you advise??

Very hard to decide in my opinion.Pro and Con for each one.
System 1. $2.98 per watt. Suniva-american made, I like the SE w/ Optimizer
System 2. $2.50 per watt. More panels lower panel wattage for each. Enphase M215 is an older model, M250 or S280 would be better
System 3. $2.83 per watt. Haven't heard of this brand. I wasn't offer this brand so research if you like it. What inverter is being installed?

If I was in your shoes, I would get more quotes. I requested over 13 quotes all over Phoenix. I wanted to see what is offered in my area and the going price.
Go to www.solarreviews.com enter your zip and check out other installers in your area. Good luck

[azdave]

Specktre,

I narrow down to 2 companies, both has decent reviews. I will be meeting with them some time next week to choose one.

For local comparison, $2.71 pre-incentive is what I got from Harmon back in late 2014 on my 6.63 kW system with 26 panels and string inverter. American Solar was also very close to that.

After getting creative with the payments I got it down to $1.68 after incentives. When all was settled I was only out of pocket $1.62 per watt after they chose not to bill me for moving some roof vents, even after I reminded them about it.

Extra discounts I asked for and received.
-$500 discount for offering to pay 2/3 immediately up front instead of being billed as it came due.
-Allowed to place purchase cost on a cash-back credit card with no upcharge. Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal when it's time to sign.

BTW, I just heard Arizona Public Service is asking for an 8% rate increase next year. I think you said previously you are in APS territory and not SRP?

[qn03]

For local comparison, $2.71 pre-incentive is what I got from Harmon back in late 2014 on my 6.63 kW system with 26 panels and string inverter. American Solar was also very close to that.

After getting creative with the payments I got it down to $1.68 after incentives. When all was settled I was only out of pocket $1.62 per watt after they chose not to bill me for moving some roof vents, even after I reminded them about it.

Extra discounts I asked for and received.
-$500 discount for offering to pay 2/3 immediately up front instead of being billed as it came due.
-Allowed to place purchase cost on a cash-back credit card with no upcharge. Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal when it's time to sign.

BTW, I just heard Arizona Public Service is asking for an 8% rate increase next year. I think you said previously you are in APS territory and not SRP?

Hello Dave, I contact Harmon and they quote me $3.06 pre rebate for a 5.2KW system. I have decided the system I wanted and about to negotiated other things before I decide the company. Was planning to see if I can charge it all on credit card to get some cashback. I will have them come out and look at my roof and make sure they can fit the panels. Thanks for the tip, wills see if I can get extra off if I can pay 2/3 upfront.

I am with APS, where did you heard about the APS rate increase. Do you have a link to the article? I heard they were going to announce something in June. Was waiting for June before I finally decide. Is the 8% applied to the $0.70/Kwh?

[azdave]

Hello Dave, I contact Harmon and they quote me $3.06 pre rebate for a 5.2KW system. I have decided the system I wanted and about to negotiated other things before I decide the company. Was planning to see if I can charge it all on credit card to get some cashback. I will have them come out and look at my roof and make sure they can fit the panels. Thanks for the tip, wills see if I can get extra off if I can pay 2/3 upfront.

I am with APS, where did you heard about the APS rate increase. Do you have a link to the article? I heard they were going to announce something in June. Was waiting for June before I finally decide. Is the 8% applied to the $0.70/Kwh?

I'm just giving you ideas of how to take advantage of other incentives you may not have considered. Hope it works out for you.

I heard about the APS rate increase request on the radio this morning while driving to work. They didn't say much else about it but I think it won't happen immediately, even if it gets approved quickly.

I'm with SRP and happy with them except for only getting $0.025 per kWh for my 2251kWh surplus this year. That's 25% less value than last year's settlement. They tie it to the average wholesale rate from the Palo Verde plant and energy costs were low this year in the southwest. Sure would rather keep the banked energy for my own use rather than get $56 for it but the contract requires to zero it on April 30th each year. I hear it will be 113F by the end of the week!

[azdave]

I heard more about the APS proposal tonight. On top of the 8% overall increase they are asking for a huge reduction in solar credits plus they want to put in place a demand fee just like SRP has done with some of their residential customers. As usual, they ask for way more than they expect and when they get just a part of it the stupid public think they got a good deal compared to what could have happened.

APS openly admits to spending millions of dollars supporting their favorite candidates for the Arizona Corporation Committee vote last fall. What's worse is that a judge ruled it was all legal. I guess they need a rate increase to pay for all those political ads they ran. It ain't cheap to buy votes.

The utility's proposal also takes a big step toward eliminating "net metering," the credits APS gives solar customers for the electricity they generate.

Current solar customers receive a credit of 14 cents per kilowatt hour for providing electricity to the power grid. New solar customers would get just 3 cents per kilowatt hour, a 78 percent reduction, according to APS.