Which panel and system would be best for us? How to decide btw competing quotes.

[Yamabu]

Thanks Butch-- I wasn't clear... I received two quotes, one with microinverters, the other with edge optimizers... I was just wondering what the cost/panel is for the solar company to put microinverters on each panel --21 panels if quantity matters... thanks

[ButchDeal]

To tag on to previous conversation, I have heard I may be able to install a "switch" to power home when grid is down... true?

Some systems can be configured for bimodal operation. Generally the inverter is much more expensive and batteries need to be added. It is much more than just "a Switch".
Also it is unlikely to power the WHOLE home. I have just a small sub panel powered by solar though it is the things I care about.
The SE7600 can be upgraded to the StorEdge and you can then add a battery for backup capabilities.
Most systems are much more difficult to add backup to though.

[Yamabu]

for SPR-E20-327, what is the cost/pane for microinverters vs edge optimizer with Solar Edge SE7600A-US.. 21 panels? I was quoted about $4000 higher for microinverters.. is that correct?

To tag on to previous conversation, I have heard I may be able to install a "switch" to power home when grid is down... true?

[casan]

When the OP suggests he wants less dependence on the grid...if this is grid tied will it work if the grid is down? Most systems don't and yet many people don't realize this.

We knew that. We have a generator. Still wish there was a way to use your panels without recurring to batteries when the grid is down.

[casan]

We went with B, upgraded the whole electrical service to 200 amps.

SolarWorld 290W panels with Enphase S280 microinverters.

It took a long time, we signed the contract at the beginning of February, panels where finally installed at the end of March and utility installed the Net meter at the end of April, in fact 2 days ago. So almost 3 months before having the system up and running. The installer advised us that they were busy and it'd take a while before they could get to us but we didn't expected the utility to take so long before installing the net meter. Of course all the work was permitted and inspected.

[casan]

I would go with Company A personally, but that's just me.

Care to share why?

[SunEagle]

When the OP suggests he wants less dependence on the grid...if this is grid tied will it work if the grid is down? Most systems don't and yet many people don't realize this.

No standard grid tie system will work when the grid goes down. Some will partially work if the string inverters have the Secure Power option like SMA.

The only other type of grid tie would be a hybrid that includes a battery system which will cost a lot more that the prices the OP is getting.

Less dependence can mean a lot of things. It could mean just reducing their electric bill by generating a % of their own power. It does not necessarily mean being off grid or being able to generate power when the grid goes down. Most cost efficient way to do that is use a generator.

[kingofbanff]

When the OP suggests he wants less dependence on the grid...if this is grid tied will it work if the grid is down? Most systems don't and yet many people don't realize this.

[BigK321]

I'm really not sure.

[ButchDeal]

A is $22,400
B is $20,100

Not sure if the 3 panels more on A justify the increase on price.

Well
A is $3.07/w
B is $3.01/w

Not that much difference in price. I am sure that company A could do a smaller system as well, or company B a larger system.

[casan]

A is $22,400
B is $20,100

Not sure if the 3 panels more on A justify the increase on price.

[casan]

Yes, I noticed the 4K or so upfront fee, so the "supposed" 4.99 APR is more like almost 8 APR. We decided to go with our bank. Only issue with them is max lenght is 7 years, so the payments are higher than they'll be with GreenSky. But I couldn't stomach paying such a big upfront fee and the deceptive advertising, not to mention the absolute lack of information about loans options and terms on their website. I hate being in the dark.

[solar pete]

Howdy, Re solar financing, there is a bunch of info here http://www.solarreviews.com/solar-po...lar-financing/ (some states are a bit out of date)

we are currently updating info pages on our site, but you might want to try www.dsire.org and enter your zip code and you will get a bunch of info, the other place to get relevant info is www.seia.org

Cheers.

[Spektre]

IMHO info on financing your PV install is still difficult to find.

Be very cautious when dealing with the 3rd party financing that your installer offers, as they typically tack on 4-5K to your cost as an interest rate buy-down. Some installers fail to mention this, but may offer a 'cash discount' if you bring your own financing - which is simply the removal of the upfront buy-down fee.

The best collection of financing sources I have found is the 'Solar Loans' (edited)

Admin Note, sorry Spektre cant mention those guys. See below

[ButchDeal]

m250

Both seem fairly similar. What is the $/w on the two of them (before incentives).
You stated that A was a bit more expensive but it is also larger. Are you saying it is more expensive total or per watt?

The M250 is very reasonable to be paired with the 290W SolarWorld modules, and would likely have near zero clipping. I would personally prefer the S280 micros as they are the newer model and seem to have better mean time between failures as well as better communications.

You didn't say which SolarEdge inverter would be used with vendor A though it is likely the SE6000. If it were mine I would prefer the SE7600 simply because it can be upgraded latter to support battery backup and would leave plenty of room for expansion if needed. I also tend to favor SolarEdge over Enphase for several reasons but Enphase is a close second.