This forum has been fantastic to shorten the learning curve as we conducted diligence on our first home solar system.
Some background on the home:
-Home: 4500 sq feet
-Location: Northridge, CA
-Owned Home: Since July 2014
-Annual Energy Use: ~30,420kW (in 2014)
-Recently installed Nests upstairs and down
-Installing attic fans
-Installing variable rate pool pump
-Installed LED lights
-Power Company: DWP https://www.ladwp.com
-Roof: Tile (real, not cement)
-Shade: All companies who quoted laid out panels on roof areas not affected by trees (but I'm concerned with potential chimney shading)
-Sun Studies: Indicated South and East facing roofs are best for panels - ranging from 36-47 panels - one company (who quoted micro inverters) advocated 10 panels on a north east facing roof
First post didn't seem to allow image attachments. I can post an image of the roof layout with panels if they don't attach.
I've met with 8 installers and am focusing on 4 quotes, with the following takeaways:
-Purchase system - no financing
-Panels: SunPower 345 to maximize avail roof real estate (I also got an LG 305 quote) (I just noticed the chart has SunPower 327 on one quote - that is actually 345)
-Inverter Type: Leaning to single, but have a quote on micro
-# of Panels: all quoted different but ranging from 36-47
I can post a comparative chart with detail on 4 quotes, including pricing, energy production and discounts if it doesn't attach to this posting.
Again, great forum!
Seth
Some background on the home:
-Home: 4500 sq feet
-Location: Northridge, CA
-Owned Home: Since July 2014
-Annual Energy Use: ~30,420kW (in 2014)
-Recently installed Nests upstairs and down
-Installing attic fans
-Installing variable rate pool pump
-Installed LED lights
-Power Company: DWP https://www.ladwp.com
-Roof: Tile (real, not cement)
-Shade: All companies who quoted laid out panels on roof areas not affected by trees (but I'm concerned with potential chimney shading)
-Sun Studies: Indicated South and East facing roofs are best for panels - ranging from 36-47 panels - one company (who quoted micro inverters) advocated 10 panels on a north east facing roof
First post didn't seem to allow image attachments. I can post an image of the roof layout with panels if they don't attach.
I've met with 8 installers and am focusing on 4 quotes, with the following takeaways:
-Purchase system - no financing
-Panels: SunPower 345 to maximize avail roof real estate (I also got an LG 305 quote) (I just noticed the chart has SunPower 327 on one quote - that is actually 345)
-Inverter Type: Leaning to single, but have a quote on micro
-# of Panels: all quoted different but ranging from 36-47
I can post a comparative chart with detail on 4 quotes, including pricing, energy production and discounts if it doesn't attach to this posting.
Again, great forum!
Seth
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