Solar newbie in Los Angeles - Sunpower vs. LG panels - seeking advice!!!

[Venice]

Splitting the job.

Unless you find a roofer that is also a solar installer this is probably not the best tactic. Solar flashing requires the shingles be fully installed and I would not count on a roofer knowing proper racking installation nore optimal layout.

My plan is to select the solar co and have that co install their racks after the plan is permitted. The roofing company will then do all the flashing and seal the roof up. Most solar companies approved and preferred that option. One solar co objected and wanted to place racks after torch down is completed.

[J.P.M.]

On waiting a year to get a better handle on usage : Nice idea and makes sense - EXCEPT net metering MAY well be unavailable by that time as 5% cap may be reached in about a year or so, maybe sooner, maybe later, but by 06/30/2017 for sure. Also, fed tax credits will reduce to 10% from current 30 % on 12/31/2016 unless things change. Bottom line: nice and as sensible as it may be, you may not have the luxury of waiting. I'd take my best shot based on my prior thread and maybe add 10-20% to the most cost effective size estimate. A bit of oversize isn't the worst thing that can happen. Not great, but not the end of life as we know it.

On roof attachment hardware/timing: It could go either way - I'd bet waiting and allowing the solar vendor and their roofer to do it all will involve fewer potential problems. Well installed systems usually have no leaks. No one knows what the array will look like or the details of racking etc. at this time. Doing it all at once seems to offer more flexibility in the design. I doubt if you'd save much money by preinstalling flashing/racking and maybe adding some opportunity for more problems. Waiting will also avoid the finger pointing, delay and B.S. type if problems w/the PV, including leaks, do develop down the road.

[sensij]

On waiting a year to get a better handle on usage : Nice idea and makes sense - EXCEPT net metering MAY well be unavailable by that time as 5% cap may be reached in about a year or so, maybe sooner, maybe later, but by 06/30/2017 for sure. Also, fed tax credits will reduce to 10% from current 30 % on 12/31/2016 unless things change.

On this point, I've been tracking the progress of SDG&E, SCE, and PG&E towards their net metering caps in this thread. SCE has not even used half of their cap yet, and although this past month was an aberration due to a change in their application process, the pace of applications has not even been close to one that would cause the cap to get hit before the mid-2017 deadline. In other words, in SCE territory, waiting a year looks safe to me, and you will benefit from better / cheaper panels, possible improvements in inverters, and better knowledge of your consumption. Just make sure to get it installed in time to take advantage of the federal tax credit, as your circumstances dictate. If your tax liability is low and you will need two years to fully consume to credit, it is easier to justify pushing for installation in 2015.

[DanKegel]

The one thing I'm having done ahead of time on my house is making sure the area where the panels will be is free of obstructions.

In my case, that means replacing HVAC equipment a little earlier than I would have.

[Ian S]

If your tax liability is low and you will need two years to fully consume to credit, it is easier to justify pushing for installation in 2015.

In a pinch, if you have a conventional IRA, you can convert some of it to a Roth to give you sufficient tax liability to consume the credit.

[rhedayi]

On waiting a year to get a better handle on usage : Nice idea and makes sense - EXCEPT net metering MAY well be unavailable by that time as 5% cap may be reached in about a year or so, maybe sooner, maybe later, but by 06/30/2017 for sure. Also, fed tax credits will reduce to 10% from current 30 % on 12/31/2016 unless things change. Bottom line: nice and as sensible as it may be, you may not have the luxury of waiting. I'd take my best shot based on my prior thread and maybe add 10-20% to the most cost effective size estimate. A bit of oversize isn't the worst thing that can happen. Not great, but not the end of life as we know it.
.

I have a question about the NET metering.....I have heard of being "grandfathered" into it....as far as I know, I signed some forms to request the net metering as the panels were being installed, was there any sort of an agreement for it to continue x number of years etc. What about the TOU provisions ? is SCE able to change rates / times they consider peak off peak etc ?

[sensij]

I have a question about the NET metering.....I have heard of being "grandfathered" into it....as far as I know, I signed some forms to request the net metering as the panels were being installed, was there any sort of an agreement for it to continue x number of years etc. What about the TOU provisions ? is SCE able to change rates / times they consider peak off peak etc ?

Yes. Rates can change at any time, in any way. The grandfathering (for 20 years, as long as you don't increase your array by >10%) protects your access to the same rate plans to which you would have access if you didn't have solar installed... they can't say "you have solar, so you have to use this". It also guarantees that whatever rate you are on, the energy you export is valued the same way as the energy you import.

Of course, the grandfathering is only protected by legislation, which could change at any time if the political winds shift enough.

[20120041625]

Both of these sites have a comprehensive guide between brands but if you're really on a budget and it's "out of pocket" I'd consider some of the Chinese brands that are out there. Just be sure to take advantage of government incentives that pertain to your local state.

http://bit.ly/solarbrands

http://www.solarreviews.com/solar-panel-reviews/