New member from SoCal

[foo1bar]

If they are the same price, go with the Enphase microinverters. That's my 2 cents.

Interesting - I'd go with Solaredge over Enphase if it is the same price.

naszer[/URL]o]However, how hard would it be to qualify the service panel upgrade for the rebate if it wasn't included in the system install?

Do you mean is it OK to have multiple bills (fully documented) that are used for a single solar installation as far as the federal tax credit is concerned?
Yes, you can have many bills/payments that make up a solar installation. (I probably have >20 bills/receipts for documentation for my installation. Mine is higher than most people since I was DIY, not buying turnkey installtion)
Most advice I've seen says if it's really part of the solar installation, you can claim it. Just don't claim ridiculous stuff that isn't related. (ex. don't claim the foundation work you had done the same summer as being for solar)

[PugPower]

If they are the same price, go with the Enphase microinverters. That's my 2 cents.

[naszero]

IMO micro-inverters or string inverter with optimizers basically give you the same end result. I would go with whichever is cheaper. I happen to have the SolarEdge inverter with optimizers. When installed they extended the warranty to 25 years for both opitmizers and inverter through SolarEdge.

My installer said they're basically the same price. He said micro-inverters are easier to install, which would offset the price difference with a string setup.

[PugPower]

IMO micro-inverters or string inverter with optimizers basically give you the same end result. I would go with whichever is cheaper. I happen to have the SolarEdge inverter with optimizers. When installed they extended the warranty to 25 years for both opitmizers and inverter through SolarEdge. I would have gone with Enphase microinverters had the price been cheaper. Both are good brands and current leaders in the industry.

[PugPower]

From what I understand if the service panel upgrade is required for solar install, then the rebate applies. Just make sure and get a receipt.

[naszero]

Thank you everyone for all of your informative replies and suggestions. I'm going to take another look at Solar Edge before I decide. Enphase offers longer warranty, and my installer will cover the labor of removing/replacing the micro-inverter for the duration of the 25 year warranty.

You shouldn't pay more than $2K for a main panel upgrade in SoCal today. Been there done that.

My buddy is an electrician and offered to do the install for less than the $2250 price. However, how hard would it be to qualify the service panel upgrade for the rebate if it wasn't included in the system install?

[PugPower]

You shouldn't pay more than $2K for a main panel upgrade in SoCal today. Been there done that.

[foo1bar]

Been lurking for a month, reading as much as I can from this site to educate myself on a new turnkey system. Thanks for all the great information from all of the members. Looking to get the following system installed:

6.9kW system size

Total: $16,215 + $2,250 + $495 = $18,960 - $4,929.60 (26%) = $14,030.40

How do my numbers look? Am I missing anything that I should get? Thanks!

I would consider everything to be part of your install. (well - maybe not the EV charger outlet)
So IMO you're really ~$2.74/W ($18960 / 6900W)

Which is still good.

Personally, I went with Solaredge instead of Enphase. I wanted less electronics on the roof. (there's still some, but I think less risk of failure. In 10 years we'll see if I'm right.)
Being in CA - we need the rapid shutdown (which I think basically means optimizers or microinverters)

I also used LG panels - when I bought and installed my system, 285W was the (IMO) sweet-spot for price vs. wattage. Above that it started getting more expensive per watt very quickly - below that it got cheaper per watt - but not a lot cheaper per watt - especially once you considered the per-panel costs for the rails and optimizers.

Good luck with your installation.

[foo1bar]

I am in the process of installing a 47 panel system. I did much research, chatted with folks on this board, read books, built spreadsheets, talked to multiple installers, read some more, talked to folks that did have systems in the neighborhood - folks I knew and others I didn't. I am an engineer too I will add.

Bird - was this intended to reply to https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...ber-from-socal ?

[foo1bar]

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...7-panel-system

was probably meant as a reply to this thread.

[foo1bar]

pretty sure this started as a reply to https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...ber-from-socal

[Mike90250]

I guess I stepped in it. It looked like you started a new topic in someone elses thread, so I moved the 47 panels to a new thread.

Now I can't figure who you were trying to quote, I can't find any 47 panels anywhere. Argh, sorry. If you remember which thread it was in, I'll undo my mess, sorry,

[bird95134]

Why did my comments to another thread get moved to it's own thread? Please put back or just delete my response.

[Mike90250]

I moved this new topic to it's own thread.

[Mike90250]

How do you intend to wire 47 panels ? the strings will not be equal lengths.