Need Installer recommendations for Bay Area (San Jose, CA) Plus some questions

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  • sohail
    Junior Member
    • Mar 2013
    • 6
    #1

    Need Installer recommendations for Bay Area (San Jose, CA) Plus some questions

    Hi,

    After reading the forums, I am reaching the following conclusions and would like recommendation for an Installer/Distributor. I live in San Jose, CA. Some conclusions:
    * Would like to go with professional installation to minimize hassle, hickups and professional handholding to deal with PG&E.
    * Thinking of SunPower panels (E20 or E21) - High efficiency, 25-year warranty, etc
    * Roof mount, etc
    * Thinking of Micro-Inverters - So I can scale incrementally
    * Initial install 5KWH - 7KWH system
    * No batteries, etc - Use PG&E for surplus
    * Open to either Purchase-upfront (likely) or Lease

    A few questions:
    * What local (Bay Area) Installer/distributor would you recommend for best cost and quality of work ?
    * What is the Gross or Net $$$ per Watt I should expect with SunPower and Bay Area Installers ?
    * What Inverters/Micro-Inverters would you recommend ?
    * Is Purchase-upfront always the best choice ?
    * How long typically before the Installer schedules an Install ?
    * How long is the whole process ?

    Thanks a million!
    Tags: bay area, cost, installer, sunpower
    • Naptown
      Solar Fanatic
      • Feb 2011
      • 6880
      #2
      The e20 and e21( what will be called the x panel)s are not compatable with microinverters.
      You would need to go down to a 240 AC panel if you want Sunpower.
      NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

      [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

      [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

      [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

        Comment

        • sohail
          Junior Member
          • Mar 2013
          • 6
          #3
          Originally posted by Naptown
          The e20 and e21( what will be called the x panel)s are not compatable with microinverters.
          You would need to go down to a 240 AC panel if you want Sunpower.
          Understood Thanks. Any other comments Anyone ?

            Comment

            • raydias
              Member
              • Mar 2011
              • 46
              #4
              I can't remember the Magazine (might have been Photon) but there is a non profit group in Santa Clara county called SunWork that might interest you.
              Small Solar Made Affordable - SunWork
              http://sunwork.org/index.html
              SunWork Renewable Energy Projects is a nonprofit solar installer. We make small solar affordable for customers with low electric bills with help from volunteers
              --Ray
              8xSV-X-195-LV - 22.80 Voc - 18.30 Vmp - 10.66 Imp - 11.55 Isc
              2xUL Solar 85w - 21.9 Voc - 17.9 Vmp - 4.84 Imp - 5.17 Isc
              1xUL Solar 120w - 21.9 Voc - 18.1 Vmp - 6.6 Imp - 6.8 Isc
              7xHF 15w - 23.57 Voc - 17.5 Vmp - 0.86 Imp - 1.15 Isc
              MorningStar MPPT 60 Charge Controller
              Midnite Classic 150 Charge Controller
              700ah used Gel batteries
              Xantrex PROWatts 600 PSW Inverter
              HF 1000/2000 MSW Watt Inverter

                Comment

                • Hyacinth
                  Junior Member
                  • May 2013
                  • 13
                  #5
                  Would also like some info on recommended installers in the South Bay that others have used.

                    Comment

                    • cyph
                      Member
                      • Apr 2013
                      • 85
                      #6
                      The non profit will only install small systems that cover tier 3-5. They will not zero out your bill. Sohail check your PM for info on my installer.

                        Comment

                        • rx100
                          Junior Member
                          • Jun 2013
                          • 2
                          #7
                          Originally posted by cyph
                          The non profit will only install small systems that cover tier 3-5. They will not zero out your bill. Sohail check your PM for info on my installer.
                          Sohail, Did you decide n one? Could you please share what you've gathered sofar?

                          I'm in the market looking out for a 5KW system. So far I've received quote from Sunwork

                          REC 255W panel + Sunnyboy 5000 for 9.5K after tax credit and 10.5 for Enphase.

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