One last look before we sign for Sunpower system

[mxcraze]

Hello I am interested in a similar system an hoping you could pm me the info. Thanks

I had 5 companies bid the project. I specified the new X21 series panel. Negligible price increase compared to E20. Suprising tidbit about the E20, no more black backing for future production.

Location Southern CA (Orange County)
Utility = SCE

(24) Sunpower X21-345 Panels - 3 strings of 8 panels
(1) SMA 8000US inverter
System Cost = $37,100
CSI Rebate = $1474
Out of Pocket = $35,626
Tax Credit = $10,687.80
Incentive = $500 rebate after install complete
Net Cost = $24,438.20

DC STC Rating = 8280 kW
DC PTC Rating = 7685 kW
CEC-AC Rating = 7377 kW
CSI Rating = 7376 kW
First yr production = 12,785 kWh
Current annual usage = 14,200 kWh

Gross Cost/kW DC = $4.48
Net Cost/kW DC = $ 2.95

This is an all cash purchase. No financing. Just curious if any one has any comments or if I'm missing something here. 10% less than the next closest bid.

[Severum88]

Solar System

PM sent with details.

Severum

[mxcraze]

What is the importance of the no black backing on the new E20 panels?

[frizzlefry]

What is the importance of the no black backing on the new E20 panels?

From what I was told, black backing only going to commercial systems. I'm pretty sure it's just aesthetics.

[JohnInSoCal]

please PM me as well, i'm in socal as well and I am seeing $5 a watt for sunpower

[Severum88]

Sunpower system less than $5 watt

PM sent to Johninsocal

please PM me as well, i'm in socal as well and I am seeing $5 a watt for sunpower

[inferno]

PM sent to Johninsocal

I'm in the eastcoast but looking at the same type of panels. Can you PM me with details? I'm super curious, our installer is offering LG here, go expensive and proven or cheap and less payback? :P

[Naptown]

It is generally a bit less on the east coast depending on what state you live in and system size

[inferno]

It is generally a bit less on the east coast depending on what state you live in and system size

I understand that with the incentives. But here's the issue here. LG's price comes out a net at $3.80 per watt to install. SunPower is $5.10 per watt. I'm new to the market and haven't seen much about LG really, is it worth getting the cheaper panels?

Looking to install a 5KW system with some trees taken down to get around 82% TSRF here...Massachusetts btw.

[Naptown]

I have no idea what the Sunpower Pricing is in MA
I can tell you it can be less in MD
What panels are they quoting? 327's, 335's, or 345's

[inferno]

I have no idea what the Sunpower Pricing is in MA
I can tell you it can be less in MD
What panels are they quoting? 327's, 335's, or 345's

I believe the $5.10 is the 335s. But they are doing the net quote. I think it's like $4.50 per watt before net (they're taking in the cost to install and total net cost divided by the total wattage...

[Naptown]

True cost to compare is the cost before incentives etc.
If you can deal with white diamonds you can get a better deal on th 327's and a lot faster too

[frizzlefry]

It's been a few months now... figured time to post some figures so far

First full month of generation, without the technical glitches, was January. We're halfway through March, so I expect to exceed the "expected" figure. Due to the very dry winter we've experienced this winter, I expect that the winter months this year are higher than what I should expect for a regular winter.

System Size: 24, Sunpower X21-345, 8.280 kW

Month: Produced (Expected) kWh
December: 537 (600) - figures is lower due to system glitches. They purged the data for 4-5 days during the month.
January: 880 (747)
February: 969 (813)
March: 598 (1079) (excluding today's figures)

As for how much we're paying, we've maintained tier 1 (SCE) rates. I have not decided whether or not to switch to TOU since I do work from a home office at this time. If I ever get an office space, I may switch, or if we go with electric vehicles.

Actual Usage: These are offset with the above numbers by 1/2 a month since my billing cycle begins around the middle of the month.

Month: kWh Used (previous year kWh) Bill amount, Last year's bill
Nov/Dec: 865 kWh (1127 kWh) ???, $223
Dec/Jan: 306 kWh (1494 kWh) $40, $342
Jan/Feb: 227 kWh (1098 kWh) $30, $243
Feb/Mar: ??? kWh (1067 kWh) -$10, $237
Total tracked energy amount since start of "relevant period" (~Nov 15) = $235.

This is in line with my calculated expectations. Summer peak should be 1600-1700 kWh if we didn't have solar. Expected generation during those months is 1350 kWh. Just glad I won't see a $475 summer bill again. That should drop to $40-50.

[inferno]

First full month of generation, without the technical glitches, was January. We're halfway through March, so I expect to exceed the "expected" figure. Due to the very dry winter we've experienced this winter, I expect that the winter months this year are higher than what I should expect for a regular winter.

System Size: 24, Sunpower X21-345, 8.280 kW

Month: Produced (Expected) kWh
December: 537 (600) - figures is lower due to system glitches. They purged the data for 4-5 days during the month.
January: 880 (747)
February: 969 (813)
March: 598 (1079) (excluding today's figures)

As for how much we're paying, we've maintained tier 1 (SCE) rates. I have not decided whether or not to switch to TOU since I do work from a home office at this time. If I ever get an office space, I may switch, or if we go with electric vehicles.

Actual Usage: These are offset with the above numbers by 1/2 a month since my billing cycle begins around the middle of the month.

Month: kWh Used (previous year kWh) Bill amount, Last year's bill
Nov/Dec: 865 kWh (1127 kWh) ???, $223
Dec/Jan: 306 kWh (1494 kWh) $40, $342
Jan/Feb: 227 kWh (1098 kWh) $30, $243
Feb/Mar: ??? kWh (1067 kWh) -$10, $237
Total tracked energy amount since start of "relevant period" (~Nov 15) = $235.

This is in line with my calculated expectations. Summer peak should be 1600-1700 kWh if we didn't have solar. Expected generation during those months is 1350 kWh. Just glad I won't see a $475 summer bill again. That should drop to $40-50.

Where are you located again? And is your system completely South West facing?

[frizzlefry]

Where are you located again? And is your system completely South West facing?

Westminster / Huntington Beach, CA. Panels are pretty much directly south facing.