Solar Contract Signed with Sunpower

[KRenn]

received three quotes from dealers and think paying 36 panels for 335 panels around $4.80 was a great deal considering people in neighborhood received more expensive quotes for less panels and the 327 series of panels . !! thanks

Bleeping California man. I think the pricing in Arizona is more along the lines of $4.00 a watt.

[ajpslp]

Krenn,
we r in nyc so our prices are inflated also but happy with those prices considering they r the newer all black panel 335's ! Company is reputable doing solar for 10 years so Im happy too!

[KRenn]

Krenn,
we r in nyc so our prices are inflated also but happy with those prices considering they r the newer all black panel 335's ! Company is reputable doing solar for 10 years so Im happy too!

Yeah but you still have pretty solid incentives in NY, no? In Arizona there's mostly nothing now.....$0.10 a watt rebate and that is it.

[Mr. Vegas]

So I am finalized with my Solar panel lease. Went with a 36 panel 335's from Sunpower. These are the ALL black panels with no grid due to my roof being very visible in Staten Island,NY. One Sunpower Inverter, roof mount , advanced monitoring, all inspections (in ny the Dept of Buildings, etc) architect, engineers, fixing two small vent holes on roof. This setup cost me zero out of pocket, and leasing it for $180 a month, I called a few elite dealers near by and seems like everyone was in the same ballpark or a bit higher. Its a 12.06 KW system expected to produce around 16,000 KW a year and hopefully washing out my Con Edison electric bill. Wish the process with NY was easier as it take about 3-4 months for all approvals and con ed to turn it on .. Thoughts ? Think it was a great deal considering my current balanced budget just went up from $316 to $336 due to increase. Also sunpower lease has zero increase for 20 years. Thoughts ?

You had stated in a follow up post that you were paying $130 a month/lease for this system. Did you make changes to the system before install to get to $180?

[Mr. Vegas]

So I am finalized with my Solar panel lease. Went with a 36 panel 335's from Sunpower. These are the ALL black panels with no grid due to my roof being very visible in Staten Island,NY. One Sunpower Inverter, roof mount , advanced monitoring, all inspections (in ny the Dept of Buildings, etc) architect, engineers, fixing two small vent holes on roof. This setup cost me zero out of pocket, and leasing it for $180 a month, I called a few elite dealers near by and seems like everyone was in the same ballpark or a bit higher. Its a 12.06 KW system expected to produce around 16,000 KW a year and hopefully washing out my Con Edison electric bill. Wish the process with NY was easier as it take about 3-4 months for all approvals and con ed to turn it on .. Thoughts ? Think it was a great deal considering my current balanced budget just went up from $316 to $336 due to increase. Also sunpower lease has zero increase for 20 years. Thoughts ?

Same here, it's about 3-4 months of work before the system is on-line.

[ajpslp]

So my 36 panel x21-335 all black panels are set to arrive monday am , and dealer will begin the mounting rack system. I requested the low profile rack system which just looks better and considering my location on a corner think it will better to the eye. I went down from $181 to $131 because NYS NYSERDA received something in the billions to promote residents in NY to convert to solar. I just received my con edison bill of $306 this month and its WINTER!! holy crap i hate being robbed!!! I can't wait till my solar goes online !! A few friends already are online with solar and producing pretty good numbers for winter . Hope this answers any questions people may have !

[Ian S]

So my 36 panel x21-335 all black panels are set to arrive monday am , and dealer will begin the mounting rack system. I requested the low profile rack system which just looks better and considering my location on a corner think it will better to the eye. I went down from $181 to $131 because NYS NYSERDA received something in the billions to promote residents in NY to convert to solar. I just received my con edison bill of $306 this month and its WINTER!! holy crap i hate being robbed!!! I can't wait till my solar goes online !! A few friends already are online with solar and producing pretty good numbers for winter . Hope this answers any questions people may have !

That's a great deal. I know you'll be happy with the performance. It just goes to show that blanket statements about solar leasing never working financially don't hold up. You have to weigh all the factors: electric rate structures, equipment costs, labor costs, net metering availablility, insolation and incentives to see if solar PV saves money for you and how much. Hope you can post some pics!

[russ]

That's a great deal. I know you'll be happy with the performance. It just goes to show that blanket statements about solar leasing never working financially don't hold up. You have to weigh all the factors: electric rate structures, equipment costs, labor costs, net metering availablility, insolation and incentives to see if solar PV saves money for you and how much. Hope you can post some pics!

Ian - This is in NY where they have the super incentives - add that in and make mention of it.

[silversaver]

It probably cost him less than 8k to own.

[Ian S]

Ian - This is in NY where they have the super incentives - add that in and make mention of it.

Um... I mentioned incentives , I believe.

[russ]

Um... I mentioned incentives , I believe.

Yes - You are trying to make it sound too rosy - how many can get that kind of a deal.

[Ian S]

It probably cost him less than 8k to own.

And so? He still has to front the money - a lot - then wait for some maybe most of it to be reimbursed. This way, there's no upfront cost and he starts saving money immediately. I'm not claiming leasing is the best approach, I'm just saying that it and other financing methods can work to make solar pay off for the homeowner; it all depends on a variety of factors the homeowner must take into consideration.

[wanabefree]

I could not have said it better

And so? He still has to front the money - a lot - then wait for some maybe most of it to be reimbursed. This way, there's no upfront cost and he starts saving money immediately. I'm not claiming leasing is the best approach, I'm just saying that it and other financing methods can work to make solar pay off for the homeowner; it all depends on a variety of factors the homeowner must take into consideration.

I am in the final stages of approving a Lease/PPA agreement for a 6.25k system like similar to the OP. I would love to purchase my system outright but do not have the upfront cash plus even if I did I do not want to be responsible for maintenance or repairs. Seems that very little attention is given to the fact that while the systems may last for 20 or more years with little or now upkeep there is not guarantee of that. How much do you think it would cost to replace a few panels even if under warrantee and pay an electrician to reconnect it or replace other components. with a lease that is covered. Not saying it is the perfect solution but for some it is still a cost effective option.
Dave

[silversaver]

And so? He still has to front the money - a lot - then wait for some maybe most of it to be reimbursed. This way, there's no upfront cost and he starts saving money immediately. I'm not claiming leasing is the best approach, I'm just saying that it and other financing methods can work to make solar pay off for the homeowner; it all depends on a variety of factors the homeowner must take into consideration.

HAHAHAHA

Relax, I'm only trying to say if he has a low lease payment, then his purchase price will also be low as well..... Just matter of calculation, that's all.

[Mr. Vegas]

I am in the final stages of approving a Lease/PPA agreement for a 6.25k system like similar to the OP. I would love to purchase my system outright but do not have the upfront cash plus even if I did I do not want to be responsible for maintenance or repairs. Seems that very little attention is given to the fact that while the systems may last for 20 or more years with little or now upkeep there is not guarantee of that. How much do you think it would cost to replace a few panels even if under warrantee and pay an electrician to reconnect it or replace other components. with a lease that is covered. Not saying it is the perfect solution but for some it is still a cost effective option.
Dave

With the instability in many sectors of the job market, what if you're out of work and your inverter goes, or a panel dies etc or some other issue. Then your system is affected or offline and your electrical costs are now higher again until you can get the cash to fix it. Lease it, no worries about that stuff, I'm with you. Plus you free up cash flow.