Need help deciding between 3 quotes – LG, Mage and SunPower

[bluewater]

I’m looking for some help comparing the 3 quotes I have received. I'm just learning about solar and want to make sure I make a educated decision. I’ve received some other quotes for the LG panels with inverters (non micro) and they are more expensive than the micro inverters. I live in Scottsdale AZ and I’m planning on purchasing the system. What do I need to consider to make the best decision? Are these reasonable prices?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Quote 1
Panels:
43 Mage 250 PL AC US
30 year warranty - 80% power guarantee
12 year warranty - 90% power guarantee
12 year product warranty
12 year roof warranty
MicroInverter:
Solar Bridge Pantheon II Factory Installed
30 year warranty

10.75KW DC 15,674 KWh AC
$40,000 $27,000 after rebates - $2.50 kWh

Quote 2
Panels:
43 LG LG290N1C Korean
25 year warranty - 80.2% linear (Yr1=97%, .7% per year)
MicroInverter:
Enphase M250
25 year warranty

12.47kW DC 21,534 kWh AC
$40,000 $26,500 after rebates - $2.14 kWh

Quote 3
Panels:
46 SunPower E19/240 US
25 year warranty
MicroInverter:
Solar Bridge Pantheon – Factory Installed

11.04 kW DC 19,154 kWh AC
$36,000 $24,000 after rebates - $2.19kWh

[joegovette]

My Sunpower system has a warranty as well as power output guarantee for 25 years. It was one of the reasons that I went with Sunpower. Prices that close it is a no brainer to me.

[solarjack]

Who are you using for quotes in Phoenix

Who are you using for quotes in Phoenix? Your system seems rather large and is that needed? I went with Mage although they have not been installed as of yet. I was looking at Sunpower too. After research though the amount of roof area will dictate if Sunpower is going to be on your roof. I am going with 6.5KW system!

[bluewater]

My Sunpower system has a warranty as well as power output guarantee for 25 years. It was one of the reasons that I went with Sunpower. Prices that close it is a no brainer to me.

Thx for the reply. Can you post the warranty details? The rep that presented the quote did not know the warranty. He is going to get back to me. Thx

[bluewater]

Who are you using for quotes in Phoenix? Your system seems rather large and is that needed? I went with Mage although they have not been installed as of yet. I was looking at Sunpower too. After research though the amount of roof area will dictate if Sunpower is going to be on your roof. I am going with 6.5KW system!

Unfortunately, yes. I use 32,000 kWh with APS. The challenge with Mage is I can only fit 43 panels on the roof and it will only cover approx 50% of my bill. Since the SunPower are more efficient they will cover approx 60% of my APS bill.

[silversaver]

Unfortunately, yes. I use 32,000 kWh with APS. The challenge with Mage is I can only fit 43 panels on the roof and it will only cover approx 50% of my bill. Since the SunPower are more efficient they will cover approx 60% of my APS bill.

Only 43 panels? how can you fit 46 sunpower? Sunpower does make higher efficient panels, but it doesnt mean higher output than LGs. Those are the older model SunPower panels. I like the LG setup better.

BTW, your calculation is wrong on Sunpower per Watt cost after incentive.

[russ]

I think you can try Sunrun, where the typical home installation of 3 to 7 kilowatts will cost you in between $18,000 to $40,000 to purchase.

Pardon? Your costs are a bit loony!

[silversaver]

Pardon? Your costs are a bit loony!

haha.

So Sunrun can switch him to a lease.

[silversaver]

Pardon? Your costs are a bit loony!

haha.

So Sunrun can switch him to a lease.

[bluewater]

Only 43 panels? how can you fit 46 sunpower? Sunpower does make higher efficient panels, but it doesnt mean higher output than LGs. Those are the older model SunPower panels. I like the LG setup better.

BTW, your calculation is wrong on Sunpower per Watt cost after incentive.

Silversaver...thanks. I did have a error in my SunPower calculation. How old are the panels? What are the newer panels? Also, good point on the panel numbers. I need to have the installers give me a final number of panels they can put on the roof. These are estimates based on what they pulled from the internet.

[solarjack]

Silversaver...thanks. I did have a error in my SunPower calculation. How old are the panels? What are the newer panels? Also, good point on the panel numbers. I need to have the installers give me a final number of panels they can put on the roof. These are estimates based on what they pulled from the internet.

Message me and tell me the three companies you got quotes from. Also what about getting larger panels 300 watt panels?

[Ian S]

I think you can try Sunrun, where the typical home installation of 3 to 7 kilowatts will cost you in between $18,000 to $40,000 to purchase.

Why on earth would he pay $40k for a 7kW Sunrun instead of $36k for an 11kW Sunpower?

[joegovette]

Thx for the reply. Can you post the warranty details? The rep that presented the quote did not know the warranty. He is going to get back to me. Thx

The panels have a 25 year warranty including labor. The inverter is the normal 10 year. The warranty is 10 years on the roof The production is guaranteed for 25 years. It puts out what they say it will, or they write me a check for the difference. I only have 21 E19 320W panels to kill 96% of my bill. Sunpower's latest and greatest is the X21 345W. I am sure the cost will go up, but it might be something to consider with the amount of power that you use. Good luck on your decision!

[joegovette]

Silversaver...thanks. I did have a error in my SunPower calculation. How old are the panels? What are the newer panels? Also, good point on the panel numbers. I need to have the installers give me a final number of panels they can put on the roof. These are estimates based on what they pulled from the internet.

Do you have shading issues that you are needing micro inverters? I think the Sunpower panels that you are being quoted are the E19 240W AC panels. They have a built in inverter in them.

[bluewater]

Do you have shading issues that you are needing micro inverters? I think the Sunpower panels that you are being quoted are the E19 240W AC panels. They have a built in inverter in them.

Yes, the quote is for the E19 240w AC panels with the built in inverter. No, I don't have shade issues but I have lots of different angles on the roof so the panels are spread across 4 different sections of the roof. Most of the facing south but some facing east.