What do you guys think of this system in So Cal

[bruno]

After many quotes from various vendors, I think I have found a couple of good options and wanted to get your opinions:

Option 1 (w/ Emergency Power option):

8.820 kW DC System
36 Kyocera Solar (KD245GX-LFB)
2 SMA SB3000TL -US-22( w/emergency power)
1 SMA SB2500HFUS-30
12,287 kWh produced in year 1

Gross: 3.59/watt
Net: 2.35/watt


Option 2 :

8.820 kW DC System
36 Kyocera Solar (KD245GX-LFB)
1 SMA SB6000TL -US-22
1 SMA SB2500HFUS-30

Gross: 3.45/watt
Net: 2.25/watt

So the emergency power feature comes at a $1200 premium, which is a bit high but I think in the long run may be worth it.

My current annual usage is 13.9K with SCE. I'm on the Time of Use plan and currently average $275/month.

[silversaver]

After many quotes from various vendors, I think I have found a couple of good options and wanted to get your opinions:

Option 1 (w/ Emergency Power option):

8.820 kW DC System
36 Kyocera Solar (KD245GX-LFB)
2 SMA SB3000TL -US-22( w/emergency power)
1 SMA SB2500HFUS-30
12,287 kWh produced in year 1

Gross: 3.59/watt
Net: 2.35/watt


Option 2 :

8.820 kW DC System
36 Kyocera Solar (KD245GX-LFB)
1 SMA SB6000TL -US-22
1 SMA SB2500HFUS-30

Gross: 3.45/watt
Net: 2.25/watt

So the emergency power feature comes at a $1200 premium, which is a bit high but I think in the long run may be worth it.

My current annual usage is 13.9K with SCE. I'm on the Time of Use plan and currently average $275/month.

The solar panels will be install on 2 roofs? Since the 6000TL-US-12 were choose, I figure you have might have 26 to 28 panels on one roof rest on 2nd roof?

[bruno]

The solar panels will be install on 2 roofs? Since the 6000TL-US-12 were choose, I figure you have might have 26 to 28 panels on one roof rest on 2nd roof?

You are partially correct. I believe 26 will be on the main house (west facing) on two different roof planes (15 and 11) and the other 10 will be on the detached garage (east facing). The SB2500HF inverter will be installed inside the garage and the two SB3000TLs or SB6000TL will be installed on the side of the house.

[silversaver]

You are partially correct. I believe 26 will be on the main house (west facing) on two different roof planes (15 and 11) and the other 10 will be on the detached garage (east facing). The SB2500HF inverter will be installed inside the garage and the two SB3000TLs or SB6000TL will be installed on the side of the house.

Do you mean 5000TL-US-22 or 6000TL-US-12? From I understand that the TL with dual MPP tracker only goes as high as 5000TL-US-22. The 6000TL-US-12 only has single MPP tracker, which you need to run same number of panels on each string.

[bruno]

Do you mean 5000TL-US-22 or 6000TL-US-12? From I understand that the TL with dual MPP tracker only goes as high as 5000TL-US-22. The 6000TL-US-12 only has single MPP tracker, which you need to run same number of panels on each string.

The quote says SB6000TL-US-22. The two roofs that make up the 26 west facing panels are right next to each other, one is just slightly elevated. So, I guess you can consider it one roof.

[silversaver]

The quote says SB6000TL-US-22. The two roofs that make up the 26 west facing panels are right next to each other, one is just slightly elevated. So, I guess you can consider it one roof.

I just double check with SMA website, but nothing there shows that they starting to build the new 6000TL-US-22. If both roofs facing the same direct, I guess you can still using the 6000TL in 2 strings of 13 panels. I have 6000TL-US-12 for my solar with 2 strings of 13 Bosch 255W on same roof facing SW.

http://www.sunnydesignweb.com/sdweb/SunnyDesign/Home

nice design tool from SMA

PS. I think the installer meant 5000TL-US-22 runs 11 and 15 panels on 2 different strings.

[bruno]

I just double check with SMA website, but nothing there shows that they starting to build the new 6000TL-US-22. If both roofs facing the same direct, I guess you can still using the 6000TL in 2 strings of 13 panels. I have 6000TL-US-12 for my solar with 2 strings of 13 Bosch 255W on same roof facing SW.

http://www.sunnydesignweb.com/sdweb/SunnyDesign/Home

nice design tool from SMA

Thanks! I'll check with the vendor whether the -22 was a typo.

What do you think of using 2 3000TLs in order to get the emergency power feature? Unfortunately, it costs $1200 more, although after incentives, it's around $750 more.

[silversaver]

Thanks! I'll check with the vendor whether the -22 was a typo.

What do you think of using 2 3000TLs in order to get the emergency power feature? Unfortunately, it costs $1200 more, although after incentives, it's around $750 more.

Base on SMA Sunny Design Web, a 5000TL-US-22 will do the job and still offering you the emergency plug. I am basing on all 26 panels facing 270 West 11 and 15 panels on 2 different roofs.

Single inverter, save you money and trouble

[bruno]

Base on SMA Sunny Design Web, a 5000TL-US-22 will do the job and still offering you the emergency plug. I am basing on all 26 panels facing 270 West 11 and 15 panels on 2 different roofs.

Single inverter, save you money and trouble

Interesting! We had tried that option but the vendor said the design tool said no to the 5000. Maybe I'll have him revisit that tomorrow. Thanks so much! Will keep you posted.

[J.P.M.]

After many quotes from various vendors, I think I have found a couple of good options and wanted to get your opinions:

Option 1 (w/ Emergency Power option):

8.820 kW DC System
36 Kyocera Solar (KD245GX-LFB)
2 SMA SB3000TL -US-22( w/emergency power)
1 SMA SB2500HFUS-30
12,287 kWh produced in year 1

Gross: 3.59/watt
Net: 2.35/watt


Option 2 :

8.820 kW DC System
36 Kyocera Solar (KD245GX-LFB)
1 SMA SB6000TL -US-22
1 SMA SB2500HFUS-30

Gross: 3.45/watt
Net: 2.25/watt

So the emergency power feature comes at a $1200 premium, which is a bit high but I think in the long run may be worth it.

My current annual usage is 13.9K with SCE. I'm on the Time of Use plan and currently average $275/month.

1.) Diff. works out to <$900 after tax credit. Given reliability of POCO, or rather some lack of it during A/C season, I'd think it may be worth it for some A/C backup and/or fridge/freezer protection even if it does take a long extension cord. Opinions vary.

2.) Depending on orientation and location, you might get better than 12,287 kWhrs./yr.

3.) Prices seem pretty good. Given what currently seems to be going on w/ prices for same panels on other threads near this one, and what the CSI data seems to be showing for prices, I'd be real careful about confirming price/terms/availability etc. w/ vendor in writing. Caveat Emptor.

[bruno]

1.) Diff. works out to <$900 after tax credit. Given reliability of POCO, or rather some lack of it during A/C season, I'd think it may be worth it for some A/C backup and/or fridge/freezer protection even if it does take a long extension cord. Opinions vary.

2.) Depending on orientation and location, you might get better than 12,287 kWhrs./yr.

3.) Prices seem pretty good. Given what currently seems to be going on w/ prices for same panels on other threads near this one, and what the CSI data seems to be showing for prices, I'd be real careful about confirming price/terms/availability etc. w/ vendor in writing. Caveat Emptor.

Thanks JPM!

What IS going on with prices on these same panels? Are they going up?

[J.P.M.]

Thanks JPM!

What IS going on with prices on these same panels? Are they going up?

Don't really know, other than that I'd guess prices on complete systems ain't doing up a lot anytime soon. SWAG method: Go to the CSI database and sort for that panel and by date. Pull out the panels to a separate worksheet. Add 2 columns to that new worksheet: one for price per D.C. Watt and one for running average of price per D.C. Watt of 30 or 35 jobs still by date, and graph that running ave. price column using date as the x axis. You'll get a rough est. of where historic prices have gone for jobs using that panel. I'd be careful about extrapolating to the future. Also, this method doesn't give much, if any insight into price as f(system size).

My price comment was referring to a situation where the owner of a system w/48 Kyocera panels stated they paid a different, much lower price than the CSI database says the vendor charged for what looks like that system. Probably a typo, but something doesn't look/sound/feel correct.