What do you think of my quote for 6KW in SoCal?

[insaneoctane]

6KW system (PowerSaver Series 6000) with 24 SOLARWORLD SW250 poly panels:
$20,999
24 Enphase M215 micro-invertors with monitoring system
$2,550
Up-charge for roof composition (cement tile?)
$900

Gross, installed price = $24,449
Age Discount, 10% = ($2,444.90)
Gross, post-discount price = $22,004 ($3.67/W)
Less Fed tax credit 30%
Net price = $15,402 ($2.57/W)

My energy usage was 9,711 KWh in 2013 and 9,934 in 2012 (I've been working to reduce it).
Company has been around for ~30 years and does roofing too.

I feel it's competitive and want forum feedback please.

[Severum88]

Not bad

Not bad but I think you should try to avoid micro inverters unless necessary. PM sent.

Severum

6KW system (PowerSaver Series 6000) with 24 SOLARWORLD SW250 poly panels:
$20,999
24 Enphase M215 micro-invertors with monitoring system
$2,550
Up-charge for roof composition (cement tile?)
$900

Gross, installed price = $24,449
Age Discount, 10% = ($2,444.90)
Gross, post-discount price = $22,004 ($3.67/W)
Less Fed tax credit 30%
Net price = $15,402 ($2.57/W)

My energy usage was 9,711 KWh in 2013 and 9,934 in 2012 (I've been working to reduce it).
Company has been around for ~30 years and does roofing too.

I feel it's competitive and want forum feedback please.

[J.P.M.]

6KW system (PowerSaver Series 6000) with 24 SOLARWORLD SW250 poly panels:
$20,999
24 Enphase M215 micro-invertors with monitoring system
$2,550
Up-charge for roof composition (cement tile?)
$900

Gross, installed price = $24,449
Age Discount, 10% = ($2,444.90)
Gross, post-discount price = $22,004 ($3.67/W)
Less Fed tax credit 30%
Net price = $15,402 ($2.57/W)

My energy usage was 9,711 KWh in 2013 and 9,934 in 2012 (I've been working to reduce it).
Company has been around for ~30 years and does roofing too.

I feel it's competitive and want forum feedback please.

Since you ask:

Depending on your location it may/may not be a good price. If in So. CA, for example, not bad, could be a bit better. That senior discount thing seems a bit tacky. I'd respectfully suggest getting 2 or 3 more quotes from reputable vendors. The worst that can happen if you do get more quotes is you'll have more info. I'd second the suggestion about micros for example. More info will make why more clear. My experience and observation is that established elec. contractors who have been around along time with a good reputation who get into solar and stay there for 5-10 yrs. make better solar vendors than do roofers who often come late to the solar game, dip their toe in the water and bail after a yr. or two. I'm sure exceptions to both situations abound. Take your time. Caveat Emptor.

[insaneoctane]

...I think you should try to avoid micro inverters unless necessary.

I'd second the suggestion about micros for example. More info will make why more clear.

I was under the impression that micros were a good thing. Although I don't think I have lots of shading, it's possible (more analysis to come on this front). If I get an EV vehicle, I'd like the option to expand. What do you guys have against Enphase M215 micros?

Also, since you guys aren't moved by my current offer, do you care to offer a data point of $/W that you feel would be more towards what I should be looking for?

FWIW, I'm in Ventura County.

[russ]

I was under the impression that micros were a good thing. Although I don't think I have lots of shading, it's possible (more analysis to come on this front). If I get an EV vehicle, I'd like the option to expand. What do you guys have against Enphase M215 micros?

Micros place more potential points of failure on the roof - difficult and expensive to replace.

don't have lots of shading? Shade means any shade on the panel will cut production drastically. One example given is the effect of the shade from an HT cable -

[JCP]

I was under the impression that micros were a good thing. Although I don't think I have lots of shading, it's possible (more analysis to come on this front). If I get an EV vehicle, I'd like the option to expand. What do you guys have against Enphase M215 micros?

Also, since you guys aren't moved by my current offer, do you care to offer a data point of $/W that you feel would be more towards what I should be looking for?

FWIW, I'm in Ventura County.

I got a similar system (solaworld 255 and emphase) in Norcal for $3.79 but system is only 4KW. You may be able tI do better.

[prhamilton]

It's a good price. If you think the installer is solid then you have a fair deal.

Assume all the panels are on the same roof and there isn't major shading, then I would get a quote without micro inverters. Take the money you save and throw 4 more panels on and you are set for an EV. I won't want to go through the hassle of expanding the system.

[J.P.M.]

I was under the impression that micros were a good thing. Although I don't think I have lots of shading, it's possible (more analysis to come on this front). If I get an EV vehicle, I'd like the option to expand. What do you guys have against Enphase M215 micros?

Also, since you guys aren't moved by my current offer, do you care to offer a data point of $/W that you feel would be more towards what I should be looking for?

FWIW, I'm in Ventura County.

I'm not moved or unmoved. Take what you want and leave the rest. I only suggest that you could do no harm by more quotes and more education. Your house/money/choice.

About the best source to compare anything about PV systems in CA is the CSI database. One way to think of it is that it's most everything the vendors don't want you to know about what's been sold in CA. Now that the CSI program is running down, some of the info is trailing off. System owners who choose to get on the wait list will still have their systems listed.

[prim]

About the best source to compare anything about PV systems in CA is the CSI database.

I was looking at this and I was trying to figure out which is the best date to look for in the sheet to determine what might be the most recent installs. Any direction?

Thanks!

[J.P.M.]

I was looking at this and I was trying to figure out which is the best date to look for in the sheet to determine what might be the most recent installs. Any direction?

Thanks!

I usually sort by the column headed "First New Reservation Request Date". I also add columns for $/Watt and the average $/Watt of 35 jobs by date. Lots of other possibilities exist. Opinions vary.

[Ward L]

Camarillo Install

I just installed a 10kW system for $3.83/kW in Camarillo with clay tile roof. I got beat up on this forum because they were panels made in China. I like the Enphase microinverters because they give me more data about what the panels are doing online. No one complained the Enphase microinverters are made in China so I guess they are OK. I am waiting for Edison to give me the permit to operate. With the high temps and two days left in my electrical billing cycle I sure wish my panels were in service. I had several other proposals and felt like the one I chose was the best one for me. That is the best way to go, what is best for you. I've heard, but no experience, if you get a string inverter you need to plan for replacement after 5-10 years. Maybe the same for microinverters, everyone's situation is different. Happy to show you what I got installed. Good luck....

[russ]

I just installed a 10kW system for $3.83/kW in Camarillo with clay tile roof. I got beat up on this forum because they were panels made in China.Dton't let your imagination run away with you. You didn' get a hard time here because of Chinese made panels.

I like the Enphase microinverters because they give me more data about what the panels are doing online. No one complained the Enphase microinverters are made in China so I guess they are OK.If you have shade problems the microinverters are required - if not then you just placed many more potential points of failure on your roof - harder and more expensive to replace.

I've heard, but no experience, if you get a string inverter you need to plan for replacement after 5-10 years.Probably at 10 years

Maybe the same for microinverters, everyone's situation is different. Microinverters are guaranteed for 25 years - but no track record so who knows

Message in bold within the text

[Ward L]

Sorry Russ

Yes, I FELT beat up. Maybe only one person, but he was fine about trying to represent the forum.... I have to add the caveat of his thinking to every post about my system because he is happy to remind me what a poor decision I made if I don't. You are right, I shouldn't paint the forum with one person's opinion. I'm pleased with what I have and think I made the right decision on my purchase. Ha ha ha!

[J.P.M.]

Yes, I FELT beat up. Maybe only one person, but he was fine about trying to represent the forum.... I have to add the caveat of his thinking to every post about my system because he is happy to remind me what a poor decision I made if I don't. You are right, I shouldn't paint the forum with one person's opinion. I'm pleased with what I have and think I made the right decision on my purchase. Ha ha ha!

To quote Richard Feynman: What do you care what other people think ?

[prhamilton]

Most people(myself included) come to this forum thinking the Chinese stuff is bad. What I learned here is that stuff that we think is Canadian or American is actually Chinese and that Chinese stuff isn't all bad. I learned a bunch of stuff from people that have been through the process and from people on the other side of the process. I also learned that Russ use to sell vacuum cleaners and doesn't always take his happy pills