Finally signed the deal here in the SF Bay area

[ver2go]

Any idea what my ballpark should be for these panels? Looking for high output 300ish range. Not impressed with all the other companies so far, so I guess I'll have to haggle with this one.

[Bikerscum]

Just about to ask you the installer, I think I have figured out...YES, I know. How's the system working so far? I am in Dublin and want see how much solar power can we get in the area.

The system is working fine. I just this week received POCO final approval to operate as the application was filled out wrong the first time. I'm still waiting for the Zigbee gateway for wireless communications. Speaking of communications, it was pretty lacking.

My advice if you are looking to get this done before the end of the year is to look elsewhere. If time is not an issue, the installation seems to be ok.

[calvinwan]

Thanks to all for steering me through the maze!

I ended up with...

6.05 kw - 22 Solarworld 275 mono black panels
22 Solaredge P300 optimizers
Solaredge 6k inverter

$3.55/w = $21,478 before credit
$2.48/w = $15,034 after credit

The company is well established, with an actual showroom with panels on display, mounting systems, etc. 44 all positive reviews on Yelp, "A" rating from BBB.

I feel a lot more comfortable than with some of the other places I've been dealing with.

Thanks again!

Now the waiting...

Just about to ask you the installer, I think I have figured out...YES, I know. How's the system working so far? I am in Dublin and want see how much solar power can we get in the area.

[markrogo]

Still seems kinda pricey, but I'm not in the Bay area.

No, those prices are bad here too.

[J.P.M.]

Sure thing. I hope this isn't thread crapping either. I'm fairly sure I'll go with this same company even if I don't get the city of San Francisco rebate. I haven't been too impressed with the others I've received quotes from.

Since real estate is my limiting factor and I have a tree with shading, I'm leaning more towards high output panels.

14 Panel LG 300 with m250s 4.2k $19,614 or
14 Sunpower X20 327 with Solaredge 4.578k $23,348
* before Federal Tax credit

Sound about right?

Still seems kinda pricey, but I'm not in the Bay area.

[ver2go]

By Solarpower I assume you mean Sunpower. Mind posting the price they quoted you /watt... might help people trying to make a decision.

Sure thing. I hope this isn't thread crapping either. I'm fairly sure I'll go with this same company even if I don't get the city of San Francisco rebate. I haven't been too impressed with the others I've received quotes from.

Since real estate is my limiting factor and I have a tree with shading, I'm leaning more towards high output panels.

14 Panel LG 300 with m250s 4.2k $19,614 or
14 Sunpower X20 327 with Solaredge 4.578k $23,348
* before Federal Tax credit

Sound about right?

[urthling]

@bikerscum Got your PM. Thank you for the recommendation. I have contacted them, and he sounds like a nice guy on the phone. Hasn't come through with the proposal in the few days he promised, but I will follow up with him again soon. Please keep us updated on your install!

[urthling]

@bikerscum

Would you mind sending me your installer's info via PM? Just starting the research process and would like to include them. You should be getting a finder's fee from them for your referrals! [=

[russ]

POCO letter received (sort of*) and net metering started

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5016[/ATTACH]

* The installer got all of the system components wrong... panels, inverter, etc. I'm certified to use someone else's system.

Just the last bumbling step in a long series of many.

Sounds great - sort of

[Bikerscum]

POCO letter received (sort of*) and net metering started

pge.jpg

* The installer got all of the system components wrong... panels, inverter, etc. I'm certified to use a system that doesn't exist.

Just the last bumbling step in a long series of many.

[Bikerscum]

Thanks for the confirmation. I'm thinking of going with them as well after looking at a few other quotes. I'm in the city, so space is my limiting factor. They opened my eye up using SolarPower X series panels due to my limited space. Now I just need to see if I can get any other installer to quote the same equipment to compare.

By Solarpower I assume you mean Sunpower. Mind posting the price they quoted you /watt... might help people trying to make a decision.

[ver2go]

YES, you are correct.

Thanks for the confirmation. I'm thinking of going with them as well after looking at a few other quotes. I'm in the city, so space is my limiting factor. They opened my eye up using SolarPower X series panels due to my limited space. Now I just need to see if I can get any other installer to quote the same equipment to compare.

[J.P.M.]

Well it seems the NEW american way is having no say and begging bureaucrats to use your own property. It was only recently there was no offset requirement. It makes sense to have one but I hear its ridiculously inflexible. And of course If you design it to encroach a bit and its rejected then I suspect I know who has to pay to first argue it then redesign it then resubmit it. When there are too many laws and many bad laws its hard to keep respecting it. Like I said it only seems fair that if faceless paper pushers can do anything they want then why not me? Just trying to do the reasonable thing. Oh and bikerscum, That system sounds like a very good deal. In San Diego I have only 1 estimate near that price so far but I still need to tweak the config.
sa

If I was one of those faceless paper pushers as you describe them, and you approached me with the attitude you seem to be displaying, I'd be more inclined to enforce/interpret things tightly if only to cover my ass with paper for when you start walking up the chain of command and try to cram more attitude down my bosses throats, and they come looking for me and rip me a new one for perhaps endangering public health and safety through lax enforcement and also for putting them in professional jeopardy by doing so. Also, and as some others have implied on this thread, treating people with respect and professionalism often works better than attitude and attempts at bullying.

Sometimes (but not always), you get more flies with sugar than vinegar. I've found it easier and usually more productive to start out nice and work my way down the civility ladder than the other way around. But, to confirm, it's a free country.

[Bikerscum]

Interested in knowing the installer as well. I think I know, "YES" I do. They have 2 showrooms? Can anyone confirm? Or shoot me a PM?

Thanks. Looking forward to this ride too.

YES, you are correct.

[ver2go]

Interested in knowing the installer as well. I think I know, "YES" I do. They have 2 showrooms? Can anyone confirm? Or shoot me a PM?

Thanks. Looking forward to this ride too.