N. NJ Quotes (6.5KW systems)

[Flyinace2000]

I've gotten 2 or 3 quotes for a similar size system and all have been oddly close to each other. Below are 2 options from GeoPeak Solar in NJ. I'm leaning towards them since they always answer my questions within about an hour (via email), no pushy in home sales pitch, and good products. What is a good price to come to for the SunPower panels in the Northern NJ area?

SunPower E21 ($4.60/W)


LG300 ($3.85/W)

[paris401]

if u have the roof space, which it looks like u do, I think the lg's is the way to go... a tad more power and a few thousand less $$$... presuming that the panel life will be similar, which guys are saying is the case, its a no-brainer...

[thashef]

I've gotten 2 or 3 quotes for a similar size system and all have been oddly close to each other. Below are 2 options from GeoPeak Solar in NJ. I'm leaning towards them since they always answer my questions within about an hour (via email), no pushy in home sales pitch, and good products. What is a good price to come to for the SunPower panels in the Northern NJ area?

SunPower E21 ($4.60/W)


LG300 ($3.85/W)

My parents are getting a system installed SunPower 327 with SMA for $4.10/w with a contractor licensed in NY/NJ.

[Naptown]

The 337 is actually an E20

[J.P.M.]

If you have the roof space, the LG's are a lot less for about the same annual output. Why pay 19% more for the same annual savings for probably longer than you'll use the system ?

[Flyinace2000]

I was originally under the impression that the sun power panels would be a better long term solution more likely to provide more power over the course of 25-40 years. Though I doubt we will be in the house for 40 years.

I also liked sun powers warranty. Being that is is just an initial quote, I was thinking if I could get the SunPower panels down to the 4'ish/watt, than it makes sense

How are the LG panels

[J.P.M.]

I was originally under the impression that the sun power panels would be a better long term solution more likely to provide more power over the course of 25-40 years. Though I doubt we will be in the house for 40 years.

I also liked sun powers warranty. Being that is is just an initial quote, I was thinking if I could get the SunPower panels down to the 4'ish/watt, than it makes sense

How are the LG panels

First off, S.P. is good stuff. Second, a lot of opinion is that it's overpriced and overhyped for what you get. Depending on how the financial analysis is done, the CLAIMED 0.4%/yr. S.P. degradation rate is worth some premium over say the CLAIMED 0.7%/yr. degradation of LG. IMO, a reasoned and realistic analysis using life cycle costing methods and a 12 yr. time frame, reasonable rates for the cost of money, discount rates, energy inflation rates and a few other things, and zero salvage (added resale) value puts the S.P. up front premium at about 5% or so, depending on the assumptions which are, I believe, reasonable, but still like all such things, a guess.

As for guarantees, read the fine print and for starters, tell me how a warranty claim for either, or for that matter, any panel can be verified and proven when made by an owner, or how many owners even know where to start to determine if underperformance exists.

That may be a moot point as so far, panels don't fail much. Wiring and connection problems seem more common and are usually found soon after startup.

You'll be replacing a string inverter about every 10-12 yrs. or so. or longer with micros, and maybe paying labor on the micros, but panels seem to be dong well in the reliability dept. and perhaps getting better. S.P. has a longer warranty period. Probably longer than you'll own the system. If possible failures bother you, buy a spare panel or two, or buy an extended warranty on the LG's. I think extended warranties are an absolute waste, but if they give piece of mind - well ? Either option is cheaper than S.P.

You may get the S.P. price down a bit, but I bet you can also get the LG price down the same or more. $4 .00 for S.P. is something claimed occasionally - usually w/ some form of employee discount. I don't doubt that some folks have done better, but the lowest S.P. price I've seen is about $4.50/Watt.

[paris401]

having put 17 SP 327's on my sons roof (small roof), what I have noticed from pvoutput on '2' other local systems is that we seem tobe out producing them.. our system which is 5.590 , while there is another local system at 9880- so he is 77% larger then us, but on average only produces 55% more power..

on the other end, there is a smaller 4864 system, which is 15% smaller then we are, but we out produce this system by 45%

these are average numbers only taken over a 3month period (our system is 3mos old)

its very un-scientific , I don't know the direction the other panels face (we are southern, with no trees), but maybe these SP panels are what they say..

again 'if' we had more roof, I would have gone with a Hyundai/lg 300/w panels , as I am about to do at my house where we have lots of roof space

the cost diff with our new install between SP 335's and an lg/Hyundai 300panel is approx. $7k for similar output.. yea u get a bigger federal kickback, but trying to recoup 3-4k is prob 10+ yrs..

[Flyinace2000]

having put 17 SP 327's on my sons roof (small roof), what I have noticed from pvoutput on '2' other local systems is that we seem to be out producing them.. our system which is 5.590 , while there is another local system at 9880- so he is 77% larger then us, but on average only produces 55% more power..

on the other end, there is a smaller 4864 system, which is 15% smaller then we are, but we out produce this system by 45%

these are average numbers only taken over a 3month period (our system is 3mos old)

its very un-scientific , I don't know the direction the other panels face (we are southern, with no trees), but maybe these SP panels are what they say..

again 'if' we had more roof, I would have gone with a Hyundai/lg 300/w panels , as I am about to do at my house where we have lots of roof space

the cost diff with our new install between SP 335's and an lg/Hyundai 300panel is approx. $7k for similar output.. yea u get a bigger federal kickback, but trying to recoup 3-4k is prob 10+ yrs..

Thanks for the input. It really sounds like we should go with the LG300 panels. We are not tight on space, LG's warranty is as good, and the failure points are more around installation or inverters.

Here is what my roof looks like. The SolarCity quote also had some panels on the south facing portion over the garage/bedroom.
The front of my house faces nearly due east.

[J.P.M.]

I'd check w/local requirements for roof setbacks on that one.

[ButchDeal]

Here is what my roof looks like. The SolarCity quote also had some panels on the south facing portion over the garage/bedroom.
The front of my house faces nearly due east.

Why are you NOT maxing out the south facing?

[Flyinace2000]

Why are you NOT maxing out the south facing?

NJ says you can't build a system to be over 100% of your past 12 months of usage. So that ends up being 20-24 panels based on about 7800KW used last year.

[Flyinace2000]

Here is a quote from Tinity Solar

The Initial Investment would be $23,995
30% Tax Rebate = $7,199
Net Investment = $16,796

The system I would build on your roof would be a 24 Panel 6.240.KW system. It would produce approximately 8100 KW (depending on roof an shade analysis). It should elimate your electric bill 100%. The panels would be Trina 260's. They are the second largest Solar Panel Manufacturer in the World, and are tier 1 panels. The inverter would be A solar Edge 6000. These have optimizers which increase production on your system by 8-10%! The warranty on the system is 25 Years Panels, 12 years inverter, and 10 years parts and Labor.

Ends up being $2.96 which is the cheapest I've seen so far. But does add another variable of Trina260 vs LG300 vs SP327. The Trinity rep also agrees that the SP327s would be overkill and not worth the extra investment based on my house, position, and usage.

[J.P.M.]

Here is a quote from Tinity Solar



Ends up being $2.96 which is the cheapest I've seen so far. But does add another variable of Trina260 vs LG300 vs SP327. The Trinity rep also agrees that the SP327s would be overkill and not worth the extra investment based on my house, position, and usage.

Actually ~ $3.84/Watt. I'm clueless about NJ pricing but that seems like it could be a bit high.

[Flyinace2000]

Actually ~ $3.84/Watt. I'm clueless about NJ pricing but that seems like it could be a bit high.

Doh, right. 23995/6240 = 3.845352564102564

Yeah i've been quoted nearly the same for the LG300 panels.