Lowest $/W for SunPower system

[sdnd]

A good deal in terms of most bang for the buck is not with Sunpower equipment. Quality equipment and systems, fit for purpose and about equal to S.P. in terms of annual output for as long as you're likely to own it can usually be had for about a buck a Watt less, or ~ $3.50/Watt. If your heart's set on S.,P., some claim A $4.00/Watt or so. The best price for S.P. I've seen on a proposal or contract was $4.50/Watt.

only thing why some ppl use SP is because their panels are smaller so they can fit less on their roof if they are limited on space and has greater output at 345 compare to most other panels.

that's the situation i'm in...i'm limited on roof space so i can only get the most output if i go S.P...unless there are other options?

[J.P.M.]

Hi all, been reading for 15 pages and still haven't figured out the answer...

I got two quotes for a Sunpower 327 x 16 panel + Sunnyboy 5000 system: Company one is at $4.75/Kw and the other is $4.76, prior to negotiating.

I need some input as to what is a good/realistic deal in southern California (without the friends and family discount).

Thanks in advance, good people.

A good deal in terms of most bang for the buck is not with Sunpower equipment. Quality equipment and systems, fit for purpose and about equal to S.P. in terms of annual output for as long as you're likely to own it can usually be had for about a buck a Watt less, or ~ $3.50/Watt. If your heart's set on S.,P., some claim A $4.00/Watt or so. The best price for S.P. I've seen on a proposal or contract was $4.50/Watt.

[sdnd]

Hi all, been reading for 15 pages and still haven't figured out the answer...

I got two quotes for a Sunpower 327 x 16 panel + Sunnyboy 5000 system: Company one is at $4.75/Kw and the other is $4.76, prior to negotiating.

I need some input as to what is a good/realistic deal in southern California (without the friends and family discount).

Thanks in advance, good people.

best price i got so far is in the 4.35/Kw for 18 panel SP 345s with SMA.

[woodtiger]

New to the forum from SoCal

Hi all, been reading for 15 pages and still haven't figured out the answer...

I got two quotes for a Sunpower 327 x 16 panel + Sunnyboy 5000 system: Company one is at $4.75/Kw and the other is $4.76, prior to negotiating.

I need some input as to what is a good/realistic deal in southern California (without the friends and family discount).

Thanks in advance, good people.

[sdnd]

Since I can't PM yet, can you provide me name of company for the first option?

Thanks!

Here is the full list of quotes I got for my system (before tax credit), with the one I chose on top:


6.1 KW
20x LG305 + SolarEdge SE6000 + P320 optimizers
$21,180
$3.47/W


6.1 KW
20x LG305 + Enphase M250
$23,790
$3.90/W

6.16 KW
22x LG280 + SMA 6000TL
$22,790
$3.70/W

5.49 KW
18x LG305 + Enphase M250
$22,940
$4.18/W

5.88 KW
21x LG280 + SolarEdge SE5000 + P300 optimizers
$19,430
$3.30/W

6.4 KW
21x LG305 + Enphase M250
$24,544
$3.83/W

6.08 KW
19x SunPower 320 + SMA 6000TL
$24,255
$3.99/W

6.1 KW
20x LG305 + Fronius 6.0
$23,485
$3.85/W

6.90 KW
23x LG300 + LG285 micros
$27,740
$4.02/W

5.86 KW
17x SunPower X21/345 + SMA 5000TL
$27,037
$4.61/W

[sdnd]

Was quoted 3.64 / watt for SunPower just in the past week.

I'm not too far from you in Escondido, could you PM me with who you used? Would like to get a quote too.

Thanks!

[J.P.M.]

Sorry, my vendor is upset with me for sharing my deal to others. They said i got too good of a deal. I'm going to keep quiet until my system is installed and functional. At that point i will write a vendor review on Solarreviews.com and post a link on this thread. Thanks everyone for understanding this is a significant investment in my home that i don't want to jeopardize. I also think it is more appropriate to provide a vendor recommendation after the work is done and i can fully evaluate their performance. Good luck to everyone.

With any luck, it may pop up in the new CSI database eventually.

[sdhomeowner]

That's all i'm willing to share at this point

Yes, we see that. I'm a big fan of S.P. quality, but the price is usually > $4.50/Watt or so, knocking out of the common sense range for long term cost effectiveness. At that $3.90 price point, Sunpower is a lot more competitive and actually be cost effective, or closer to it for some applications as long as it's a purchase.

Who's the vendor so others in your area can potentially get the same deal ? It would be a service to all in your area..

Sorry, my vendor is upset with me for sharing my deal to others. They said i got too good of a deal. I'm going to keep quiet until my system is installed and functional. At that point i will write a vendor review on Solarreviews.com and post a link on this thread. Thanks everyone for understanding this is a significant investment in my home that i don't want to jeopardize. I also think it is more appropriate to provide a vendor recommendation after the work is done and i can fully evaluate their performance. Good luck to everyone.

[J.P.M.]

Price of system is $3.90/watt before credits.

Yes, we see that. I'm a big fan of S.P. quality, but the price is usually > $4.50/Watt or so, knocking out of the common sense range for long term cost effectiveness. At that $3.90 price point, Sunpower is a lot more competitive and actually be cost effective, or closer to it for some applications as long as it's a purchase.

Who's the vendor so others in your area can potentially get the same deal ? It would be a service to all in your area..

[sdhomeowner]

Sorry, I included tax credits in my prior number

Or the vendor so potential users reading this forum can get the same great price.

Price of system is $3.90/watt before credits.

[mungosocal]

Are you including the federal tax credit in your calculations for Sunpower at $3.85/W or is this the raw total system cost / (N panels*345Watts) ?

Thanks

This is the cost prior to tax credit. I ended up going with LG 280 at the much lower cost per watt.

[J.P.M.]

Like J.P.M wrote earlier trust but verify. Can you please provide us with the number of panels and total price of system BEFORE tax credits?
Much appreciated!

Or the vendor so potential users reading this forum can get the same great price.

[rvv]

I appreciated having numbers when i was negotiating my contract so i'll pay it forward:

I'm in San Diego with an approximately 4kW system. Pretty simple roof mount on comp shingles. My contract is for $3.57/watt. Sunpower 345 watt panels, Solaredge power optimizers, Solaredge inverter.

I actually called Sunpower when i first started researching solar and they hooked me up with my installer. It's one of the bigger names in San Diego.

Good luck!

Like J.P.M wrote earlier trust but verify. Can you please provide us with the number of panels and total price of system BEFORE tax credits?
Much appreciated!

[rvv]

Sun Power Quote

I have a quote for ~$3.85 / watt for SP including dual mppt SMA inverter at ~ 5 Kw system size. I came to this calculation by assuming the electrical panel upgrade I needed was worth $2500 and pulling it out of the quotes. Lower end LG panels (w/ ever popular SE optimizers and inverters) at about 60 cents less per watt. I'm leaning heavily towards the LG as I don't see a clear ROI on the SP.

This is from a recommended (by you folks) installer here in San Diego without haggling.

Are you including the federal tax credit in your calculations for Sunpower at $3.85/W or is this the raw total system cost / (N panels*345Watts) ?

Thanks

[samotlietuvis]

If you like to go with SunPower, you should wait for 6-8 months. They are working on a new product made in China with almost double yields, much higher % efficiency and half price, and 40-50 years life span. Their price will drop soon ... But I mean equipment price, not labor price (it is up to your installer).
I was told by a friend working in a quite high position the company yesterday So I should talk with him before going to Solar to get family discount ....

Do you have a link for the claim?