Lowest $/W for SunPower system

[LouieA]

That's awesome for SunPower.

am looking at rates north of $4.5/W

could you PM me the installer so that i could get a quote as well..

PM Sent

[J.P.M.]

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

How did you do that ?

[newe70]

I have recieved this quote this week.
3.92kw
12 Sunpower E20/237 solar panel
1 inverter Sunny Boy 3800TL US-22-240
$19,970

[LouieA]

How did you do that ?

Actually, I didn't even try to solicit any bids for SP. My installer offered the SP system to me for a 10% premium over the LG system without me even asking. Had another installer do the same thing.... and when I inquired further he mentioned one of their distributors had several pallets of SP in inventory and were offering specials.

[J.P.M.]

Actually, I didn't even try to solicit any bids for SP. My installer offered the SP system to me for a 10% premium over the LG system without me even asking. Had another installer do the same thing.... and when I inquired further he mentioned one of their distributors had several pallets of SP in inventory and were offering specials.

Thank you. @ that price, if not sloppy seconds, they ought to walk out the door.

[LouieA]

Thank you. @ that price, if not sloppy seconds, they ought to walk out the door.

Indeed, I must admit that I was very tempted. SunPower builds a quality product with an unrivaled warranty. However I highly doubt that I would ever be able to recapture the value since it is likely that I will relocate in the next 10 years.

[J.P.M.]

Indeed, I must admit that I was very tempted. SunPower builds a quality product with an unrivaled warranty. However I highly doubt that I would ever be able to recapture the value since it is likely that I will relocate in the next 10 years.

Maybe I'm to cynical, but at that price, I'd be very careful. Something about if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

[LouieA]

Maybe I'm to cynical, but at that price, I'd be very careful. Something about if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

I'm with you... Unusually low prices usually are reason for caution/concern.

I haven't yet figured out the etiquette of this forum, however it seems that mentioning the installers name publicly is a big no-no. Let's just say that this installer is very well reviewed (Yelp, BBB, Top 500 Installer) and has been utilized by several others on this forum. They've been in Business for +30 years, do their own installs (ie no subcontractors) and carry a C-10 license. When the tax credit gravy train is over, I want to be assured that my installer will be around should a warranty claim be necessary.

[Smitty]

I'd start w/"Solar for Dummies". Free for on line download. As for negotiation: That's why they start high and you start low. As for who to avoid: Larry with a ladder. A good electrical contractor who's sold solar PV for 5 + years and been around much longer is a good start and worth a premium. I'd avoid leasing unless you have the low first cost, nothing down/pay forever syndrome.........................Take what you want of the above. Scrap the rest.

Do you have a link for the Dummies book. I can't locate anything. Thanks!

[diogenes]

try this

http://www.mz3r.com/fa/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/books/photovoltaic_papers/photovoltaic%20design%20_%20installation%20for%20dummies.pdf

[Smitty]

Thanks!

[solardesire]

PM Sent

I wonder if this installer do projects in Los Angeles? Can you also send me contact for this installer as well? Thanks a lot.

[Justjames]

I recently got a quote for SP x21/345 with SMA Inverter at 4.00 per watt. This is not from anyone quote just me look up and call installer directly. I'm in riverside area. eventhough the price is good for SP but i might sign with other installer who quote me kyocera with a bit cheaper per watt.

[solardesire]

I recently got a quote for SP x21/345 with SMA Inverter at 4.00 per watt. This is not from anyone quote just me look up and call installer directly. I'm in riverside area. eventhough the price is good for SP but i might sign with other installer who quote me kyocera with a bit cheaper per watt.

Thanks for sharing. This is a great price for the sunpower 345 panels. Do you know if this installer is an authorized sunpower installer? I am asking because Sunpower warranty require installation by their authorized installer(in writing). If you can pm me the contact name and number for this installer, I would like to get a quote from them. Your help is much appreciated.

[oilerlord]

Indeed, I must admit that I was very tempted. SunPower builds a quality product with an unrivaled warranty. However I highly doubt that I would ever be able to recapture the value since it is likely that I will relocate in the next 10 years.

Probably true about ROI if you're moving away in 10 years or less. That said, even with my 5-year old (pre-owned) SunPower panels, they are generating a lot more power than I had expected - especially on cloudy days so their marketing about superior performance in less than ideal conditions isn't just BS.

Before my install, I did all of the PVwatts calculations for our 9kW project and thought I'd be generating about 90% of our household power needs. Turns out that we're easily net-zero, and probably above that. The bonus is that they look beautiful too. Attached is a photo of our solar "window wall" during the installation. I think it turned out incredible.

pic4.jpg