Lowest $/W for SunPower system

[J.P.M.]

My roof (132 degrees azimuth) can fit up to 21 panels total. With existing shading, array based on 21x LG280's was a little undersized for my usage (~10KWh/year). So I went with the LG305's to make sure. Vendors I chose all carried LG and I wasn't really considering other brands - in my opinion LG is second only to SunPower, in terms of reliability and efficiency (arguable, and time will tell, of course).

Sounds like you did the right thing.So what did you wind up with for a price ?

[genesmasher]

I'll look forward to seeing a couple new team san diego members! Out of curiosity, why the preference for lg panels? Do you have space constraints that require the higher wattage per panel?

My roof (132 degrees azimuth) can fit up to 21 panels total. With existing shading, array based on 21x LG280's was a little undersized for my usage (~10KWh/year). So I went with the LG305's to make sure. Vendors I chose all carried LG and I wasn't really considering other brands - in my opinion LG is second only to SunPower, in terms of reliability and efficiency (arguable, and time will tell, of course).

[genesmasher]

I respectfully suggest you spend at least as much time on vendor selection as equipment selection. Good equipment poorly thought out and hastily installed can be a disappointment. Good installers can be worth a slight, negotiated premium.

I have spent plenty of time vetting vendors. Five companies were chosen and interviewed over two weeks, all had superlative records on Yelp and SolarReviews, and some were recommended by the members of this forum. With one exception, all presented excellent and competitively priced proposals and were fully competent answering all sorts of questions. My ultimate choice was based on experience and value, but I am sure I would be in good hands with either of the four vendors.

I also agonized over inverter choice for a while. I understand pluses and minuses of Solaredge vs Enphase vs string. My house has some shading, which is likely to get worse over time (growing trees). I will probably be moving in 5-6 years, and with efficiency being comparable, I chose Solaredge over Enphase, mostly based on savings upfront. If this was my "forever-home", I might have gone with an oversized SunPower + SMA system, which was one of my options. BTW, at ~$4/wt it was not unreasonably overpriced.

[ButchDeal]

I am not lying, you are just jealous and completely out of line.
I sold such systems with enphase 250 for less than 3.5/w and may I add with electric panel upgrade as well...
so far the energy produced from an 11.5 kw DC STC in just 2 months in southern california is 4.2 Mega watt per hour (MWh)
those are real numbers...

please try to show some respect when speaking with a much experienced Engineer!

what are your credentials btw, what is your collage degree?

Just because something works does not mean that it works well or will work for very long. Yes you sold them, but no you shouldn't have. They are out of spec from day one and probably voided the warranties.

BTW if you 11.5kw system produced 4.2 MW per hour then something is vastly wrong. I think you mean Mega Watt Hour MWh which is not the same as Mega what per hour MW/h

[J.P.M.]

I myself like an LG+Enphase or LG+SolarEdge system. As most have commented SP panel is pricey and not cost effective. By the way, I'm just entering the pricing stage and not anywhere close to select a contractor yet. Thanks all.

I respectfully suggest you spend at least as much time on vendor selection as equipment selection. Good equipment poorly thought out and hastily installed can be a disappointment. Good installers can be worth a slight, negotiated premium.

[sensij]

I'll look forward to seeing a couple new team san diego members! Out of curiosity, why the preference for lg panels? Do you have space constraints that require the higher wattage per panel?

[LLtK]

I myself like an LG+Enphase or LG+SolarEdge system. As most have commented SP panel is pricey and not cost effective. By the way, I'm just entering the pricing stage and not anywhere close to select a contractor yet. Thanks all.

[genesmasher]

@LLtK and genesmasher... if you want Sunpower with microinverters, you'll have to find someone who works with the ABB micro's, which accept a higher input voltage. I'm not sure how many people out there are doing it, and I don't think you'll see anything under $4 / W, maybe not even $4.50 given the extra expense of micros. Whether you follow up with Moe's company or not is your business... I do hope, however, that they employ someone with a bit more knowledge than what has been shown so far.

I was just trying to get information out of curiosity. I already chose my system (an array based on LG305 panels + SolarEdge) and vendor. This forum was very helpful. Hopefully in a couple of months I will be joining "Team San Diego".

[J.P.M.]

I did not gain a cent from using your forum, and I believe I proved that solar city overcharges people,
Feel free to ban me or kick me out, either way that was my last comment regarding that matter!
Solar is my passion, and I'm in it till California gets all of its power from solar installed by any decent company or corporation!
And earlier I was searching for options so I can donate money to the forum in case any client contact me from your end.
There are millions of home owners out there, annoyed by the cold calling and hating on solar because they don't know what it is and don't understand its power nor financial benefits.
When we speak truth to each other, everybody wins...

To correct what others may agree is an incorrect implication in the above, it is not my forum, I am not a moderator, nor do I play one on TV.

[sensij]

@J.P.M... Yeah, I shouldn't have engaged the way I did. Moe seems to have made a mistake in thinking Sunpower panels are like others, but really, he is free to use the forum however he'd like (and take his chances with the moderators).

@LLtK and genesmasher... if you want Sunpower with microinverters, you'll have to find someone who works with the ABB micro's, which accept a higher input voltage. I'm not sure how many people out there are doing it, and I don't think you'll see anything under $4 / W, maybe not even $4.50 given the extra expense of micros. Whether you follow up with Moe's company or not is your business... I do hope, however, that they employ someone with a bit more knowledge than what has been shown so far.

@Moe... you've gotten off to a rough start here in the forum. If I may offer a suggestion, it would be to slow down, read a bit, contribute when you can do so with real confidence, and don't be afraid to ask questions when you are unsure. You may very well be able to pick up some business by participating here (others have), but your approach is too forward, and invites hard feelings from those of us who are just here to exchange information.

[Moe]

Others may certainly do as they wish, but FWIW: As mods. have alluded/suggested in the recent past, I usually shun (ignore) rude people or adolescent behavior types except to comment on what I believe to be egregious or unsafe remarks or statements. I also shun those with skin in the game who also use this forum for a lead generator or for personal gain.

I did not gain a cent from using your forum, and I believe I proved that solar city overcharges people,
Feel free to ban me or kick me out, either way that was my last comment regarding that matter!
Solar is my passion, and I'm in it till California gets all of its power from solar installed by any decent company or corporation!
And earlier I was searching for options so I can donate money to the forum in case any client contact me from your end.
There are millions of home owners out there, annoyed by the cold calling and hating on solar because they don't know what it is and don't understand its power nor financial benefits.
When we speak truth to each other, everybody wins...

[J.P.M.]

Others may certainly do as they wish, but FWIW: As mods. have alluded/suggested in the recent past, I usually shun (ignore) rude people or adolescent behavior types except to comment on what I believe to be egregious or unsafe remarks or statements. I also shun those with skin in the game who also use this forum for a lead generator or for personal gain.

[Moe]

Just brand names?

Enphase has two products that anyone would ethically install in a new system. The M215 and the M250. Go ahead, click the links and see... 48 V max DC input.

Sunpower is a panel manufacturer, and their panels operate at a higher voltage than most others, making them incompatible with Enphase's microinverters. Recent generations include the E19 and E20 series (65 Voc / 55 Vmpp), the X21 series (68 Voc / 57 Vmpp). Panels older than that are obsolete, but still had a Voc too high for Enphase.

The only person lying is the one that says they can sell a functional Sunpower+Enphase installation for < $3.50 / W.

I am not lying, you are just jealous and completely out of line.
I sold such systems with enphase 250 for less than 3.5/w and may I add with electric panel upgrade as well...
so far the energy produced from an 11.5 kw DC STC in just 2 months in southern california is 4.2 Mega watt per hour (MWh)
those are real numbers...

please try to show some respect when speaking with a much experienced Engineer!

what are your credentials btw, what is your collage degree?

[sensij]

Just brand names?

Enphase has two products that anyone would ethically install in a new system. The M215 and the M250. Go ahead, click the links and see... 48 V max DC input.

Sunpower is a panel manufacturer, and their panels operate at a higher voltage than most others, making them incompatible with Enphase's microinverters. Recent generations include the E19 and E20 series (65 Voc / 55 Vmpp), the X21 series (68 Voc / 57 Vmpp). Panels older than that are obsolete, but still had a Voc too high for Enphase.

The only person lying is the one that says they can sell a functional Sunpower+Enphase installation for < $3.50 / W.

[Moe]

Why would anyone ever pair Sunpower with Enphase? The voltage isn't right... Enphase takes 48 V max, and the lowest SP panel I've seen has a 50.9 Voc. Even if you ignored that, clipping would be something nasty on the 327+ W panels of the last two generations. Anyone selling Sunpower+Enphase is trying to steal your money.

See now you are flat out lying...
Sun power and enphase are just brand names, btw
And my clients are reporting their electric bills are in negative

Who's trying to steal people's money???