Sungevity Prepaid lease vs Mitsubishi system purchase

[zazaag]

Hi,

I would be interested in feedback from forum participants on my "dilemma". I am looking at either a prepaid lease (best deal from Sungevity) vs purchasing my own system.

Sungevity Details:

5kW system (STC-DC)/4.4kW (CEC-AC)
20 Trina Solar Panels (TSM-250PD05.05)
Inverter (ABB PVI-3.8-OUTD-S-US-A (240V))
7580kWh production per annum
Prepaid lease price: $9614 (if purchase, $11594 after tax breaks)

Mitsubishi Purchase via local, reputable installer:

5.3 kw DC system
20 Mitsubishi MLE 265 HD Panels
Enphase M250 MicroInverters
8200kWh production per annum
Purchase price after tax breaks: $15890

The Sungevity pre-paid lease seems like a real deal (I know they factor in MACRS depreciation on their assets and risk reductions to offers such a deal). Is the Sungevity hardware decent? Do they have a good reputation?

Thanks,

Zazaag

[solar pete]

Hi,

I would be interested in feedback from forum participants on my "dilemma". I am looking at either a prepaid lease (best deal from Sungevity) vs purchasing my own system.

Sungevity Details:

5kW system (STC-DC)/4.4kW (CEC-AC)
20 Trina Solar Panels (TSM-250PD05.05)
Inverter (ABB PVI-3.8-OUTD-S-US-A (240V))
7580kWh production per annum
Prepaid lease price: $9614 (if purchase, $11594 after tax breaks)

Mitsubishi Purchase via local, reputable installer:

5.3 kw DC system
20 Mitsubishi MLE 265 HD Panels
Enphase M250 MicroInverters
8200kWh production per annum
Purchase price after tax breaks: $15890

The Sungevity pre-paid lease seems like a real deal (I know they factor in MACRS depreciation on their assets and risk reductions to offers such a deal). Is the Sungevity hardware decent? Do they have a good reputation?

Thanks,

Zazaag

Howdy Zazaag,

There have been several threads that have gone over this before, if you search for purchase versus lease I think you will find some.

I found this at our site sponsor's http://www.solarreviews.com/installe...evity-reviews/

Keep reading and asking questions, good luck with it, cheers.

[Ian S]

Hi,

I would be interested in feedback from forum participants on my "dilemma". I am looking at either a prepaid lease (best deal from Sungevity) vs purchasing my own system.

Sungevity Details:

5kW system (STC-DC)/4.4kW (CEC-AC)
20 Trina Solar Panels (TSM-250PD05.05)
Inverter (ABB PVI-3.8-OUTD-S-US-A (240V))
7580kWh production per annum
Prepaid lease price: $9614 (if purchase, $11594 after tax breaks)

Mitsubishi Purchase via local, reputable installer:

5.3 kw DC system
20 Mitsubishi MLE 265 HD Panels
Enphase M250 MicroInverters
8200kWh production per annum
Purchase price after tax breaks: $15890

The Sungevity pre-paid lease seems like a real deal (I know they factor in MACRS depreciation on their assets and risk reductions to offers such a deal). Is the Sungevity hardware decent? Do they have a good reputation?

Thanks,

Zazaag

Oh boy, you really want the fur to fly!

While the prepaid lease sounds like a good deal, it would really help to know the pre-incentive pricing per watt for the purchased systems. That gives folks around here a better feel for price comparisons. Tell us your location too as costs can vary greatly around the country.

I would also suggest if you haven't done so, getting a copy of the lease and go over it with a fine toothed comb. Usually, they are in fairly straight-forward English but if you're unsure of something, you might want a legal opinion from someone familiar with leases of this nature. Also look to see what the options are at the end of the term and how long the term is. Used to be that lease terms were 20 years but at least one post here mentioned a ten year lease. The latter can be priced cheaper because the lessor is pretty much off the hook for inverter replacement which will usually occur after year 10. Also see who is responsible for insuring the system. Often leases will cover insurance but it must be spelled out clearly. Are there any buyout options before the lease end and how is that process set up? Can the lease be transferred to a buyer of your home and are there any costs associated with the transfer? Is there a production guarantee and how does it work? Usually they are just marketing gimmicks but it's good to know the details anyway.

[J.P.M.]

Hi,

I would be interested in feedback from forum participants on my "dilemma". I am looking at either a prepaid lease (best deal from Sungevity) vs purchasing my own system.

Sungevity Details:

5kW system (STC-DC)/4.4kW (CEC-AC)
20 Trina Solar Panels (TSM-250PD05.05)
Inverter (ABB PVI-3.8-OUTD-S-US-A (240V))
7580kWh production per annum
Prepaid lease price: $9614 (if purchase, $11594 after tax breaks)

Mitsubishi Purchase via local, reputable installer:

5.3 kw DC system
20 Mitsubishi MLE 265 HD Panels
Enphase M250 MicroInverters
8200kWh production per annum
Purchase price after tax breaks: $15890

The Sungevity pre-paid lease seems like a real deal (I know they factor in MACRS depreciation on their assets and risk reductions to offers such a deal). Is the Sungevity hardware decent? Do they have a good reputation?

Thanks,

Zazaag

Sort of keeping the cart before the horse, Where are you zip wize, what is your annual usage, and are you aware and happy of how much of your usage and bill you will be replacing ?

[zazaag]

Thanks for the feedback so far

Sort of keeping the cart before the horse, Where are you zip wize, what is your annual usage, and are you aware and happy of how much of your usage and bill you will be replacing ?

We are in Pleasanton. Current kWh use is around 9000kWh/year. I am happy to replace 80%-90% of current usage.

The price of the Sungevity system prior to tax credits and discounts is $17312. This price according to the sales rep includes a necessary upgrade to the electrical system although since they haven't done a site visit, maybe he doesn't know what he is talking about.

I also agree that the devil is in the details. I have asked for a copy of the lease agreement (20 years) to review.

Thanks,
Zazaag

[J.P.M.]

We are in Pleasanton. Current kWh use is around 9000kWh/year. I am happy to replace 80%-90% of current usage.

The price of the Sungevity system prior to tax credits and discounts is $17312. This price according to the sales rep includes a necessary upgrade to the electrical system although since they haven't done a site visit, maybe he doesn't know what he is talking about.

I also agree that the devil is in the details. I have asked for a copy of the lease agreement (20 years) to review.

Thanks,
Zazaag

You're welcome.

Suggest reading the lease like you were writing it, and as the lessor, trying to stay out of trouble.

[polu]

Sungevity

Dear Zazaag,
I also live in Pleasanton and am considering Solar from Sungevity. It would be great if I can talk to you. What did you finally decide?
Thanks in advance.
Polu

[ZybdZY]

Hi,

I would be interested in feedback from forum participants on my "dilemma". I am looking at either a prepaid lease (best deal from Sungevity) vs purchasing my own system.

Sungevity Details:

5kW system (STC-DC)/4.4kW (CEC-AC)
20 Trina Solar Panels (TSM-250PD05.05)
Inverter (ABB PVI-3.8-OUTD-S-US-A (240V))
7580kWh production per annum
Prepaid lease price: $9614 (if purchase, $11594 after tax breaks)

Mitsubishi Purchase via local, reputable installer:

5.3 kw DC system
20 Mitsubishi MLE 265 HD Panels
Enphase M250 MicroInverters
8200kWh production per annum
Purchase price after tax breaks: $15890

The Sungevity pre-paid lease seems like a real deal (I know they factor in MACRS depreciation on their assets and risk reductions to offers such a deal). Is the Sungevity hardware decent? Do they have a good reputation?

Thanks,

Zazaag

I'm in the process of getting a system around 4 kw DC system -- my after tax cost extended to a 5 kw DC system would be very close to your pre-paid lease price. I'm not sure if I can post the vendor's name - let me know if you would like to know more.

[zazaag]

Dear Zazaag,
I also live in Pleasanton and am considering Solar from Sungevity. It would be great if I can talk to you. What did you finally decide?
Thanks in advance.
Polu

Hi Polu. Sorry it took me a while to respond. I am happy to talk with you if you have yet to sign a lease. I decided to go with the mitsubishi panel purchase FYI. Is there a way to privately share contact details over this sytem?

[zazaag]

I'm in the process of getting a system around 4 kw DC system -- my after tax cost extended to a 5 kw DC system would be very close to your pre-paid lease price. I'm not sure if I can post the vendor's name - let me know if you would like to know more.

It sounds like you got a great price. I am happy to learn more. It sounds like you got a price around $3/watt pretax, right?

[inetdog]

Is there a way to privately share contact details over this sytem?

The feature is called Private Messages, and I do not think that you will be able to send any until you have reached a total of ten posts. Until then you should still be able to receive a Private Message.

[paul65k]

The feature is called Private Messages, and I do not think that you will be able to send any until you have reached a total of ten posts. Until then you should still be able to receive a Private Message.

Ten Posts are Easy like this...............one (hit send)two(hit send)etc......based on how many you need then send the PM.......mystery solved

[solar pete]

Ten Posts are Easy like this...............one (hit send)two(hit send)etc......based on how many you need then send the PM.......mystery solved

There is a reason why we have this policy, its to help discourage spammers, cheers.