3.57KW coming up in SF Bay area

[sparkle]

for bay area residents they use sandbar, from santa cruz. installation was great (check my pics). they definitely are slow. if time is important to you, then look for other companies. for me time was not a big factor, price and quality was.

[J.P.M.]

I discuss with them. The price is good and very good communication.
4KW system:
- Buy: $13,172 --> $3.29/watt
- Lease: 8.125 --> $2.03/watt
20 years warranty on everything.
The price is very attractive. However, my concern is the payment and contractor.
- Down : 500
- First payment : 50% once city is approved the plan
- Second payment : everything is paid once they completed installation --> way before city is sign off ?? What happen if contractor messes up.
- Last payment : zero when everything is done.
Expect installation in 5 months

I read review. Multiple people wait for months before getting install or get mess-up along the way. There is possibility disconnect between installer and the leasing company.
It makes me hard time to trade off... as I got a quote for $3.29/watt for buying from local vendor.

$3.29 * .7 = $2.30/Watt. More than that lease, but for all the fodder around that deal and 5 month wait which will mean the whole credit must be taken in 2016 - diammn ! FWIW, I'd look around.

[solar_newbie]

I discuss with them. The price is good and very good communication.
4KW system:
- Buy: $13,172 --> $3.29/watt
- Lease: 8.125 --> $2.03/watt
20 years warranty on everything.
The price is very attractive. However, my concern is the payment and contractor.
- Down : 500
- First payment : 50% once city is approved the plan
- Second payment : everything is paid once they completed installation --> way before city is sign off ?? What happen if contractor messes up.
- Last payment : zero when everything is done.
Expect installation in 5 months

I read review. Multiple people wait for months before getting install or get mess-up along the way. There is possibility disconnect between installer and the leasing company.
It makes me hard time to trade off... as I got a quote for $3.29/watt for buying from local vendor.

[sparkle]

Thank you with your PM. I contact them and see how much PPA they could come up for me. Hopefully it beats the current plan to buy.

one of the areas they can pass on some benefit is from depreciation they claim from the equipment they 'lease' you. they depreciate full cost of system over 5 years. If you are buying system for yourself, you can't claim depreciation. also you can further try to negotiate the price you get in first quote by about 3-5% range.

[solar_newbie]

Thank you with your PM. I contact them and see how much PPA they could come up for me. Hopefully it beats the current plan to buy.

[solar_newbie]

It looks good. Which company is that? Could you share company contact info? I am looking for similar system.

Thanks.

[sparkle]

you beat me in the price .. so far I thought I had best rate in the forum.. LOL ...

[paul65k]

Sounds like you were able to go a great job your self. I admire someone willing to jump through the legal hoops so their equipment is still safe while they have saved some money.By the way. Be careful of what "units" you use to express your system size and costs. Usually we use just "KW" or $/W not "kWh". So your 4.4KW system cost $1.59/W up front and $1.11/watt after tax credit.

Thanks....won't make that mistake again

[SunEagle]

Sounds like a very good deal.

I did an FYI 4.4KWh system recently for $7000 total installed cost so after the 30% tax credit net cost was $4,900 but the company I bought the system from did all the paperwork with the utility as well as all the paperwork for the local building permit which was easy for me being on an Indian Reservation so I'd say you got a pretty good deal if you ask me.My cost per KWh was $1.59 or $ 1.11 after Tax Credit.........while all the engineering, drawings, placards and paperwork was done on my behalf I would have gladly paid .48 per KWh to not have been crawling up on the roof for 3 days.....even though it's pretty cool to be able to tell my friends I installed it myself

Sounds like you were able to go a great job your self. I admire someone willing to jump through the legal hoops so their equipment is still safe while they have saved some money.

By the way. Be careful of what "units" you use to express your system size and costs. Usually we use just "KW" or $/W not "kWh".

So your 4.4KW system cost $1.59/W up front and $1.11/watt after tax credit.

[paul65k]

Sounds like a very good deal.

I did an DIY 4.4KW system recently for $7000 total installed cost so after the 30% tax credit net cost was $4,900 but the company I bought the system from did all the paperwork with the utility as well as all the paperwork for the local building permit which was easy for me being on an Indian Reservation so I'd say you got a pretty good deal if you ask me.My cost per Watt was $1.59 or $ 1.11 after Tax Credit.........while all the engineering, drawings, placards and paperwork was done on my behalf I would have gladly paid .48 per Watt to not have been crawling up on the roof for 3 days.....even though it's pretty cool to be able to tell my friends I installed it myself

[SunEagle]

Finally, a very clean install.. everything is buttoned down and ready to go live.
now waiting for POCO and City to approve.. agonizing..

Edit: do mods know that inserting inline images feature is broken ? I tried different browsers and different OS and always the javascript errors out, which is only visible on javascript console.

There are multiple software issues with the server. Inserting pictures is one along with the editing function. They are working on a fix so for now please try to be patient and thank you for your comments.

[sparkle]

Final install done..

Finally, a very clean install.. everything is buttoned down and ready to go live.
now waiting for POCO and City to approve.. agonizing..

Edit: do mods know that inserting inline images feature is broken ? I tried different browsers and different OS and always the javascript errors out, which is only visible on javascript console.

[sparkle]

Can you PM me what company you ended up going with?

sungevity... now my inspection is scheduled for day after tomorrow (wednesday). keeping fingers crossed that panels will be installed same day.

mod note, dont like links to installers or people using this site to make money from referrals

[rfay]

Hit a snag. My city requires 'mid-way' inspection without panels. Inspection didn't happen the day of install, soonest they can schedule is next week. so close but so far.

Can you PM me what company you ended up going with?

[sparkle]

Hit a snag. My city requires 'mid-way' inspection without panels. Inspection didn't happen the day of install, soonest they can schedule is next week. so close but so far.