Pricing in Bay Area - Compared to DIY

[w00dy]

Yesterday was a big day.

We had our Solar Panels system installed - and they are up and working! It took 1 day just like we were promised.

We also drove up to Walnut Creek to pick up our new 2015 Nissan LEAF. The drive back home last night was 77 miles in some rush hour traffic, with a quick stop for a top up charge in Los Gatos.

The Enphase Envoy panel hooked up and I guess talking to our panels, but I haven't had a chance to look at it or register the panels and whatever else I am supposed to do with a new system...

I also need to find out when final inspection is scheduled, PG&E net metering is going to happen, and when/if I can get our 240v 40A junction boxed added inside our garage for a L2 EVSE.

[solar_newbie]

Yesterday was a big day.

We had our Solar Panels system installed - and they are up and working! It took 1 day just like we were promised.

We also drove up to Walnut Creek to pick up our new 2015 Nissan LEAF. The drive back home last night was 77 miles in some rush hour traffic, with a quick stop for a top up charge in Los Gatos.

The Enphase Envoy panel hooked up and I guess talking to our panels, but I haven't had a chance to look at it or register the panels and whatever else I am supposed to do with a new system...

I also need to find out when final inspection is scheduled, PG&E net metering is going to happen, and when/if I can get our 240v 40A junction boxed added inside our garage for a L2 EVSE.

LOL ... I got my Chevy Spark EV on this Monday (Same day I got my solar fully functional) from Concord.
I would choose Chevy Spark EV vs Nissan LEAF due to cost wide. I pay zero down payment, $139/month + tax. I get Free On-Star for 3 years (over 1K value), $2500 from California, $500 from Bosch (toward level 2 charger -- I just ordered 30A 18 feet BOSCH MAX level 2 charger for just $90). So in general, I virtually pay nothing .... except TAX, Tittle and Insurance....

I tested it the last few days. I could run 62 miles daily commute (on highway) and still have 30-40% battery left .... Plus I got 5.3 mile/kwh ... much better than regular Leaf with 3.3 miles/kwh.

[jflorey2]

I tested it the last few days. I could run 62 miles daily commute (on highway) and still have 30-40% battery left .... Plus I got 5.3 mile/kwh ... much better than regular Leaf with 3.3 miles/kwh.

Hmm, I regularly get 4 miles per kwhr in my Leaf.

In a recent test down here, the Spark won on range; it went about 15% farther than the Leaf. On the other hand, the 2016 Leaf is getting a 25% increase in battery capacity; the Spark isn't.

[w00dy]

LOL ... I got my Chevy Spark EV on this Monday (Same day I got my solar fully functional) from Concord.
I would choose Chevy Spark EV vs Nissan LEAF due to cost wide. I pay zero down payment, $139/month + tax. I get Free On-Star for 3 years (over 1K value), $2500 from California, $500 from Bosch (toward level 2 charger -- I just ordered 30A 18 feet BOSCH MAX level 2 charger for just $90). So in general, I virtually pay nothing .... except TAX, Tittle and Insurance....

I tested it the last few days. I could run 62 miles daily commute (on highway) and still have 30-40% battery left .... Plus I got 5.3 mile/kwh ... much better than regular Leaf with 3.3 miles/kwh.

It would be pretty hard to get me in a Chevy...

We got a screaming deal on the 2015 Leaf - And the larger size of the LEAF is what we need as a family hauler - bike hauler

[dannieboiz]

man where the hell are you guys finding deals for 3.5/w. Can someone please send me their installer information.

[w00dy]

I was able to get on the roof to check things out last night.

The system looks really good. I was hoping to squeeze the panels out wider, but this was the pattern the contractor told be was best for the roof, and that the top row would be the lower performing - but just about 10% less. It is Landscape 4x4 and I was hoping to do a Portrait 2x7 pattern

I do have other roof area I could move the upper panels too down the road if I ever need more production...



And then this happened...Is someone telling me something!!!

[J.P.M.]

Yours seems to be one of the situations where micros make some sense even when unobstructed sun is available. The higher panel rows will have lower performance due to a lower tilt. Seems like you got a good install and a good price.

[w00dy]

Yours seems to be one of the situations where micros make some sense even when unobstructed sun is available. The higher panel rows will have lower performance due to a lower tilt. Seems like you got a good install and a good price.

Yes, I think it will work out good for us with the curved roof. I will be curious to see what the difference is over time. Since I got a "deal" on the extra top row of panels it makes it a bit easier to deal with the lower production numbers on that section.

[w00dy]

Here is our first snapshot of production - this is just at around Solar Noon today...seems impressive. I need to look longer term out our generation, but this is a nice start. Probably losing a ton of energy to the grid since we not turned on for Net Metering yet...

[solar_newbie]

It would be pretty hard to get me in a Chevy...

We got a screaming deal on the 2015 Leaf - And the larger size of the LEAF is what we need as a family hauler - bike hauler

If you want to put the bike rack, you should not take Chevy.
For passenger space, chevy and leaf are similar ...
See all technical comparation below:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/final-scoring-performance-data-and-complete-specs-page-8

[solar_newbie]

Here is our first snapshot of production - this is just at around Solar Noon today...seems impressive. I need to look longer term out our generation, but this is a nice start. Probably losing a ton of energy to the grid since we not turned on for Net Metering yet...

Same here. The problem is I generate more than what I need, but I still have to pay for over 50% of what I used due to timing not match.

[solar_newbie]

Hmm, I regularly get 4 miles per kwhr in my Leaf.

In a recent test down here, the Spark won on range; it went about 15% farther than the Leaf. On the other hand, the 2016 Leaf is getting a 25% increase in battery capacity; the Spark isn't.

Yes, but you can only get 2016 leaf in the third quarter of 2016 (9-10 months from today) with the big price
Most Leaf owner would be strongly consider of regular commute of 60-70mile round trip. But not for Spark owner

[w00dy]

We are all done.

Final City inspection (City of Santa Cruz) was approved on Wednesday. I also had the installer put in a 240-50A outlet for our EV charging. At this point we are just waiting on our NEM application to be approved by PG&E. It was submitted on Wednesday.

In the mean time I need to figure out which model of EVSE L2 car charger I want to go with. For our 2015 LEAF we need a 30A charger to provide the maximum charging - however for just a bit more I could get a 50A charger (40A output) and future proof things a bit more.

So far my choices are:

EVSE Upgrade 30A $287 + 2 Cords = $347
Open EVSE 50A = $475
Clipper Creek EVSE 32A = $589
Clipper Creek EVSE 50A = $859

I am leaning towards the OpenEVSE option...

[solar_newbie]

We are all done.

Final City inspection (City of Santa Cruz) was approved on Wednesday. I also had the installer put in a 240-50A outlet for our EV charging. At this point we are just waiting on our NEM application to be approved by PG&E. It was submitted on Wednesday.

In the mean time I need to figure out which model of EVSE L2 car charger I want to go with. For our 2015 LEAF we need a 30A charger to provide the maximum charging - however for just a bit more I could get a 50A charger (40A output) and future proof things a bit more.

So far my choices are:

EVSE Upgrade 30A $287 + 2 Cords = $347
Open EVSE 50A = $475
Clipper Creek EVSE 32A = $589
Clipper Creek EVSE 50A = $859

I am leaning towards the OpenEVSE option...

I doubt that 50A will be the new standard ... But it is good to upgrade now. Especially the outlet.

[solar pete]

We are all done.

Final City inspection (City of Santa Cruz) was approved on Wednesday. I also had the installer put in a 240-50A outlet for our EV charging. At this point we are just waiting on our NEM application to be approved by PG&E. It was submitted on Wednesday.

In the mean time I need to figure out which model of EVSE L2 car charger I want to go with. For our 2015 LEAF we need a 30A charger to provide the maximum charging - however for just a bit more I could get a 50A charger (40A output) and future proof things a bit more.

So far my choices are:

EVSE Upgrade 30A $287 + 2 Cords = $347
Open EVSE 50A = $475
Clipper Creek EVSE 32A = $589
Clipper Creek EVSE 50A = $859

I am leaning towards the OpenEVSE option...

Hi wOOdy, thanks for keeping us updated. I must say I have never seen an install (curved roof) quite like that here in OZ, it looks good, cheers.