Finally signed contact 5.30 kw

[Justjames]

Finally i decided to signed contact with Sullivan Solar www.solarreviews.com for 5.3 kw system.

The detail is Kyocera 265 x 20 panels with Sunny boy 5000TL (extended 20 yrs warranty) and Locus monitoring system. I would expect around 8000 kwh to offset my usuage of around 8250 kwh/year. The total I paid (cash) 21,939 but will get back around 1,400 from Sullivan as a rebate for Riverside resident. The price per watt is not as good, come out to be 3.86/watt. But i will get around 420 more from 30% tax credit (30% off 1400) plus value off 10 year extended warranty for SMA inverter(750?). If calculate everything the price would come down to around 3.65/watt.

I know my price is not the cheapest but I think Im happy what I got so far. The other two that quotes me about the same price or a little bit cheaper are Jamars 3.60/watt for LG panel with Solaredge and Petersen Dean 3.55/watt for Solarworld with also SMA inverter without addon nor monitoring system.

Now it is just a waitting time. It seem Sullivan got hit with a lot of traffic. I signed contact on 9/24 and have a schedule meeting with project manager on 10/13. Anyway Sullivan people confirm that I will have my system running before the year end.

[solar_newbie]

Finally i decided to signed contact with Sullivan Solar www.solarreviews.com for 5.3 kw system.

The detail is Kyocera 265 x 20 panels with Sunny boy 5000TL (extended 20 yrs warranty) and Locus monitoring system. I would expect around 8000 kwh to offset my usuage of around 8250 kwh/year. The total I paid (cash) 21,939 but will get back around 1,400 from Sullivan as a rebate for Riverside resident. The price per watt is not as good, come out to be 3.86/watt. But i will get around 420 more from 30% tax credit (30% off 1400) plus value off 10 year extended warranty for SMA inverter(750?). If calculate everything the price would come down to around 3.65/watt.

I know my price is not the cheapest but I think Im happy what I got so far. The other two that quotes me about the same price or a little bit cheaper are Jamars 3.60/watt for LG panel with Solaredge and Petersen Dean 3.55/watt for Solarworld with also SMA inverter without addon nor monitoring system.

Now it is just a waitting time. It seem Sullivan got hit with a lot of traffic. I signed contact on 9/24 and have a schedule meeting with project manager on 10/13. Anyway Sullivan people confirm that I will have my system running before the year end.

Congrats, but you can not get fed credit for the rebate . You can only declare credit on the actual amount you paid after all rebate... I did some search for this already... Google it you will see the answer.
Of course you can declare anything and hope no audit.

[rrwsandiego]

Question for those who may know..what if system is not on by Jan. 1st.
Can you claim it on 2015 if it was installed?

[solar_newbie]

Nope. System must be fully function and you paid all money by 12/31/2015. It is my understands.

[Dave1478]

I am getting a system put on soon and they put a guaranteed connection time by december 31, 2015. In saying that the company did tell me if by some chance it was not interconnected by that time to put it on your taxes anyways. You would have it all paid and have receipts as well as permits and etc be done. IRS isn't going to mess with it and in chance they do audit....Not a big deal.

If by chance mine isn't interconnected by that time I will be submitting it on my taxes. Choice is up to you, worse case you get audited and they say no no and you wait til next year. And by the time they would come back with an audit on you would have interrconnect agreement and if it just a few days pass depending on your audit agent they may accept it or may not.

[solar_newbie]

I am getting a system put on soon and they put a guaranteed connection time by december 31, 2015. In saying that the company did tell me if by some chance it was not interconnected by that time to put it on your taxes anyways. You would have it all paid and have receipts as well as permits and etc be done. IRS isn't going to mess with it and in chance they do audit....Not a big deal.

If by chance mine isn't interconnected by that time I will be submitting it on my taxes. Choice is up to you, worse case you get audited and they say no no and you wait til next year. And by the time they would come back with an audit on you would have interrconnect agreement and if it just a few days pass depending on your audit agent they may accept it or may not.

Audit = Time and money ...
If you fail, you have to pay tax, penalty and interest.
Usually, if it is not accounting issue where computer flag automatically, audit happens years later ... So it is big interest go with it.
The question is if it is worth the pain or just look for installers that can guaranty complete by Nov 31 You have 1 month for connection with POCO.

[maximizese]

Audit = Time and money ...
If you fail, you have to pay tax, penalty and interest.
Usually, if it is not accounting issue where computer flag automatically, audit happens years later ... So it is big interest go with it.
The question is if it is worth the pain or just look for installers that can guaranty complete by Nov 31 You have 1 month for connection with POCO.

Quick question: What financial incentive does one receive by completing a solar system by 12/31/2015? Is it simply for filing a tax break for the 2015 year? If the system were completed on 1/1/2016 or 5/25/2016, for that matter, wouldn't the same tax break be applied for 2016? There aren't any credits expiring on 12/31/2015, are there?

[thejq]

Quick question: What financial incentive does one receive by completing a solar system by 12/31/2015? Is it simply for filing a tax break for the 2015 year? If the system were completed on 1/1/2016 or 5/25/2016, for that matter, wouldn't the same tax break be applied for 2016? There aren't any credits expiring on 12/31/2015, are there?

If your tax liability is roughly the same year after year and tax rate doesn't change, there's no difference, except that you can your refund earlier.

[rrwsandiego]

For me...I am Self Employed.
It makes a big difference. This year profits look to be good so would like the install before 2016 so I can reduce my liability come tax time.

[maximizese]

If your tax liability is roughly the same year after year and tax rate doesn't change, there's no difference, except that you can your refund earlier.

Understood. I wasn't sure if the tax credit was set to expire at the end of the year. From what I understand the current tax credit will expire at the end of 2016, but I would be surprised if it doesn't get extended or modified to smaller credit. At the suggestion of another forum member, I read Solar Power Your Homes for Dummies, 2008, and I can't believe how far down the cost of solar has become over the last 7 years. The author cites about $5/watt and about $40,000 for a 5kW system design. Apparently there was about $12,000 in rebates/credits at the time to drive the price down to about $28,000 installed.

I'm trying to get my house ready for a 3.1kW system with 12 panels to be installed by May of 2016. I just need to make sure I get a larger inverter in case I want to a few panels after buying an EV/PHEV.

[solar_newbie]

Understood. I wasn't sure if the tax credit was set to expire at the end of the year. From what I understand the current tax credit will expire at the end of 2016, but I would be surprised if it doesn't get extended or modified to smaller credit. At the suggestion of another forum member, I read Solar Power Your Homes for Dummies, 2008, and I can't believe how far down the cost of solar has become over the last 7 years. The author cites about $5/watt and about $40,000 for a 5kW system design. Apparently there was about $12,000 in rebates/credits at the time to drive the price down to about $28,000 installed.

I'm trying to get my house ready for a 3.1kW system with 12 panels to be installed by May of 2016. I just need to make sure I get a larger inverter in case I want to a few panels after buying an EV/PHEV.

You can get tax rebate for the year if you pay more tax then the rebate for that year. For you example, the person must have tax liability if 12000 in order to get full benefit. Otherwise, he must postpone some of the rebate for future years.

If you plan to have EV, it is much benefit to do now. If you add few more panels in the future the install cost is the same with the current system.
If you upgrade now, you are likely to pay the delta.
Another consideration is NEM 1.0 allows to add up to 1kw more for your case. Or you have to change to future NEM or have a new Meter. Either way is worst.

[maximizese]

You can get tax rebate for the year if you pay more tax then the rebate for that year. For you example, the person must have tax liability if 12000 in order to get full benefit. Otherwise, he must postpone some of the rebate for future years.

If you plan to have EV, it is much benefit to do now. If you add few more panels in the future the install cost is the same with the current system.
If you upgrade now, you are likely to pay the delta.
Another consideration is NEM 1.0 allows to add up to 1kw more for your case. Or you have to change to future NEM or have a new Meter. Either way is worst.

Thanks for the wealth of information. I didn't realize NEM 1.0 allows for a 1kW increase to the system; I'll just make sure the inverter is capable.

[compchat]

New System suggestion...Utility Interactive.

Hi all,

Kyocera panels are manufactured in Mexico with headquarters in Japan. Solar City wrote me an offer for Kyocera panels. I'm probably going to decline because I want panels manufactured by an American company in America and panels that produce more than 265 watts. I understand that there are panels that produce in the range of 350 watts. Any reccomendations. BTW the reason I'm asking is last year I used 20,771 KW. The system solar city recommended has a 75 percent offset. They could fit 44 panels on the roof. With 350 watt panels I figure I could get up to the 95% offset range without over producing most months.

BTW I'm looking for a solar company that is willing to install more than Grid-direct systems. I'd like a system where I can be, if necessary, independent of the grid. If necessary I would like the panels to supply power to the home as well as have a backup battery system. I do lease a Tesla Model S so it would be nice to have only clean energy filling its battery. Speaking of batteries I'm looking at buying the 7 KW battery which is in the planning stages at Tesla Motors. It probably won't be out until the middle part of 1016 but I am on the "interested" list (not possible yet to order). I have a friend that recently had solar installed. His panels are useless in a blackout. Where's the sense in that ?

I've talked with three major solar installers including solar city and was suprised to learn that they only install Grid-direct Systems. I'm with SDG&E in southern California and last month's electric bill was $900. They have 4 tiers the highest of which is 40 cents/KWH. I have one shot of doing this. I am trying to read up on it and have found that it is more complicated then it seems.

Basically I'm looking for a company that will work with me and install a utility-interactive system that will allow me to: 1. Use solar power when the grid is down. 2. Support Tesla's new battery. I live in south orange county (Southern California)

Thanks for your assistance.

[solar_newbie]

Hi all,

Kyocera panels are manufactured in Mexico with headquarters in Japan. Solar City wrote me an offer for Kyocera panels. I'm probably going to decline because I want panels manufactured by an American company in America and panels that produce more than 265 watts. I understand that there are panels that produce in the range of 350 watts. Any reccomendations. BTW the reason I'm asking is last year I used 20,771 KW. The system solar city recommended has a 75 percent offset. They could fit 44 panels on the roof. With 350 watt panels I figure I could get up to the 95% offset range without over producing most months.

BTW I'm looking for a solar company that is willing to install more than Grid-direct systems. I'd like a system where I can be, if necessary, independent of the grid. If necessary I would like the panels to supply power to the home as well as have a backup battery system. I do lease a Tesla Model S so it would be nice to have only clean energy filling its battery. Speaking of batteries I'm looking at buying the 7 KW battery which is in the planning stages at Tesla Motors. It probably won't be out until the middle part of 1016 but I am on the "interested" list (not possible yet to order). I have a friend that recently had solar installed. His panels are useless in a blackout. Where's the sense in that ?

I've talked with three major solar installers including solar city and was suprised to learn that they only install Grid-direct Systems. I'm with SDG&E in southern California and last month's electric bill was $900. They have 4 tiers the highest of which is 40 cents/KWH. I have one shot of doing this. I am trying to read up on it and have found that it is more complicated then it seems.

Basically I'm looking for a company that will work with me and install a utility-interactive system that will allow me to: 1. Use solar power when the grid is down. 2. Support Tesla's new battery. I live in south orange county (Southern California)

Thanks for your assistance.

You are either grid tie or non grid tie (solar independent). So there is no such use solar power when grid down if you connect to the grid.
SMA allows for 1 plug for 1.4KW draw which is useless ... Just for light I guess.

[J.P.M.]

Hi all,

Kyocera panels are manufactured in Mexico with headquarters in Japan. Solar City wrote me an offer for Kyocera panels. I'm probably going to decline because I want panels manufactured by an American company in America and panels that produce more than 265 watts. I understand that there are panels that produce in the range of 350 watts. Any reccomendations. BTW the reason I'm asking is last year I used 20,771 KW. The system solar city recommended has a 75 percent offset. They could fit 44 panels on the roof. With 350 watt panels I figure I could get up to the 95% offset range without over producing most months.

BTW I'm looking for a solar company that is willing to install more than Grid-direct systems. I'd like a system where I can be, if necessary, independent of the grid. If necessary I would like the panels to supply power to the home as well as have a backup battery system. I do lease a Tesla Model S so it would be nice to have only clean energy filling its battery. Speaking of batteries I'm looking at buying the 7 KW battery which is in the planning stages at Tesla Motors. It probably won't be out until the middle part of 1016 but I am on the "interested" list (not possible yet to order). I have a friend that recently had solar installed. His panels are useless in a blackout. Where's the sense in that ?

I've talked with three major solar installers including solar city and was suprised to learn that they only install Grid-direct Systems. I'm with SDG&E in southern California and last month's electric bill was $900. They have 4 tiers the highest of which is 40 cents/KWH. I have one shot of doing this. I am trying to read up on it and have found that it is more complicated then it seems.

Basically I'm looking for a company that will work with me and install a utility-interactive system that will allow me to: 1. Use solar power when the grid is down. 2. Support Tesla's new battery. I live in south orange county (Southern California)

Thanks for your assistance.

FWIW, and as you seem to be finding out, the solar process and it's possibilities are probably more complicated than you may have thought at one time. I'll only respectfully observe that from what you write, and your usage, it seems you have a way to go in the information dept. before you can make an informed decision. Read up and get an energy audit. As it is now, my guess is you're solar ignorance makes you vulnerable to solar shysters, con men and peddlers. Knowledge is power.