Just Signed...9.6 kW System in Eastvale (Corona) CA

[compchat]

[QUOTE=compchat;179614]Are you guys quoting dollars/KW DC for the panels or for the WHOLE job?

I was quoted about $4.00/KW for the whole job (11KW).

My accountant says this is too high. Live in south orange county. I think it's about 39 285 watt panels with two Sunny Boy inverters (7 and 4) with 2 drop down 1500 watt wall sockets.

Thanks

[Gstachura]

The price quoted to me is the cash price for the entire system before the tax credit. Price per watt is cash price divided by total kW system size. In my opinion, For an 11.0 kWh system you should be in the $3.00 per watt range unless there's something weird about your array

[J.P.M.]

Minor shading from a palm tree and chimney but that's about it. I ran everything through PVwatts myself with different values based on forum input and came up with 14,875 which I think is closer than what Jamar is estimating. My theory is that they underestimate so when the system overproduces, it looks better in the long run and they exceed the production guarantee which is pretty much worthless.

Seems that your potential vendor follows the common practice around here of ~ 10% underestimate vs. PVWatts., probably and mostly for the reason you state and others. Ditto on the production guarantee. Worthless.

[J.P.M.]

The price quoted to me is the cash price for the entire system before the tax credit. Price per watt is cash price divided by total kW system size. In my opinion, For an 11.0 kWh system you should be in the $3.00 per watt range unless there's something weird about your array

That may be, but if you squeeze them too hard and they take the job for whatever reason, you may run the risk of them skimping on quality sooner in ways you'll never know.

Also, as the 5% cap gets closer, there may be some supply/demand caused increase in pricing because of demand. Just sayin'.

[SandyEggo]

Hi , brand new to the forum but have been lurking and learning for months. I just signed with the same company as the o.p. My system is much smaller though so my ppw is higher.

4.41
14 LG 315 nic-g4 s
14 SE P320 optimizers
Solaredge 3800 inverter w/ extended warranty to 20 years.
black rails/ racking
estimated 1st year annual 7000 kwh
gross 15,875 before tax credit net about 11,110
$3.60 watt before tax credit

Original bid started at $3.90 but I used a lot of the knowledge and other estimates I gained from this forum. Thanks to all of you for that! I was shooting for 3.50 but I think if I backed out the upgrade on the racks and warranty I would come out at about that target. The others I interviewed for the same system were between $16,535 and almost $19k so I am happy with it.

I am a pretty frugal user with 7350 kwh (1650 sq ft house) last year and was aiming to off set close to 95% of usage. Hopefully this will come close. I also just replaced every bulb in the house with inexpensive LEDs (walmart and dixieline - all under $3 a bulb, so I don'y yet know how much that will conserve. I am looking to hopefully use a little more AC as I am in east county San Diego (Rancho SD area) and it has been HOT!

I also have an extremely small roof area for solar but it sits almost due South. 14 was the most I could fit and that was only after getting a setback variance from SDCFA allowing 1 foot from the ridge instead of 3. I actually got that first because it probably would have ended this quest without it.

Glad I will be joining "Team San Diego" soon.

My only issue, is my salesperson was very adamant about not allowing full access to the individual panel monitoring so I will still have to cross that bridge when we get there. Any suggestions on that are welcomed!

[veerrao]

Great Price - Congratulations

[acehigh]

Gstachura, would you mind PM'ing me the contact info for Vincent at Jamar Power Systems. I tried calling the office yesterday to see if they would like to submit a bid on my 11.4 kW system and was told that they had a Murrieta office but does not service the Fullerton area. I just wanted to shoot your Vincent a quick email or call to see if that is really the case. Just wanted to be sure that the young lady was not misinformed. Thanks.

[rrwsandiego]

Question..When is your install scheduled for?

[Gstachura]

Gstachura, would you mind PM'ing me the contact info for Vincent at Jamar Power Systems. I tried calling the office yesterday to see if they would like to submit a bid on my 11.4 kW system and was told that they had a Murrieta office but does not service the Fullerton area. I just wanted to shoot your Vincent a quick email or call to see if that is really the case. Just wanted to be sure that the young lady was not misinformed. Thanks.

Info sent

[Gstachura]

Question..When is your install scheduled for?

From what I was told they're pretty swamped right now so it'll be late Nov./early Dec.

[solar_newbie]

Hi , brand new to the forum but have been lurking and learning for months. I just signed with the same company as the o.p. My system is much smaller though so my ppw is higher.

4.41
14 LG 315 nic-g4 s
14 SE P320 optimizers
Solaredge 3800 inverter w/ extended warranty to 20 years.
black rails/ racking
estimated 1st year annual 7000 kwh
gross 15,875 before tax credit net about 11,110
$3.60 watt before tax credit

Original bid started at $3.90 but I used a lot of the knowledge and other estimates I gained from this forum. Thanks to all of you for that! I was shooting for 3.50 but I think if I backed out the upgrade on the racks and warranty I would come out at about that target. The others I interviewed for the same system were between $16,535 and almost $19k so I am happy with it.

I am a pretty frugal user with 7350 kwh (1650 sq ft house) last year and was aiming to off set close to 95% of usage. Hopefully this will come close. I also just replaced every bulb in the house with inexpensive LEDs (walmart and dixieline - all under $3 a bulb, so I don'y yet know how much that will conserve. I am looking to hopefully use a little more AC as I am in east county San Diego (Rancho SD area) and it has been HOT!

I also have an extremely small roof area for solar but it sits almost due South. 14 was the most I could fit and that was only after getting a setback variance from SDCFA allowing 1 foot from the ridge instead of 3. I actually got that first because it probably would have ended this quest without it.

Glad I will be joining "Team San Diego" soon.

My only issue, is my salesperson was very adamant about not allowing full access to the individual panel monitoring so I will still have to cross that bridge when we get there. Any suggestions on that are welcomed!

Congrats. It is a bit high of today rate of $3.3/watt, but the key is you are happy to pay with the price.

[rrwsandiego]

Wow ...I was told Feb 2016

[rrwsandiego]

That time frame will not work for me. I need to go with another installer..4 months with no actual anticipated start date is not feasible.

[Gstachura]

Yep, with the end of the year rush to get the tax credit for 2015 and with net metering going away soon things are getting busy.

[solar_newbie]

Yep, with the end of the year rush to get the tax credit for 2015 and with net metering going away soon things are getting busy.

It is a lie for those

Now it starts Nov unless installer guaranty of installation by the end of November, there is NO YEAR END RUSH.
Second, NEM 1.0 can last at least 10 months based on current rate of installation. It is NO NEM GO AWAY at this point.

All you pay extra for those are "TIP".