Massachusetts solar quote

[rsilvers]

Ditto to this....

I just had my 8.2Kw PV system commissioned earlier this week, and while Sunpower has the best panels (in terms of wattage per panel), you pay about a 35% *premium* for them, per watt. NO THANKS.

My pre-tax credit final cost for 285w panels and micro-inverters (w/lifetime panel level monitoring) was about what yours was, $3.40/watt. My POST-tax credit final cost is about $2.25/watt.

I've still got to get my SRECTrade login etc, so would appreciate any feedback on the process. Thanks.

Sounds like a great deal. What kind of inverter is it? Does it have any kind of network interface for monitoring? Does it include a net meter?

[J.P.M.]

How come the quote says that the average utility cost is 0.37?

Those costs from peddlers are seldom reliable. Take 12 months total paid to the POCO and divide that by 12 months of usage for an average cost per kWh. Get accurate info from the horse' s mouth, and then understand that you probably don't pay a uniform price per kWh, so that ave. price you just calculated is not the whole story by a long shot.

[J.P.M.]

My quote wasn't even with Sunpower panels. They were for Hyundai Solar HiS-S280RG Monopanels. I called another company on the spreadsheet and they quoted $3.75/watt for Canadian Solar CS6P-250P panels. This price sounds so much reasonable.

mpkelley20, if you are reading this, can you please message me what installer you end up using? Thanks!

My error, but 5.45 for Hyundai is even worse.

[farokhboston]

Sounds like a great deal. What kind of inverter is it? Does it have any kind of network interface for monitoring? Does it include a net meter?

I have Enphase Microinverter's, on all ~30 of my panels. Came with the Enphase Envoy monitoring system, AND with panel level access/details (I got it included, but otherwise costs $250, post installation).

And the local utility did install a "Net Meter", so I guess that was "included", though it never showed up as a line item on my invoice.

[rsilvers]

I think you need a revenue grade meter between the array and your panel in order to get MA solar credits. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I would like to know.

I have an appointment with those guys on Monday.

[farokhboston]

I think you need a revenue grade meter between the array and your panel in order to get MA solar credits. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I would like to know.

I have an appointment with those guys on Monday.

In MA, the utility installs that meter.....

[rsilvers]

I just called National Grid and they say no, that they only provide a utility meter but the customer has to buy a production meter.

[farokhboston]

I just called National Grid and they say no, that they only provide a utility meter but the customer has to buy a production meter.

Ok. With that "clarification", you are correct. You (in my case, my Installer as PART OF MY PACKAGE) will install a ONE WAY "Production Meter" which you use to report the SREC's. That only moves forward....

THEN, once the system is installed, and passes town inspection, the utility comes and replaces your old "utility" (for billing purposes) meter, with a "net metering" TWO-way meter.

[rsilvers]

Seems complex to me:

Admin note deleted old link that doesnt seem to apply anymore

[rsilvers]

My pre-tax credit final cost for 285w panels and micro-inverters (w/lifetime panel level monitoring) was about what yours was, $3.40/watt. My POST-tax credit final cost is about $2.25/watt.

Based on that, they would charge me $38,760 for an 11,400 watt system.

If I planned and manage the project myself, but don't do any actual work and still hire licensed people, then my detailed estimate would be under $27,000 to get it done. Or about $18,000 post-tax. Or about $1.60 per watt.

It would pay for itself in 7 years without any solar credits. With solar credits, in the 3rd or 4th year. For real though - no installer spin.

[farokhboston]

Based on that, they would charge me $38,760 for an 11,400 watt system.

If I planned and manage the project myself, but don't do any actual work and still hire licensed people, then my detailed estimate would be under $27,000 to get it done. Or about $18,000 post-tax. Or about $1.60 per watt.

It would pay for itself in 7 years without any solar credits. With solar credits, in the 3rd or 4th year. For real though - no installer spin.

As of today, SREC II (ie, the Solar Credit program, #2) is "over", and SREC III hasnt been finalized/signed into law, yet.

I have a 4-5yr payoff, with all the credits (SREC II) etc.

Let me/us know how it goes trying to project manage it yourself. I would have gone nuts trying to do it, and my installer was invaluable in getting it all done.

I also got the system financed thru the MA Solar Loan program, at 1.5% for 10 yrs, which made it a no brainer for me.

[rsilvers]

Problem with the loans are that you forfeit the 30% discount.

Also "all applications that demonstrate authorization to interconnect by the start of the next incentive program will be qualified under the SREC-II program."

[farokhboston]

Problem with the loans are that you forfeit the 30% discount.

Also "all applications that demonstrate authorization to interconnect by the start of the next incentive program will be qualified under the SREC-II program."

a) Part 1 is SIMPLY NOT TRUE. What exactly do you think that I forfeit, by taking a loan (via the MA Solar Loan program) to "buy" my system???

b) Hmm.. Where did that quote come from?? Good to know for my friends, who are interested in Solar.

[rsilvers]

Ok on the loan thing not being true. I thought I read it somewhere yesterday.

There is 90 days from April 11th 2016 to become interconnected to be guaranteed into SREC-II. After that, it is a maybe.

[farokhboston]

Ok on the loan thing not being true. I thought I read it somewhere yesterday.

There is 90 days from April 11th 2016 to become interconnected to be guaranteed into SREC-II. After that, it is a maybe.

Interesting. Just read the update on SRECTrade:

http://www.srectrade.com/blog/srec/srec-markets/massachusetts

Let us know how your "self install/manage goes".

There's no way I would have been able to "project manage" all the stuff needed to make it happen (had a new baby and got my system installed within a few weeks of each other, <grin>), let alone front the $15,000+ required for all the panels etc.