Massachusetts solar quote

[Paulvu84]

Not sure if/how to PM. i went with a local installer, SolarFlair of Ashland. Ask for Dan, and tell him the guy from Chelmsford sent you to him.

Thanks for mentioning solar flair. I just got a quote from them and seriously considering them. How was your entire experience been from start to finish? Did they drop the ball on anything? Can I put you down as a referrer? You can send me your info to Paulvu84 at yahoo dot com
Thanks again

[rsilvers]

I got six quotes!

I got a quote from Solar Flare. My experience with meeting them was very good. The only reason why I didn't go with them is that I wanted to maximize my roof's production, and they don't yet sell panels over 285 watts, except for SunPower, which were more than I needed to pay. Now if my roof could accommodate enough 285 watt panels to cover my power needs, then I would be fine with that. Another solar installer even commented they were a quality installer.

I went with Bay State Solar because they offered the LG 315 panels I wanted, and their price quote was lowest. It is now not clear to me if their price would be lowest for everyone, or if it was just because I was looking at a larger system size (like 21 kW) at the moment I asked them for a quote. They have very few online reviews. My sense is that they just have not been soliciting them from customers as other companies do. I will review them when the system is in.

Boston Solar seems to have the most positive reviews. I enjoyed meeting them. In fact, I referred five of my friends to them even though I didn't use them. I didn't go with them because it would have cost me $9450 more than Bay State (pre-incentives) if I got a 21 kW system. But again, when I spoke to Boston Solar, I told them I was looking at a 12 kW, so there is some chance they would be a better price had I said 21. But I actually doubt it. Boston Solar seemed very firm on price, and was plenty willing to let someone else have the job if it were not at their asking price of about $4 per watt.

National Grid has been super helpful to me with net metering questions. There is a 10kW (AC side) limit for net metering without prior-approval. 10001-15000 needs approval. 15001 or more needs an involved approval. Evidently you can get interconnect approval before the net-metering approval. I can be reached by gmail, rsilvers129 if anyone wants the National Grid contact.

[farokhboston]

Thanks for mentioning solar flair. I just got a quote from them and seriously considering them. How was your entire experience been from start to finish? Did they drop the ball on anything? Can I put you down as a referrer? You can send me your info to Paulvu84 at yahoo dot com
Thanks again

From start to finish, they were solid and professional, with a few minor "follow ups" needed from my end (I was under contract with them for a loong time, as I was waiting for the MA Solar Loan program, to kick in).

They followed up rapidly on all my queries, filed ALL the paperwork needed with the right agencies etc (Nat Grid, MA Solar Loan, Mass CEC, SRECTrade etc), and when it came to actual install, done in less than 1 1/2 days (for ~30 panels).

They also designed my system right, with micro-invertors, due to the shading issues that I have (I'm at 80% efficiency).

And the pricing they gave me, I couldnt get a better price, despite shopping around for quotes to compare their pricing to, for 18 months.

[J.P.M.]

From start to finish, they were solid and professional, with a few minor "follow ups" needed from my end (I was under contract with them for a loong time, as I was waiting for the MA Solar Loan program, to kick in).

They followed up rapidly on all my queries, filed ALL the paperwork needed with the right agencies etc (Nat Grid, MA Solar Loan, Mass CEC, SRECTrade etc), and when it came to actual install, done in less than 1 1/2 days (for ~30 panels).

They also designed my system right, with micro-invertors, due to the shading issues that I have (I'm at 80% efficiency).

And the pricing they gave me, I couldnt get a better price, despite shopping around for quotes to compare their pricing to, for 18 months.

80% of what ?

[farokhboston]

80% of what ?

80% efficiency for Solar Access. 100% would be if I were in the middle of a corn field, with no trees around my house to create any shade....

[J.P.M.]

80% efficiency for Solar Access. 100% would be if I were in the middle of a corn field, with no trees around my house to create any shade....

So, does that mean the array will be shaded 20 % of the time ? Or for 80 % of the available irradiance ? Or that the average annual generation will be 80% of a completely unshaded array ? Or something else ? I'm trying to figure out what that 80 % figure means as you're using it. The effect on annual output estimate and actual output will be different depending on meaning.

[farokhboston]

So, does that mean the array will be shaded 20 % of the time ? Or for 80 % of the available irradiance ? Or that the average annual generation will be 80% of a completely unshaded array ? Or something else ? I'm trying to figure out what that 80 % figure means as you're using it. The effect on annual output estimate and actual output will be different depending on meaning.

I believe that its Option #3. "that the average annual generation will be 80% of a completely unshaded array". But I can ask my installer.

[rsilvers]

My installer told me that they are coming on Thursday to bring some sun meter that has a camera that looks for obstructions, calculates shadows, tracks the sun, and comes up with what I assume is this kind of number for each surface. I think they may be talking about the SunEye.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcPDOlflZJY

[rsilvers]

If I get in on the SREC2 program now, and next year after it is closed, expand my system with some additional panels, would I also get SREC2 for those new panels, or would the program not allow the additional capacity? Likewise, can you get the 30% tax credit the following year for an expansion?

[farokhboston]

If I get in on the SREC2 program now, and next year after it is closed, expand my system with some additional panels, would I also get SREC2 for those new panels, or would the program not allow the additional capacity? Likewise, can you get the 30% tax credit the following year for an expansion?

I looked into this, and as I understand it:

a) No to adding to your existing SREC II system. Any addition would fall under SREC III as a "new" system. (Otherwise, you could "game" the system, as Solar prices fell).

b) Yes, you would get the tax credit, since its an additional "new" system (ie, further Solar investment).

[rsilvers]

And if I have more than one house, I can get this 30% credit multiple times?

[ssumass]

What price did you get with BSS on the LG315?

[farokhboston]

And if I have more than one house, I can get this 30% credit multiple times?

As I understand it, Yes. Its a 30% credit for all new Solar "investment". Thats how/why Solar City etc, can get the credit 100,000x times, for each system they install and "own".