44 Panel Sunpower 345w Installation

[Freakyguy666]

I'm in SoCal and have a very high usage combined with a space constrained roof. As such, the most cost effective solution appears to be Sunpower 345W coupled with Solar Edge inverters & optimizers given a) I will be installing Powerwalls for backup b) due to space constraints the panels will be placed/configured in different directions.

I believe this is inline with the information presented on this site but if you feel I've overlooked/misinterpreted something enroute to making this decision, I'd appreciate the feedback very much.

[Markinphoenix]

Welcome to the board. Sounds like you are on your way! Im new too and in no way close to giving advice but id ask for lots more info, like your actual usage last year, how many panels per direction and your production goals, type of metering now vs. after the solar is commissioned and lastly is this a lease or are you doing it yourself?

I have SP 345's too but im on a lease. Im real curious on your usage and 44 panels too.

[sensij]

I'm not sure "cost effective" is very applicable here. Setting aside the Powerwall for the moment... have you compared the lifecycle costs of an LG315 system to that of your planned sunpower system?

I'd second the question on your usage... It sounds very high, especially for a dwelling with a small roof. Have you had an energy audit performed to explain what is responsible for the consumption?

[Freakyguy666]

I'm not sure "cost effective" is very applicable here. Setting aside the Powerwall for the moment... have you compared the lifecycle costs of an LG315 system to that of your planned sunpower system?

I'd second the question on your usage... It sounds very high, especially for a dwelling with a small roof. Have you had an energy audit performed to explain what is responsible for the consumption?

Well at $3.75/watt for the system as described above, I would venture to ask you why you are unsure about its cost-effectiveness.

The dwelling is 6,000sf and there a number of outdoor features that result in the high usage.

Again, I'm just throwing this out there to see if anyone can give me a reason why this solution is not ideal.

[sensij]

You've give us absolutely nothing by which to judge the cost effectiveness.

How much energy do you use in a year? How much does it cost? Have you considered time of use rate plans, if they are available?

What steps have you taken to reduce consumption? Money spent to reduce consumption (without affecting your lifestyle) is almost always more cost effective than money spent to reduce the price of that energy.

What would a system using less expensive equipment cost? An LG system with the same number of panels is typically 20% less expensive. There have been recent posts in the forum showing large systems like this at around $3.00 / W. 315 W panels should produce 90% of the power of 345 W panels. 90% production at 80% of the cost sounds more cost effective to me.

[Freakyguy666]

You've give us absolutely nothing by which to judge the cost effectiveness.

How much energy do you use in a year? How much does it cost? Have you considered time of use rate plans, if they are available?

What steps have you taken to reduce consumption? Money spent to reduce consumption (without affecting your lifestyle) is almost always more cost effective than money spent to reduce the price of that energy.

What would a system using less expensive equipment cost? An LG system with the same number of panels is typically 20% less expensive. There have been recent posts in the forum showing large systems like this at around $3.00 / W. 315 W panels should produce 90% of the power of 345 W panels. 90% production at 80% of the cost sounds more cost effective to me.

I haven't seen a single LG 315w system in the forum with solaredge inverters & optimizers quoted at $3.00. Can you provide a link to one?

[sensij]

Well, here is one recently:

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/solar/what-s-the-best-solar-panels-and-the-best-solar-company/16558-price-paid-per-watt?p=305327#post305327

For a system of your size, I would expect that most if not all of the installers in this thread would be approaching that price:

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/solar/what-s-the-best-solar-panels-and-the-best-solar-company/22064-installers-used-by-forum-members

The info I've linked is mostly San Diego area, if you are further north there are some other options. How many companies have you actually talked to?

[Freakyguy666]

Well, here is one recently:

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/solar/what-s-the-best-solar-panels-and-the-best-solar-company/16558-price-paid-per-watt?p=305327#post305327

For a system of your size, I would expect that most if not all of the installers in this thread would be approaching that price:

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/solar/what-s-the-best-solar-panels-and-the-best-solar-company/22064-installers-used-by-forum-members

The info I've linked is mostly San Diego area, if you are further north there are some other options. How many companies have you actually talked to?

Thanks. I noticed that the price does not include optimizers. That would raise the price at least 20¢/w. I'm in Orange County and have received 4 quotes thus far.

[silversaver]

What is your utilities company? 44 X SP345W is a big system and SCE only allow 100% coverage.

SP is top quality panel and 7kW or 10kW Powerwall were great product too. If you got the money for them, go for it!!

[sensij]

Thanks. I noticed that the price does not include optimizers. That would raise the price at least 20¢/w. I'm in Orange County and have received 4 quotes thus far.

None of the SolarEdge quotes you've seen here is without optimizers. A SolarEdge system does not function without them. When you shared your own quote information above, you did not specify racking, mounts, or wires, but it is assumed they are included, because they are essential to a functioning system.

[cebury]

If you are looking for the recommendation for "cost effective" you'd really need to answer the questions posed by SensiJ and one more: odds of you staying in the house x years. No matter how cheap a system appears to be, it won't pay for itself if you move in 1 year.

[Freakyguy666]

None of the SolarEdge quotes you've seen here is without optimizers. A SolarEdge system does not function without them. When you shared your own quote information above, you did not specify racking, mounts, or wires, but it is assumed they are included, because they are essential to a functioning system.

You may be correct but you could also be wrong. It depends on if the installer figured them. If they were not familiar with SE then they very well may have left them out.

[sensij]

You may be correct but you could also be wrong. It depends on if the installer figured them. If they were not familiar with SE then they very well may have left them out.

Ok. Sorry I don't have the time to go back and link every relevant quote. You asked for feedback, and I gave it. You might also consider looking at the NEM Currently Interconnected Data Set, showing all net metering systems approved under PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E, last updated at the end of January. The data aren't perfect, but if you filter for the last 6 months or so, look at LG Panels and SolarEdge Inverters, you'll see that bigger systems are getting installed at the price I suggested, and perhaps get a short list of installers to check out. People are also paying more, sometimes even with the same installer, by no means does everyone shop the same way (and sometimes other work like electrical panel upgrades are rolled into the reported price)

https://www.californiasolarstatistics.ca.gov/data_downloads/

[silversaver]

Cost effective can be explain in many different ways... a Powerwall 7kW cost $7100 installed can be cost effective for people who thinks as a good backup option in case of raining days. (In SoCal the power failure is really min in past 4 years and my 25,000Watts power generator has been sitting there for few years doing nothing.

Now, if you have the money and don't like any trouble, that is cost effective for some people.

[Freakyguy666]

Cost effective can be explain in many different ways... a Powerwall 7kW cost $7100 installed can be cost effective for people who thinks as a good backup option in case of raining days. (In SoCal the power failure is really min in past 4 years and my 25,000Watts power generator has been sitting there for few years doing nothing.

Now, if you have the money and don't like any trouble, that is cost effective for some people.

Thank you but my reference to cost-effectiveness was regarding the system cost--not the backup battery.