What system should i Go with

[outnumbered3]

I have a few prices and systems I would like your input on,
1st
Total System Size 7.560 kW DC Power (STC) / 6.794 kW AC Power (CEC)
Estimated Annual Production 11,954 kWh
PV Panel Description Qty. 24 - LG Electronics Solar Cell Division Model: LG315N1C-G4
Inverters Qty. 1 - SMA America Model: SB7700TL-US-22 (240V)
Installer Contract Cost $24,900 ($3.29/watt DC, $3.66/watt AC)

2nd
Total System Size 7.560 kW DC Power (STC) / 6.691 kW AC Power (CEC)
Estimated Annual Production 12,028 kWh
PV Panel Description Qty. 24 - LG Electronics Solar Cell Division Model: LG315N1C-G4
Inverters Qty. 24 - Enphase Energy Model: S280-60-LL-5-US
Installer Contract Cost $26,834 ($3.55/watt DC, $4.01/watt AC)

3rd from Sun Power
Year 1 Estimated Production: 11,943 KWH
7.19 kW (DC), 6.40 kW (AC) SunPower System
22 x SunPower E20/327 Solar Panel
InvisiMount Mounting System
1 x SUNNY BOY 6000TL-US-22 - 240v (SPR-6002m)
System Cost $32,804

4th From Sun Power original offer on what I need per sun power
Year 1 Estimated Production: 9,008 KWH
5.23 kW (DC), 4.60 kW (AC) SunPower System
16 x SunPower E20/327 Solar Panel
InvisiMount Mounting System
1 x SUNNY BOY 5000TL-US-22 - 240v (SPR-5002m)
System Cost $24,905

Sorry this is so long but all these solar companies are trying to confuse me. Im in southern Cal Riverside area. The sun power person said that with the enphase inverter and LG panels, I will not be able to produce peak AC watts. She told me enphase will only produce 250 ac watts. Is this true? if so should I just go with the first LG/SMA price one? The original offer from Sun power they gave me a system that produced 9008 kwh annually. I use just under 12,000 annually. She told me she would put me on a Time of use with SCE and that's why I only need a 9000 system. That doesn't seem right to me. She also tried telling me the panels fail before the inverters that's why I should go with sun power for their 25 year warranty. This also doesn't seem right to me I would think inverters fail before panels. Someone smarter than me please give me the real truth about what I should do. I am leaning toward one of the LG systems because I don't think the price difference makes up for the huge cost in sun power. Thanks for the help

[solarix]

IMHO: SunPower sells over priced high quality systems and I believe Enphase to be a reliability risk. She is right that the most cost effective strategy is to work with the time of use rates, so that your solar covers the on-peak times and gets the rest of your usage on the cheap off-peak rates. However, I like your 1st system as you will probably use more power once you have "free" solar power and the solar production does decrease slightly over the years. A 7.56kW array can get by just fine on a 7.0kW inverter though (which is a few hundred dollars less). PV panels are way more reliable than inverters. When deciding what inverter to use go for reliability, durability, and quality.

[outnumbered3]

Thanks for the info. I also was thinking of leaning that way. I thought the TOU would also be better with the larger system. One thing I was worried about was they said that with the SMA inverter if one panel goes out there is know way for me to know is that true?

[Call_Me_Stamos]

I would recommend SunPower's Equinox system, I got it installed with LA Solar Group last month. It's a bit expensive, but worth it. Best panel in the industry.

[outnumbered3]

So I know its the best panel in the industry but, the pricing that I am getting on sun power doesn't make it very cost effective. Just to put sun power on my house without the equinox is an $8000 dollar difference. I cant imagine the cost if you ad the equinox. Ill pay it if its worth it but Sun Power I don't think can save me that much money in the long run to make it worth it. Thats why I am asking if everyone agree sun power is worth the money then I guess im going with them. How much per watt AC did you pay with LA solar group?

[solar pete]

I have a few prices and systems I would like your input on,
1st
Total System Size 7.560 kW DC Power (STC) / 6.794 kW AC Power (CEC)
Estimated Annual Production 11,954 kWh
PV Panel Description Qty. 24 - LG Electronics Solar Cell Division Model: LG315N1C-G4
Inverters Qty. 1 - SMA America Model: SB7700TL-US-22 (240V)
Installer Contract Cost $24,900 ($3.29/watt DC, $3.66/watt AC)

2nd
Total System Size 7.560 kW DC Power (STC) / 6.691 kW AC Power (CEC)
Estimated Annual Production 12,028 kWh
PV Panel Description Qty. 24 - LG Electronics Solar Cell Division Model: LG315N1C-G4
Inverters Qty. 24 - Enphase Energy Model: S280-60-LL-5-US
Installer Contract Cost $26,834 ($3.55/watt DC, $4.01/watt AC)

3rd from Sun Power
Year 1 Estimated Production: 11,943 KWH
7.19 kW (DC), 6.40 kW (AC) SunPower System
22 x SunPower E20/327 Solar Panel
InvisiMount Mounting System
1 x SUNNY BOY 6000TL-US-22 - 240v (SPR-6002m)
System Cost $32,804

4th From Sun Power original offer on what I need per sun power
Year 1 Estimated Production: 9,008 KWH
5.23 kW (DC), 4.60 kW (AC) SunPower System
16 x SunPower E20/327 Solar Panel
InvisiMount Mounting System
1 x SUNNY BOY 5000TL-US-22 - 240v (SPR-5002m)
System Cost $24,905

Sorry this is so long but all these solar companies are trying to confuse me. Im in southern Cal Riverside area. The sun power person said that with the enphase inverter and LG panels, I will not be able to produce peak AC watts. She told me enphase will only produce 250 ac watts. Is this true? if so should I just go with the first LG/SMA price one? The original offer from Sun power they gave me a system that produced 9008 kwh annually. I use just under 12,000 annually. She told me she would put me on a Time of use with SCE and that's why I only need a 9000 system. That doesn't seem right to me. She also tried telling me the panels fail before the inverters that's why I should go with sun power for their 25 year warranty. This also doesn't seem right to me I would think inverters fail before panels. Someone smarter than me please give me the real truth about what I should do. I am leaning toward one of the LG systems because I don't think the price difference makes up for the huge cost in sun power. Thanks for the help

Howdy outnumbered and welcome to Solar Panel Talk, if any sales person tells you that a panel will generally fail before an inverter IS TELLING BIG FAT LIES and you should not talk to them anymore. SunPower is good but in my opinion over rated and way to expensive for what it really is, just another solar panel, get more quotes, try the tools on the site to help you, cheers.

[sensij]

I'd lean towards a system that offsets 80-90% of your consumption, take advantage of TOU, and Sunpower isn't worth it. So, maybe option 1, scaled back to 7 kW.

If you haven't seen it yet, you can check out PVWatts to verify the installer's production estimates. For any of these options, use "Premium" panels, roof mount, probably 10% loss, maybe less.

[outnumbered3]

Would these be considered premium panels? the only other quotes I got were with Kyocera panels LG Electronics Solar Cell Division Model: LG315N1C-G4 I have meant with about 10 solar companies and I'm done with them. Is scaling it back to 7kw worth it? my daughters are 6 and 8 and feel they will only leave even more lights on as they get older. So was just planning ahead a little. My brain is fried on all the solar stuff that's why I brought it to this forum.

[sunnyguy]

Yes lg are premium. You might consider investing in energy saving tech like occupancy sensors, led bulbs, new appliances, smart thermostats instead of a larger solar array. There are budget panels out there 40% cheaper than lg with 20% lower efficiency.

[J.P.M.]

I would recommend SunPower's Equinox system, I got it installed with LA Solar Group last month. It's a bit expensive, but worth it. Best panel in the industry.

And way overpriced for what you get. Other, reputable and much lower priced equipment is as fit for purpose. S.P. stuff is 1st class. So is a Mercedes. Both Mercedes and Fords are fit for purpose grocery haulers. Solar is an appliance, not a life style.

[outnumbered3]

Sunnyguy I have invested in most of that stuff already my pool pump is more than likely my biggest energy hog. but I did switch to a VS pump that made a huge difference. the only thing that I could still upgrade is my 2 AC units. But in my research its more cost effective to get solar than replace 2 AC units. Thanks for all the help. right now I think im leaning toward the LG panels and Sunny boy inverter at 3.29 ppw DC I don't think I can beat that.

[Willaby]

I'd lean towards a system that offsets 80-90% of your consumption, take advantage of TOU, and Sunpower isn't worth it. So, maybe option 1, scaled back to 7 kW

^^^ ditto ^^^ Some here used to lean towards 60-70%, then 80%, now that the TOU times are shifting later it just makes sense to offset around 90%. Maybe even a little more since your system will degrade around 1/2% per year. Leaving LED lights on will be the least of your worries, think about high-powered hair dryers, etc. It will likely be cost-ineffective to add panels later.

[tru2logan]

Most of the regulars on here will tell you to be more selective about you inverter choice as opposed to your actual panel choice. SP panels have a great reputation but are not really worth the premium. I have economy priced Hanwha panels and I am getting just as much, if not more, kWh out of them as panels that cost twice as much. Spend your efforts figuring out the best inverter for your situation. For me in sunny S Cal solaredge with optimizers made the most sense but to each their own. Once you figure out the equipment you want, be upfront with the two or three preferred installers and have them price out the system you want installed. Let them know you are getting a few quotes and you want their rock bottom best price upfront without haggling.

[randomuser]

If you're looking for the lowest price on the panels and have roof space, then get less efficient ones. FWIW, I installed LG 320s. The installer I used, I asked about SolarWorld, Canadian Solar, etc. Although less expensive for the less efficient ones, it wasn't a big enough difference "for me" to select them. I like that LG has 12 year warranty on their panels. Hope giving them my money makes the other manufacturers up their warranty too. Also, SolarWorld gets great reviews here but I was worried about them as a company, financially. Same goes for Enphase, which was a factor in me choosing SolarEdge.

After reading topics on this forum for awhile, I learned that panel manufacturer is the smallest factor in choosing a system. The installer is the most important component, then the roof mounting equipment, then the inverter and finally, the panels. I don't have much knowledge of this stuff, probably in your boat but that's my $.02 from what I've learned here. This is a great place to learn this stuff. Take your time and don't rush into making a decision.

[rsilvers]

You should call enPhase and ask if the LG panels are too many watts for their inverters. I know they told me that their M250 was a great match for 285 watt panels and a less great match for 300 watt panels.