1st Post, So Cal Quote Comparison

[mayhemlv]

Hi Everyone,

I've lurked around the forum for a bit, and now I am proactively sourcing quotes on solar systems for my 2500 sq ft home in Ventura County, California. I have a long second story roof with no shading, and pretty direct Southern exposure (roof is from East to West and faces South). I decided to obtain quotes from Petersen Dean Solar 4 America and Sunrun through Costco. Both companies have local offices with good reviews on yelp, with Sunrun at a 5-star average...for what it is worth. I plan to finance the solar system, as I've become leery of the PACE program, thanks in part to this forum. I average 9000-10000kW annually.

Petersen Dean:
6.84 kW
24 Solar World 285W panels (will take up almost all of my south-facing roof)
Enphase Micro Inverter (no additional cost) *Sales rep stated this is now standard equip.
Gross cost before incentives $24,499 ( after $500 vet discount and $2400 manufact. rebate on panels thru August)
I don't know what to truly make of their 25 yr warranty and 25 year solar performance guaranty.
$3.58/W before incentives

Sunrun Costco:
5.58 kW
18 LG310 Panels (should be room for at least 4-6 panels)
Solis 4600W Inverter (can upgrade to Solar Edge for additional $1700, but I see no need)
15 yr roof penetration warranty, 10 yr workmanship warranty ( I did see these listed in the contract)
Gross cost $22,999
$4.18/W before incentives

I don't think the quotes are necessarily out of line compared to what I am seeing on the CSI statistics website, but I think there is wiggle room with Sunrun's quote. Can anyone weigh in on the differences in equipment quality? I do feel a bit warmer and fuzzier about Costco being affiliated with Sunrun, and have supposedly conducted independent research on the offered equipment before authorizing Sunrun to pitch it to Costco customers . The Sunrun rep is claiming that Costco is the middleman between customers and Sunrun for warranty claims, similar to what they do with other products.

I respect and appreciate any helpful advise regarding my quotes.

[solarix]

I say you should get quotes from some good local installers. Go on SolarReviews.com and see how they are rated first. There are many to choose from in your area.
I've done a number of reinstalls on Sunrun jobs and am not impressed with their quality and I maintain my assertion that using microinverters in a hot climate is a big reliability risk.

[mayhemlv]

I say you should get quotes from some good local installers. Go on SolarReviews.com and see how they are rated first. There are many to choose from in your area.
I've done a number of reinstalls on Sunrun jobs and am not impressed with their quality and I maintain my assertion that using microinverters in a hot climate is a big reliability risk.

Thank you Solarix.

[J.P.M.]

I say you should get quotes from some good local installers. Go on SolarReviews.com and see how they are rated first. There are many to choose from in your area.
I've done a number of reinstalls on Sunrun jobs and am not impressed with their quality and I maintain my assertion that using microinverters in a hot climate is a big reliability risk.

FWIW, +1 on more quotes. My guess is that the OP can do better on bang for the buck and quality.

On the Solarix Sunrun comment: I've only seen 3 Sunrun jobs in my HOA, but IMO, they seemed not well done, at least cosmetically, and one of the three had some problems w/the AHJ on a couple of issues that got squared away. 2 of the 3 were PPA's, one was a lease.

The sole Petersen Dean job I'm familiar with came in at $3.75/Watt about 16 months ago, used SolarWorld/SMA and, though overpriced, went in like crap through a goose on a tile roof w/no problems. As the HOA rep that reviews all the solar projects, I did make them color match the roof conduit however.

Negotiate tough but fair, and go for most bang for the buck, not necessarily low buck - there is a difference, and pay careful attention to installer quality, integrity and reputation. That's the best and cheapest way to increase the probability (but no guarantee) of a quality job.

[huge]

Forget about sunrun /Costco. They don't negotiate and way over priced. You should negotiate a better price with Peterson Dean. They can offer SMA for cheaper.

[Git]

FWIW, +1 on more quotes. My guess is that the OP can do better on bang for the buck and quality.

On the Solarix Sunrun comment: I've only seen 3 Sunrun jobs in my HOA, but IMO, they seemed not well done, at least cosmetically, and one of the three had some problems w/the AHJ on a couple of issues that got squared away. 2 of the 3 were PPA's, one was a lease...
.

There is a house in my area that is the exact same model and roof orientation as mine. I kind of used them as my example when talking with contractors because I could easily show them how many panels could fit on the roof etc. The problem, as I looked into it further (I actually looked up building permits online and saw that it was a SunRun install) is there were several plumbing vents that came up through where the panels were installed. Instead of rerouting the stacks in the attic (plenty of access) they cut them down, and used a 90° fitting to run the vents on top of the roof (under the panel) out to the edge where they then used another 90° to bring them vertical again. Definitely not to code in my area and if they are going to cut corners on that, where else did they cut.

[J.P.M.]

There is a house in my area that is the exact same model and roof orientation as mine. I kind of used them as my example when talking with contractors because I could easily show them how many panels could fit on the roof etc. The problem, as I looked into it further (I actually looked up building permits online and saw that it was a SunRun install) is there were several plumbing vents that came up through where the panels were installed. Instead of rerouting the stacks in the attic (plenty of access) they cut them down, and used a 90° fitting to run the vents on top of the roof (under the panel) out to the edge where they then used another 90° to bring them vertical again. Definitely not to code in my area and if they are going to cut corners on that, where else did they cut.

If you are in San Diego county, what you describe is contrary to code. I caught Vivant trying to pull that one, and one Larry wit a ladder type.