Solar Proposals - Feedback, Please

[8144]

Hi all,

This forum has been incredibly helpful and informative. I have read the recommended reading and feel pretty confident with my dealings with the 9 companies that I have dealt with so far. After reading endless advice in regard to Sunpower not being worth the premium (especially in my case - full sun ground mount), I have eliminated a number of companies. I have 2 competing companies right now that seem very willing to win my business. I would like to share their proposals and receive your helpful feedback: I am in the Sacramento area. My proposals are all for ground mount systems, wide open field, ideal orientation/tilt/etc, with approx. 280' trenching.

Company 1 (newer, local company started by a Bay Area solar gentleman with 25 yr workmanship/performance guarantee - which I realize means nothing if said company is not around in 25 yrs)

24 Hanwha Q.Plus L-G4.2 330w panels
7.92 kw DC system
Ground mount
SMA 7700 inverter
Estimated 1st yr production 12,554 kWh
Cost: $25,920 (pre tax credit) $3.27/watt
1st year monthly site visits, solar production analysis, and panel cleaning if needed

24 Hanwha Q.Plus L-G4.2 330w panels
7.92 kw DC system
Ground mount
SolarEdge 7600 with P400 optimizers
Estimated 1st yr production 12,742 kWh
Cost: $26,670 (pre tax credit) $3.37/watt
1st year monthly site visits, solar production analysis, and panel cleaning if needed


Company 2 (more established company, positive reviews, good experience from another user on this forum - waiting to hear on their specific warranties)

28 Suniva Model: OPT280-60-4-1B0
7.84 kw DC system
Ground mount
SolarEdge with Optimizers Model: SE7600A-US-U (240V)
Estimated 1st yr production 12,124 kWh
Cost: $26,264 (pre tax credit) $3.35/watt

Any feedback will be much appreciated!!

[kgvenkatesh]

I have recent experience with quotes but mine is roof top pv, not ground mounting. I saw quotes close to $3/watt with LG320 / Solar edge on my 4.8kw project (from Bay Area as well as from no cal and so cal installers) but I have heard ground mounting costs more, so don't have a definitive opinion on your quotes. Wait for pros to chime in

[solar pete]

Hi all,

This forum has been incredibly helpful and informative. I have read the recommended reading and feel pretty confident with my dealings with the 9 companies that I have dealt with so far. After reading endless advice in regard to Sunpower not being worth the premium (especially in my case - full sun ground mount), I have eliminated a number of companies. I have 2 competing companies right now that seem very willing to win my business. I would like to share their proposals and receive your helpful feedback: I am in the Sacramento area. My proposals are all for ground mount systems, wide open field, ideal orientation/tilt/etc, with approx. 280' trenching.

Company 1 (newer, local company started by a Bay Area solar gentleman with 25 yr workmanship/performance guarantee - which I realize means nothing if said company is not around in 25 yrs)

24 Hanwha Q.Plus L-G4.2 330w panels
7.92 kw DC system
Ground mount
SMA 7700 inverter
Estimated 1st yr production 12,554 kWh
Cost: $25,920 (pre tax credit) $3.27/watt
1st year monthly site visits, solar production analysis, and panel cleaning if needed

24 Hanwha Q.Plus L-G4.2 330w panels
7.92 kw DC system
Ground mount
SolarEdge 7600 with P400 optimizers
Estimated 1st yr production 12,742 kWh
Cost: $26,670 (pre tax credit) $3.37/watt
1st year monthly site visits, solar production analysis, and panel cleaning if needed


Company 2 (more established company, positive reviews, good experience from another user on this forum - waiting to hear on their specific warranties)

28 Suniva Model: OPT280-60-4-1B0
7.84 kw DC system
Ground mount
SolarEdge with Optimizers Model: SE7600A-US-U (240V)
Estimated 1st yr production 12,124 kWh
Cost: $26,264 (pre tax credit) $3.35/watt

Any feedback will be much appreciated!!

Howdy 8144, to me the whole bit about "1st year monthly site visits, solar production analysis, and panel cleaning if needed" is just a sales gimmick and not required, if they do the install right you should never have to see them again. If you cant find ant reviews on company 1 then to me its a no brainer to go with company 2, opinions vary, cheers and good luck with it

[huge]

If you go with suniva 330w or 340w panels instead of the 280w, it might come out a little cheaper. Less optimizers and I would imagine easier installation

Otherwise, almost the same price between all the options. You should compare the companies a little more in depth. Do they both have the C-10 and C-46 licenses?

If both companies were out of business in ten years, which installation would you have more confidence in?

[Svoad]

8144, Who did you end up going with ?