Is it a good deal for Panasonic panels?

[hoak83]

Hello all,

I'm recently interested in solar and did my homeworks (pvW.com calculations, read the Dummy book, read through threads on this forum).
I contacted multiple solar installation companies for their quotes. The best one I just get is from a local Bakersfield company running by vets, they've been doing roof since 1988.

Offer:

$13,150 (all cash offer, before 30% tax credit)
4.62kW, capable of producing est 7905kW/year, 103% of my average usage
14 Panasonic 330W panels
SolarEdge SE5000H inverter
25 years part warranty and 10 years roof warranty
I got $2.8/W

Another offer was 3k more, using LG350W panels instead and every else is the same.
I feel like it's a good deal but I just want to make sure I got everything down, and there's nothing I can do better.
Any input is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[J.P.M.]

Congrads on being proactive and doing it logically and thoroughly. Anything can always be improved upon, but it would seem you got the PV part hammered pretty hard. Shows what a little homework and attention to detail can produce - good equipment from an established installer at a sharp and fair price. Just stay on top of the install. Trust but verify. Sounds like overkill maybe, but I'd suggest sitting on the roof and watching the install. Best warranty you'll never buy. A poor install can undo all your so far good diligence.

What does the roof work entail ? PV will last a long time and chasing a leak will most likely require removal of at least some of the array with no promise of successful re-install. Call the inspection and any required work cheap insurance. Nicely done if it's all in writing and with some details of what's covered. Just watch the work as it's being done - not after.

Nicely done.

[hoak83]

Thanks for your words of encouragement.

My roof does not need any work since my house is relatively new (4y). It's just that if anything happens to my roof due to their installation, they will repair in 10y period.

And I got everything in writing. I'd trust their works and really don't want to stay up in the roof, haha.

This forum is very resourceful and help me prepare for my appt with the reps. Still cannot believe Sunrun offered 23k for the same system, a cool 10k over.

[J.P.M.]

Thanks for your words of encouragement.

My roof does not need any work since my house is relatively new (4y). It's just that if anything happens to my roof due to their installation, they will repair in 10y period.

And I got everything in writing. I'd trust their works and really don't want to stay up in the roof, haha.

This forum is very resourceful and help me prepare for my appt with the reps. Still cannot believe Sunrun offered 23k for the same system, a cool 10k over.

From what I've seen, Sunrun is one of the bottom feeders. I wouldn't let them set foot on my property even if they were a cool $10K under the next lowest bid as I couldn't afford their B.S. and sloppy work.

Good luck.

[rahu23]

Pretty good deal on Panasonic panels.In CA labor cost is way too high and its hard to get a quote so low.

I am in orange county CA and lowest I managed to get was $2.92 per watt, but my system size is smaller too. Its 2.56kW. I don't know why prices vary so much with what panel you select. See the link below. Panel cost are only like 25% of the entire cost. Remaining 75% of the cost shouldn't change no matter what panel you go with.
https://news.energysage.com/understa...-panel-system/

[TAZ427]

Pretty good deal on Panasonic panels.In CA labor cost is way too high and its hard to get a quote so low.

I am in orange county CA and lowest I managed to get was $2.92 per watt, but my system size is smaller too. Its 2.56kW. I don't know why prices vary so much with what panel you select. See the link below. Panel cost are only like 25% of the entire cost. Remaining 75% of the cost shouldn't change no matter what panel you go with.
https://news.energysage.com/understa...-panel-system/

Some of that also goes down to roof type, HOA hoops to jump through and fee's just to submit a plan, multiple roof planes vs single roof plane, asphault shingles or tile roof... That said, do you homework about the company as well. Make sure they've been in business number of years, make sure they don't have any complaints in the BBB, check yelp, ask for a list of references, ... just like you should for any business that you want to contract with.

[ChabSin]

You may want to look into the Panasonic 325W. From what I've seen, the 330W are significantly more expensive than the 325W, offering only a small bump in the power.

If you're willing to do your homework: We just completed an install in SoCal of an 11.7kw system: 36 325W panasonic panels, two SMA 6.0 inverters, for a total of about $23,400, i.e. $2/w. This includes what we paid to SCE for installing a GMA in lieu of upgrading our electric panel. The key is to shop for the hardware and for an installer. We ended up finding someone to install for $0.50/watt, someone else to do the plans < $300, and we shopped around extensively for the parts. Obviously took more time, but it did save us a bundle.

[hoak83]

That sounds fantastic. How much is the difference between 325 and 330w panels? Also, is the installer a contractor or a company? I am not sure if I want to take the risk of something installed on my roof without a warranty.

[J.P.M.]

That sounds fantastic. How much is the difference between 325 and 330w panels? Also, is the installer a contractor or a company? I am not sure if I want to take the risk of something installed on my roof without a warranty.

Best warranty you can get is sitting on the roof and watching the work. Easier to catch things like holes that are drilled but miss the rafters and don't get remediated.. Happens more than most want to believe.

[hoak83]

I am not much of a handyman so even if I stand there, I would not know what goes wrong and I am scared of the height also.

[J.P.M.]

I am not much of a handyman so even if I stand there, I would not know what goes wrong and I am scared of the height also.

If someone misses a rafter, it's pretty much apparent and self explanatory. ~ 5 sec. of drilling followed by rapid downward motion of the tool and an abrupt stop with a thump. Alternative to heights: Get a pair of binocs and get to a nearby elevation like a neighbor's second floor window. More trust but verify stuff. You did a lot of upfront due diligence. A lot more than most. Don't abandon that path at this stage. You will not regret following through to the end.