Anyone with experience with WholeSaleSolar?

[SunEagle]

I live in Maine.

When we started we got multiple quotes from area installers. Every net-metering quote was more expensive than doing a simple off-grid system with batteries.

The only way that net-metering installs can even come close to off-grid systems is to utilize heavy government subsidies in the finance math.

It seems inconceivable that an off grid battery system would be cheaper then a grid tie system.

I would say that the grid tie pv installers in Maine were trying to rob their customers. Hopefully that is not the same action in every state.

[ButchDeal]

I live in Maine.

When we started we got multiple quotes from area installers. Every net-metering quote was more expensive than doing a simple off-grid system with batteries.

The only way that net-metering installs can even come close to off-grid systems is to utilize heavy government subsidies in the finance math.

I thought we whent over this BS before. You are comparing unsafe, tiny DIY off grid to full sized turn key, Basically an apple to gold coin comparison.

[organic farmer]

Yikes. Which state is that?

I live in Maine.

When we started we got multiple quotes from area installers. Every net-metering quote was more expensive than doing a simple off-grid system with batteries.

The only way that net-metering installs can even come close to off-grid systems is to utilize heavy government subsidies in the finance math.

[PVpilot]

Yikes. Which state is that?

In this state to go 'grid-tied' for net-metering you must use a local installer. Our installers are all salespeople. they refuse to install any component that they did not sell you.

When I was getting quotes, Wholesale Solar was lower priced. But a system from them had to be off-grid.

An off-grid system from Wholesale Solar [including the batteries] was much lower priced, than any net-metering system from a local installer.

[organic farmer]

I would not recommend Wholesale Solar. Nothing is "wholesale" about it. If you buy your panels, power optimizers/microinverters, single inverter, and racking by sourcing individual companies and shopping around, you'll save yourself a lot more money than buying their grid-tie kits.

In this state to go 'grid-tied' for net-metering you must use a local installer. Our installers are all salespeople. they refuse to install any component that they did not sell you.

When I was getting quotes, Wholesale Solar was lower priced. But a system from them had to be off-grid.

An off-grid system from Wholesale Solar [including the batteries] was much lower priced, than any net-metering system from a local installer.

[PVpilot]

I would not recommend Wholesale Solar. Nothing is "wholesale" about it. If you buy your panels, power optimizers/microinverters, single inverter, and racking by sourcing individual companies and shopping around, you'll save yourself a lot more money than buying their grid-tie kits. I have dealt with them in the past and the ordering process is good (their inverter happened to be cheaper at the time than anywhere else), but their solar kits are way overpriced. If you use IronRidge's array designer you'll be able to find out exactly what you need to buy through other sources, apart from the obvious other components. One thing I didn't like when getting an itemized list from Wholesale Solar is they leave too many things vague - exactly what they want to prevent you from finding out that you can find all the parts much cheaper elsewhere.

Before you go ahead with any Wholesale Solar kit, ask for an itemized list of every part so that you can price compare other sources - including every single item and part number. You'll be surprised that Wholesale Solar is actually not competitive in pricing on their "kits".

For your solar design, you really need to be directly involved with it - not Wholesale Solar. You are the one installing your own solar. You should be the one deciding where your array will be on your roof or ground mount system. The permitting and plan submittal process can be done through a third party company for much cheaper than Wholesale Solar's service. In fact, you can just do it yourself. SolarDesignTool.com has a great interface for solar plans for the permitting process, as well as many other services.

[organic farmer]

I bought our 'e-panel' from WholeSaleSolar in Mt. Shasta. I got our photovoltaic panels from an online auction in Florida, and I sourced our batteries local.

WholeSaleSolar has been great.

[Mike90250]

The one I know of, in Shasta, CA, has a good reputation. If they can manage Tx permits, that would be amazing

[shutterfly]

I am considering purchasing a system from WholeSaleSolar and find a local installer to install it (I live in Houston, TX). The primary reason is they also offer design service, so that I only need to deal with the city permit and HOA.
Can anyone share his/her experience with whole sale solar?
Thanks in advance.

Wei