Final list of quotes for solar in sw, PA, any last minute recommendations/warnings

[markm75]

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Have west penn power and use right now around 14,500 kwh a year, though with a recently purchased ev, and doing 17k miles a year it will break down to 367kwhr /month and 19,000 on average.

My goal was to keep the total cost actually under 30k after tax incentives. The garage roof needs redone, so that adds $5000. The main panel is 100amp and might (will) need upgraded to 200amp, though im hoping 100amp in the sub panel + main is enough for now. The transformer is 15kw so they said its ok for now, but a better match is the micros not the string inverters.

Though it would appear that String inverters are cheaper, simpler to get at for points of failure, but i hear at least currently, a nightmare when they fail to get parts (usually failing in first 6 months) vs micro x 39-43 points of failure and say 15 years in when a company that supports it is gone or out of labor warranty, a nightmare to replace those too i guess, so undecided there (but i guess due to the transformer limit, cant even consider)

I'm leaning towards palmeto's quote (seem reputable/good track record, broad product offering not just solar), but had the back dormer placement odd and might be missing a few panels probably 4 missing, might bring his total to more like $51k i bet (after site survey is done)

I'm shocked american contractors wasnt cheaper with string inverters

I also think local EIS is solid as a company, but they cant guarantee if get out soon to start sight survey that at least the install is done by end of dec, palmetto says they can if begin by sept 3, though perhaps they are just saying that.

At this point i have BOTH EIS and Palmetto coming out to do site surveys within a week of each other, then pick who i stick with.

The mission panel that eis gave as a cheaper option seem to be the lowest performer at 25 years, around 84% vs vsun or jinko.

Palmetto suggested a different model micro than EIS for some reason too.

I tried green rack, they barely got back to me, after they did, wasting days, they said they cant fit it in this year, booked up.

Any thoughts or recommendations at this point,
** my other thought was to just go with the garage for now to save money and addon the house later (but obviously without the 30% and having to redo permits etc)


**these panels in these quotes, are they considered good enough quality, especially given the total cost of $47-$55k?? Not sure why palmetto is choosing that micro over the other, neither mentioned the IQ8HC (i guess hc for high current but maybe 440 watt isnt considered that)?

[J.P.M.]

image.png
image.png

Have west penn power and use right now around 14,500 kwh a year, though with a recently purchased ev, and doing 17k miles a year it will break down to 367kwhr /month and 19,000 on average.

My goal was to keep the total cost actually under 30k after tax incentives. The garage roof needs redone, so that adds $5000. The main panel is 100amp and might (will) need upgraded to 200amp, though im hoping 100amp in the sub panel + main is enough for now. The transformer is 15kw so they said its ok for now, but a better match is the micros not the string inverters.

Though it would appear that String inverters are cheaper, simpler to get at for points of failure, but i hear at least currently, a nightmare when they fail to get parts (usually failing in first 6 months) vs micro x 39-43 points of failure and say 15 years in when a company that supports it is gone or out of labor warranty, a nightmare to replace those too i guess, so undecided there (but i guess due to the transformer limit, cant even consider)

I'm leaning towards palmeto's quote (seem reputable/good track record, broad product offering not just solar), but had the back dormer placement odd and might be missing a few panels probably 4 missing, might bring his total to more like $51k i bet (after site survey is done)

I'm shocked american contractors wasnt cheaper with string inverters

I also think local EIS is solid as a company, but they cant guarantee if get out soon to start sight survey that at least the install is done by end of dec, palmetto says they can if begin by sept 3, though perhaps they are just saying that.

At this point i have BOTH EIS and Palmetto coming out to do site surveys within a week of each other, then pick who i stick with.

The mission panel that eis gave as a cheaper option seem to be the lowest performer at 25 years, around 84% vs vsun or jinko.

Palmetto suggested a different model micro than EIS for some reason too.

I tried green rack, they barely got back to me, after they did, wasting days, they said they cant fit it in this year, booked up.

Any thoughts or recommendations at this point,
** my other thought was to just go with the garage for now to save money and addon the house later (but obviously without the 30% and having to redo permits etc)


**these panels in these quotes, are they considered good enough quality, especially given the total cost of $47-$55k?? Not sure why palmetto is choosing that micro over the other, neither mentioned the IQ8HC (i guess hc for high current but maybe 440 watt isnt considered that)?

Since you're asking:

1.) What is the expected (design)system output in terms of kWh/year ?
2.) You do know that the STC kW rating of a system is not the same as the annual kWh output of the system, right ?
3.) How much snow do you get ? What provisions have you made for snow removal ? Low panel slopes will greatly reduce winter output even with no snow. That low slope will also mean snow will stay on the panels longer reducing output still further without removal.
4.) Getting 3.86 miles/kWh out of an EV might be a stretch, particularly with the heater in the winter and A/C in the summer.
5.) What, if any, type(s) of economic analysis have you done to determine any system cost effectiveness ? I looked at West Penn Power's website. At ~ $s 0.10318/kWh, it might be a long time to payback. Any other incentives/rebates/tax credits besides the 30% federal tax credit? Any SRECs ?
6.) Does your power provider have any sort of NEM or other arrangements to buy the power your proposed system will produce?
7.) Does your AHJ (the building dept. in your jurisdictional area) require building permits and plan reviews for PV systems?

I've no idea what the situation is in your area but, unless the gov. changes the plan, with the probable year end rush to get systems installed before the tax credit expiration, getting an unrushed, quality install approved, built and up and running by 12/31 may be a tough objective to meet.

Take what you want of the above. Scrap the rest.

[markm75]

Since you're asking:

1.) What is the expected (design)system output in terms of kWh/year ?
2.) You do know that the STC kW rating of a system is not the same as the annual kWh output of the system, right ?
3.) How much snow do you get ? What provisions have you made for snow removal ? Low panel slopes will greatly reduce winter output even with no snow. That low slope will also mean snow will stay on the panels longer reducing output still further without removal.
4.) Getting 3.86 miles/kWh out of an EV might be a stretch, particularly with the heater in the winter and A/C in the summer.
5.) What, if any, type(s) of economic analysis have you done to determine any system cost effectiveness ? I looked at West Penn Power's website. At ~ $s 0.10318/kWh, it might be a long time to payback. Any other incentives/rebates/tax credits besides the 30% federal tax credit? Any SRECs ?
6.) Does your power provider have any sort of NEM or other arrangements to buy the power your proposed system will produce?
7.) Does your AHJ (the building dept. in your jurisdictional area) require building permits and plan reviews for PV systems?

I've no idea what the situation is in your area but, unless the gov. changes the plan, with the probable year end rush to get systems installed before the tax credit expiration, getting an unrushed, quality install approved, built and up and running by 12/31 may be a tough objective to meet.

Take what you want of the above. Scrap the rest.

1.. thats in the spreadsheet, on avg they are 17kw output and production 17-18k
3.. in sw pa not as much as used to, the angle on the garage should be ok and reachable for removal if needed, on the house, the front slope is 10:12, the dormer in the back doesnt have much slope, so if panels are there it will be an issue with snow
5.. there are srecs but they dont add up to much, maybe $40 per month if im understanding it correctly
6.. net meetering 1 to 1
7.. i dont think but the company handles that

The local company (Connected energy services im now going with, not on the list, 42k for 36 panels (no dormer) or $47k for 40 panels, 4 on dormer and more production, at $2.75 per watt they were the best rate with decent reviews (hyundai 440 panels and enphase 8x)

As far as residual cost beyond incentives, i have some resources to toss at the balance, bringing it to 15k or less in the end and firing enough at it to make it a short term win.