Thoughts on this Sunpower quote?

[jeffaa]

Hi all,

Long-time reader, first time poster. Our last home had solar panels pre-installed, so this is a new process for me.

We've just moved and we're looking to get a solar panel system installed. One of the companies I'm working with says they bought out another company, and they have this new stock of panels. I'm looking to get feedback, as I've never purchased a system before (we don't want to lease).

6.90 kW DC-STC
11219 kWh AC Annual Output (180° azimuth, 14° tilt)
30 panels - Sunpower SPR-230E-WHT-D (230 watts each)
30 inverters - Enphase Micro Inverters
System Value $25,323
Federal Tax Credit $7,597
Estimated REC Payments - Xcel Energy - $14,357 <-- this is an incentive being paid to me, monthly, over 10 years (REC payments paid out monthly over 10 years. This is our local energy company's rebate at $0.13 per kWh produced. Payments based on estimated monthly solar production.) https://www.xcelenergy.com/Save_Mone...r*Rewards_-_CO

Am I missing anything? Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.

[Naptown]

Sunpower modules with Enphase Hopefully the 215's installed (Too lazy to look up compatibility) for $3.67 a watt installed?
If I were you I would be all over that like a cheap suit. That is a great deal.

[SunEagle]

Hi all,

Long-time reader, first time poster. Our last home had solar panels pre-installed, so this is a new process for me.

We've just moved and we're looking to get a solar panel system installed. One of the companies I'm working with says they bought out another company, and they have this new stock of panels. I'm looking to get feedback, as I've never purchased a system before (we don't want to lease).

6.90 kW DC-STC
11219 kWh AC Annual Output (180° azimuth, 14° tilt)
30 panels - Sunpower SPR-230E-WHT-D (230 watts each)
30 inverters - Enphase Micro Inverters
System Value $25,323
Federal Tax Credit $7,597
Estimated REC Payments - Xcel Energy - $14,357
(REC payments paid out monthly over 10 years. This is our local energy company's rebate at $0.13 per kW produced. Payments based on estimated monthly solar production.)

Am I missing anything? Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.

Maybe my math is incorrect but how did you determine the amount of $14,357? I get $25,323 - $7597 = $17,726. Also is there an interest rate on the principle amount being paid off over 10 years? That should determine your real total cost.

If my math is wrong and you are correct that your total payment is around $15,000 then for a 6.9 kw system your talking about $2.17/watt installed which is an amazing low price.

[jeffaa]

Maybe my math is incorrect but how did you determine the amount of $14,357? I get $25,323 - $7597 = $17,726. Also is there an interest rate on the principle amount being paid off over 10 years? That should determine your real total cost.

If my math is wrong and you are correct that your total payment is around $15,000 then for a 6.9 kw system your talking about $2.17/watt installed which is an amazing low price.

The $14,357 is how much my energy company is going to pay me over 10 years (monthly payments to me at $0.13 per kWh for whatever the system actually produces that month).

I didn't mention my total payment.

[bonaire]

Well, given that the RECs plus tax credit basically make the system almost free (well, about $4K) for you - can you pay cash for it? That would be a pretty good "investment" of cash given you have a continuous dividend of the RECs.

Are the RECs cancellable for any reason? - any other possible hidden costs or is this a guaranteed price?

In our SREC market in PA, they are basically $8.99 per 1MWh - so you have got a good deal with the .13/kWh or $130 per MWh.

[jeffaa]

Sunpower modules with Enphase Hopefully the 215's installed (Too lazy to look up compatibility) for $3.67 a watt installed?
If I were you I would be all over that like a cheap suit. That is a great deal.

It looks like they are the M210 inverters. My guy says the M215 won't work with these particular panels. I'm trying to research that, and if it even matters having the M215 vs the M210.

[jeffaa]

Well, given that the RECs plus tax credit basically make the system almost free (well, about $4K) for you - can you pay cash for it? That would be a pretty good "investment" of cash given you have a continuous dividend of the RECs.

Are the RECs cancellable for any reason? - any other possible hidden costs or is this a guaranteed price?

In our SREC market in PA, they are basically $8.99 per 1MWh - so you have got a good deal with the .13/kWh or $130 per MWh.

We will be financing the system at somewhere under 2%. It will be paid off fairly quickly.

There's no way for the RECs to be cancelled unless we remove the system (before 20 years [incentive paid over 10 years, but you must have the system running for 20 years]) or our utility company goes under. And there are no other hidden costs, I already have the contract in hand. I went through 4 companies with multiple proposals (except for Solar City, they were just ridiculous). I thought this to be the best deal.

[SunEagle]

The $14,357 is how much my energy company is going to pay me over 10 years (monthly payments to me at $0.13 per kW for whatever the system actually produces that month).

I didn't mention my total payment.

My mistake. Then if you subtract the $14,357 credit from the remaining amount of $17,776 for the system, even with paying interest it looks like you have found a really great system for a very low price.

[Ian S]

Hi all,

Long-time reader, first time poster. Our last home had solar panels pre-installed, so this is a new process for me.

We've just moved and we're looking to get a solar panel system installed. One of the companies I'm working with says they bought out another company, and they have this new stock of panels. I'm looking to get feedback, as I've never purchased a system before (we don't want to lease).

6.90 kW DC-STC
11219 kWh AC Annual Output (180° azimuth, 14° tilt)
30 panels - Sunpower SPR-230E-WHT-D (230 watts each)
30 inverters - Enphase Micro Inverters
System Value $25,323
Federal Tax Credit $7,597
Estimated REC Payments - Xcel Energy - $14,357 <-- this is an incentive being paid to me, monthly, over 10 years (REC payments paid out monthly over 10 years. This is our local energy company's rebate at $0.13 per kWh produced. Payments based on estimated monthly solar production.) https://www.xcelenergy.com/Save_Mone...r*Rewards_-_CO

Am I missing anything? Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.

LOL sounds like my 6.9 kW 30 panel Sunpower system except for the micros - I have the Sunpower 7000 inverter instead. Even a similar angle - mine is supposed to be 15 deg. Sounds like a great deal to me. Incidentally, here in Phoenix a week ago, we had a cloudless cool and windy day. The temperature did not rise above about 60F and the wind apparently kept my panels quite cool. Around 12;30 PM, I took a pic of the instantaneous power indicated on the inverter. Not too shabby for a 6.9 kW nameplate capacity system in February!
Solar power in February red.jpg

[jeffaa]

Contract signed today. Thanks, everyone, for your feedback.
Our timeline shows the work will be completed in the first week of May. The biggest hold-up is our utility company (on both ends: application for the rebate before the system gets installed, and then waiting on them for inspections and to install the net-meter).

[Naptown]

What warranty from Sunpower did you get.
I suspect those are end of life panels.
Meaning they are no longer in production. SP had a major warranty shift for the better recently.
Even if not the new warranty you got a great deal.

[jeffaa]

The panels have a 25-year warranty. 15 years on the M210's.

[ifly]

I'm in Denver also, can you PM me who the SunPower contractor is. I have a quote from last August but yours is far better on the price per watt!!!!

[jeffaa]

I can't pm yet, give me a few minutes to make the count...

EDIT: pm sent

[runner77]

I can't pm yet, give me a few minutes to make the count...

EDIT: pm sent

Hi there, I just joined the board and am in Denver looking for a good contractor.

Could you PM me their info?

Question #2: Now that you're several months into it, are you still pleased with the whole experience and value?