Price paid per watt

[J.P.M.]

Different racking system -

Plus maybe a bit more time/$$ and PITA care busted tiles.

[Bikerscum]

Would any of you guys in the Bay Area, PM let and let me know who you went with for solar installation and tips on panels etc?

I am new to the forum and am trying to make a decision by the end of this week so I can get the 2014 tax credits.

I think I need what Dat basically got.

An upgraded main panel from 125 to 200. Around 10 kwh hour system with either LG or Canadian Solar Panels. I have gotten bids from one installer that range over 30k for the high end to less than 20k for less efficient panels and inverters.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

My understanding is that the system has to be permitted, installed, inspected, and approved by the power company by Dec. 31 to claim the credit for this year. You have about zero chance of getting that done, so take your time & get lots of info as well as quotes.

You have started at the right place.

[Craigswardmtb]

$3.50 a watt.
38 Sunpower 327 watt panels, Solaredge optimizers with two main Solaredge inverters. PV Mount racking system, installed on asphalt roof. Located in CT.

[J.P.M.]

$3.50 a watt.
38 Sunpower 327 watt panels, Solaredge optimizers with two main Solaredge inverters. PV Mount racking system, installed on asphalt roof. Located in CT.

Before or after tax credits/rebates ? That's kinda cheap as full retail.

[Carl_NH]

$3.50 a watt.
38 Sunpower 327 watt panels, Solaredge optimizers with two main Solaredge inverters. PV Mount racking system, installed on asphalt roof. Located in CT.

Not really - that's in the right range - I had a quote for 10.2KW with 270W LG Mono $36K and SE Optimizers, but ended up with a 7.2KW system with 24 LG300 Neon, SE Optimizer and Inverter for $3.65 a watt.

[HX_Guy]

Pending how it turns on in the end, my figures are:

$2.77/watt pre-tax credit
$1.86/watt after tax credit

40 Canadian Solar 310W panels, SolarEdge optimizer, Quick Mount PV mounts on tile roof.

[J.P.M.]

Not really - that's in the right range - I had a quote for 10.2KW with 270W LG Mono $36K and SE Optimizers, but ended up with a 7.2KW system with 24 LG300 Neon, SE Optimizer and Inverter for $3.65 a watt.

Around here Sunpower 327's are about $.60 to $1.00/Watt more than LG 270's or 280's which seem to be running $3.50/Watt +/- some around here. The LG 300's seem to be a bit more. The cheapest S.P 327 quote I've actually seen recently is about $4.54/Watt to the vendor. Others claim to have paid less and I'm not doubting them - I just have not seen one that low and I usually see 1 or 2/month, but that's CA and not elsewhere.

[rdo]

A price I just paid in the UK, good to compare:

12xSunPower E20 327W + SMA 3600TL-21 + complete installation incl. warranty

£6358/3920W
£1.62/W which is $2.53/W as per today's £/$ exchange rate (1.56)

[SunEagle]

A price I just paid in the UK, good to compare:

12xSunPower E20 327W + SMA 3600TL-21 + complete installation incl. warranty

£6358/3920W
£1.62/W which is $2.53/W as per today's £/$ exchange rate (1.56)

Do you feel that the lower installed price for your system is a reflection of the labor wages in the UK as compared to the US?

[rdo]

I was actually very much surprised as I thought it would cost me at least 50% more. My roof is fairly simple, so there were no extra costs involved. It's just a fair, long established and fully accredited local company with electrical background, rather than nowadays 'renewable specialists' that would charge you much more for the same service (also because of their greedy salesmen). It's typical here to get quotes for value panels & value inverter that is exceeding what I paid for sunpowers.

However, they're electricians - they know how to install the system safely, but won't configure your monitoring, won't tell you about OptiTrac, you won't have a chat about renewables with them, they don't have salesmen on payroll, etc. Which is fine for me, as I know this all

Should I wanted typical system (Samil+REC/SolarWorld/Chinese Tier 1) I'd pay $1.93/W.

Moreover, the tax rate here for renewables is only 5% rather than standard 20%. I don't think the labour here is any cheaper, although the team of 3 guys did the job in ca 9 hours.

[J.P.M.]

I was actually very much surprised as I thought it would cost me at least 50% more. My roof is fairly simple, so there were no extra costs involved. It's just a fair, long established and fully accredited local company with electrical background, rather than nowadays 'renewable specialists' that would charge you much more for the same service (also because of their greedy salesmen). It's typical here to get quotes for value panels & value inverter that is exceeding what I paid for sunpowers.

However, they're electricians - they know how to install the system safely, but won't configure your monitoring, won't tell you about OptiTrac, you won't have a chat about renewables with them, they don't have salesmen on payroll, etc. Which is fine for me, as I know this all

Should I wanted typical system (Samil+REC/SolarWorld/Chinese Tier 1) I'd pay $1.93/W.

Moreover, the tax rate here for renewables is only 5% rather than standard 20%. I don't think the labour here is any cheaper, although the team of 3 guys did the job in ca 9 hours.

I'm a bit surprised by the price(s). I'm not surprised by what you describe in terms of what sounds like value and intelligent use of financial resources, given your Scottish address. Does my ancestors proud.

[Craigswardmtb]

Before or after tax credits/rebates ? That's kinda cheap as full retail.

That's before rebates/credits. I received additional discounts because the installer is part of a state run Solarize program. Towns that participate in this program sign up a single installer for their town. Economies of scale drives the install price down. Furthermore I gave the company a couple referrals for people outside our town which he recognized. I also negotiated a bit more. After rebates I'm at $1.88. I could have knocked some cost off if I didn't go with the Solaredge setup, but it was minimal.
I thought it was a great deal and I'm very happy with the engagement of installer to this point. Of course none of the real work has begun as my install is in late February.

[J.P.M.]

That's before rebates/credits. I received additional discounts because the installer is part of a state run Solarize program. Towns that participate in this program sign up a single installer for their town. Economies of scale drives the install price down. Furthermore I gave the company a couple referrals for people outside our town which he recognized. I also negotiated a bit more. After rebates I'm at $1.88. I could have knocked some cost off if I didn't go with the Solaredge setup, but it was minimal.
I thought it was a great deal and I'm very happy with the engagement of installer to this point. Of course none of the real work has begun as my install is in late February.

Thank you.

[SunEagle]

That's before rebates/credits. I received additional discounts because the installer is part of a state run Solarize program. Towns that participate in this program sign up a single installer for their town. Economies of scale drives the install price down. Furthermore I gave the company a couple referrals for people outside our town which he recognized. I also negotiated a bit more. After rebates I'm at $1.88. I could have knocked some cost off if I didn't go with the Solaredge setup, but it was minimal.
I thought it was a great deal and I'm very happy with the engagement of installer to this point. Of course none of the real work has begun as my install is in late February.

Sounds like you got a great price for your system. Hopefully there won't be much snow on the roof when they do the install in Feb.

[rdo]

And here is my 'cheap' Sunpower system installed

DSC06551s.jpg