Hi, I’ve got several quotes, but wanting some feedback on what would be recommended from following specs. We average 11kW usage a day, but young family with expected increase in consumption. We’re two storey, tin roof, NW facing 7 deg pitch roof with no shade at any time of year. We have a three phase meter, and have been told that we can feed back up to 10kW to the grid. THe final quote include options to increase in size quite a bit. The numbers seem to add up that the extra expense will be offset, but would appreciate feedback if it’s overkill. Finance for us would only be our mortgage rate of 3.8%.
Quote 1 - 6.3kW system using Enphase IQ7+ Microinverter, 20x TRINA 315W panels, Hopergy Tin ROof Racking system. 10yr warranty on inverter and workmanship, 25yr panel performance warranty, $7,999.
Quote 2 - 6.6kW system using 5kW Solar Edge Inverter - 12yr warranty, 22x Suntech HyPro STP 300’s - 12yr warranty, 22x Solar Edge DC OPtimisers - 25yr warranty, Clenergy Mounting System - 10yr warranty, Install warranty 10yr, $6,190
Can also upgrade to 7.8kW system with 6kW Solar Edge Inverter and 4 additional panels and Optimisers for a total of $6,990.
Quote 3 - 6.6kW System using 22x Longi MONO PERC 300W panels - 10yr warranty, 5kW SolaX Hybrid INverter - 10yr warranty, $8,245.
Can also upgrade to a 9kW system with 30 of these panels and an additional 5kW SolaX Boost Inverter for total cost of $11,345
Or finally a upgrade to a 12kW system with 40 of these panel and the same inverters as the 9kW quote for a total of $14,845. Note, that some of the panels on the 12kW system would get some winter shading.
Appreciate any feedback I can get that will simplify my confusion and inability to easily compare these!
Quotes 1 & 2 look pretty good to me. You’re using 11kWh a day, assuming you’re in a reasonably sunny part of Aus, you’ll generate more than twice that with these 6+kW systems you’re looking at, but as you say the finances probably add up to go that big. And, it just means your neighbours will be using carbon free energy that you’ll exporting to them.
Quote 3 just seems a bit overkill to me. I can’t see why you’d benefit from batteries (and therefore a hybrid inverter), and the Enphase and Solar Edge systems are pretty good. The bigger size systems do seem like overkill to me.
You seem to be weighing up the right options. I’d suggest going with the company you feel most comfortable with out of Option 1 and 2.
Hi PhiT
to have a FAIR QUOTE All the 3 quotes must state what is the "Rebate " amount
so you can work out what the STC value they offer
example quote 1 6.3kw sys in SYD will create 6.3 x 1.382 x 12 104 STC
suppose if we assigned 32 per STC this is 3328 in Rebate
But if they offer $29 / STC this is $3016 in Rebate
All Panels quoted MUST Beside the Brand name of Panels Must Reveal the model number
Because every Brand have their hi end and low end products, the price can be a great different
one example REC panels have 2 models TWIN PEAK MONO 315W cost 0.6 ex work
and TWIN PEAK MONO 315W N TYPE cost 0.69 Ex Works
so 315w x 0.6/0.8 = $236 per panel RRP
and 315w x 0.69/0.8 is $271 per panel RRP
cost of panels can make up about 50% of price
so quotation must be very transparent
that is one of my key to win quotes
you notice that I divide the Price Ex works by 0.8
this will cover the GST and handling from warehouse to your site
quote 1 is micro inverter sys is AC sys all the way and less gear on the wall
and less Fire Risk
Also note 300Watts panels is Yesterday Technology , the price must have tumble to $0.35- $0.4
to make way for new models
I will waits till most brands start to sell 400w to 450W panels Bifacials in the same size format
Longi already launch 450W in 72 cells and so Sunpower 400W and LG 370W
LESS PANELS on the roof is preferable
example 15 panels of 400w make 6kw sys
20 panels of 300w make 6kw sys
also less labour and railing cost , and less voltage Rise problem
I hope this post helps
Thanks Marty,
I had told the reps that I was interested in having future battery capacity in the system, so that when/if batteries become more economically viable, we could add them to the system relatively easily.
Appreciate your input, it’s given me some clearer focus.
The prices I referred to are after the rebate is applied - so what I have to actually pay. I’m not sure that I need to look at rebate amounts, as I’m only concerned about what it’s going to cost me at the end of the day.
Is there likely to be a major price drop soon though? I could keep waiting, and never actually install anything, and lose the opportunity of a solar system in the interim, if I was to keep waiting for the next upgrade.
Are these quotes competitive for what is referred to? Using the online calculator suggests that they are all above the expensive end of the estimator.
Yeah I wouldn’t be hanging about for a bit price drop or technology advancement.
Really? That doesn’t sound right. For quote 2 are you putting inputs in as per below, or similar? I’m getting it at the lower end. For quote 1, the calculator doesn’t do a great job with micro inverters. I wouldn’t say it’s a cheap quote, but I think it’s ok for price.
