Hi Guys,
Ive had a number of quote for installers around Melbourne for solar on my property. We wish to start with solar, and have the system future proof for battery in the 3-5 year mark.
Our property is two story, and requires additional equipment for installation. Also some DC optimisers on some panels.
4.9kW Solar PV System
14 x LONGi 350W Hi-MO X panels
1 x 5kW Huawei hybrid inverter (battery-ready)
12 year product warranty on the panels
10 year product warranty on the inverter
25 year performance warranty on the panels
System cost - $8,920 (inc scissor lift and optimisers)
LG Neo 2 335W upgrade for $2200
Supplier 2:
LG NeONĀ® 2 Solar Panels 5.6kW of Solar Power 16xLG350N1C-V5 LG NeONĀ® 2 350 Watt panels
SolarEdge Technologies Ltd.
5.0 kW Total Inverter Rating
1 x SE5000-AUS20NNB2
They are both decent systems. I think the first one is better value, and probably worth upgrading to LG there (although Longi is ok too). Surprised that they are only quoting 4.9kW of panels though, it makes sense to oversize the inverter and get 6+ kW of panels. Perhaps ask for them to quote on that, or ask why they havenāt.
Hi Marty!
Thanks for your reply.
So the expensive LG quote is for 350W panels, and 16 of them. total is 5.6kW.
The first quote for the Longi panels, I had their engineer look over it and thinks that we can put 15 panels on, but canāt see how we can fit 16 well, without one being shaded a majority of the day. (We live in a townhouse, with some features on our roof which complicate space).
This increases the system to 5.2kW for an extra $300. The LG upgrade is actually for 335W panels, so the system will be 4.62kW, or 4.97kW if we run with 15 panels, and likely $2500 price increase, I havenāt got an idea of how much more 350W LG panels would beā¦ But it could account for why the second quote was for so much more?
The second major question is: in June, the likely out put is only 9.4kWhr/day, so if we did ever install a 10kWhr battery, there may be 3-4 months where the system doesnāt fully charge it. Would this effect the size of system/battery you would choose to install?
Our thought was max our generation in the initial phase as installation is the expensive aspect.
Thanks for your time, the eBook was excellent, but almost left me with more questions as every installer has a different suggestion!!!
I think quote 1 still seems better value, either Longi or LG depending on what you feel more comfortable with. I also doubt that they could get 16 panels up if the other mob has measured up and reckons they can only get 14-15.
Thanks Marty,
I do have some updated information, and one more major question. Should we optimize all panels for piece of mind to make sure the system is running 100% of its capacity at all time? is this important consideration if we plan on a battery in the future?
Quote 1: update with 15 panels (longi 350W) total 5.25kW with full optimization on Huawei $9800, $10500 with SolarEdge SE upgrade.
New quote- Evergen (CSIRO tech): $22680 (or $19500 with 11kWh Alpha battery w integrated inverter)
16 panels of Sunpower 325kW= 5.2kW
Fronteus inverter
Tesla Powerwall 2 battery (or alpha 11.5kW)
Evergen did not provide a quote without a battery.
The original provider of quote 2 had also provided a quote for LG Neon2 350kW panels (5.6kW)
SolarEdge full optimized
LG Resu Chem 9.8kWh for $24500 ($22500 for 6kWh)
Those articles were very helpful.
I received one more quote after a site visit, form Gippsland Solar. Main reason is they are now owned by RACV and very unlikely to go out of business and leave us in the lurch!
Fronius primo 5kW
16x REC N-Peak panels 325W
5.2kW total system. split into 2 strings, one east and one west (both on a north facing flat roof with 20 deg pitch) so that any shade thrown by a vent in the middle (on shade analysis will effect one panel on each side before 9am and after 3:30pm in winter) will not heavily effect the rest of the string.
$10995.
REC Seems to strike a balance between LG and Longi. And better warranty, and more reputable installer? Also a much more proven inverter, however without full optimisation?
Yeah I like the sounds of that logic, regarding the company, and the products.
If shade is minor, that seems fine.
The price seems a bit dear to me though. Can you get them down a bit? Or ask them why itās high? I would be wanting to pay around $9k max for that system I would have thought (after STCs), but I could be missing something.
Ah, you did say it requires scissor lift which can get pretty expensive, especially if not in metro area. That would account for much of the extra. But can you give us a break down of that? Sounds like thereās still a bit of cream in it for them if you wanted to try and work it down a bit.
Hi Marty, Iāve attached a screenshot of the roof layout.
Tilt is 20 deg. This installer charges, one we spoke too didnāt.
Wiring could be difficult to switchboard, and the recent quote was the only one that actually looked at how they would be able to get to the switchboard.
Not sure if blowing smoke or a genuine concern. However most of cost is in the panels and inverter.
Line Total (ex GST)
Key Components - REC / Fronius - 5.2 kW Solar Power system:
$8,748.74
16 x REC N-Peak 325W Mono Split Cell Panels (REC325NP) 1 x Fronius Primo - 5kW inverter (Full 10 yr Warranty)
1 x Fronius Energy Meter - single phase
16 x Klip-Lok clamp roof mounting kit with 15-30 deg. tilts
Installation, Materials and Administration:
$3,451.43
Full installation of the Energy Solution, Independent electrical inspection and CES
Full processing of rebate forms (as applicable)
10 year workmanship warranty
10 to 25 year Product and Performance Warranties (Refer to Product Data Sheets) Application to Electricity Retailer to connect the system to the Network
Includes full monitoring system with automated alerts
1 x Scissor Lift
āSpecial Offer Discountā Applied to Quote
-$109.27
Federal āSTC rebateā, based on 67 Certificates at $35 per Certificate
-$2,345.00
Note 1: Gippsland Solar has included the STC Rebate as a āPoint of Sale discountā. On the day of installation you will need to sign our paperwork to assign all the STCs to Gippsland Solar to recover this cost.
Solar Victoria āSolar Homesā Rebate / Optional Loan
$0.00
Not applying / ineligible for this rebate
GST - Residential
$1,209.09
Note 3: GST is calculated on the STC rebates depends on whether you are a resident or a business that is registered for GST.
