Is this quote reasonable 24 November 2010 at 6:40PM in Green & ethical MoneySaving 2 replies 885 views

carly

I've started the process of looking for quotes to put a solar pv system on my SW facing roof and the first quote is in.
can anyone with experience tell me if it looks reasonable and what questions I should be asking whilst I wait for other quotes to arrive. Also is the VAT rate on these installations going to increase in January?

quote is for:

20 x sharp 180w panels
IG 40 inverter
Azur solar roof monting system
AC and DC , isolating switches and associated cabling
solar generation metering

5 yr installation warranty and manufacturing defect warranty
25 yr performance guarantee

£12600 including VAT ( 5%)

Are the panels OK ? should I be asking for fewer higher wattage ones . Is the inverter powerful enough?

All advice and comments appreciated.

Cardew

The 5% VAT is not increasing in Jan.

If you have the room I would certainly try and get another two 180Wp Sharp panels making it a 3.96kWp system - it should cost less than £1,000 extra

Inverter is certainly big enough.

Seems a good quote to me - although I would take the guarantee with a 'pinch of salt'.

daytona600_2

inverter is just a bit to big
will work okay , but to get best effciency with IG40
you should add one or more sharp NU180E1 modules
to get max yields from the inverter they work best with max input

newer fronius inverters TL range are more effcient as well
also there are much higher effciency modules than sharp
or NU185E1 same size with slightly higher effciency than 180wp

most installers try to supply the same gear on every install
one size fits all does not suit very application
these are also very old designs , several years old
much better 2010 ranges are available now
but as you are paying , select the best equipment/makes to suit you

carly wrote: »

I've started the process of looking for quotes to put a solar pv system on my SW facing roof and the first quote is in.
can anyone with experience tell me if it looks reasonable and what questions I should be asking whilst I wait for other quotes to arrive. Also is the VAT rate on these installations going to increase in January?

quote is for:

20 x sharp 180w panels
IG 40 inverter
Azur solar roof monting system
AC and DC , isolating switches and associated cabling
solar generation metering

5 yr installation warranty and manufacturing defect warranty
25 yr performance guarantee

£12600 including VAT ( 5%)

Are the panels OK ? should I be asking for fewer higher wattage ones . Is the inverter powerful enough?

All advice and comments appreciated.