Another Solar Quote Question!

samfoord

Hi All,
I've been dabbling with energy saving/storing/reusing and its about time to do it right. Right seems to be a difficult one, as it appears with the amount of cowboys out there and different systems available is leaving me completely confused.

I had a chap from a company come out yesterday, nice guy, openly said he hadn't been working for the company long so might get some of the terminology wrong but would clear anything up with all the product sheets and followups etc.

He quoted for 16x 300w panels (Longi?)
Optimisers
Growatt inverter
Lithium battery storage thing
Grid tied?
Owl monitor stuff

Started off at 13k and we ended up at about £9k, which I still think is too high. Can anyone please share some advice, guidance, experience to help me make a reasonably educated decision?

Guy tried the typical, let me call my boss and discuss discounts, put it on speakerphone bla bla, just said no matter what price they come back with, I wasn't going to agree to anything until I had comparative quotes from others. they were not too pushy but definitely wanted me to sign up there and then to the point of booking the work to be started next week.

Thanks in advance,
Sam

PS. How do I attached items?

theboylard

Morning Sam,


As a new poster you are restricted, but please don't spam the boards to build your post count, so you can get linking rights!!

Attaching stuff inline with posts here is a bit fluffy, so generally it's best to link to external sites.

Find an image host site you like (preferably ad free!), whack whatever you have up there and then link in your comments by posting an image link. I use postimage.org, there are loads of others.

First off, tell them to do one - sounds like Planet Solar or one of their nom de plumes.

16 panels - is that the maximum you can fit?
Roof angles, different roof aspects, if you can fit panels on both sides of your roof or you have a garage or outbuilding you could use, you may get a better generation curve by spreading panels.

Optimsers - panel optimsers or something else - a bit more detail would be good to decide either way.

Growatt inverter - yeah ok, don't know much about them - didn't know they worked with optimisers (if the above is panel optimisers)

Batteries are still too expensive, but prepare for them within your plans. If you find a stonking deal, then by all means, but general concensus here is to wait for costs to come down.

Grid tied - unless you are going off grid, then they all will be.

Owl monitor is a bit meh, I've got one here (and a Wattson) and an EmonPi, I still use PVoutput way more!

Consider a diverter switch (it diverts surplus power to devices of your choice, usually immersion heaters in hot water tanks or other static loads)

Timescales - If you can find a reputable company to install/commision before the end of March, then you'll maybe qualify for the Feed In Tariff - it's not much now but it's something back. However, good installers are hard to find now and most are booked up.

Tell us a bit more about your property (roof direction, general location etc) and folk will be able to help more.


Welcome

samfoord

Thank you for the reply and guidance, I will try to answer where I can below

theboylard wrote: »

Morning Sam,


As a new poster you are restricted, but please don't spam the boards to build your post count, so you can get linking rights!!

Attaching stuff inline with posts here is a bit fluffy, so generally it's best to link to external sites.

Find an image host site you like (preferably ad free!), whack whatever you have up there and then link in your comments by posting an image link. I use postimage.org, there are loads of others.

First off, tell them to do one - sounds like Planet Solar or one of their nom de plumes.

16 panels - is that the maximum you can fit? Assuming this is the maximum according to his calcs, Ill try and get some images up etc of the roof line
Roof angles, different roof aspects, if you can fit panels on both sides of your roof or you have a garage or outbuilding you could use, you may get a better generation curve by spreading panels.

Optimsers - panel optimsers or something else - a bit more detail would be good to decide either way. Panel Optimisers, something about running at maximum capacity even when the panels are shaded in areas?

Growatt inverter - yeah ok, don't know much about them - didn't know they worked with optimisers (if the above is panel optimisers)

Batteries are still too expensive, but prepare for them within your plans. If you find a stonking deal, then by all means, but general concensus here is to wait for costs to come down.

Grid tied - unless you are going off grid, then they all will be.

Owl monitor is a bit meh, I've got one here (and a Wattson) and an EmonPi, I still use PVoutput way more!

Consider a diverter switch (it diverts surplus power to devices of your choice, usually immersion heaters in hot water tanks or other static loads) Immersion heaters would be ideal to use if possible

Timescales - If you can find a reputable company to install/commision before the end of March, then you'll maybe qualify for the Feed In Tariff - it's not much now but it's something back. However, good installers are hard to find now and most are booked up.

Tell us a bit more about your property (roof direction, general location etc) and folk will be able to help more.


Welcome

Wont let me add links or images as a new member, so will attempt to cover the questions as and when the come in.

Postcode is LE9 7GD - Its the house with the rectangular flat top.
The road runs almost N -> S and the house front if E facing
Google photos has been updated to show the extension and new roofline.
Pitch is 42.5'

Have I missed anything?

Sam

samfoord

photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMa9wK7k-SYhuSJ-ihfw0Eq46lZl_pIAHZy3SX7

samfoord

Roofline image, the orientation is North

photos.app.goo.gl/RJYzNVj45WeGK1Qf6

Chris_Wiseman

Sam
I live in Leicestershire and paid £3000 less than that for a system split across two roofs, 2 Growatt inverters and 21 X 300W panels, though without battery storage.

I suggest you look up Bespoke Renewable Solutions in Leicester.
C

samfoord

Brilliant Chris, thank you for the info. I'll give them a shout and see what they say.

samfoord

Second company have got back to me now:

Your Quotation
Core Components
12 x Zanussi 330W Included
3 x Tigo Included
1 x Zanussi Twin Tracker Included
GridShare Included
XXXXX Smart Battery Included
K2 mounting kit Included
inc. access equipment (if required) Included
Installation
Fully installed Included
Fully registered Included
EPVS validated products Included
10 years standard warranty on the Zanussi Twin Tracker
inverter
Included
XXXXX Smart Battery - 10 year product warranty
*lifetime warranty if a member of gridShare
Included
HIES warranty Included
Anti-theft device Included
48 hour repair response with dedicated customer care Included
24 hour a day 7 days a week Owl monitoring System Included
Total cost of goods £7516.19
Total cost of labour £1879.05
Net total £9395.24
VAT @ 5% £469.76
Gross total £9865.00

Less panels, higher output, same silly price.

I've reached out to the company suggested above, just waiting for a reply.

Martyn1981

samfoord wrote: »

Less panels, higher output, same silly price.

I've reached out to the company suggested above, just waiting for a reply.

I'm a little out of date, but the price to power sweet spot is probably now around 300Wp, so as you go for more powerful panels, the price may go up, even though the total Wp (panel number x output) doesn't.

Similarly, going for lower efficiency panels, say 280Wp might be cheaper, but then you might run out of room for the desired total capacity.

I know this post doesn't help you much, but might stop you questioning your own sanity as less and less panels, cause the price to go up. It's all about that sweet spot, size to cost balance.

Best of luck chasing prices, and if you really want a battery, then have a look at this thread

On-grid domestic battery storage

but cutting to the chase, most of us PV'ers feel the cost of batts is still a bit too high, and personally I'm hoping for warranties to get a bit longer too (as payback probably takes over 10yrs at the moment, pushing 20yrs).

samfoord

Just found out the second company is part of Project Solar...... I've read quite a bit about them on here so think I shall avoid..

theboylard

samfoord wrote: »

Just found out the second company is part of Project Solar...... I've read quite a bit about them on here so think I shall avoid..

Oh yes, please do avoid!!