Another Solar Quote…

DeeQS

Another solar quote for comment / feedback, please. I had a solar install scheduled but the install cancelled (after 11 weeks) because they’d over committed and couldn’t get the parts, so now I’m looking again.

We don’t have a very large roof space, but it’s south facing.

8x Panels ( 4 x JA SOLAR 395W, 4 x JA SOLAR 385W ) = 3.12kW

1 X Hybrid Solar Inverter

1 x Growatt 6.5kW Battery & App

HIES 10 year maximum consumer protection

MCS certification

Fully installed (inc scaffolding etc)

£13,429!!

Reading the forum on price per kW, then this is overpriced. £3-6k for the base solar + £3k for the battery. The high end price would be £9k, but something below better?

Although every installer I’ve spoken to is so busy I wonder if they’re just pushing the price because they can. One installer quoted the same as above for £12k and they wouldn’t do DNO or MCS cert and said they’d designed it so I’d use all the electric without need for export which isn’t true when I’m travelling for work or on holiday.

Any feedback appreciated.

Spies

If you're considering the quote with no DNO or MCS you might as well get Bob the Builder to have a crack at it. 

DeeQS

Spies said:

If you're considering the quote with no DNO or MCS you might as well get Bob the Builder to have a crack at it. 

Indeed! I got the quote and noted at the bottom in very small letters “note, we provide home generation only”. When I queried it with the installer they said their MCS had expired, and because SEG payments are so low they don’t think it’s worth renewing. I told them I’d pass.

ABrass

I wouldn't trust anyone who wouldn't do the MCS. The G98 application isnt that much work and I think it's also needed to get any SEG.

The prices are high. I got my system installed earlier this month (see signature) for £12k. You might have a more difficult roof to work, or remote from installers, with but it's hard to believe it can be that bad.

Screwdriva

That price is borderline madness for the quality of components on offer!

Whereabouts are you based? Are you certain you must have a battery or are you simply assuming this is a requirement?

DeeQS

I’m on the South Coast.

I’m on an EV tariff so the battery can also be charged overnight, so my rough calculations showed it made sense to have it. Although I understand they are one of the expensive components and could be added later but I’d pay VAT on it then.

ABrass

If you're planning on getting additional units for the battery I wouldn't get a Growatt. You can find them but since they're 6.5kW each one is very heavy to install and expensive, and there aren't many suppliers in the UK for them. The best price I've found is £2550 for supply only, no fitting. In hindsight I think I'd have been happier with pylontechs.

With overnight charging at 7.5p or so the economics of batteries is excellent. You can effectively manage two 'cycles' a day and avoid nearly all full priced power.