Solar quote validation - Essex

cjonesy28

Hi everyone

I have been lurking in the forums for awhile trying to absorb all of the information on the multitudes of solar panel quote posts, I would be very grateful if anyone could take a look over the below and say whether they are good / bad

Quote 1:

11 x 405 watt Longi panels (LR5-54HIB-405M), GivEnergy 5.2kwh battery (Giv-Bat5.2), GivEnergy 3.6kw inverter (Giv-HY3.6)

£10536

 

Quote 2:

10 x 425watt Trina (TSM-425 DE09R.08), Growatt 6kwh battery (GBLI6532 ), Growatt SPH3600 inverter

£8724

 

Quote 3:

10 x 410 watt Canadian Solar (CS6R-410MS), Foxx ESS 3.68kw inverter, Fox Ess 5.2 kWh battery (2 x HV2600)

£10499

 

 

I am based in Essex, detached house with a south facing roof approx. 12m x 3m with no shading except for soil pipe vent. Annual usage is currently approx. 3670kwh, no EV (and no real plans at present to get one). 

Have looked through the calculator that’s been linked on other posts and still unsure re battery vs no battery. Am also casting my novice eye over the octopus flux discussions but without a starting point its hard to determine if it would be good for me.

 

2 of the quotes above are from nationals, 1 is from a smaller local firm. Quotes all done via remote survey. Any recommendations for Essex or more local companies would be appreciated.

Coastalwatch

Hi cjonesy and welcome. Getting three quotes is a great start and thanks for posting those. One of the best pieces of advice I was given when in a similar position to yourself was to fit as many panels as possible on the roof space available. We have 30 and don't regret fitting any of them. For sure in summer excess energy is produced but in the darker months there is seldom sufficient energy to cover our needs.

Without a battery storage facility it's likely that you will do well to self use 50% of the energy generated annually, while with one of suitable size maybe 80% can be achieved. If available it would be useful to know what the splits in cost of the quotes are for others to review and form opinions upon.

Calculating whether battery's are worth having is difficult to determine or if they are likely to provide a return on investment but they certainly enable you to use more energy than othewise is the case. We have them but others choose not too, at least until their cost reduces from where they are today.

I live in Suffolk and Greenscape Energy fitted our system five years ago. They offered a ten year warranty then and still honour it.

Hope the above helps, I'm sure others may contribute also to help you on your way.

andyg9053

I used east green energy just over the border in Suffolk 2 years ago. Very happy with the quality of work. I had battery, zappi and eddi all done at same time so my price was totally different. With present day prices getting the battery will pay for itself in about 6 years. But that may change. It does mean that I don’t import on expensive times

Screwdriva

Welcome!

Do you plan to get a heat pump in the future? If not, my advice would be to skip the battery and revisit when you do. Why? Your consumption is at the cusp of what I believe is the point at which batteries start to make sense. Without a heat pump or EV, your consumption may reduce as your replace aging appliances with more efficient ones. The good news is battery tech is only improving.

I wouldn't go with any of your quotes as they are overpriced for the low quality of brands on offer.

10 X SHARP 410W panels + SolarEdge Inverter & Optimizers should cost you no more than < £6K installed. All with a 20+ year warranty on everything. 

And finally, on a South aspect roof, if you can fit any extra panels on your roof now, I'd recommend it. Add £300 for each one you can fit. 

Officer_Dibble

Screwdriva said:

I wouldn't go with any of your quotes as they are overpriced for the low quality of brands on offer.

10 X SHARP 410W panels + SolarEdge Inverter & Optimizers should cost you no more than < £6K installed. All with a 20+ year warranty on everything. 

I have a hunch that the middle quote could be Light Renewables - they'll be happy to requote for SolarEdge I think. Perfectly happy with Growatt here though. LR are in the middle of changing their website (which is down at the moment), but are still in business. We have similar usage and are glad we went with the battery (especially on Octopus Flux export rates), but it's marginal.

cjonesy28

Thanks for all of your comments and the welcome. The middle quote isnt light renewables, i tried to go on their website but was down, but will try calling them on monday.

Thanks everyone

cjonesy28

And will try greenscape energy as well cheers

Screwdriva

Officer_Dibble said:

I have a hunch that the middle quote could be Light Renewables.

LR don't install Chinese panel brands typically (which is why I selected them for our projects). They have an arrangement with SHARP UK to purchase directly, avoiding any middlemen resellers. This is how they are able to price competitively. 

(If you're in the mood for a chuckle, ask them about their experiences with Longi panels)

vienly

LR installed my panels and battery, don't really have any complaints with them, did a good job install wise.
Cheaper than most other companies, got it installed in a reasonable time and got my G99 application sorted in time for the summer export.

Need to check in with them again as other family member are interested in getting Solar.

@Screwdriva have prices gone up since end of last year?

Screwdriva

vienly said:

@Screwdriva have prices gone up since end of last year?

I believe SolarEdge have raised prices by 15% but this is not yet reflected in the quotes provided to anyone I send their way. 

I suppose it’s because they don’t pay for customer acquisition through a friendly referral? Either way, win win. 

MickO57

Screwdriva said:

Welcome!

Do you plan to get a heat pump in the future? If not, my advice would be to skip the battery and revisit when you do. Why? Your consumption is at the cusp of what I believe is the point at which batteries start to make sense. Without a heat pump or EV, your consumption may reduce as your replace aging appliances with more efficient ones. The good news is battery tech is only improving.

I wouldn't go with any of your quotes as they are overpriced for the low quality of brands on offer.

10 X SHARP 410W panels + SolarEdge Inverter & Optimizers should cost you no more than < £6K installed. All with a 20+ year warranty on everything. 

And finally, on a South aspect roof, if you can fit any extra panels on your roof now, I'd recommend it. Add £300 for each one you can fit. 

Sorry to jump on to this thread but I just registered so I can. I'm assuming that is a recent quote and from Light Renewables? I've looked on their website which as you said in another post is down, so not sure of their current status, still in business I assume? Could you possible PM me a number so I can give them a call as that system you have spec'd looks idea for me though I may look to add two Pylontech batteries, and a couple more panels if there is room. Also, sorry for all the questions but do you know their lead times, ballpark?