Sunpower Solar PVC bid (house, install, panel, system)

[lifelongMOgal]

I recently received a bid for a 4kw system of SunPower PVC (pole mounted). I knew it would be ghastly expensive but the pice was about $8K (almost 1/3rd) higher than I expected from previous research. Has the price been going up?

Even with the 30% Federal tax rebate and the refund by the local electric utility of $2.00/kWh installed, the payback period for net metering is estimated at 11.5 yrs.

The most disappointing was that they yearly savings for an all electic house is only estimated at $450.00

I had the same company run a bid for the same system set-up using Sharp panels and the savings was $800.00 . Yet, with the better warranty offered by SunPower I don't know that the upfront savings with Sharp is worth it in the long run.

Thoughts?

I'm just really disappointed. I thought the rebates might shorten the payback to between 5-8 yrs.

[lifelongMOgal]

OK, seems no one has any comments so I guess this is either they typical experience for payback period or no one else has investigated/installed solar panels?

[alphamale]

NJ has a 3-4 year payback on a PV Solar System regardless of system size because we have the sale of SREC's to offset the cost.

My system cost about $65,000, but with state and Federal rebates, and SREC's, my payback was 3.5 years. and it produces over 3/4 of my electricity.

SWEET!

Not sure what SREC's are, Google it.

[lifelongMOgal]

Originally Posted by alphamale

NJ has a 3-4 year payback on a PV Solar System regardless of system size because we have the sale of SREC's to offset the cost.

My system cost about $65,000, but with state and Federal rebates, and SREC's, my payback was 3.5 years. and it produces over 3/4 of my electricity.

SWEET!

Not sure what SREC's are, Google it.

Thanks for the reply. How many kWh is your system if I may ask? Are you operating only Solar PVC or have you supplemented with small wind?