Whats the going rate for a system like this...?

[Yanman]

Exactly. As you know there's also the angle beads, scrim, stanley blades, unibond. Not to mention the expensive tools built up over many years. Those are the things customers don't see or understand.

 

[steve Leese]

There`s also the problem of roof type, plain tile easy, slate a pain in the ar**

 

[mattiker]

Thanks for the replies...a few responses:

You only need separate mppt if you have different arrays on different facing roofs. You can still string the same array into 2 if the inverter requires.

Funny you should say that, the two different strings will go on two different facing roofs, one faces south-east, the other south-west. Have they quoted for an inverter that is not up to the job?

For the people that may be looking for quotes, it really would help if you posted the area that you live.

Sheffield - and there seems to be a lot of companies here, already had a quote from one local firm - sent a salesman round, scribbled stuff on a scrap of paper, quoting some pretty random figures, barely looked at the roof, couldn't tell me any technical info about the panels/inverter , just generally was clueless.....needless to say, on that performance they wont get the job.

There's one thing wanting to know the installed prices of panels etc. so you can compare prices and therefore see if your getting ripped off. That in itself, as others have stated can vary for a number of reasons quality of materials, quality of workmanship, overheads....... but its another to want to know the cost price to see how much profit us hard workers make.

Well it seems some folk are a bit touchy about revealing how much they are earning, and/or how much margin they are adding on to the supplied kit. It's actually not that easy for a regular punter like myself to find the costs of this kit (I'm trying though), baring in mind like you've said the kit varies according to quality. I really don't mind if someone makes a decent living out of this, I'm more than happy to pay a fair price. I just want a good idea of the figures involved. Plus I can fully appreciate there are other overheads involved (I've been reading this forum!).

If I told you that the company (a bigger national company) quoted just over £10,000 (fully installed) what would you think? I think that they are probably expecting me to haggle that down a bit....but I'll need some amo!

There`s also the problem of roof type, plain tile easy, slate a pain in the ar**

We got plain old small ceramic tiles.

Thanks for your help so far.

 

[MorganPVI]

You need a dual mppt inverter by the sounds of it, make a drawing of your roof with measurements etc and post it up. I'm sure we'll be able to advise the best design and then you can find a suitable installer with a good idea of what system best suits the roof.

 

[hionthehill]

Probably going to need 2 inverters or solar edge stuff, if you could do 2 strings of 6 mybe a SMA 4000tl would do the job!

 

[mattiker]

This is an image from the quote....shows the Sanyo panels....similar config for the SunPower panels only 4 on each roof section. The image is pretty much orientated looking from the south, but I'd say that front of my house is south-south-east facing.

 

[whinmoor]

Well it seems some folk are a bit touchy about revealing how much they are earning, and/or how much margin they are adding on to the supplied kit. It's actually not that easy for a regular punter like myself to find the costs of this kit (I'm trying though), baring in mind like you've said the kit varies according to quality.

It's really difficult to quote for a job without seeing it. All I would say is that the hardware costs over half but less than 3/4 of the total installation cost in our case. So, if we charge 10k to the customer, we've probably paid around 6k for the kit. It is possible to give vague estimates based on photos or a verbal description but without looking at the existing electrical circuits/hardware and the roof I wouldn't tie myself to a figure. Some jobs are easier than others and some we simply wouldn't take on under any circumstances whereas a competitor might.

Different installers work in different ways - some hold stock of equipment whereas others will buy a specific kit for a job. Some subcontract for bigger outfits like Tesco or British Gas whilst others such as ourselves only work independently and do our own marketing etc which comes at a price. Panels and inverters differ in quality and cost. If an installer is familiar with Sharp/SMA combinations, don't expect him to quote you for Sanyo/Fronius gear. Would you go into a BMW dealership and ask for a Mercedes?

Based on your diagram, that would certainly add complications but I wouldn't be happy to quote you for a Kaco inverter as we've never used one. If you've got your heart set on one that's fair enough but I would advise you to allow each installer to come up with his own solution and then make a decision rather than be too prescriptive at the outset.

 

[finchy]

I don't really think this forum is a place to get quotes. As previously advised get 3 or 4 quotes, wait until January as wholesale prices haven't settled and are waiting until final FIT rate is confirmed. I wouldn't use any company that is currently quoting, as under REAL we can not quote for a system which we don't know all the information. One final point use local !

 

[mattiker]

Thanks for the replies - I will do as you say get a few more quotes and wait to see what the FIT rate turns out to be in Jan. I'll also question the installer who's quoted me for a Kaco Powador 3002 Inverter as to the suitability.

You're all very helpful, great forum.

Matt

 

[MorganPVI]

You'll probably need 2 x SMA1200 for those roofs.

 

[hionthehill]

if there is any chance of shadding i might even consider 2x mastervolt soladins 600's?
Low efficiency but they start up @ 50V!

 

[Peter Nicholson]

Hi, i work for a PV company, at the new tariff, price would be £6500 for 10 panel system; SEG 245W Panels, Aurora Power 1 Inverter.

 

[moggy1968]

the above says £6000 MORE for Sanyo not for the system.

I haven't checked the input voltage on the kaco but I would be suprised if there's enough voltage there to get the inverter to fire up.

Price is very area dependant so as above, get 3 quotes then decide. If you want to get a balance get one from a solar company, one from an electrical company and AN Other. Be aware that many solar companies won't be around much longer so theit warranties aren't worth jack unless it has an independant backup. I would go for a company that has another business stream so they can survive the solar fallout.

The price for your install would be more than on a nice open south facing roof because scaffold costs and the faff factor are greater

 

[Del Boy]

Hi mattiker,

Not exactly your Q but wondering why you aren't fitting 4kW to max the FIT?

Is there not room on the roof on the left of the panels you have shown? The bit with the same orientation as the panels on the right? Not sure if you are aware but you can mount a row portrait and a row landscape above it if that helps with sizing?

Also, the N240SE10 are newer and smaller than the H250E01, so I'm not sure if you have considered them?

I agree with the majority who say the best option is to get several quotes. There's no harm is you having a say in which panels and inverter you prefer though, you wouldn't go to a car supermarket and drive off a car you didn't want because one dealer says his ones are the best. And remember, cheapest deal isn't always the best, I'd always pay more for someone with a good reputation, or a local guy you know and can rely on. You can find some stories on here of bad jobs if you want to be scared!

Good luck and enjoy your system once it's up and running!

Cheers,

Del Boy