'Premium' solar install: $1.9/W: could you rationalise it?

ozbargainsam on 21/11/2024 - 08:55
Last edited 22/11/2024 - 12:57 by 1 other user

I know this is OzB so value rules out this system immediately. But I'm interested in if somehow a pricey system can be rationally bought:

Details:
- 10kW ($19k)
- GE 'smart' inverter
- 23 Longhi Hi Mo6 panels
- optimisers on 1/3 of the panels
- price is after all STCs and other offers

Pros:
- taking them at their word and from reviews and whatnot: a reputable installer that in theory would be around to provide their warranty and fixes and guarantees, and I get some peace of mind
- the equipment is 'premium'

Cons:
- installer is probably reliable as they claim, but you don't have to pay that much, or most installers assuming you don't go for the cheapest are fairly reliable anyway
- the equipment is overkill
- the equipment isn't worth that much/you're paying a big markup for reputation

The prices on the reviews on Solarquotes line up with what I've been quoted. There are almost no mentions of this company on OzB, WP, or reddit. Which is either a good thing or a bad thing, despite all the reviews they have.

Installer is https://www.resinc.com.au/.

Home & Garden Solar Energy System

Comments

  • EightImmortals on 21/11/2024 - 09:24
    +3

    What company? How can anyone help you if we don't know who you are talking about?

    • ozbargainsam on 21/11/2024 - 11:58
      +1

      As promised: https://www.resinc.com.au/

      The point of hiding at first it was to focus more on the price and equipment and then later specific installer discussion.

  • Baysew on 21/11/2024 - 09:30
    +3

    But I'm interested in if somehow a pricey system can be rationally bought:

    Without actual prices, nothing can be rationally purchased.

    • skid on 21/11/2024 - 09:35

      In the subject title, it says $1.9/W, which for a 10kW system, I took to mean $19000.

      • Baysew on 21/11/2024 - 09:38
        +5

        Doesn't seem very rational to express it that way.

      • geekcohen on 21/11/2024 - 09:46
        +3

        If that is the case, then my quick math is a nice tidy profit for the installer of like $12k ish!

        Time for me to get into Solar if you can profit $11k per job (even maybe paying for some labour). 1 Job a day is $60k a week, $3.2 million a year (less labour and other business out goings). Still a tidy profit.

      • FezMonkey on 21/11/2024 - 10:44
        +3

        $19k?! That's a crazy price.
        I paid less than half that for a 10kW system. Don't know how "premium" mine is though.

        That would have >10 year payback period.

        Not worth it, OP. Double the price for what benefit? Slightly longer lifespan?

        • cameldownunder on 21/11/2024 - 12:20
          +1

          Crazy BAD price, NOT crazy GOOD price.
          My "Premium" installation was around $1/W or $6200 for 6400kW system.
          Premium components LG Neo 2, 20 Year warranty and Labour and SunnyBoy 5K inverter.

        • DoctorCalculon on 21/11/2024 - 19:33

          $19k?! That's a crazy price.
          I paid less than half that for a 10kW system. Don't know how "premium" mine is though.

          LOL! Even with Enphase microinverters, a 10kW system wouldn't cost that much.

          @ozbargainsam Ask them to chuck in a free Tesla PW2.

    • ozbargainsam on 21/11/2024 - 11:54
      -2

      I'm just using the same metric as sites like solarquotes do. It's a dollar for output of installed system.

      • lgacb08 on 21/11/2024 - 15:52
        +4

        No, for that price you should have enphase micro on every panels, plus a 5kwh battery on top. For a string system that should include pw3 at least. You got ripped off big time and should change your username afterwards.

  • skid on 21/11/2024 - 09:30

    Not sure, but Kenny's system looks slightly better for much less https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/878414

  • geekcohen on 21/11/2024 - 09:31

    Whats the value of the quote? Is it $19k?

    The panels are $168. They aren't the most expensive panels, so not sure if it you would say "Premium". Not sure if this is the inverter? But it is $3k

    So $3,864 for Panels, plus $3k for the inverter, brings it to $6.9k. Plus then some other parts, should be what, $9k maybe? $2,100 install and other parts etc. I could be way off, but just something rough.

    • ozbargainsam on 21/11/2024 - 11:59

      That was my assessment, basically.

      Could effectively self-insure against a dodgy installation with the price difference.

  • Boioioioi on 21/11/2024 - 09:43
    +2

    Why spend so much? I paid $7k for a sungrow inverter and 10kw of panels in QLD recently. Same company did install at my mums place and they were great.

    Keep the extra $12k for another system if you ever have any problems!

  • djsweet on 21/11/2024 - 09:46
    +2

    The more you spend the longer the break even will be. You can get a non-optimised 10kW system under half the price. Even at much reduced performance (which it won’t be), you will break even much sooner. Panels have been steadily improving over the years so you may be better off with a cheaper system and upgrading it in 10 years. If the goal is to save on your electricity bill, get a cheaper system. If you have shading issues and you really need optimisers I reckon you can still come in less than half what you’ve been quoted.

    Edit: As a bargaining tip, tell them you aren’t going ahead with the quote. They will object as always and ask why. Tell them it’s too expensive and whilst you realise it’s a premium product you just can’t justify it financially given the extended break even period. They will likely ask what you are willing to pay and try and meet you in the middle. You can just keep saying it’s more than you can justify given the availability of cheaper options to keep pushing them down. Usually they have plenty of margin to work with and they’d rather have a customer at a lower margin than not at all.

  • Dumax on 21/11/2024 - 10:09

    Completely irrational to spend that much for 10kW.

  • netjock on 21/11/2024 - 10:32

    Why do you need optimisers on 1/3rd? Shading? You might as well get a 6.6kw system.

    If you don't go with standard 6.6kw or multiples (so next one is 13.2) and 5kw/10kw inverters then installers can take you for a ride.

    GE inverter is just a Goodwe. So look for anything in that make in China budget camp to compare it to.

    6.6kw is about $4500 without rebates in VIC (no grants, no loans) so do the math. Panels are cheap due to STCs, you are really paying for labour and the inverter.

    • cameldownunder on 21/11/2024 - 12:22

      I have 2 "strings" one for east facing pannels ( for the morning ) and one North. I can remember how so many quotes were pushing for "optimizers"

      • netjock on 21/11/2024 - 12:55

        Each string has a different plug in the inverter. eat and north facing is each string it is fine.

        I have east / west and each string plugged into inverter separately.

        Optimizers are only if you have shading and it bypasses the panel in question.

        The kind of quotes I had were wild (Solar quotes). Sometimes I think they take people for fools.

        • cameldownunder on 21/11/2024 - 13:42

          I know. I had a seller here that "sold" me a good deal. Then he wrote me, it does not apply, because I am not in the metro zone. Then I showed him I was in the metro zone, so he agreed to the deal. 2 Days later I get a phone call from someone else in the company saying the other guy made a mistake and the best offer they could make is 2K$ more. When I asked about the other guy the response was "I am your contact person"/ My answer to that: "No you are not. Do not contact me ever again and no one of your company contact me again."

          • netjock on 21/11/2024 - 15:54

            @cameldownunder: Sounds about right.

            The so called experts needs the non experts to supervise their work. It is a real concern that the experts lack common sense. Or they put money ahead of any common sense.

            I had quotes on a battery too. Given battery prices are retailing on the internet. They tried to convince me that a 5kwh battery is pretty much the same price as a 10kwh battery.

            Next time I'm going with a battery ready inverter and then getting a plug and play battery.

  • brendanm on 21/11/2024 - 10:39

    $19k lol. Those aren't even expensive panels.

  • JimB on 21/11/2024 - 10:59

    I thought to myself, $98.8 a year is pretty damn cheap!

  • stewy on 21/11/2024 - 12:19

    There's nothing premium about the equipment you are being offered, they are run of the mill Chinese inverter and panels.

    If you genuinely want to spend that much, look at a system with a Sungrow hybrid inverter and battery, plus Trina, Jinko, Longhi, etc panels.

    Or if you really want more premium kit then look at a Solar Edge inverter (with the optimisers if you need them) or Enphase microinverters.

  • Drakesy on 21/11/2024 - 12:45

    just give us the lump sum…

    $19000 for 10kw is overpriced.

  • Boioioioi on 21/11/2024 - 14:14

    Also for what its worth solar quotes sucks. Every company suggested by them in my area was insanely expensive and service was not great in the quote process… I think they just get paid off.

    Found a much better one locally by ringing around

    • netjock on 21/11/2024 - 15:58

      Owner of solar quotes have sold their website to Origin Energy and continuing as an employee. Interesting exit strategy.

  • AndyC1 on 21/11/2024 - 18:26

    Does OP have a real quote as responses give prices from quote sites blog posts.

  • Chewy2221 on 22/11/2024 - 09:32

    Businesses like to compete on "product differentiation" eg Coles is red, Woolies is green - they offer slightly different products. Unfortunately the solar industry has very little of this and can only really compete on price. This results in many bankrupt businesses. Paying a bit extra might mean that your supplier is still there if you need a warranty claim. My experience is that my solar supplier & it's parent company both went bust - so the warranty was effectively zero. Thankfully the panels & inverter both survived the warranty period. Good luck with your deliberation

  • hazzad on 22/11/2024 - 10:47
    +1

    8.8 kw system for 2.5 K out of pocket plus Vic government loan. Producing about 55 kw a day on a sunny day. No way I could justify what your installer was charging. Pay back would be way to long little benefit over a budget system.

  • MES on 27/11/2024 - 10:39

    Around $1/w would be a reasonable price in NSW area, and the products are not that 'premium' for $1.9/w

  • robinstam on 07/12/2024 - 09:27

    Agree with MES, $1000 per kW would be a decent price for the equipment you mentioned. Longhi are good but not premium panels and a Sungrow inverter would do

    I've used 28Watt to crunch the cost-benefit numbers for me and get me a quick online quote. Cost was around the $1k per kW mark and they work with different installers in NSW including better call solar(bettercallsolar.com.au). Highly recommend them, they are the highest rated in NSW with 5 stars reviews across the board.

    • hazzad on 08/12/2024 - 07:56

      Still think 10k out of pocket isn't worth it. I mean most if not all inverters have 10 year warranty and panels 25. You get a decent system with pretty much identical output for half the price and less. I just see the benefit to be honest.

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