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Which is a fair contract rate per watt???
Hello Guys,
I am getting close to finalizing my solar panel project and need some advice on how to proceed. Here is my story:
I am in Brooklyn, New York, doing this solar project for the first time. My goal is to get as many panels on my roof as it can possibly fit.
I was going to go with companyA for 25 panels @ $3.25/watt.
Then companyB came and said they can price match 25 panels @ $3.25/watt, they can even try 27-28, if they can fit 27-28 then price will be $3.62/watt. I agreed and signed the contract. I went with a solar design company which companyB suggested and that designer said I can do 28 panels with some panels reverse tilted to be more efficient. CompanyB said because this is a custom design of 28 with reverse tile, now the price is $3.70/watt. I agreed and signed a modified contract.
When come the installation date, I was up on the roof with the installer and confirmed, we can only fit 23 panels as some vent pipe and share roof space restricted a whole second row, so instead of two rows of landscape, now we have to do one row of portrait.
Here is the problem, the solar installer insists on $3.70/watt on 23 panels, even with 5 panels short.
($3.70 x 23panels x LG360)=$30,636 or $3.70/watt
I am saying the price should be 9 reverse tilt @3.70 and 14 shingle mount @3.25.
($3.70 x 9panels x LG360) + ($3.25 x 14panels x LG360)=$28,368 equivalent to $3.43/watt
Basically, the installer is saying as long as one panel is reverse tilt then the whole project is considered as a custom project, therefore, should be priced at higher rate of $3.70. The installer is not taking any responsible of panel reduction, as he said that is the designer fault. Even though the designer was recommended by the installer.
Right now the project is at a halt because difference of $3.43/watt vs $3.70/watt. What will you do in my situation? I might just pay him 3.70 because I need them to services my system for the next 10 years as part of the contract.
At one point during the installation, they install the rail wrong way and the whole row of iron ridge UFO clamp was not holding down the panel correct. I almost had to fight with them to convince the something was wrong with the rail. They said they been going installation for years and I don't know what I am talking about. Later on, they realized the mistake and stayed until 8 pm to fix the rails by tear down all panels and wiring they had just put up. I am glad that they fix the rail issue otherwise when strong wind blow on them, panels fall off roof and hurt people.
So two things, please let me know:
Thank you all!
Tomato
I am getting close to finalizing my solar panel project and need some advice on how to proceed. Here is my story:
I am in Brooklyn, New York, doing this solar project for the first time. My goal is to get as many panels on my roof as it can possibly fit.
I was going to go with companyA for 25 panels @ $3.25/watt.
Then companyB came and said they can price match 25 panels @ $3.25/watt, they can even try 27-28, if they can fit 27-28 then price will be $3.62/watt. I agreed and signed the contract. I went with a solar design company which companyB suggested and that designer said I can do 28 panels with some panels reverse tilted to be more efficient. CompanyB said because this is a custom design of 28 with reverse tile, now the price is $3.70/watt. I agreed and signed a modified contract.
When come the installation date, I was up on the roof with the installer and confirmed, we can only fit 23 panels as some vent pipe and share roof space restricted a whole second row, so instead of two rows of landscape, now we have to do one row of portrait.
Here is the problem, the solar installer insists on $3.70/watt on 23 panels, even with 5 panels short.
($3.70 x 23panels x LG360)=$30,636 or $3.70/watt
I am saying the price should be 9 reverse tilt @3.70 and 14 shingle mount @3.25.
($3.70 x 9panels x LG360) + ($3.25 x 14panels x LG360)=$28,368 equivalent to $3.43/watt
Basically, the installer is saying as long as one panel is reverse tilt then the whole project is considered as a custom project, therefore, should be priced at higher rate of $3.70. The installer is not taking any responsible of panel reduction, as he said that is the designer fault. Even though the designer was recommended by the installer.
Right now the project is at a halt because difference of $3.43/watt vs $3.70/watt. What will you do in my situation? I might just pay him 3.70 because I need them to services my system for the next 10 years as part of the contract.
At one point during the installation, they install the rail wrong way and the whole row of iron ridge UFO clamp was not holding down the panel correct. I almost had to fight with them to convince the something was wrong with the rail. They said they been going installation for years and I don't know what I am talking about. Later on, they realized the mistake and stayed until 8 pm to fix the rails by tear down all panels and wiring they had just put up. I am glad that they fix the rail issue otherwise when strong wind blow on them, panels fall off roof and hurt people.
So two things, please let me know:
- What is fair $3.43 or $3.70.
- Is my reverse tilt panels safe, can it withstand up to 118mph of wind. That number is on my design plan.
Thank you all!
Tomato
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