FRANK S said:
Andy knowing when is the best time to pull the trigger would require a monocrystiline ball LOL
Agreed but after averaging out all the replies on this post about solar prices, I finally decided to pull the trigger so 2 weeks ago we put up 6Kw of panels on our garage roof. I just got the impression that the prices of panels were starting to go back up. I got in at just under 85 cents per watt. Who knows for sure but a couple of local people, (here in central Pennsylvania) put in solar within the last year and a half and they gave me their costs so when I divided the total costs of the completed systems by the number of panels that they put up, it came out like this.
Guy No. 1. 1100 bucks per panel.
Guy No 2. 1500 bucks per panel.
Guy No 3. 900 bucks per panel.
I came out at just under 500 bucks per panel.
I'm happy. For a 6 Kw system (actually 6.8 Kw in panels but the inverter is only 6 Kw so the system is rated 6Kw,) I came in at just under 14 grand. Now I did install it myself with a friend who is an electrician who I did paid 1300 bucks so there's a savings there.
Rob Beckers designed and engineered the system so all the hard parts were already figured out.
Anyway, I think that this is helping me set up my road to retirment. (We'll see) LOL!!!!!!
We went with "Canadian solar panels" because the warrentee is through in independent insurance company so if they should go under, they are still insured.
The "Quick Mount" flashing cost a bit more but at age 60, I don't need the agravation of any water leaks. The Rails are made by "Iron Ridge".
A little "Whether Head" got us through the roof.
The 6Kw Power One inverter. Notice the 2 DC lightning arrestors on the right side and AC arestor on the bottom.