Planning a solar system

Crusader said:
Received a quote and it looks like I've got a lot more saving to do - R195 820. Seems I severely underestimated the cost of all the mounting and DB panels etc. Was hoping more along the lines of R160 000

View attachment 1233170
Click to expand...
I paid R168k for similar setup 2 weeks ago, just with 16 x 455W panels. Install is R20k with CoCT approval, cause I am lazy .
Edit: this includes riot cloudlink and Sunsynk wifi data logger
 
semaphore said:
csm_lms-products-subpages-cards-light-microscopes_7cbb2badfe.jpg
Click to expand...
Fixed
 
Yeah, their pricing on the Inverter, batters and panels are considerably higher.

On the panels they state:
Solar photovoltaic Panels 535/540w
The exact size and make of the panel depends on availability. We only supply tier1 panels.
Manufacturers' Warranty on on Panels =10/25 years
-Linear Peak Performance = 25 years
-Repair, replace, refund = 10 years

Mounting kit: Is apparently Valsa rails.

One thing to keep in mind might be that they are located in George and will have to transport everything to my location around 300km away. Might account for some of the higher pricing.
 
Crusader said:
One thing to keep in mind might be that they are located in George and will have to transport everything to my location around 300km away. Might account for some of the higher pricing.
Click to expand...
Still doesn't seem right. There's a considerable markup on the actual equipment. Surely they would be using a courier to ship it. Shipping for me is R500 for all equipment from CPT to JHB...
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Still doesn't seem right. There's a considerable markup on the actual equipment. Surely they would be using a courier to ship it. Shipping for me is R500 for all equipment from CPT to JHB...
Click to expand...
Yup. I asked about the pricing difference and they replied that I need to keep courier and insurance fees in mind. And then offered to give me a 'bit more discount' and I should know panels and stuff went up by 20% too.

At this stage I'm not quite ready to have the install done. I need to get more funds squirreled away and should be able to look at July or August to actually do the install. This has given me a better ballpark figure and when you live in the middle of nowhere everything comes at a premium.

They did say that I could source the equipment myself and they'd be willing to do the install. So that's also an option. And of course there are a couple of other installers I can reach out to to compare. I just don't want to waste anyone's time before I'm ready and have a better idea of my actual usage (damn those unobtainable CT clips!).
 
Crusader said:
Yup. I asked about the pricing difference and they replied that I need to keep courier and insurance fees in mind. And then offered to give me a 'bit more discount' and I should know panels and stuff went up by 20% too.

At this stage I'm not quite ready to have the install done. I need to get more funds squirreled away and should be able to look at July or August to actually do the install. This has given me a better ballpark figure and when you live in the middle of nowhere everything comes at a premium.

They did say that I could source the equipment myself and they'd be willing to do the install. So that's also an option. And of course there are a couple of other installers I can reach out to to compare. I just don't want to waste anyone's time before I'm ready and have a better idea of my actual usage (damn those unobtainable CT clips!).
Click to expand...
Prices did go up. The quote I accepted now is about 15k more than the one I got in December. The problem is there was no installers available and the finance house was closing for the holidays. So the quote expired and I had to get a new one this month.

Judging by the interest on this forum alone, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes up even more by July/August, and that 198k seems cheap by then.

If you can, pull the plug now using whatever you have saved up as a deposit, and finance the rest. It doesn't need to be based on your actual usage. You can always add on later once you have the core components in place...
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Prices did go up. The quote I accepted now is about 15k more than the one I got in December. The problem is there was no installers available and the finance house was closing for the holidays. So the quote expired and I had to get a new one this month.

Judging by the interest on this forum alone, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes up even more by July/August, and that 198k seems cheap by then.

If you can, pull the plug now using whatever you have saved up as a deposit, and finance the rest. It doesn't need to be based on your actual usage. You can always add on later once you have the core components in place...
Click to expand...
I was going to say something similar. Get the inverter and batteries plus 6 panels to start then add yhe rest later.... of that is possible
 
AchmatK said:
And the mounting system does not cost R1 000 per panel.

You are looking at less than R500 per panel for a mounting kit.

They need to tell you what mounting kit they will be installing so you can compare prices.

You paying them for installation and no need for them to make a big markup on the equipment also. It's a different story if you just buying equipment from them.

This was mine over 18 months ago so prices may have increased slightly. I also bought a decent mounting kit with anti theft brackets. View attachment 1233184
Click to expand...
Did you already have the batteries? I forget (have been reading all your posts on this with interest).

How do the anti-theft brackets work? I always wondered whether these would become prime targets for theft...
 
Quintrix said:
Location and more details please
Click to expand...
Cape Town, Northern Suburbs. Went via Steve from Powerforum store thanks to Ron Swanson. Steve also recommended installer. I previously got a quote for Victron,8kW, but for same price I would have had only 1 battery, blue nova, and only 9 panels.

Edit:
I referred my friend to Steve as well after he received 3 quotes he is also extremely happy with the assistance received from Steve. He placed his order on Monday.
 
Last edited:
Mike Hoxbig said:
Prices did go up. The quote I accepted now is about 15k more than the one I got in December. The problem is there was no installers available and the finance house was closing for the holidays. So the quote expired and I had to get a new one this month.

Judging by the interest on this forum alone, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes up even more by July/August, and that 198k seems cheap by then.

If you can, pull the plug now using whatever you have saved up as a deposit, and finance the rest. It doesn't need to be based on your actual usage. You can always add on later once you have the core components in place...
Click to expand...
I really don't want to go the financing route.

By end of March I should be in a position to be able to do an install with 10 panels and only 1 Hubble battery.
 
The_Buck_Rogers said:
Cape Town, Northern Suburbs. Went via Steve from Powerforum store thanks to Ron Swanson. Steve also recommended installer. I previously got a quote for Victron,8kW, but for same price I would have had only 1 battery, blue nova, and only 9 panels.

Edit:
I referred my friend to Steve as well after he received 3 quotes he is also extremely happy with the assistance received from Steve. He placed his order on Monday.
Click to expand...
Two great things about the Powerforumstore: They are consistently fair on pricing, and Steve's advice and recommendations are golden.
The only problem is that due to high demand, response time may be sub-par, but you will definitely get the best advice.
 
Crusader said:
So what would be more realistic pricing?
Click to expand...
I had good service from Jason at GWSolar. They are Cape Town based but delivery nationwide.

I did not get my installer to also be my supplier. I think keeping them separate is better.

It should not affect the installation warrantee just because he did not provide the equipment.

I've heard installers say they only install equipment that they supply but then they rip off the customer by adding a huge markup on top of their installation fee.

5% handling fee if they doing the installation should be enough.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Prices did go up. The quote I accepted now is about 15k more than the one I got in December. The problem is there was no installers available and the finance house was closing for the holidays. So the quote expired and I had to get a new one this month.

Judging by the interest on this forum alone, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes up even more by July/August, and that 198k seems cheap by then.

If you can, pull the plug now using whatever you have saved up as a deposit, and finance the rest. It doesn't need to be based on your actual usage. You can always add on later once you have the core components in place...
Click to expand...
@Crusader the above is good advice IMHO, granted that this is without an understanding of your personal financial situation.
But get some more quotes, and ensure that Powerforumstore is one of them.
 
Crusader said:
I really don't want to go the financing route.

By end of March I should be in a position to be able to do an install with 10 panels and only 1 Hubble battery.
Click to expand...
That's quite OK, wait it out then. It's a lot of money, and you need to be sure that 1) you are ready for it 2) you get the best value.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X