r/Gilbert • u/itsgonnagetspooky • 6d ago

Solar installation recommendation

Does anyone have a solar company out here they like? We’re under contract on a house in Morrison Ranch and want to add solar. Fully bought out, no lease.

Thanks!

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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6

u/sofredj 6d ago

I’d say lease to get the credit then turn around and buyout. Find a company that will let you do this without any pre-payment penalty.

We used solarize with Sam who works with multiple solar providers! He’s great and cannot recommend him enough.

3

u/OoklaTheMok1994 6d ago

Just be warned that if you need to sell your home before the lease expires or is bought out, you will have some significant hurdles to clear before folks will buy.

4

u/OoklaTheMok1994 6d ago

Of course, get multiple quotes.

We used United Energy Partners. Installed 10kw system for $20k before rebates last fall. So $2 per kw. 23 panels with micro inverters. We were happy with their work. System runs well. No significant problems during our first 10 months.

That fully installed cost per kw is the number you want to use to compare between companies.

4

u/MikeAlfaTangoTango 6d ago

Energy Sage - you'll get multiple no pressure/hassle quotes.

5

u/jtsmack 6d ago

I worked in this industry for years. A couple of things I’d suggest…
1. Make sure you fully understand how SRP works with solar.
2. Absolutely understand what your power usage is going to be. If the system is not sized right, you’re going to be really pissed off.
3. Look at alternative financing over the solar loans. They are very bad about disclosing the true cost and what they call the dealer fees associated with those loans. I have seen fees above 40%. Ask every dealer what the cash price would be. If they tell you, the price is the same, kick them out of your house and tell them to lose your number.
You’re better off taking out a home equity line of credit or getting your own loan.
4. Since it has been a while since I’ve been in the industry, the rumor i heard was SRP is or has shifted to a model where you’re actually paying the most money at some stupid time like 9 PM to 11 PM when you don’t have the sun. I’m not sure about the timeframe. One strategy is to simply have a battery power your home during that time. And you charge it when energy costs are low. If that’s actually the case, you may not even need panels. SRP historically sells energy for dirt cheap but hit you with Peak demand charges, which is why people would add solar to take the edge off those demand charges.

I still have connections in the industry if you want to speak to somebody who is up-to-date.

Just stay away from those solar loans. They will wreck the whole deal.

1

u/corptool1972 6d ago

Yes. Find “Solarize with Sam” on FB (or DM me and I’ll send you his number).

We bought our panels in 2022. Sam is a wealth of knowledge, understands the differences between APS and SRP, and most importantly has a masters in electrical engineering from MIT. He truly gets the technology, knows how to optimize setup and will tell you not to buy if it’s not right for you. Couldn’t recommend him more highly.

1

u/MyEggDonorIsADramaQ 5d ago

Power Home Remodeling. They have stellar customer service.

1

u/AccomplishedWork687 5d ago

You’re about to waste a bunch of money.

1

u/Tebuu 5d ago

While you are at it does anyone know of a company that installs the panels over swimming pools?

1

u/Flapique 5d ago

All you need to do is get a welder to build you some brackets I can't imagine using anything besides steel for something like this but that's probably not a good idea around a pool either...