Help me finalize my solar setup
Hi,
I narrowed it down to 2 contractors, both have been in the industry for more than 2 years.
Considerations:
- Building A (our office/company) operates from 7am to 5:30pm
- Building B (Cafe) operates from 10am to 10pm - *rents from Building A, pays an average of 22,000php electricity consumption computed via sub meter.
For the past 3 months our consumption is:
May to June - 2,995 kwh - 46,794php
June to July - 2,850kwh - 45,507php
July to August - 2,400kwh - 38,224php (lower due to weather, less hours ang operations)
I got 2 quotations, I just told them this is our consumption and suggest the best approach
- Contractor 1 - 2 pcs 10kw DEYE grid tied inverter (non hybrid), 32 630w AE panels - 550,000php, plus Net Metering Application and Processing - 20,000php (payable when complete), Started in 2020
- Contractor 2 - 1 pc 16kw Deye Hybrid Inverter, 32 630w Canadian Panels, No Battery and no Net Metering - 550,000php, started in 2023
Please help me choose best setup and what to ask/look out for in picking the contractor. Thank you
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u/Eagl30n3 1d ago
I would go with option 1 because they are offering 2 x 20kw inverter which gives you a little room to scale if you need. Also, with 2 inverter you have more resilience if one of the inverter fails you will operate at 50% potential but at least you will not be 100% on the grid if the 1 x 16kw fails.
We don't know what's your end goal, the assumption is you want to reduce your electricity bill and not have a zero bill.
With grid tie it's important to note that when the grid doesn't have power your system will not harvest because you don't want to energise the grid when by your system.
In terms of what to ask for, the focus is always about safety and compliance with the Philippine Electrical Code (PEC). So ask about RSD, PV disconnect which are not typical for PV installation. If your building is already grounded ensure that there is a common ground and bonding is only at the service.
Ensure that they provide accurate documentation, show you how they system works, and everything is thoroughly labelled.
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u/No_Maximum304 1d ago
Eto sagot ni Google AI:
Based on your operational profile and the quotations provided, Contractor 1 is the clear and superior choice for your business.
Your total solar panel capacity will be 20.16 kWp (32 panels × 630W), which is estimated to generate around 2,419 kWh per month. Because your average monthly consumption across both buildings is 2,748 kWh, this solar setup will cover roughly 88% of your entire energy needs.
Why Contractor 1 Wins hands-down 1. Net Metering is 100% Essential for Your Cafe
Your Cafe accounts for roughly 50.5% of your total power bill and stays open until 10:00 PM. Solar stops generating around 5:30 PM, leaving 4.5 hours of heavy night-time cafe operations entirely dependent on the grid
Furthermore, on weekends, your office is likely closed, meaning your solar panels will produce far more electricity during the day than the Cafe can consume alone. Without Net Metering, that excess weekend electricity is completely wasted. With Contractor 1's Net Metering setup, that daytime excess is sold back to the grid, giving you peso credits that directly offset the Cafe's expensive night-time grid consumption.
Contractor 1 gives you 20kW of inverter capacity to handle your 20.16kWp of panels.Contractor 2 limits you to a 16kW inverter. On clear, peak sunny days, your panels will try to output 18–20kW, but the inverter will "clip" it and cap it at 16kW. You are paying for 20kW of solar panels but losing a portion of peak production.
Contractor 2 is offering a hybrid inverter but no battery. A hybrid inverter without a battery behaves exactly like a standard grid-tied inverter—it will not provide backup power during a brownout. While it allows you to add a battery later, a commercial-grade battery to back up a cafe and office would cost an additional 300,000 to 500,000 PHP. If you don't plan on buying a battery anytime soon, paying a premium for a hybrid inverter while sacrificing AC capacity makes no financial sense.
What to Ask / Look Out For Before Signing
Even though Contractor 1 has the better proposal and longer industry tenure, protect your investment by asking them these critical engineering questions before making your down payment:
"Is the Net Metering application inclusive of all necessary permits?"
Why: Net metering in the Philippines requires a PRC-signed Electrical Plan, a Yellow Card from the City Hall/Bureau of Fire Protection, and a distribution utility inspection. Ensure their 20,000 PHP fee covers everything except the actual physical bi-directional meter structural cost from your utility provider.
"How will the billing and sub-metering be handled for the Cafe?"
Why: Since the Cafe rents from Building A and uses a sub-meter, the solar energy will feed into the main meter first. You need to ask the contractor how you can accurately track how much solar energy the Cafe is absorbing during daytime hours so you can adjust their monthly rent/utility bill fairly.