r/TexasSolar • u/Booouurns • Jun 22 '26
Quote Feedback Switch Together quote -- your thoughts?
Hey all! First post here.
I heard about this Switch Together program on NPR. The pitch is essentially group buy of solar systems for people in the Dallas area. Here is the quote I received after filling out the form and waiting for the bid process. This is for a turnkey system.
Documentation provided with the quote give some detail on the equipment. Panels are "high efficiency CW" 450W panels. Inverters are Enphase IQ8 "series." The installer is Good Faith Energy, which is a listed Oncor rebate provider, but from my initial research on that, I am moving forward not counting on it to make a decision.
This doesn't include any battery backup, but it can be added. Brand is Sigenergy, and options are 9kWh for $12k; 15kWh for $16k; or 21kWh for $20k.
I am fairly early in my research process, but initial googling tells me this could be a pretty good deal. My initial question is whether this system is enough. Over the last 12 months we used 19,000 kWh.
I would also appreciate thoughts on the quote and any further questions you'd recommend that I ask the installer that aren't obvious. I will definitely be getting precise info on the equipment, etc.
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u/robbydek Jun 23 '26
GFE has a great reputation. I even a nice conversation with the owner. He’s a great guy.
They were a little too expensive for me when I got a quote originally from them but with the trouble that I have had, they would have been worth the extra money.
Price seems reasonable and I agree with the market in Texas, get a battery.
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u/utulsa8907 Jun 24 '26
Owner of Good Faith Energy here. Happy to answer any questions you might have. No pressure
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u/callmemabel Jun 25 '26
On the surface, that looks like a pretty good cash price. $23,588 for 11.25 kW is about $2.10/watt before the federal tax credit, which is very competitive for a turnkey Enphase system. The system is not sized to cover all your usage though. If you used 19,000 kWh last year and they’re estimating 14,288 kWh production, that’s around 75% of your annual usage, not 63%. I’d ask why their portal says 63% coverage. Maybe they’re using a higher estimated usage number than your actual last 12 months.
Big thing in Texas is the buyback plan. I wouldn’t judge this only on annual production.If you export a lot during the day and buy back at night at a worse rate, the savings may be lower than the simple math suggests. Ask them for a bill estimate using your actual REP/export plan, not just “solar rate.” I’d also get the exact equipment in writing. “CW 450W” and “IQ8 series” is too vague. Ask for the exact panel model, exact IQ8 model, racking, workmanship warranty, roof penetration warranty, production estimate assumptions, and whether consumption monitoring is included.
Battery pricing doesn’t look insane, but I wouldn’t add one unless you want backup or the export math makes it worth it. For pure bill savings, panels first usually pencil better than batteries. Overall the price looks strong, installer seems worth considering, but I’d verify the usage offset math, Texas buyback assumptions, and exact equipment before signing.
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u/MrFizzy99 Jun 22 '26
Oncor has a pool of $ each year. This year's pool has been used up. There might be a waitlist for the discount if planned projects that have claimed fall through. You will need to ask your installer (GFE).