Best Posts in Thread: Solar R.O.i.

So I decided to bite the bullet and have a hybrid solar energy system installed. I contacted a few installer via Face Book and had varying results. One was very expensive and another was slightly less. Dexter wanted to come out and review the site and discuss my needs before offering a quote. I have somewhat of a technical background so of course I had a few "skill testing question" and I was more than satisfied with answers (learned a few things).

We discussed the number of solar panels, the inverter and battery capacities. We settled on enough solar panels to charge the batteries on an overcast day. The performance of the system is exactly as expected. On a sunny day fully charged by 12:00 noon, on a cloudy day fully charged by 3:30 pm.
I had a couple of specific requirements 1) two manual transfer switches so the inverter/solar stuff could be completely bypassed if it's has a serious problem and 2) test points (light gauge wires) brought to the electrical panel so I can troubleshoot individual panels without have to climb on the roof.

It was time to sign a contract.
The contract listed every nut, bolt, piece of wire, all the hardware Dexter was offering and it's price. I I wanted to supply some of the parts myself I could and the contract price would be adjusted. Dexter's prices for the inverter, batteries and solar panels were competitive so I decided to source all materials through him. A block diagram was supplied to show how the system would go together. At the end of the installation as built drawing were supplies so I could tell which panels went to which test points (nice).

Let the installation begin.
They had all the proper tools for making the specialized connections. That was nice to see. I've seen other electricians crimping electrical lugs with a hammer and screw driver. None of that nonsense here. Safety, the guys were tied off whenever they were on the roof, I was impressed.
The jobsite was always clean and tidy, again bonus points for housekeeping. The quality of the panel wiring was as good as I've seen anywhere in the industrial world.

The Contract:

This installation contract is entered into this JULY 13,2025 in BULAK DUIN NEGROS OREINTAL by and between, hereinafter referred to as solar installation contract.
MR. Showpony, a foreign national holding a 13a Philippine residence visa hereby referred to as the owner or employer.
DEXTER XXX_XXX. a Filipino of legal age, a Registered Master Electrician with license number 0069708 and proprietor of DX ELECTRICAL SERVICES with DTI registration number 236XXxx with residence of Brgy. Mangnao – canal Dumaguety City Negros oriental referred to as the solar installer.
PROVISIONS:
1. To SUPPLY and install 1pc 8Kw DEYE hybrid inverter, 14pcs 585w CANADIAN solar panels, 2pcs 11kwhr SOLAR HOME lifepo4 battery and set of protective devices and wirings necessary to complete the system.
2. WARRANTY of inverter and battery is up to 5 years and 10 years for solar panels. For inverter and battery incase of damage within the warranted period the unit, if necessary will be send to cebu supplier for repair and may take up to 2 months. For solar panels failure to generate power, if not repairable will be replaced. Third party modification of the original installation will void the warranty. Under the warranty period all expenses from repair parts is/are shoulder by the installer.
3. SERVICE the installer as part of the warranty, shall perform yearly cleaning of panels and tightening of terminals.
4. Any DAMAGE to the roof caused by the installers team will be repaired or replaced without charge to the owner.
5. CONTRACT PRICE. Php. 416,711.00 (tax excluded)
6. PAYMENT TERMS. Cash or Bank transfer ACCOUNT NAME: DEXTER Q. REPONTE (Bdo XXXXXX-XXY) ( PNb XXXXXX XXX )
Down payment -Php. 20,000.00
Second/third payment (delivery of panels and frames) -Php 100,000.00
Third/second payment (delivery of inverter and battery) -Php. 200,000.00
Fourth payment (after completion) -Php. 96,711.00 Total amount -Php. 416,711.00
7. DURATION. Each phase of the work shall commence immediately after confirmation of payments.
8. CANCELLATION. The client shall issue a stop of work letter to the installer detailing the grounds. Any materials paid and purchased by the installer shall be non-refundable and the client shall pay the installer the equivalent amount provided that the said material(s) is/are delivered or to be delivered to the client property in good condition. The downpayment is non refundable.

Post Installation support:
Dexter helped my get the Deye Cloud software (I bought a Deye inverter) running on my cellphone and desktop. He told me call him anytime if I need a hand with the software or any questions about inverter/battery setting.

A few pictures of the installation will follow.

All in All a good experience!!

 

I put mine in for approximately 300,000. Thats 2 batteries that last me the whole night. I dont think, though never positive, that i am not using any noreco. A little more for 3 guys to install it. I have 2 houses, 2 freezers, 1 fridge, and an aircon that we usually use about 3 hours a day. We use about 10 kw. designed it for a 5K but with the extra battery, we have had enough

 

I live in the Bais mountains. We have brownouts on a regular basis for long periods of time. Solar was a necessity as im not willing to be at the whims of noreco who just cant seems to do their jobs. Yes, it was expensive, and ROI was not a major consideration. I avoided the local solar companies as their markup was extreme. Life here is so much better now.

 

Does she want off grid, on grid or both (Hybrid?
I have hybrid. Solar panels have come down in price considerably, batteries are still expensive, inverters are coming down in price.
Why are people installing solar? Sick of brownouts maybe. ROI maybe.
I have solar, 7KW solar panels 5KW hybrid inverter and 12000 wh batteries. ROI 5 Years.
Cost 300k peso but I did it myself with some help lol
You can go on grid with just panels and inverter but you will still get brownout and of course you can get Net- metering, I discarded that, not worth it in my case.

 

I don't quite understand the "solar isn't a good investment" opinions. I heard those views from multiple sides, but at the same time I get advice that I shouldn't need to invest anywhere near half a million peso to get a 5 kw solar setup with sufficient batteries for night time use installed and running.
Based on the statistics for Dumaguete the gross production of a 5 kw system should be around 20 kwh per day on average, so even when accounting for a system efficiency loss of 25% you'd still get an average net energy of 15 kwh per day. In a month that would save 15*30*15= 6,750 Peso, or roughly 80,000 Peso a year. So even if spending 400k on a top notch installation, I'd still get a 20% return on my investment. And yeah sure, some of that return will be needed for maintenance expenses, but still...................

 

I feel, and this could just be me, people consider solar for the same reason they consider a generator. Peace of mind when the power goes out, you will still have power. I want my A/C. I don't want to throw food away. I want my MTV. Did I remember to turn off the A/C when we left the house, who cares, the suns shining. No need to be a TURN OFF THE LIGHTS Grinch. What about a generator then? A generator can serve for peace of mind. You might not get ROI on a generator and you will pay for fuel every time you use it. Not having to pay NORECO does sound appealing. Every monthly no bill from NORECO is your investment returning.

Factors that can make solar ROI faster.
1. Living in an area with higher KWH rates.
2. Living in an area with plentiful sunshine.
3. The cost of the equipment and installation where you live.
4. Not having to throw food away.

I wouldn't get to high on wanting to go green. No solar retailer will ever tell you about the cost to properly dispose/recycle damaged or degraded PV panels. PV cells contain things like arsenic, cadmium, lead & selenium. They should not go in a landfill.