Is $45,000 to install an 11kW solar system on a turnkey carport/gazebo structure a fair price?
Project Details
I'm looking for input on this quote because it's hard to find comparable quotes for gazebo/carport solar installations in my area, making it difficult to shop around. I have questions about the equipment, specifically Znshine panels and Hoymiles microinverters, and whether they are decent quality. I'm also concerned about the ratio of 7kW microinverters to 11kW panels, as it strikes me as off. The price of $4.09/watt seems reasonable if the equipment is good, considering a $3/watt baseline excluding the pergola. I prefer to avoid Tesla string inverters, which was the only alternative offered. The installer has partially dodged questions on equipment selection, citing tariffs and supply chain issues, which feels like a minor red flag. I'm also wondering if the basic metal structures typically support solar panels, or if a more robust structure is needed for panels, wind, and snow. I expect a string inverter would work, but only Tesla was offered, which I don't want to support.
Quote Details
This quote is for a turnkey installation of an 11kW solar system mounted on a carport/gazebo structure. The system is priced at $4.09 per watt before incentives. The installer will build the carport as a totally turnkey project. The panels will be oriented Southwest (SW) due to space constraints and are expected to only be shaded in the earlier morning hours as the sun rises above the house. - System Size: 11 kW- Solar Panels: 20x Znshine 550W- Microinverters: 10x Hoymiles 700- Mounting System: Infinity-rack- Carport/Gazebo: Totally turnkey build by the installer- Panel Orientation: Southwest (SW) due to space constraints- Shading: Only in the earlier morning hours as the sun rises above the house
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More Details
Category
Solar
Price
$45,000
Quote Date
June 25, 2025
Location
Virginia
# of Panels
20
System Size (kW)
11
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