ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

That's too bad richard.
Whats also too bad is that these companies are raping on the install rates.  They know 'solar' is a buzz word and slam people for stupid obnoxious insane prices.  It's pretty predatory sadly.  Now throw in a 'Union' shop and it's even worse.

They will send a slimy salesman to your house with a high pressure, you have to sign TODAY or you'll miss the deal!!! BS.

Had one guy at work, look into it and the solar guy ..bla bla bla   47k  oh but it's financable with OUR bank !!!  you get a rebate !!!!! bla bla vomit.
I told him, do NOT buy a thing, do NOT sign a thing, they will try to slime you,oh let us run a quick credit check,  NO !!!  Smile and send him on his way.  Think on it, and wait, in a few weeks that snake will call back and the price will be about half.

Sure enough, in a few weeks, he gets a call, why haven't you bought it yet!!  all the 'cool guys' are, what's YOUR problem.  He handed the phone to me, and I had a word with the clown.  I told the guy, I know who you are, and what your scam is, you got ONE chance, make your pitch, if it's crap we are gone, because there are 2 other companies we are looking at as well.  He made his pitch, we laughed and hung up, saying we are going with the other company.  The next day he was there at the house, waiting for keevy to come home from work, at the end of the day he got essentially  the same install for 24k.

K wanted to go even bigger with his system I talked him into going with a minimalist system and after it's installed by the 'pro'  ie it's certified and the power company has written off on it saying ok go for it, we will come back and upgrade it ourselves, using our equipment at OUR prices.

What the 'pro' wanted for 3 batteries, we were able to put in 4 batteries, exact same size for 1000 dollars less.  Also, they want you to sign some ridiculous contract with them, that is a HORRIBLE scam for years and years.  Basically they buy and sell the 'credits' for your power and keep all the money themselves.

Design your OWN, don't go for the 'package deal' and you can save a ton.

This got a little long winded but with a little effort you CAN have a reliable backup for pennies on the dollar for what they want to charge you to do with it.  Another way is to have the pro's install all the rails you need, then add panels down the line as you can afford them.  A new panel can literally be bolted in place and on the line in maybe 15 minutes.

Bolt micro inverter to back of panel
Plug panel into micro inverter
Bring Panel up to roof
Bolt Panel to roof rails, tighten down
Take water proof plug out of Y plug from panel up there already.
Plug new panel into old panel Y plug.
Put water proof plug into other side of Y plug on new panel.
turn power back on at mains,  viola you have another panel online.

Shit too bad you don't live near by, Id help you put stuff up.

Aaron