Who's got a Solar Power System installed?

[Booney]

Thanks for info, heater & Ash.

Ive looked at the quote, but cant find anything mentioning "Feed In Tariff" (is that known by any other name?)....Inverter listed in quote is "Fronius".

Im planning on contacting Adam Solar soon, to see whether they can offer a better quote.

Your feed in tariff is the amount you get paid per kWh for feeding into the grid.

Many, many moons ago my boss got 60c per kWh, but only on a 1kW system.

I think it's now about 16c ( or less ) per kWh.

[The Ash Man]

Thanks for info, heater & Ash.

Ive looked at the quote, but cant find anything mentioning "Feed In Tariff" (is that known by any other name?)....Inverter listed in quote is "Fronius".

Im planning on contacting Adam Solar soon, to see whether they can offer a better quote.

Your feed in tariff is the amount you get paid per kWh for feeding into the grid.

Many, many moons ago my boss got 60c per kWh, but only on a 1kW system.

I think it's now about 16c ( or less ) per kWh.

Its determined by the electricity company you are with so shop around.

Fronius is Austrian which is good, I have SMA which is German, from memory I was steered that way as they had a better warranty but that may have changed

[bennymacca]

Might be worth holding off - labor had announced that if they win the election they will give interest free loans for up to 7 years to put solar and a battery on your house.

Would certainly be something I would look at

[GWW]

Thanks for that bennymacca - it looks like both major parties have a similar policy in this regard - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-22/l ... ds/9472988

So I think I'll hold off for a bit.

Just wondering for if/when I do switch to a solar system - who is a good provider to be with? I'm currently with Simply Energy, but have been told Origin are a good option if switching to a solar system.

[Alaska]

The feed in tariff differs across different plans from 6.8c to 20c but that is only part of the story.
Try wattever.com.au to compare your current system and then add the 5kw Solar system and it will compare all suppliers for your best deal.

[bennymacca]

Thanks for that bennymacca - it looks like both major parties have a similar policy in this regard - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-22/l ... ds/9472988

Ah didnt realise Libs had a policy too - good news for the state, I think solar is a no brainer (even though ive been too lazy to do the research into it so far)

I too think ill seriously look into it after the election

[carey]

Bump

Been looking at Solar panels for a little while now looking at getting the below deal through 'Sun Energy'

2.75Kw system with a 3.5inverter (should we choose in install a couple of extra panels later)
No up front out of pocket expenses (excluding meter $325 out of pocket expense)
$3.50 a month account keeping fee (40 Months $140 in total)
fixed price of 18c back to the grid
25 year warranty on the panels
6 year warranty on the inverter
Repayments- 40 Months x $100.15 Per Month (Total Cost $4012)
So basically what I save on my power bill pays for the panels***
Unit will produce just over 12.5Kwh per day
My current average for the last 12 months is 14.47Kwh per day
app on phone to monitor the panels performance 24/7

Whilst this system seems small compared to others on this thread, with the feed in rate so low I basically just want to cover what we use so to speak. Basically use as much power as we like during the day and be very selective in what we use at night.

One thing I was a little taken back by was, I have insurance through a 3rd party insurance company should Sun Energy go through whilst the payment system is on! Sun Energy claim this is to give confidence to the client that they are covered but, for mine it sends the wrong message.......

I'm getting my hands on the contract and small print tomorrow, I'll be having a very good read of this.

All feedback on the above appreciated.

[heater31]

All feedback on the above appreciated.

Probably lay off the Red Tins when reading aforementioned fine print

[amber_fluid]

2.75kw will barely be enough to run your standard appliances(fridge, freezer, kettle etc.) during the day.
Add in an A/C or even dishwasher and dryer and you'll need somewhere near 5kw.

When I last looked at it there was a website that listed how much wattage each used and how big a system you needed to support it.
If I can find it I'll post it here.

[carey]

All feedback on the above appreciated.

Probably lay off the Red Tins when reading aforementioned fine print

No red cans during the week mate. I'm a social drinker

[carey]

2.75kw will barely be enough to run your standard appliances(fridge, freezer, kettle etc.) during the day.
Add in an A/C or even dishwasher and dryer and you'll need somewhere near 5kw.

When I last looked at it there was a website that listed how much wattage each used and how big a system you needed to support it.
If I can find it I'll post it here.

Cheers mate.

Whilst I agree with the usage of the daily appliances, I was just going by my daily average over the last 12months and thought the 2.75 unit would be ok. There are also offers on the 3.5 and 4.8 systems but as stated with it being only 18c back to the grid I just thought I'd try to cover what I use (my current average is 14.47kwh per day)

[amber_fluid]

2.75kw will barely be enough to run your standard appliances(fridge, freezer, kettle etc.) during the day.
Add in an A/C or even dishwasher and dryer and you'll need somewhere near 5kw.

When I last looked at it there was a website that listed how much wattage each used and how big a system you needed to support it.
If I can find it I'll post it here.

Cheers mate.

Whilst I agree with the usage of the daily appliances, I was just going by my daily average over the last 12months and thought the 2.75 unit would be ok. There are also offers on the 3.5 and 4.8 systems but as stated with it being only 18c back to the grid I just thought I'd try to cover what I use (my current average is 14.47kwh per day)

My daily is about 20kwh from memory.

I guess it depends if you or the missus are at home during the working week at all and can run the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and A/C to make the most of the 'free' sun.

If you're not home much whilst the suns up it doesn't make too much sense getting solar because of the minimal feed in tariff on offer.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Good bump....ive been looking periodically at getting a unit for similar reasons to Carey, to basically cover the costs. Im not concerned about selling back to grid etc.

[grant j]

Bump

Been looking at Solar panels for a little while now looking at getting the below deal through 'Sun Energy'

2.75Kw system with a 3.5inverter (should we choose in install a couple of extra panels later) Your SEG number will only cover the original panels installed(2.75kw), additional panels will mean another application for a new SEG number for the larger unit.
No up front out of pocket expenses (excluding meter $325 out of pocket expense)
$3.50 a month account keeping fee (40 Months $140 in total)
fixed price of 18c back to the grid
25 year warranty on the panels
6 year warranty on the inverter
Repayments- 40 Months x $100.15 Per Month (Total Cost $4012)
So basically what I save on my power bill pays for the panels***
Unit will produce just over 12.5Kwh per day This will probably be only when its a nice sunny day. Cloudy days you wont get anywhere near that. Better to get the maximum 5kw system
My current average for the last 12 months is 14.47Kwh per day
app on phone to monitor the panels performance 24/7

Whilst this system seems small compared to others on this thread, with the feed in rate so low I basically just want to cover what we use so to speak. Basically use as much power as we like during the day and be very selective in what we use at night.

One thing I was a little taken back by was, I have insurance through a 3rd party insurance company should Sun Energy go through whilst the payment system is on! Sun Energy claim this is to give confidence to the client that they are covered but, for mine it sends the wrong message.......

I'm getting my hands on the contract and small print tomorrow, I'll be having a very good read of this.

All feedback on the above appreciated.

You will also need to find out their rates per KW Sun Energy charge you. NOT the discount % amount but the actual amount they charge in $$. You might find their fees out weigh any advantages of getting a "free" system.

Just a thought - If you still have an old Electric Meter there WILL be delays in getting the new meters installed. With a disconnection of the old service and a re-connection for a new meter.

IMO - If you can save the money and pay for a 5KW system upfront you will be far better off.

[Punk Rooster]

PS. I have a whole backyard full of green plants

I bet you have...

[carey]

Cheers Grant

[grant j]

Cheers Grant

No worries

Heard today that systems should be going down in price from 1st July.

[Booney]

Rightio, time to get onto this.

Who did you go through?

What size unit did you put in?

Average quarterly bill?

Did you put batteries in?

I'm not interested in rebate so much, I know I've missed that train.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Similar boat Boonsta

I dont care too much for the rebate, but wanna know how long before the unit has paid for itself.

[carey]

Rightio, time to get onto this.

Who did you go through?
Sunterra. Fantastic customer service after an initial issue of not installing an isolating switch.
Origin were nothing short of disgraceful installing the smart meter. 76 days but who was counting

What size unit did you put in?
24 panels 6.6kw but with a 5kw invertor[color=#FF0000] (panels will never run at 100% apparently)

[/color]Average quarterly bill?
my average 1/4 bill was $414 I haven't received a bill with the panels on as yet but, all reports suggest it should very very close to zero, if I do receive credit it will come off my gas bill at 14c

Did you put batteries in?
No I didn't as I believe they are to expensive as they've just come out but with this being said my unit is compatible.

I'm not interested in rebate so much, I know I've missed that train.