Who's got a Solar Power System installed?

Psyber · Post by **Psyber** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:26 am

After being put off by the massive quotes from the first few companies I spoke to I gave up on the idea as a rip-off.
Then prompted by dedja's experience I looked at that company and a couple more.
By the time I had an acceptable package worked out I'm off to the UK and can't be around to see it through before the end of June...

So, to Plan B:
I mentioned elsewhere I'm thinking of doing interstate locum work at attractive weekly rates.
So, I'll go to Qld or WA each winter and use their power in the provided free accommodation and turn mine off.
Winter is when I get the heavy bills up here in the hills.

I'll review it if the government comes up with another support plan later.

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:32 am

That's one of the potential pitfalls ... the Federal or State governments changing the rules.

At the moment, the State government has a guaranteed feed-in-tariff for 20 years, but the Feds are phasing out the rebates in the next few years and have recently accelerated the phase out.

Before June 30 is the best time to install, but who knows if a better scheme will be introduced in the future.

Psyber · Post by **Psyber** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:43 am

Yes some of my digging around suggested that both the feds and the state had set targets that they thought would give them sufficient "cred" in the electorates and the world, with the intention of pulling the plug at the first excuse as soon as those minimally credible levels had been reached. Yet again it is about appearance not substance as politics always is.
It's OK for the guy buying in if you get in early enough...

JK · Post by JK » Tue May 10, 2011 11:46 am

I've recently signed up with a mob called Eco Kinetics ... Will be installed prior to June 30, and according to a mate of mine who installs these systems, they are very well priced and used quality product.

If anyone's looking to get in prior to the EOFY, then give these guys a buzz as Im hearing most are booked out.

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:47 am

How big* Spermy?

JK · Post by JK » Tue May 10, 2011 11:48 am

dedja wrote:How big* Spermy?

Im sick of you asking me that .... (3kw mate)

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:50 am

That's because I'm jealous.

3kW is a good size*

JK · Post by JK » Tue May 10, 2011 11:53 am

dedja wrote:That's because I'm jealous.

3kW is a good size*

That's why I went for it, it's nice to hear those words every now and then

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:54 am

LOL, never gets said to me! :lol:

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Tue May 10, 2011 4:41 pm

the dedja solar generation plant is now up and running ... now piss off clouds FFS!

Dog_ger · Post by **Dog_ger** » Tue May 10, 2011 6:33 pm

I have a 1.9kw system and I am generating to the grid, just a little below 1/2 of what I am using.

This is the cloudy season.

Everything electrical is switched off when I go to work.

Except for the fridge and clock/radio by the bed.

I think the fridge is a horrid user of electricity. :shock:

Will be interesting to see my next bill....

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:58 pm

In case anyone's interested, I'm posting up my daily solar power generation stats on the PVOutput website ... http://pvoutput.org/list.jsp?userid=2177

The ETSA import/export meter is being installed on May 30 so I'll be able to add power exported stats from then ... for now my old disc meter goes backwards if I generate more power than I use.

Alaska · Post by **Alaska** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:44 pm

I like the thought of backwards

but the $$$ scare me especially when I may sell in the next few years.
But, would this add to the resale value in 4 – 6 years?

redwhiteandblueblooded · Fri May 13, 2011 11:50 am

dedja wrote:In case anyone's interested, I'm posting up my daily solar power generation stats on the PVOutput website ... http://pvoutput.org/list.jsp?userid=2177

The ETSA import/export meter is being installed on May 30 so I'll be able to add power exported stats from then ... for now my old disc meter goes backwards if I generate more power than I use.

Have had a look here Dedja..quite interesting. One question. Do you physically input your daily info or is there some way for the inverter and my computer to "talk" wirelessly? Have had a browse around the site, but being a computer retard, I dont really know what I am looking for!

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Fri May 13, 2011 1:46 pm

I've got a SunnyBoy inverter (SMA4000TL) which has bluetooth. I've installed the Sunny Explorer app from SMA on my laptop.

This app gives you real time (actually 5 min intervals) data on power processed by the inverter. This is basically the same info you get if you read the display on the inverter.

I just fire it up when I get home from work and manually enter the details into PVOutput ... literally takes a couple of mins.

There are ways to fully automate the process which I'm investigating, although some of these solutions are extremely expensive.

What inverter do you have?

redwhiteandblueblooded · Fri May 13, 2011 2:41 pm

Xantex GT2.8-AU

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Fri May 13, 2011 2:56 pm

Not as easy with that inverter but it has been done (it doesn't have bluetooth) ... I'll post up some reference material later when I get the chance.

So I take it you have a 3kW system then?

redwhiteandblueblooded · Fri May 13, 2011 3:16 pm

dedja wrote:Not as easy with that inverter but it has been done (it doesn't have bluetooth) ... I'll post up some reference material later when I get the chance.

So I take it you have a 3kW system then?

excellent. I would appreciate that.
yes, we have a 3kw system. shaved about $400 off the last bill(IIRC)

dedja · Post by **dedja** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:40 am

RWB, being a computer retard (your words!) may present some difficulties for you.

Getting a PC to 'talk' to a Xantrex inverter isn't trivial ... had a bit of a look around for info and it's mainly confined to geeks on forums such as Whirlpool - http://www.whirlpool.net.au

The SMA inverters are dead easy using Bluetooth, but for the Xantrex, you need to setup a serial connection which is more difficult.

You can go to the Whirlpool site and check out the Green Tech forum for info ... do a search for Xantrex.

redwhiteandblueblooded · Mon May 16, 2011 5:12 pm

no probs. thanks Dedja, will have a look