Solar Power threads [Merged]

[K3]

Re: Solar Power - Home

K3

Thanks for this.
Finally an answer on topic

We are considering joining with a group of neighbours (its like a Travian Alliance) to install PV system in each of our houses
Apparently we can still apply for the rebate and get a better deal on the installation

I'm a bit at a loss as to what equipment will be installed
Cells on the roof, new metre etc
Do we need storage/batteries or does the excess power just go back down the main line?

Sounds like a great idea Michael, and congratulations to you and your neighbours for going in this direction... it can only have a positive effect on the environment.

With a PV system you don't get any batteries with it; your were 100% correct with your thought that the excess power will head straight back onto the grid, which you get paid for. The only downside with this, in a way, is that if there is a blackout after sundown you will still be affected. If you live out bush you may wish to look at the other option, whereby you do get a battery pack with installation and it is this that the panels will charge, to be used as required.

When a PV system is installed you will get the cells on the roof, 6 PV cells per 1Kw system you get, as well as some additional/new wiring and an inverter to chage the current to match the grid, as well as enabling the excess energy to be put back into the grid; your standard meter can't do this. This inverter will also show you how much your system has pumped back onto the grid, which I think will be great for kids to monitor, as it will show them just how much the solar system is helping everyone... well I think it's pretty cool

If you need a place to get everything through, let me know Michael, as I may be able to help with this selection.

 

[Michael]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Thanks K3

We're in Malvern
The greeniest bloke in the neighbourhood is running the show
He's targeting a dozen or so of us within a couple of streets

We are at the stage of getting prices
But looks like we are in.

I agree, great for the kids
Turn the tele off and make money.

 

[evo]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Sounds pretty interesting Michael--update us on the price it's going to cost you--seems to me if theres a 6k or 8k rebate it would have to pay for itself pretty quickly

Surely these set ups for an average 3br house don't cost more than 20k do they?

 

[Michael]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Will keep you in the cost loop

 

[K3]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Sounds pretty interesting Michael--update us on the price it's going to cost you--seems to me if theres a 6k or 8k rebate it would have to pay for itself pretty quickly

Surely these set ups for an average 3br house don't cost more than 20k do they?

Hey there Evo,

Taking into account the rebate going straight to the installation company, you should be looking at under $5,000 for a 1Kw system. If you head down the path of upgrading the inverter to a 2kw edition the price will go up by about $900.

 

[Michael]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Looks like the rebate is gone.
Bloody labor governments
So much for being green

 

[K3]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Looks like the rebate is gone.
Bloody labor governments
So much for being green

Hi there Michael,

Just got off the phone from the company I am going through to get a PV system happening. The guy there said that the rebate is still in existence but it is now means tested - with the cut-off limit being $100,000 per household income.

If you haven't decided on an installer yet let me know and I will give you these guys info; I have been really impressed with their knowledge, help and service... Not to forget that they have a 12 months interest free thing going at the moment.

 

[Michael]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Sunrise are running a petition to reinstate the rebate:

http://sunrisefamily.com.au/current/petition/form.php

 

[Redford]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Sunrise are running a petition to reinstate the rebate:

http://sunrisefamily.com.au/current/petition/form.php

Sunrise eh ? They should be able to get the job done then.

Influential and hard hitting bunch that lot. Especially the blonde chick and Steve whatever his name is that does the weather from Timbuktu.

 

[K3]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Sunrise eh ? They should be able to get the job done then.

Influential and hard hitting bunch that lot. Especially the blonde chick and Steve whatever his name is that does the weather from Timbuktu.

Whilst I agree with you on that 'dynamic duo' at least they are doing something, which is more than most people/ organisations/ shows can say. So kudos to them for that and hopefully they can crack 100,000 signatures and we can get things back to being about the future instead of kowtowing to the energy producers.

 

[Michael]

Re: Solar Power - Home

Sunrise eh ? They should be able to get the job done then.

Influential and hard hitting bunch that lot. Especially the blonde chick and Steve whatever his name is that does the weather from Timbuktu.

You must spend a lot of time watching daytime tele, Red.

 

[Al Bundy]

Solar Power and once connected the "new HIDDEN HIGHER rates " for electricity.

Having saved up my money over a period of time like many out there converted to solar energy. While chasing up the final part to be connected to the grid (paperwork/account side of things) was given a very rude awakening to some very bad hidden costs and astronomical increase in rates to current rates.

(Speaking at costs at Peak rate only 3pm to 11pm)

Current rebate for solar energy is 33c in the dollar.

Currently paying with my 7% discount 22.67c a Kw.

Now the change.

Oh I'll get my rebate, BUT when the smart meter gets reconfigured to accept the new energy I will be placed on whatever the "current" daily rate is, current 35.5c a Kw !!! So from 22.67c up to 35.5c an increase of approx 56.6% increase. This comes from your distributor (ie when faults & emergencies, see section of your bill). Then from your supplier (being were you get bill from) any eligible discounts 5-10% will come of this rate, being the only thing that they can control !.

Overall yeah I will be better off long term but it will take at quite a few years to recoup my investment.

Another interesting comment advised my one of the operators is with the roll out of smart meters is to be able to implement the new higher rates across the board to everyone.

Rang then another company reconfirmed it we can offer 21c a Kw but different rates will apply when you're conencted with solar energy.

Woah ! and here I thought, great rebate will be 33c I get charged 22c so I will be earning 11c credit. Fat chance !

Please anyone correct me if I have this wrong

 

[jamo]

Installing Solar

I installed a 4.7 kilowatt solar system, when it actually get going, i should make a killing on energy bills.

The reason for my post is to stress how disappointed I am that the power companies are allowed to get away with the following.

I will break it down.

I didn't have a smart meter yet. if you have a non solar smart meter it will read production as use, so your solar system cannot be turned on, if you have a mechanical meter, it will reverse the spindle and turn the clock s backwards.

Anyway...

You decide to install solar.

It gets installed, you wait for a safety check, you wait for the documentation to be lodged with the power company ( for me this was quick, but some people wait up to 10 days just for the inspection, then another 10 for the paper work to go in. That's business days too. ( 20 days wait, no solar production)
The power company sends request to the distributor ( united Energy) to have meter changed(10 days)
Distributor then sends a letter stating that it will take up to 30 business days to install meter( 30 days)
Once meter is installed you ring the power company to see if its configured for solar, you find out it is not, it will take up to 20 business days for the distributor to log onto a computer and turn the feed in function on.(20 days)

So potentially you can wait 80 business days from the point of installation to the point you actually produce your own electricity. If you already have a smart meter take away the 30 day installation.
The government sprook off about climate change and all that crap, but they allow these fat cats to rip off the consumers and those who are willing to invest money to reduce the use of coal etc.
Now I 'm far from a greeny and installed it to hopefully save money, but the outlay for one of these things is high, so the fact it sits there doing nothing for possibly 3 months while the power giants procrastinate is a disgrace.

I didn't go through all of the above, i just wanted to break down, what can happen.
I was lucky i had an old meter, so my installer turned my system on, so it just turned the meter backwards.
it took 20 days for the meter to be changed, I called the power company to see if it was configured, only to find out that it takes another 20 days to enable the feed in, what a joke.

I can only advise that if your going to install solar, do it in winter, because it is the worst production time of the year, if you lost 3 mths in summer, you lose your peak period.

We get constantly ripped off in this country, its un Australian.

 

[Streak]

Re: Installing Solar

We get constantly ripped off in this country, its un Australian.

I'm with you on that.

 

[SfB_AkA._DeLiCiOuS]

Re: Installing Solar

My parents have Solar power...they save a heap, my brother has it as well but he's stingy with electricity so he hardy has to pay a cent for electricity bills.

 

[jamo]

Re: Installing Solar

My parents have Solar power...they save a heap, my brother has it as well but he's stingy with electricity so he hardy has to pay a cent for electricity bills.

once I have had a full year I will see the benefit, I have 20 panels, it should cover my full bill and possibly gas too .
It's pretty clear that they don't want people getting solar, unless they buy it from them.

 

[Rosy]

Re: Installing Solar

Are there any Govt. guarantees in regard to how long the solar situation will apply or can the power companies pull the pin if they wish to?

 

[jamo]

Re: Installing Solar

Are there any Govt. guarantees in regard to how long the solar situation will apply or can the power companies pull the pin if they wish to?

The government guarantees a 25C feed in tariff for at least the next 3 years. You then negotiate the rest with your provider.

EG my contract is 25c gov + 6c feed in. Usage 30.68 C per kwh peak and 14 c off peak.

So I get dollar for dollar in day light.

I think the smaller the system the bigger the feed in tariff, because my system will produce more, I get paid less.

 

[RfC77]

Talking of solar power, last year I came across an article in the HS about a new generation of solar panels manufactured by a Brighton-based firm. Here is the link to the company which makes the panels http://www.techniquesolar.com.au/ I don't know if they're already on the market but from what i've read they make the current range of panels redundant by means of producing much more electricity per square metre.

 

[Rosy]

Not happy with our ever increasing power bills and have decided to do something about it. Any stories, info or suggestions in regard to solar panels would be greatly appreciated.