Who's got a Solar Power System installed?

[kickinit]

It's like anything that govt give a rebate on people go in it to make money. You just have to think how many companies are going to be around in a years time

[Psyber]

It's like anything that govt give a rebate on people go in it to make money. You just have to think how many companies are going to be around in a years time

I've noticed a couple of Solar shops around, empty and locked up, with the old adverts still in the window.

[JK]

Got our bill for the quarter of $620, of which we have to pay $70, the rest was covered by the sun.

That's pretty close to initial projections, but always a relief to actually see it materialise.

[Squawk]

I reckon you should just be happy that your quarterly bill was only $620!

Notwithstanding, the $550 credit would have been heart warming!

[gossipgirl]

Noticed GGG is offering solar panels with a guaranteed 60 cents feedin tariff but conditions apply

[Psyber]

Noticed GGG is offering solar panels with a guaranteed 60 cents feed in tariff but conditions apply

I saw that and assumed their pricing would be designed to contain a component to cover that 60c incentive.
After all they are not going to give money away, but aim to make a profit.

[Agile]

Have been watching this topic for a while and now am in a position to tell my story. Purchased our home three years ago and total reno-ed the existing and put a big extension on the rear.Have double glazed and double insulated EVERYTHING witha view to being 8star atleast in energy efficient. Started with the solar panel thing thinking that we needed 5 kw minimun to cover our needs back in 2009. Back then it was around 18,000 to put the system on the roof with premium panels and a GOOD!!!! German made inverter. Stalled at that point and spent the money on other thing during the reno, build.
Revisited the whole question 12 -18 months ago and was about $22,000 for the same thing.
Now that we are living in the completed home , for two complete years, our electricity usage has dropped markedly from our previous home, yet we have an extra uni student in the house for the last year[ my son is now at Mawson Lakes as opposed to Flinders].Turn out that we only need a 3.5kw sytem to cover our needs

Here is the killer part of the story.

Next monday a 3.7kw system is being installed on the back roof, pointing due north with no shading issues,on a rack so it is tilted perfectly, all for the total price of $6000:00/ plus $400 to ETSA for the meter. That is for 270watt premium panels and a SMA Inverter with a 10 year warranty on it. Thats 14 panels not the 26 plus that was previously quoted.

Am dealing with the installer/ sparky himself, who warranties the work and provides all the back up. Now he tells me that the inverter is the only thing that may screw up and he as the installer, warranty provider is the guy to ring and get it replaced. In which case he will come over , unscrew the dud inverter off of the wall and put a replacement on the same day. Then he chases up the manufacterer.

I will update the outcome in following posts.

By the way, having a few beer yesterday at a mates workshop and one of his workers had a call from his son that the back end of their house had caught fire from a dud solar install. Would be very warey about a 60cent FIT sales pitch. Better having quality install with quality product. Sllep easy at night.

[MatteeG]

Have been watching this topic for a while and now am in a position to tell my story. Purchased our home three years ago and total reno-ed the existing and put a big extension on the rear.Have double glazed and double insulated EVERYTHING witha view to being 8star atleast in energy efficient. Started with the solar panel thing thinking that we needed 5 kw minimun to cover our needs back in 2009. Back then it was around 18,000 to put the system on the roof with premium panels and a GOOD!!!! German made inverter. Stalled at that point and spent the money on other thing during the reno, build.
Revisited the whole question 12 -18 months ago and was about $22,000 for the same thing.
Now that we are living in the completed home , for two complete years, our electricity usage has dropped markedly from our previous home, yet we have an extra uni student in the house for the last year[ my son is now at Mawson Lakes as opposed to Flinders].Turn out that we only need a 3.5kw sytem to cover our needs

Here is the killer part of the story.

Next monday a 3.7kw system is being installed on the back roof, pointing due north with no shading issues,on a rack so it is tilted perfectly, all for the total price of $6000:00/ plus $400 to ETSA for the meter. That is for 270watt premium panels and a SMA Inverter with a 10 year warranty on it. Thats 14 panels not the 26 plus that was previously quoted.

Am dealing with the installer/ sparky himself, who warranties the work and provides all the back up. Now he tells me that the inverter is the only thing that may screw up and he as the installer, warranty provider is the guy to ring and get it replaced. In which case he will come over , unscrew the dud inverter off of the wall and put a replacement on the same day. Then he chases up the manufacterer.

I will update the outcome in following posts.

By the way, having a few beer yesterday at a mates workshop and one of his workers had a call from his son that the back end of their house had caught fire from a dud solar install. Would be very warey about a 60cent FIT sales pitch. Better having quality install with quality product. Sllep easy at night.

Cheers Agile- I'll be following your story with a view for question time....

[amber_fluid]

The governement feed-in tariff finishes in 2016 for any new solar connections(after sept 2011)......but does anyone know when the electricity retailers feed-in tariff ends? Is it at the same time or has it not been announced?

[Psyber]

I've been revisiting the economics of this issue and have to give credit to the guy from True Value Solar I spoke to.
He got my place up on his computer - I'm not sure which web site he used.

Based on vision from April 17th this year he advised me to forget it unless I wanted to remove most of the trees on my north-western side.
He said most of my roof was in patchy shade then.

Removing all those within 20 metres, which I could do without council consent, might just do but was marginal.
That involves at least 6 large Stringybarks, 3 of them on a neighbours land...

All 4 companies I got quotes from 12 to 18 months ago were happy to install a system, even after they had come and looked at the situation.
And I've pruned and culled some trees since then - though they probably looked between September and March when the sun was higher...

[heater31]

That would be nearmaps Pysber.

[stampy]

wtf is a feed in tariff??????????

[heater31]

wtf is a feed in tariff??????????

What the electricity company pays you for providing them with electricity. Obviously its stacked heavily in favour of the provider so they won't go out of business.



My parents have just been quoted 22k for a some massive system (24 panels) system from Zen Energy. They have plenty of North Facing roof space so it should work out ok.


The old boy's mates laughed at him when he installed a Solar Hot water unit in 1979. paid $1500 for it when most units were around the $200 mark made his money back within 5 years!

[dedja]

I hope your parents have the good sense to reject that ridiculous offer from Zen. From my reckoning that about a 4.5kW system.

I had 22 panels installed a year ago for about half that amount.

[heater31]

I hope your parents have the good sense to reject that ridiculous offer from Zen. From my reckoning that about a 4.5kW system.

I had 22 panels installed a year ago for about half that amount.

Bare in mind Dej they live in a rural area so it is expected that prices are going to be a little higher. I don't know the full details on the kW, Don't know if they accepted it or not.

[dedja]

OK, there will be some premium for that, but hopefully they've got some other quotes to compare with as I doubt whether the premium would double the price.

[grant j]

Be careful going for cheap systems, a lot of cheap inverters will and have failed

I work at Master Electrical at Lonsdale and we don't install the inferior systems.

If you want a quote call Tim 8326 3133

[Psyber]

That would be nearmaps Pysber.

Thanks for the info.
I hadn't met the site but I've now created a log in for personal use.
I'm looking for a cheaper rental property up this way on a nice fairly level block - something I can later demolish and build something I'd like to live in on.
(I'm planning for the time when my present rather steep 1 acre will become too much for me to manage.)

[heater31]

I hope your parents have the good sense to reject that ridiculous offer from Zen. From my reckoning that about a 4.5kW system.

I had 22 panels installed a year ago for about half that amount.

Bare in mind Dej they live in a rural area so it is expected that prices are going to be a little higher. I don't know the full details on the kW, Don't know if they accepted it or not.

It appears I have been fed some misinformation

Quoted figure is closer to $15k than 22.


Still don't know if they went ahead or not. Guess I will find out when I roll up for xmas

[Dog_ger]

I have 10 panels and very happy.

I could do with another 20 panels.

Utility bills are killing me.

Would only go with unleash. Very happy with them.

Maybe after tax return comes in. But there is so much to do.... Anyone know a good roof restorer/fixer/mender?