All things Solar (merged threads) - Page 28

stevejg33 · 06-07-2012, 08:26 PM

Our old meter was one of the old rotating disc ones.
When I had my solar installed, the company we went with had the new meter installed first, before the panels went in because at that time there was about a 10-12 week wait for meter installation. They also informed us that if the system went in first, before the new meter, the excess power that we fed into the grid would go on top of our normal usage, increasing the bill.

rancidpunx · 07-07-2012, 08:53 AM

Got our notification from Energex to let us know our application has been accepted. A little confused as we are getting a 5kw system but Energex has put a max capacity output of 4.6kw on the contract.

Noddy · 07-07-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Got our notification from Energex to let us know our application has been accepted. A little confused as we are getting a 5kw system but Energex has put a max capacity output of 4.6kw on the contract.

Mmm, Interesting that this is happened because the energy matters phone rep said my system inverter size may be reduced by energex if I live in a rural or semi-rural area.

I asked why and he couldn't or didn't want to tell me.

Maybe energex are concerned about the power pumping into the grid in these areas. He said if I'm in suburbia I should be right.

Your in samford Jamie?

poppa smurf · 07-07-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Got our notification from Energex to let us know our application has been accepted. A little confused as we are getting a 5kw system but Energex has put a max capacity output of 4.6kw on the contract.

query it mate......if you produce more than the quoted allowance they could sprout breach of contract and refuse payment

rancidpunx · 07-07-2012, 03:01 PM

Yeah im not happy if thats the case, as its nearly 10% of the system. The new house is Dayboro Matt so definitely rural. The other thing im looking at is the possibility that the 5000 inverter only actually has a peak of 4.6kw according to the specs which Energex do to qualify its compatibility.

paule11 · 07-07-2012, 03:07 PM

Aurora inverters are rated at 4.6kw for the one they call 5kw . Have seen 5kw systems up here on the Ergon application rated as 4.6

poppa smurf · 07-07-2012, 03:45 PM

solar panel and inverter manufacturers and distributers use pretty "rubbery" figures when it comes to output and production and capability

a couple or three kilowatts each way is usually "close enough"

but I would still be asking why you purchased and installed a 5 kilowatt but only credited for a 4.6

funny part is that a 5 kilowatt system will never produce 5 kilowatts.........unless it is under laboratory conditions

rancidpunx · 07-07-2012, 04:46 PM

I will be giving them a call Monday to see if they can explain themselves lol

GTB 351 · 09-07-2012, 08:08 PM

Hit 400kwh since my system went on yoohoo!!!!!

davenl5l · 10-07-2012, 09:44 AM

well done made me go check mine im at 388 looking good

poppa smurf · 10-07-2012, 10:02 AM

ah! the benefits start to be revealed.......well done!

stevejg33 · 10-07-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

solar panel and inverter manufacturers and distributers use pretty "rubbery" figures when it comes to output and production and capability

a couple or three kilowatts each way is usually "close enough"

but I would still be asking why you purchased and installed a 5 kilowatt but only credited for a 4.6

funny part is that a 5 kilowatt system will never produce 5 kilowatts.........unless it is under laboratory conditions

We have a 6kw system & at it's peak in summer (sun overhead) a few times I watched the inverter peak out at 6007w. Was nice to see maximum generation flash up on the inverter screen. Was also good to know that it generated what it's rated at.

rancidpunx · 10-07-2012, 05:48 PM

I spoke to EM yesterday and its figure deep in the specs for AC power or something. Im not 100% sure, but they reckon its still a 5kw inverter.

poppa smurf · 10-07-2012, 06:33 PM

they tend to bury the facts deep, I wouldn't doubt it is a rated 5 kw inverter

what did energex say about the discrepancy between stated output and actual output

rancidpunx · 10-07-2012, 08:18 PM

That they just go off of that particular piece of info from the specs for their capacity. So all is good as long as they panels and inverter used are what was applied for.

deesun · 11-07-2012, 12:13 AM

They did the same for mine^^^^^^^. I thought I had put wrong figure on paperwork but not so.

poppa smurf · 11-07-2012, 10:30 AM

ah all good then......I know the buggers are tightening up around here

gotta be careful how we submit our initial production figures as that is the number that is used for future expansion

homegrown · 11-07-2012, 09:44 PM

Apparently in China they are designing roof tiles that are solar in them as well. Must have a solar cell film over it and the same for solar windows for tall sky scrapers. Be amazing what comes out in the next 5 years.

poppa smurf · 12-07-2012, 10:27 AM

yep......god only knows what will be around in 10 years time

homegrown · 12-07-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

solar panel and inverter manufacturers and distributers use pretty "rubbery" figures when it comes to output and production and capability

a couple or three kilowatts each way is usually "close enough"

but I would still be asking why you purchased and installed a 5 kilowatt but only credited for a 4.6

funny part is that a 5 kilowatt system will never produce 5 kilowatts.........unless it is under laboratory conditions

I would say there's too many de rating factors as well involved to make the numbers match, such as pitch, radiance, orientation of the panels etc. which would come under what your saying unless its perfect lab conditions where the testing is done.

poppa smurf · 12-07-2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homegrown

I would say there's too many de rating factors as well involved to make the numbers match, such as pitch, radiance, orientation of the panels etc. which would come under what your saying unless its perfect lab conditions where the testing is done.

absolutely.....deterioration,.... dirt .....grime....pitch, ....orientation....shading

all factors come into play and help in giving less than perfect yield....

comagutsa · 12-07-2012, 05:34 PM

just looked at mine 3kw been in since 18th june and its made 210kwh but we have had some crappy weather too , cant wait for 1st bill to see what difference it has made

mickyyyy · 12-07-2012, 06:52 PM

From my research it seems Aurora, SMA, Xantrex, and Fronius inverter's are the better units out there...

Also Sunpower, Sanyo HIP/HIT, Hyundai, and Conergy panels seem to be the better type as well...

I think REC panels going from this link are the best...

http://www.energymatters.com.au/inde...rticle_id=3010

What are your thoughts guys???

poppa smurf · 12-07-2012, 06:55 PM

I have REC panels and know a lot of folks that have them as well

I was told that REC are as good as any.......so I would recommend them.....

crappy weather here for the last month, we've been going backward by about $2 per day give or take......max production has been about 9 kilowatts maximum per day

mickyyyy · 12-07-2012, 07:06 PM

poppa smurf

What inverter's do you recommend???

poppa smurf · 12-07-2012, 07:10 PM

I dont actually like recommending much at all mate, far more knowledgeable fellers around here than me.......

I use sunnyboy......not sure if it's much better than the next one but I know of quite a few folks who have them and haven't had any strife.......mind you it's early days

they have a good warranty but that may mean nothing if they close up shop in five or six years

sgt_doofey · 12-07-2012, 09:31 PM

Sunnyboy is SMA, isn't it?

poppa smurf · 13-07-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Sunnyboy is SMA, isn't it?

yep!.....sure is

homegrown · 14-07-2012, 09:53 PM

Heard the Sloar game is tightening up in couple of months for installers.
Hope the work instill plentifull out there for you guys.

poppa smurf · 15-07-2012, 10:25 AM

still flat out around here...a local refrigeration/aircon installer/sales outlet have started installing solar after showing a keen interest in mine, booked out for quite a while yet.....I sharpen their gear for them

I have sent a heap of folks to them and they in turn have recommended a heap more, as a result the company is now flat out seven days a week with two teams of installers

they are talking about hiring another team to keep up......the sales and instalation jumped again when they introduced interest free

only downside to that is that I had an agreement with the head sparky to upgrade my 6 mm feed wire to the shed on a weekend at "mates rates".......that was in november last year....when I ring him about it he says "yep, be there on the weekend" .....

I should be on a commission!!