All things Solar (merged threads)

[Mel-D]

Locked in the 44c per k/w(QLD) last year with 3.5 k/w system. Only pay electrical bills in the winter months now. Best thing we ever did.

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

And this may be changing in hte near future ... have heard from a few sources now that at least NSW will be changing so that FIT will equal what your energy supplier charges you to purchase from the grid ... so that means $0.28/kwh

Now to get some solid evidence on it.

This looks like it will be a uniform thing for all states as well from my understanding ... Govco is looking to standardise it across the board.

I tend to agree with Mechan1k and other relevant posters on this one. Yes, I'd be miffed if I lose my 52c FIT under the current arrangement - but there was no guarantee that the FIT I'm on would be forever. I got a govco rebate on my solar installation, and I'm more than happy with that.

I think that more people would be encouraged to go solar if the "system" was much more fair to the newcomers considering the tariffs/rebates on offer now. I'm not a tree hugger, but think all should be entitled to a fairer system, regardless of what time they decided to go solar.

I don't understand why in Australia that we have so many different usage/FIT/supply differences. We are a "one" after all.

I'm disgusted with what you folk pay down south - it's just wrong!

Cheers!

[poppa smurf]

I like my $0.59c per kilowatt but would be more than happy to accept "parity"

common sense must prevail at some point in time

just as a matter of "amusement" for those with dual or multiple calculable smart meters

read your daily output from your inverter

read your daily export

deduct inverter output from export and that is what was fed directly into your house regardless of how much you produce

mine sits around 2 kilowatt that goes direct to house......

even though I produced 20 kilowatts yesterday it still only fed 2 kilowatts in to the house

[Winter XR8]

I would have no drama's in paying for a system tomorrow if the tariff was 1:1 in WA but I just cant justify the 0.07c buy back rate.

[xisled]

Basically from talking to my contacts in Vic from all the networks, the Only reason for a high FIT in Vic was to reduce the power load off the power grid in summer. Now this has been done the Govco have reduced the FIT. Basically PFIT was capped at a certain capacity. The cap was worked out on the basis it would stop the brown outs over summer.

[Stagg]

Originally Posted by Winter XR8

I would have no drama's in paying for a system tomorrow if the tariff was 1:1 in WA but I just cant justify the 0.07c buy back rate.

The buyback rate in WA is based on the actual wholesale rate of electricity i.e. what the power stations are charging the electricity retailers; when you pay your kWh rate the charge is not just the cost of generation, there are admin fees, grid maintenance fees etc. The actual 7c per kWh is the actual cost of generation hence they see that as the minimum that can be paid. It is unfair for customer yes, but that is the reason it is there.

Originally Posted by prydey

ok, just changing the subject slightly for a moment.

can panels be 'mixed and matched'?

i have the capacity to add 6 panels if i want to. i realise this is rarely done due to the price of the actual panels when sold separately.

disregarding price, if i did decide to add more, do i have to add more of the same type/brand/output etc? i have 190w panels currently. could i add 4 x 250, or 5 x 200 instead, or do i have to stick with 190w?

also, can brands be mixed and matched? or do i have to buy the same brand?

these are issues that i will likely never have to worry about but i'd just like to know all the same.

cheers

Mixing and matching panels is never a good idea! Panels do not only have a wattage but panels of the same wattage will almost always have different voltages and amperages. You can have 2 panels both of 200W each, but if one panel has a lesser voltage it will compromise the performance of the rest of the panels in the string. Your salesperson should have told you this.

[Stagg]

I know I rant and rave about Trina Solar on here a lot but the brand with their range of panels really are robust and looking at improving the industry as a whole.

Who wants individual panel monitoring in Australia with 20% higher output? I do!

http://www.trinasolar.com/eu/product...ution%20Series

Also states that TrinaSmart detects arc-faults and disables the source, thus preventing fires. Bear in mind this is a technology literally only a few weeks old so no one here has panels with this capability.

It is a myth that Monocrystalline panels are the most efficient panels available as well, Trina will be releasing a 300W Multicrystalline panel in the very near future with this technology.

[poppa smurf]

yep!.....I await with baited breath what is to be rolled out "in the future"

I've seen aeroplanes go to space travel....digital watches and calculators come into play, mobile phones and computers

I wonder what my kids/grandkids will see......maybe a little nuclear reactor sitting in the corner somewhere producing endless power

[Stagg]

Solar news today:

More off grid systems are being installed as FiT rates reduce and as the cost of batteries begins to fall:

http://www.energymatters.com.au/inde...rticle_id=3410

Good news for folk like me, because there will soon be specials for add-on battery banks for existing grid connect systems.


Not so good news (actually quite disheartening to me personally), the amount if investment for gen X and gen Y into mining and computers than environmental businesses:


FYI not sure if I ever mentioned in this thread, I'm 20 years old and have been working in solar since 17, most people I went to school with in WA only ever saw as far as working in the mines and making a lot of cash, still to this day say that I'm living a pipedream and saying that I won't be able to make a difference...

[Burnout]

I went solar a couple of weeks ago:

[poppa smurf]

ah you got the kakadu trek.....we had one very similar, a very good unit

we've been independent with our campers and caravans for years......just working on our new van to get her independent

[poppa smurf]

come on guys give it a bloody bone........me and the hundreds of other folks come in here to

(1) get a little peace

(2) to have a yak with like minded folks

(3) maybe gain a little knowledge


if you have an issue with anyone about anything then please take it to PM

I have solar, i drive a big car, .....I also have a large camper and my wife drives another vehicle.....I push solar whenever and wherever I can.....big bloody deal

the reason i went solar is to cut down on my power bill.......the "feel good" factor is secondary

BUT IT IS STILL THERE!!!!

so enough of this ****, ....this only serves to drive people away......get back to being civil......

[Stagg]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

come on guys give it a bloody bone........me and the hundreds of other folks come in here to

(1) get a little peace

(2) to have a yak with like minded folks

(3) maybe gain a little knowledge


if you have an issue with anyone about anything then please take it to PM

I have solar, i drive a big car, .....I also have a large camper and my wife drives another vehicle.....I push solar whenever and wherever I can.....big bloody deal

the reason i went solar is to cut down on my power bill.......the "feel good" factor is secondary

BUT IT IS STILL THERE!!!!

so enough of this ****, ....this only serves to drive people away......get back to being civil......

No worries poppa, how are the panels doing today anyway?

[prydey]

AGL's rates are now beyond $0.30 which means the FIT (at 25.8c) doesn't quite cover it. d'oh. i get 10% off but still not enough to bring it back to the FIT rate. checked a bill from april this year and rate ranged from 22c-27c. apparently changing to solar means i'm now on different rates

oh well. still better than most states i guess.

[poppa smurf]

not real flash mate......storm is on it's way through, ....produced around 15 kilowatts yesterday though but I reckon I can halve that today....production will be down for a while

god knows how much rain we had and we copped the wind as well.....expecting about 10 kilowatts max today

I reckon Prydey would have got this storm yesterday

never mind, everyday we are above ground has got to be a bonus

I just read your post Prydey.....typing the same time as I was...

because we are on solar we automatically pay an extra 5c per kilowatt (from memory dont quote me)

AGL has just been ordered to lower their rates as well haven't they.....something like 8% or so I heard

[prydey]

hailing here again now. had a lot yesterday as well. spring?? yeah right.

not sure on the ins and outs of the rates etc. might have to start taking more of an interest. found out today as i was transferring my gas over to agl to have them both under the same company.

[flappist]

The topic of the thread is private solar power not green politics.

Keep it civil and on topic please.

[tregs]

Has anyone heard or used these guys ?
http://markaustralia.com.au/

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by prydey

hailing here again now. had a lot yesterday as well. spring?? yeah right.

not sure on the ins and outs of the rates etc. might have to start taking more of an interest. found out today as i was transferring my gas over to agl to have them both under the same company.

I only found out about the price difference when I enquired online about "one big switch"

I tried to get a quote but because I ticked that I had solar it couldn't be done online but had to make a phonecall instead....

it was then I was told about the price difference......I haven't got any paperwork to prove that though and thats why I haven't said anything about it before

I mentioned it to the feller on the phone who works for lumo when I was discussing an alteration to my plan he also backed this up

what mystifies me is that they take with one hand (5c dearer than non solar generators) and give with the other

they raised my "export" payments from $0.54c per kilowatt to $0.59c without telling me

then without notice my "supply" charge shot up

never mind......we copped a bit of snow in the hills last night apparently

[menil]

Put up a 6kw system 2 months ago has made 1500kw total and exported about 1000kw but no credits as meter was only reconfigured or whatever yesterday on a one for one byeback at present

[poppa smurf]

are you getting anything for your previous export.....seems a bit rough that you simply give it away and the provider makes a profit off it

I would be talking with my energy supplier about it and chasing some sort of payment or credit

[davenl5l]

Originally Posted by prydey

AGL's rates are now beyond $0.30 which means the FIT (at 25.8c) doesn't quite cover it. d'oh. i get 10% off but still not enough to bring it back to the FIT rate. checked a bill from april this year and rate ranged from 22c-27c. apparently changing to solar means i'm now on different rates

oh well. still better than most states i guess.

how did you get 10%...the mongrels only gave me 5% & i connected just before you typical of my luck!!....lol

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by menil

Put up a 6kw system 2 months ago has made 1500kw total and exported about 1000kw but no credits as meter was only reconfigured or whatever yesterday on a one for one byeback at present

I was in a similar situation when I got the initial install done, was about 6 weeks until I got my new meter installed. I just wore that as I didn't think anything could/would be done about it.

I was just happy with the pleasant surprise I got when I got my first bill.

Poppa and Rob - it's been overcast and raining up here today. I just checked my inverter and it's only generated 1kW. At least our panels are getting a wash!

Cheers!

[poppa smurf]

ah!...... now on the subject of washing these things how often do you find you have to do it or do you just let the weather do it for you

because mine are on the shed and relatively easy access I'm finding mine need doing about every month to a month and half......it's a pain in the bum

[EgoFG]

When you consider the $ value of your time, vss the $ value of the lost production ... is it actually worth doing ?

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

ah!...... now on the subject of washing these things how often do you find you have to do it or do you just let the weather do it for you

because mine are on the shed and relatively easy access I'm finding mine need doing about every month to a month and half......it's a pain in the bum

[poppa smurf]

I tend to think it is.....well, up here anyway.....the dust is pretty bad

only takes me about half an hour in between customers, then we have a yak when one comes around

I use an extendable brush, one that was designed for windows, a hose attaches to it and has a tap on the end

I dont have exact figures of lost production but I guesstimate somewhere around 2 - 5 kilowatts could easily be lost

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

ah you got the kakadu trek.....we had one very similar, a very good unit

we've been independent with our campers and caravans for years......just working on our new van to get her independent

Yeah, its the Trek 'Kudu', had it a fair while, its got a deep cycle battery, which can be charged from my Ute, a 240V supply or a solar panel. I've now got an electric pump on the water supply which has been enlarged to 130 liters.

[EgoFG]

My Brother-In-Law is a window cleaner and has some wealthy rural customers.
I suggested he include cleaning the Solar Arrays in his quotes.
He reckoned it not worth it to his customers.

But of course it is a different story doing your own in available time.

[poppa smurf]

hard to say just how much the drop in production is but I notice that there is a definite improvement after cleaning

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

ah!...... now on the subject of washing these things how often do you find you have to do it or do you just let the weather do it for you

because mine are on the shed and relatively easy access I'm finding mine need doing about every month to a month and half......it's a pain in the bum

I haven't really given washing them much thought. When I return from my afternoon walks I occasionally look at them and they appear "glossy". There is a mob advertising on local radio touting about keeping your solar in tip top condition by having them cleaned every 6 months - but I thought "Meh, they're just trying to cash in".

Maybe you've got a point there Poppa. I'm not real big on cleaning my windows, maybe every 2 years I'll hit them with a brush and soap. Then again, my windows are vertical - a whole lot more crud is gonna stick to my 30 degree panels! I keep a keen eye on what my system generates, we'll see what unfolds over the months ahead.

Anyone not looking at this thread regularly must think we're a whole new kind of obsessive compulsive disorder! LOL!

Cheers!