Well I was just sitting back looking at this post. As usual, it seems to have gone off at a tangent somewhat. I for one did not buy the solar system to fill my pockets, it was purely to stop paying ridiculous prices to the greedy energy providers. I like Paul paid top dollar for a 4.6kw system that today costs damn near a 1/4 of what I paid. Yes I am getting the good feedin tariff, but I am well and truly out of pocket compared to the price of installation in todays market.
As a matter of fact when I did my calculations originally all I wanted was to stay cost neutral in the poor solar winter months, this necessitated getting a larger system than I wanted at the corresponding crazy price. Yes I make some dollars in the months where the sun is higher and up for longer, but it is all debits and credits.
I might add that since I connected to solar the cost of used power has risen quite considerably as well, so eventually I will be paying the suppliers as well. All I have done is delayed the inevitable really.
One thing is for sure, unless one installs a huge system, it is most definitely not a money making concern especially in todays terms. It would have been nice 3 yrs ago to do it, but I would have been up for $30k+ I have seen 10kw systems advertised here for around $8k currently. Not sure about the other states, but I believe in SA, the maximum size domestic system is 10kw.
I look at it this way, If I am no longer paying $500 per quarter for electricity, and am getting on average $200/quarter back, that is $2800 a year I am better off. Based on my basic calculations it would only take me around 5 years to pay the system off, this does not take into account the useage costs increasing. So it is definitely NOT a money making concern.
I just think, and it is only my opinion that it was a smart move. I still think it is a smart move as the outlay is way less now, and used correctly most definitely off-sets power consumption and the associated costs to the householder. Granted the feedin is lousy, but the initial cost is way way less, slippery dips and merry go rounds I reckon.
Just my 20c worth !!