Solar Panels

PCH (Paul) · #1 04-11-2010, 08:17 PM

Hi all,

I'm considering getting solar panels installed. Does anyone have these already? I have some questions.

Are there any problems with them being damaged by hail, or weather generally?
Has anyone had a leak in the roof under the panel array?
How much capacity have people purchased?
Anyone able to recommend an installer/company here in WA?
What do these panels weigh?
What sort of price might I expect to pay for, say, 3kW generating capacity?
Does any particular brand of panel stand out?

Any and all information gratefully received

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #2 04-11-2010, 08:33 PM

If you are going to install solar panels then I would consider using someone that is licenced under the federal government scheme to subsidised the installation. Also they are licenced to connect a system via the power grid.

DIY is also a way to go but if not licensed then cant get funding.

I used to install panels long time ago in the outback but opted out of the industry a while back.

Placed are frequently advertised on TV. I do not endorse the folowing company but good start - http://www.modernsolar.com.au/

Zaps · #3 04-11-2010, 08:46 PM

There was a story a few years back about an RV caught in a severe storm which was pummeled by hailstones the size of golf balls. The only thing on the vehicle not condemned by the insurance company was the solar array which was completely undamaged.

TrevorW · #4 06-11-2010, 09:06 AM

Personally I thinks its another Govt FU and solar companies are making a killing at our expense

eg: a 1.5 kw system will cost you around $3000 after subsidies but an avaerage househould uses more than that a day so it'll take a long time to recoup your capital investment however to make it worth your while you'll need at least a 3 kw system which will cost you around $10000, nearly three times more, go figure

koputai (Jason) · #5 06-11-2010, 09:11 AM

The viability depends on the buy-back rate the power company pays you for power fed back into the grid. Until last week, NSW was paying 60 cents per kilowatt hour, which made a household solar installation pay for itself in about three years, and in profit after that. The rate was changed (for new installations) last week to only 20 cents per kilowatt hour, which is less than the power company sells power for. So now in NSW, there is no point in going solar if you have access to grid power.

Cheers,
Jason.

Barrykgerdes · #6 06-11-2010, 10:22 AM

I will have a 2Kw system when it is operational cost $4700. It is contracted at the 60c rate. This I expect to supply about 3000Kwh per year based on about 1200 out of a possible 4300 hrs of sunlight.

At 60c/Kwh $1800. My last years consumption was $1700.

Incidently I expect most who can afford a solar electric system will be paying tax on their extra income at the 47c/dollar so they will not be netting 60c / kwh

I wonder how many people have thought of the implications of being an electricity producer and selling the product.

It is a good investment to me as I can increase my yearly income by nearly $2000 and only cut my pension by $1000 and I will still be below the threshold to pay tax!

Barry

mithrandir (Andrew) · #7 06-11-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrykgerdes

I will have a 2Kw system when it is operational cost $4700. It is contracted at the 60c rate.

And everyone's dearly beloved labor party has announced it is cutting the 60c rate to 20something because too many people are taking them up on the offer. NSW is running at about 10 times the rate installation of Victoria.

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #8 06-11-2010, 11:27 AM

It shows how much the government is relying on revenue from their coal fired power stations.

Gama · #9 06-11-2010, 11:53 AM

I have a 3Kw solar system installed since March this year.
First, im with AGL, and recommend any one else to do the same. Its about the best in overall costing that i know off.
First the buy back is at 68 cents (ex GST), and my rate is around 25 cents at Peak and around 8 cents at off peak.

This last 3 month period, my bill came to $103.00 Credit !.
There is NO interset to add to your taxable income etc, as its not an income, so you pay nothing in Tax.
As far as recouping the costs taking a long time, depends on your size of the system.
My bill same time last year (Same rough usage as well) was around $350.00 dollars.
So i have atctually saved $350 + $103 credit = $453 for this quarter.
This goes towars the cost of the system outlay, so should at average add at least $1500, so at least 9 to 10 years for a 3Kw system (Cost me $11,000).
I do recommend a2Kw at least, but a 3Kw is the better way to start on.

This last quarter, i pumped back into the grid 538.5Kwh.

The panels are tough, mine took the severe hail storm early this year, which impressed me, as i thought they were toast!.

Best thing about AGL, is that we can transfer the amount in credit to the Gas bill ($93.00), and we still have a little left in credit.
So free gas and electricity, its the best way to go..

I went thru Nue Energy, and had no major issues.

Theo

PCH (Paul) · #10 06-11-2010, 04:32 PM

Some of these replies have been very enlightening, thanks to everyone who's replied.

Just as a matter of interest, if my (proposed) installation were be continually generating more than I was using, would the electricity company (Synergy here in WA) pay the credit in cash, or do I just stay forever in an ever-increasing credit situation?

Cheers,

TrevorW · #11 06-11-2010, 04:58 PM

Check out the Horizon/Synergy website

tlgerdes (Trevor) · #12 07-11-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mswhin63

Placed are frequently advertised on TV. I do not endorse the folowing company but good start - http://www.modernsolar.com.au/

The Modern Group are taking a bagging on the press at the moment over alleged shonky sales and installation practices. Things like people being told it is OK to install solar panels on a south facing roof.

Do your own investigations into them before chosing them.

PCH (Paul) · #13 07-11-2010, 01:13 PM

Thanks Trevor and err... Trevor,

all points and suggestions noted

allan gould · #14 07-11-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlgerdes

The Modern Group are taking a bagging on the press at the moment over alleged shonky sales and installation practices. Things like people being told it is OK to install solar panels on a south facing roof.

Do your own investigations into them before chosing them.

Had them (Modern) come round and from first hand experience they tried every shonky trick to get me to sign up for an overpriced deal that day. Got a really bad attitude when I told them I never do anything on the spur of the moment and I wanted to think about it. Really slippery salesman that litterally tried every smooth trick in the book but wouldnt be pinned on specifics.
I went with Origin energy and they installed Japanese panels (not chinese) for half the price, with better performance and transformer than Modern.
Make sure you shop around for best deal and rebate.

PCH (Paul) · #15 07-11-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan gould

Had them (Modern) come round and from first hand experience they tried every shonky trick to get me to sign up for an overpriced deal that day. Got a really bad attitude when I told them I never do anything on the spur of the moment and I wanted to think about it. Really slippery salesman that litterally tried every smooth trick in the book but wouldnt be pinned on specifics.
I went with Origin energy and they installed Japanese panels (not chinese) for half the price, with better performance and transformer than Modern.
Make sure you shop around for best deal and rebate.

Thanks Allan,

so, if it's not a rude question, how much did you end up paying for what kWh? And would you know the brand of the Jap panels you purchased?

Cheers

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #16 07-11-2010, 07:07 PM

I would most probably do it myself and get an electrician to hook it up to the grid.

I've installed many panels from my past work just not licensed according to government new regs. I believe this is close to the insulation scam the government created. I haven't really gone into it ATM as i am still renting.

tlgerdes (Trevor) · #17 08-11-2010, 11:39 AM

I believe you need to have a Gov registered installer do all the work in order to qualify for the rebates, not just the grid hookup part.

Barrykgerdes · #18 21-01-2011, 12:25 PM

I have had my solar electric panels installed today. Here is some information
1. I have eight panels each with a maximum rating of 30v at 8A (240 watt)
2. They are connected in series to provide a nominal max voltage of 240v DC
3. The inverter operates from a minimum voltage of 100 v and supplies 240v AC 50 Hz to the mains via a council metering system.

At 09:30 today the sun had just reached the panels and the power generated was 840 watts. I would expect this to be the minimum and would last for about 8 hrs of wich 4 hrs should be at the maximum of 2000W. Thus I would expect at least 12 Kw per sunny day. I will take exact figures when they are fully connected to the mains. As a rough guide my neighbour put 224Kw ino the grid at around 13 kW per day

I am one of the lucky ones that get 60c per KW and I expect to be electicity cost neutral over a year.

Barry

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #19 21-01-2011, 12:33 PM

Nice one Barry, as more solar panels are installed teh less the rebates will be in the future, do you have a clause that will keep you rates at 60c at least for a while?

Barrykgerdes · #20 21-01-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mswhin63

Nice one Barry, as more solar panels are installed teh less the rebates will be in the future, do you have a clause that will keep you rates at 60c at least for a while?

I have a seven year clause. However this is largely irrelevant as we intend to move not to far into the future.

Spelling: I see you have a computer just like mine that regularly spells "the" as "teh" and makes many other likewise dyslexic errors.

Barry