Originally Posted by spartacus (Post 8814935)

How easy would that be to do? Very.

Why hasn't anyone done it before? Possibly because the outlay versus savings don't add up? . . .

I know a fair few people who spend more than $1000 a quarter on electricity. They are thinking about getting solar installed, when they may be better off just switching off two of their three fridge freezers.

Originally Posted by Evelin (Post 8815202)

you have the choice either buy a solar system that costs you x amount of dollars and save x amounts of dollars on your energy bill or you don't buy it and put your money in the bank and earn interest.

In the case of spending $8k for a 4kW system, your max return in WA when your house is facing true north, perfect roof angle, no shade and solar panels that has a high efficiency rate (eg Sunpower) you could earn between $1400 + $3200 per year depending on your own usage.

Alternatively, how much would earn if you deposited the $8k in an saving account/term deposit? You make more money with solar panels that's why Germans have large solar systems on their roof. It is viable.

Originally Posted by asprilla (Post 8815234)

ok I can kind of see your reasoning here (and KJCherokee too).

re: the scenario you describe above.... returns via bank interest, vs returns from solar energy.....Did the company that supplied your solar power, use this kind of example when explaining things to you?

The reason I ask, is that I can probably get a return of 6.3% from my bank. But if someone came along and told me that I could invest $10k in solar technology and I'd get a return of 7% - I would pass.

cheers

Originally Posted by asprilla (Post 8815234)

ok I can kind of see your reasoning here (and KJCherokee too).

re: the scenario you describe above.... returns via bank interest, vs returns from solar energy.....Did the company that supplied your solar power, use this kind of example when explaining things to you?

The reason I ask, is that I can probably get a return of 6.3% from my bank. But if someone came along and told me that I could invest $10k in solar technology and I'd get a return of 7% - I would pass.

cheers

Originally Posted by joho (Post 8815255)

We are seriously considering it and have had a quote from Harvey Norman who are offering 1.5kw (8 panels) for $2995 + $500 grid connection fee (after rebates). Energy Aust pay 66c per kw and they estimate an average income of $1300 on this size. propably no quite enough for what we need but a good enough chunk to make it more than attractive. 10 year guarantee on product. 1/3rd upfront and the rest on interest free makes in even more attractive. Other sizes available. We are also blessed cause the side of the roof we will use has sun on it alllllll day long.

Jo

Originally Posted by asprilla (Post 8814921)

I think if you could provide a potential customer with an example scenario, that might be useful... for example.


a) total current electricity usage in the house.
b) space available for solar panels, and max potential m2 solar panels that could be fitted on roof.
c) amount of energy that the solar panels would be generating on a sunny day, and on a cloudy day.
d) estimate of total energy being generated per year.... subtract this from (a) to work out potential savings.

Then I guess you could give the full costs of the product, and it would be up to the individual to determine whether or not it is a good investment.

Something like that anyway. good luck !

Originally Posted by joho (Post 8815255)

We are seriously considering it and have had a quote from Harvey Norman who are offering 1.5kw (8 panels) for $2995 + $500 grid connection fee (after rebates). Energy Aust pay 66c per kw and they estimate an average income of $1300 on this size. propably no quite enough for what we need but a good enough chunk to make it more than attractive. 10 year guarantee on product. 1/3rd upfront and the rest on interest free makes in even more attractive. Other sizes available. We are also blessed cause the side of the roof we will use has sun on it alllllll day long.

Jo

Originally Posted by Evelin (Post 8815257)

I'll send you a PM.
It is rather simple. It all depends on all the factors explained above, how efficient your panels are etc. It depends on the quality of the panels, the inverter. I must admit, in Australia information for solar systems is limited I get my information from German internet sites.

Originally Posted by asprilla (Post 8814993)

any idea what the Qld limit is? If I can spend $130k and then get back $23k per annum, I'm sure I'm not the only person around here who is interested...


Knowing my luck I'd install it, then we'd have 2 years of cloudy, rainy days...

Originally Posted by mulben (Post 8815332)

Plenty of informed opinion :

http://www.energymatters.com.au/

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/138?g=223

http://www.dkasolarcentre.com.au/

Originally Posted by Wol (Post 8815376)

The first one says:
>> Watts are related to the output of each panel; meaning a 100Watt panel under ideal conditions will generate 100 Watts of electricity each hour and a 200 Watt panel will generate 200 Watts each hour<<
.

Originally Posted by mulben (Post 8815332)

Originally Posted by datamile (Post 8815495)

This forum tends to have lots of the benefits , problems, cowboys etc

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/138