Re: Solar panels
 

Absolutely possible and yes it should have an outlet to automatically expell any excess

Re: Solar panels
 

Quantum, the same company that make the Quantum Heat Pumps, which I also have.

Their prices are $2,350 in Victoria but $1,499 in QLD, due to differing RECS values, and discount levels. The base system price before RECS is $7,500 in QLD.

Re: Solar panels
 

From my understanding of the Solar hot water systems, learned in the last few days, they only heat the 'existing' water supply, and cut off the heating system once the temperature is reached.

The new solar hot water systems use Evacuated Tubes, not panels, and transfer the heat to the water passing the top of the tubes.
http://www.enviro-friendly.com/image..._heat_pipe.gif

Re: Solar panels
 

makes or imports then rebrands? Very different things

Re: Solar panels
 

Quantum Energy Limited, an Australian publicly
 listed company that manufactures and distributes energy 
efficient and environmentally friendly solutions in the energy sector.

Re: Solar panels
 

Not quite. They are just two different technologies, which doesn't make flat panel technology obsolete. In QLD a flat plate technology system will likely perform just as well as an evacuated tube system. It is in colder climates (like Vic) where evac tube systems should only be sold as the flat plate systems will only really perform during the summer months.

In short, Evac tube systems do not replace flat plate systems, they are just different systems for different situations

Re: Solar panels
 

wanna bet????

Show me proof that they are stating that they manufacture the panels and inverters and I will give you a number at the ACCC and CEC where you can promptly report them for misleading information and subsequently get your system refunded.

Re: Solar panels
 

If they were manufacturing their own equipment, do you really think they would be doing this?

http://www.gotsolar.com.au/wholesale.php

The only panels manufactured in Australia are Silex panels, which are built on the Gold Coast. Because they are built over here they cost a heavy premium. The only inverter manufacturer in Australia that I am aware of is Latronics, who are based on the Sunshine coast. There is a chance that it could be a rebranded Latronics inverter as they are cheap as chips, however the price you got your system at, there is no way on earth your panels were manufactured in Aus.

Unfortunately, this is a common ruse used by companies in the solar industry, which goes a long way to people associating it to the insulation cowboys. It seems that Quantum are doing something similar in their marketing.

Re: Solar panels
 

http://www.quantumsolarpower.com.au/
Quantum Company Profile
http://www.quantumenergy.com.au/abou...rofile-14.aspx

Re: Solar panels
 

Looks like they are offering to supply many other installers with Panels with those wholesale prices.

They appear to be trading off their reputation with manufacturing the heat pumps for the last 30+ years. Their statement as a manufacturer does not specify exactly what they manufacture, but this does seem to concentrate on the Heat Pumps:
Hopefully whatever they use, they have their long reputation pinned to it, and it will hopefully be OK.

Getting back to the original point, I haven't yet found any inverters that give more than a 10 year guarantee though. And those that give the 10 year guarantee seem to be charging about $1,000 or more higher.

Re: Solar panels
 

Well I can tell you with absolute certainty that they do not manufacture their own panels and I would lay money on that being the same for the inverters. If they were good reputation parts then I am sure that they would not bother to rebadge them.

When a company rebadges something in the solar industry I am immediately cautious as it says to me that they are trying to hide their origins, which 9/10 means it is because it is cheaply made rubbish. Something both Modern Solar and Beyond Building do a lot of. You only have to type their name into Whirlpool or Google and you can see for yourself the feedback on companies who do this.

Good luck on this

Re: Solar panels
 

I've done some more looking into this, and saw the manufacturers name and model number on the spec sheets that I hadn't really looked at.

It seems that Origin Energy have used these inverters in expensive systems, and another local company that quoted over $3,000 uses the same one, and another local company that quoted $1,699 uses them.

Turns out that the price cannot be used as an indicator.

It's all a gamble, and I hope I picked the right one.

Part of my thinking was:
The $3,000 quote was from a 3 year old company
The $1,699 quote was from a 15 year old company
The one I went with is a 30+ year old company who told me all I can save is about $100 pq due to the positioning problem that I have. Something that the others didn't tell me.

An interesting thing that I found about the 25 year guarantee on the panels is that it is only a performance guarantee. The actual parts guarantee part may be much lower.

A bit of a learning curve on this one.

Re: Solar panels
 

Please tell me it's not an Aerosharp? I know Origin were using them a lot.

Yes, this is one of the many things solar companies hide behind. I think I listed this as one of the big things to look out for in another thread. It is a very convenient feature that dodgy companies can hide behind. By ORER standards all panels sold into Australia must have the 25 Year Output Performance warranty to be eligible for RECs or STCs (the main rebate for those uninitiated). This basically means all panel companies HAVE to offer this warranty to sell into Australia. It's essentially a meaningless warranty as it does not protect you from the panel failing through fault. What it is saying is that as long as the panel is not faulty it should produce >90% for the first 10 years, then 80% >20 years up to 25 years.

What is the actual panel warranty? 5 Years, I assume? Is the workmanship and labour warranteed for 5 years too? The reason I ask is, most companies offer a 12 month workmanship and labour warranty. What happens if one of your panels fails after 2 years in that case? The company will not come out and diagnose, remove and replace the faulty panel without labour charges, this will cost you for their time. Also, because it will be a manufacturer's warranty then you will likely incur the expense of having the faulty panel/part sent back to China too.

As you said, a lot of fine print and the warranty side of things in our industry is one of the worst.

Re: Solar panels
 

Broadshoulders... how effective is window tinting on energy loss through them ? I'm talking more about cold transfer (blue spectrum) rather than Infa red as our windows dont get a lot of sun on them ?

The Council steered me towards Window Tinting which surprised me.

BTW... for others reading AFAIK Local Councils here are no where near as good at supplying rebates for insulation, however they do two things... Free detailed advice, we were at the Council one on one for more than an hour, plus Draught Proofing and I mean everything... gaps in floors and cornerces included for 500 bucks. That maybe only Moreland Council though... could be others.

Re: Solar panels
 

To be honest, I have no idea. I work for a solar energy company so don't really have much exposure to those types of energy saving tips. I am quite surprised that your council is encouraging these types of measures over going solar. If I were you, I would be looking to engage an Environmental Council in your region rather than a local govt council. They are the people likely to give you the most sound and unbiaised advise on your situation.

You should be aware that if you do get roof insulation then you will not be eligible for the solar hot water rebates should you wish to go down that avenue at a later date. Something to consider...