Cant remember and not important. Just ensure that the panels can operate above 60^C and are hail proof - German or otherwise. Some good deals on grays on line at the mo.

Sue,

You could do what I did. Get a plug in power meter (selloff from coles, ~$4) and use it to find what each main item was drawing over a reasonable period. Put that into a spreadsheet with the power draw of stuff you couldn't get at, and see how close you can get the total to what your bill says you are using. Continue till you are within 5-10%. In particular, see if you can break out standby usage (X Watts x Y hours) from actual useful usage. Don't forget the lights, particularly if you have these stupid downlights.

What that shows you is where the big pie segments are. Likely thing is you will find some things that surprise - the big fridge usually eats power - and some things that shock - standby draw of entertainment bits.

It's rare that someone can't arrange things, with remote mains switches and substitution, where you don't save 20% of usage. And its essentially free, unlike solar panels. Payback on any bits you do have to buy would be less than a year (avoid doing it if not).

As for solar panels, its actually best to put as many panels up as possible. It's got to the stage now where the installation costs, by those hairy apes, is a large chunk of the cost - and it doesn't take much longer to install lots of panels as it does few. That's particularly true if you can get generous government subsidies now to offset costs. The inverter will need to be bigger, true, but getting 10-12 panels now can makes sense, if you can afford it. Know the actual costs to the installer and you can beat them down.

Oh, and the thing to really pay attention to is the inverter, and its quality. The panels will generally work OK for decades, but the inverters can blow and it's with the inverters that most of the cost is skimped. Focus on the inverter.

Finally, I think you can get a 1-for-1 tariff in WA (Horizon) - what you generate comes off the amount you consume. Thus you don't have to settle for 7c (spit) rates, which are designed as a disincentive to solar.

Let's assume that you get your usage down to 12kWh when the son moves out.furthermore, lets assume you get an average of 5 hours of useful sun a day, therefore with 200W per panel:ie the number of panels you need to balance exactly your usage is your average kWh rate.

That's very rough and ready, and there is still the electricity company rake off, but if gives you a feel for sizing.

The solar subsidy and electricity buy back schemes, shouldn't sit well with a Labour government.
They are handing money over, to those who already have the substantial amount of cash needed to install these systems and making those who don't have that amount of cash, effectively pay more for their power.

There is no way I'm installing a system based on rebates from the Goverment... To base install one of these systems based on rebates is asking to be let down badly.

Two major decisions I've made with my Reno.... Gotten rid of all my Gas Appliances.... you cant generate your own Gas. and Insulated as much as possible. I feel the negativity towards electricity prices and ignoring what is happening with Gas prices is taking peoples attention away from what is really happening.

That is the ability to generate your own Energy with no ongoing outlays once it's installed, Apart from new systems every 15 to 20 years. . This is the first time in history that this has been possible.... No amount of centrally generated Electricity prices rises can counter or degrade that simple fact.... Plus the fact that solar and other home generation systems are going to become even more efficient as technology improves, makes it a no brainer to switch to Electric only households..... Then there's appliance effiency improvements. Wait till OLED becomes standard in households..



Gas is now permanently a far worse option than Electricity.

[QUOTE=GarryP;10005846]Sue,


Finally, I think you can get a 1-for-1 tariff in WA (Horizon) - what you generate comes off the amount you consume. Thus you don't have to settle for 7c (spit) rates, which are designed as a disincentive to solar.

Good post.But Horizon do not operate in Perth and the South West,so we are stuck will synegy and 7c rates.

You are probably right, I don't know the WA situation well enough.

I did find this useful discussion of metering types : http://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/t...ed-in-tariffs/

Seems as if the way this works for you is dependent on the metering approach. If they measure specifically the import and export numbers - then you are screwed with 7c 'values' for your power. If they measure the difference between In and Out on an interval basis then you get stung in evenings. If they accumulate the difference between In and Out over a longer time period (a day upward) then you effectively get 1 for 1.

I don't know about other states, but I do know that in QLD, it is actually the suburbs that are generally more working class and on the economically disadvantaged side that are the biggest adopters of solar. Energex publish a list of postcodes every quarter which shows who is actually installing where. It really does put to bed the theory that the rich are the ones adopting solar. The biggest demographic to adopt in the last 3 years has actually been retirees. Next it tends to be young families, but certainly not the sorts to drink lattes in Manly.

I'm in the middle of doing the sums now and it seems whichever Way i add things up even trying to be pessimistic solar is a smart investment.

I'm going to see if I can get a 5kw system up for about $10k and that should allow us to get a small income and pay it all off in 3-4 years.

Haven't actually seen any of the slimy salespeople yet though so there's always a chance that I'll be put off and refuse to do business with anyone!!

(anyone here in Brissie want to give me a quote? )

Brisbane is a good location for Solar PV, both in terms of sunshine, RECs and tariff. However, bear in mind that you've just elected a dirty conservative as leader, so don't be surprised if he cuts that feed in tariff very quickly. Make sure your numbers are robust to cuts in that number, and get in quickly, before he stuffs things up in other ways.

Is it cost effective to replace a gas water heater with a solar powered option ?

Definitely.... especially the heat pumps as they run on 1kwh. Jury is out on the longevity of the units at present though.

Tis the one item I've got left... a tempory fitted old internal GHWS outside.... which is in the way of some drainage works I have to to in the next 6 months. Not sure which way I'm going to go with that one yet. The Government have taken all the rebates of of those systems. Heat pump is favoured by me at present. I'm factoring in a less than 10 year lifespan though... which is the only fly in that ointment. I'll keep my eye on the Whirlpool site and see what the latest developments are.

Thanks you seem to know a lot about it , Im going to take on board what you and everyone said its been really helpful , Im going to wait and see what I'm using when my son moves out as he doesn't worry about leaving his plasma, pc,lights,fan on lol ( but bet he does when he moved into his own house lol)
So did u roughly work it out that I might need 12 panels sorry I got a bit lost with your working out , I'm sure everyone else got it though lol I'm just a but thick lol
Thanks again

Very doubtful that its economic to do it , our gas hot water = $300 / year , would take over ten years to pay back and you would still need a gas boost through winter. Electric hot water to solar is a definite yes.

Agree with what your saying , but unfortunately you cannot install an electric water heater in Perth it has to be gas or solar gas boost unless no gas is available. An electric heater run off the solar PV would make a lot on sense (cents also)

Thanks for that ! Would you replace a gas water heater then at end of life or switch to Solar gas assisted ?