Hi
We are thinking about having solar fitted probably 16 panels ,that wont quite cover the bill as we use about 20 units a day,but the next system jumps up in price quite alot. Does anyone have any good or bad information to share,and what companies provide the best value .I understand the sunny boy converter is best and was told by a sales man ( who was probably doing the sales spill) that the ZNSHINE panel are very good ,but im getting very confused on the different products and prices.
Also if you have made electric during the day when your out does this get stored so you can use it in the evening ( i have asked 2 different companies but got different answers)
I know the buy back rate is only 7cents but i was hoping there wouldnt be much over ,if i can store and use what i make.
Such a minefield hope someone can help
Sue

Looking forward to some answers... i do KNOW that those who have them fitted become fixated on their production/use....

Wish we had them, make life a lot cheaper... Itnwould definatelybe a selling pointnif we were to sell/buynagain!

There is no "my power stored " - there is just power into the grid (daytime - use your own costs nil -excess is worth 7c )
at night power out from the grid costs 22c (plus supply charge )

What you need to do is work out how much power you can use during the day - say 9am - 4pm and install a system to do that ( unless you use nothing at night ) a large surplus of power is not really financially advantageous.

Thanks for your reply,but if none is stored and my pool pump comes on and i have the washing machine going ( during the day) how does it cope with the power needed ,or if nothing is being used in the day does it all go back to the grid?
Im just not getting my head round this..lol...

Sue

The digital meter they install measures power into the grid and power from the grid on separate readouts - example - electric kettle uses 2000watts for 20 seconds but your PV only is putting out 1500watts so you use 500watts from the grid (for 20 seconds ).

You will always use the PV supplied power first -which wont be measured on the meter.
Then any power drawn from the grid will be metered +
Any power returned to the grid will be metered (separately ) -

Mine at the moment stands at:
metered usage 7kW per day (only night usage is metered as we are self reliant by day )
unmetered usage 5kW ( coming from the PV solar system )
Metered input 23Kw a day ( this is what synergy pays us on )


Try GSI solar or Infinite Energy for a quote.

A friend of mine bought a solar power system with the government subsidy. He reckons he would save more money if he sold the whole lot on eBay and paid down some of his mortgage.

And what was it? One in eight systems have been incorrectly/dangerously installed?

First thing I'd look at - if you think you need 16-20 panels, how much electricity are you using? If you can cut that usage you can make a bigger impact for lots less money. For most people 12 panels is more than they use, so work out where your big usage is.

Second, Solar PV is a complex area, with lots of sharks. It's not something to go into without doing your research - you will get it wrong. Take your time and read up, whirlpool has quite a lot of local info.

Third, don't discount solar HW. It's cheaper and can cut those gas bills quite a bit.

Hi thanks everyone,im slowly understanding it ,so im thinking why have a big system if you cant use it all yourself during the day ,why should they have the pleasure in giving you 7cent when they want 22cent to buy it from them ,which is what i will need to do in the evenings anyway regardless how many panels i have. SO ive decided to work out how much i use in the day ,like the pool etc ,and maybe buy just enough to cover the daytime useage.I cant see the sence in buying lots of panels just to sell it to them for 7cents it doesnt make any sence.
So why was i asked by a salesman if i wanted to cover ALL my bill ,i said yes and he told me i would need 16-20 panels,but from how i see it even if i have 40 panels ,i would still need to buy electric in the evenings anyway !
Maybe it worked ok for people when they were offering 47cent a unit,but its just not worth it now.
PLease correct me if im wrong but this is how i understand it
Sue

7 cents? Is that all they are paying now?

Another con.

Cheapen electricity production cost but still whack on big price increases. Double win.

Yes I was told that the electric company has always paid 7 cents,and the goverment use to pay 40cent then dropped it to 20cents ,now they pay NOTHING ,so all you get is 7cents,and Gillard wants to go green ,I dont get it ,she makes me see RED dont know about green !!

Sue

Not if your system was 'making' enough electricity during the day to supply you with power for the evening too. As said previously, you would use that first before having to use any from the grid. The PV system we have gives us half of the electricity we use (we use a lot!) but I'm still happy that our bill has halved. Especially as the cost of electricity will only increase in the future.

I'm not very technical and don't know the total ins and out (only our experience) so I hope I make sense Sue .

Jilliebee x

Without the rebate solar can't be viable. I would love to see your salesman's calculations that justify the purchase.

I wonder what the lifespan of the equipment is?