Solar Power systems

[Jarro]

Who's got one, and how is it going for you ??

I just got a quote for a system that will achieve a 'nil bill' for us ... but the system costs $15K

Anybody had a system installed recently ?

[Grunt]

I have a 3Kw system, cost just on 10k and has chopped our bill from over $500 to around $150 a quarter.

[PeteyD]

You would be looking at least that Jarro. The systems they sell cheap cheap are crap crap and basically useless. Send Solarman a PM.

[Jarro]

You would be looking at least that Jarro. The systems they sell cheap cheap are crap crap and basically useless. Send Solarman a PM.

yeah, now why didn't i think of that

Grunt, the system i was quoted has a 5kw inverter and 18 solar panels.

[Grunt]

Ours is 3Kw with 16 panels, 4kw inverter

[solarman]

Somewhere on the Energex account, (ours is Ergon, so different), you will find what your daily energy usage is stated as kwh/day. Let me know what that is.

A 5KW system with good quality inverter and solar modules should be around $12K as it is competitive down your way. JUST STAY AWAY FROM THE CRAP STUFF.

Let me know what the gear is?

[kpac]

Its a technology that's getting a lot better.
Unfortunately the cash back government scheme doesn't encourage the latest tech stuff anymore than the cheap alternatives. Which is disappointing. But Bob will be able to tell you about the stuff.

[simmsy]

We got a 3.3Kw/4Kw inverter - cost about 12K after rebate. that was in June last year we are currently $350 in credit with the Power Authority over here.
Well worth the money imo.

we were spending $300+ / bimonthly on electricity before hand.

our house i think is pretty typical:

Evap A/C
2 fridges
3 TV's
2 CPU
Pool running 8 hours a day
4 bed/2bath.

[Jarro]

Somewhere on the Energex account, (ours is Ergon, so different), you will find what your daily energy usage is stated as kwh/day. Let me know what that is.

A 5KW system with good quality inverter and solar modules should be around $12K as it is competitive down your way. JUST STAY AWAY FROM THE CRAP STUFF.

Let me know what the gear is?

Bob, i'll PM you my details

[Hawkers2008]

We put a small system in a while back cost us towards $3k all up. I reckon we will get a money back inside 3 years. With the benfit of hindsight I probably should have put a bigger system in.

[Yossarian]

We got a 3.3Kw/4Kw inverter - cost about 12K after rebate. that was in June last year we are currently $350 in credit with the Power Authority over here.
Well worth the money imo.

we were spending $300+ / bimonthly on electricity before hand.

our house i think is pretty typical:

Evap A/C
2 fridges
3 TV's
2 CPU
Pool running 8 hours a day
4 bed/2bath.

That is like 5 extra drivers a week!

[peter_rs]

Got a little 1.5kw with a 3kw inverter. Halved the bill looking at adding the other 9 panels.

Grays had some cheap deals last week.

Get the largest system you can.

Watch for the extras on the install

[Jarro]

Thanks for the advice people .....

... especially Bob

[just]

Aren't you afraid the bats will crap on the panels reducing their effectiveness?

[Jarro]

I'll kill them

[solarman]

Thanks for the advice people .....

... especially Bob

Nearly 20 years of doing this stuff now, think I may have learnt a little, I hope.

[Jarro]

Nearly 20 years of doing this stuff now, think I may have learnt a little, I hope.

Again, a big sloppy kiss for Bob ....

.. collectable from maysey

[solarman]

Again, a big sloppy kiss for Bob ....

.. collectable from maysey

He likes it too, don't like tongue though, its all furry from that scotch he drinks and his whiskers give me a rash.

[jasonb]

I am having a 5kw system installed next month, using Trina panels & Sunnyboy 5kw inverter at a cost of $12600, hoping to halve our bill, worst 1/4 so far was $1145.00 swimming pool not running during that 1/4 , best is $750.

Stay at home mum, swimming pool, 2 young kids etc - cant wait till she goes back to work

[solarman]

That is a pretty big bill. The gear you are getting is pretty good. I imagine a system like that in Adelaide should give you around 20kwh/day in good weather in Adelaide 9as a yearly daily average), less all the crow crap landing on the panels.

Put the Mrs and kids on ebay on a "buy it now" basis so you can offset some of the costs.

[BrisVegas]

Bob, how many years do these $12-15k systems last for? I assume the warranty is a year or two?

We spend about $1k a year on electricity, so would need some assurances that a solar system is gonna last at least 12-15 years.....

[Jarro]

Bob, how many years do these $12-15k systems last for? I assume the warranty is a year or two?

We spend about $1k a year on electricity, so would need some assurances that a solar system is gonna last at least 12-15 years.....

The system we're getting has a 25 year warranty on the panels, and a 5 year warranty on the inverter.

[markTHEblake]

I would rather be sure that the retailler that is selling the system is going to last the term of the warranty, rather than how long the warranty is for.

[mike]

If it weren't for the big initial outlay I'd do this tomorrow. And I'd get Solarman to fit it, even though he is a nutter.

[Daves]

If it weren't for the big initial outlay I'd do this tomorrow. And I'd get Solarman to fit it, even though he is a nutter.

It is not the outlay to me, the numbers should stack up in Qld, no problem. But I see the installs that have been in this area and they look f'n ugly as!