Thread: Solar power outcomes

Has anyone been paid for what they are in front?

Originally Posted by rovercare

Oh, I'd also be inclined to install a shade greater than 5kw and get the standard feed in tariff as opposed to the transitional, but that's me, it's more work as ita a lengthy preapproval via spausnet to run over 5kw on one phase

Matt - would you still do that if you were in WA and only getting paid 7c/kWh for what you generate?

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Matt - would you still do that if you were in WA and only getting paid 7c/kWh for what you generate?

I don't know anything about wa's feed in tariff, just victoria

Originally Posted by Gillie

Has anyone been paid for what they are in front?

My last bill was minus $560, it was direct deposited in my bank account

Probably a bit different to most others. I have been on stand alone solar power for seventeen years. Solar panels (BP) still put out the same power as when new. The system is in fact two identical systems for redundancy. Both trackers have failed and the supplier has been taken over and the new owner can supply neither parts nor data. The Australian made inverters have been trouble free except for a rather spectacular failure of one a few days after installation (repaired under warranty). I have replaced one set of batteries and need to replace the other. Not bad considering their expected lifespan is ten years.

The reliability of power compared to the grid (if the power fails I can invariably restore it within a few minutes - if the grid fails here it is usually hours if not days before it resumes).

Originally Posted by rovercare

I don't know anything about wa's feed in tariff, just victoria

Which is?

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Which is?

Transitional feed in tariff, 25c/kw hr produced and most retailers offer an additional 8c, on all systems <5kw. >5kw is 1-1, I.e. You pay 24c a kw/hr, you receive 24c for each kw/hr you export. Transitional feed in tariff is locked for 5 years, standard feed in tariff has no time frame, the one to get was the premium feed in tariff which is no longer available, system return of investment, with what I personally use is around 5 years, that can be reduced with cheaper components, but I'm not using them

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Both trackers have failed and the supplier has been taken over and the new owner can supply neither parts nor data.

Trackers are quite easy to build, the sun sensors I use come from a guy on ebay, the motors are basically tracker motors for satellite dishes. You can use any linear motor with limit switches, I built a couple of small trackers using 24V invalid bed lift motors running on 12V. The trackers come in 12V and 24V models. e.g.

LED Solar Tracker 12v single axis. manual track. BOXED | eBay