Thread: Solar Electric for the home

Originally Posted by LBudgie

ok, i have read the posts and my brain has gone bbbllllllaaaaaarrrrrr.
Being only a little bit clever but only when nuts and bolts are involve. i find this electrickery stuff just not my thing.
would like to get solar panels to help with the bill (last one was $1100).
i know that i wont get total independance but it all helps.
what would be a preferable cell, meter, system to get?
what jargon should i use when talking to a installer?
what should i avoid?
who should do it?
aprox how much am i looking at?

any help apreciated
Thanks
Paul

Try this company, I have had a couple of dealings with him and he seems to know his stuff: K & C Stork Solar Power Consultants

Deleted... wrong thread... sorry

i am looking after a house in dunsborough which has a system on it.
the system was installed by solarshop australia on the 29/3/2010 the coast $10,000 which there was a rebate of $8,000 the system has 12 x 100 watt panels . since the installation it has prouduced 280 kw . the panels are kaneka marine hybrid u-db 100 with a sunny boy inverter sb1700 . with one person in the house i am using on average of 7kw per night the panels seem to be covering my day use

7 days ending 9am on the 9/6/10 the system produced 20kw the house used 50kw , an hourly reading for the 8/6/10 9am 379w 10am 789w 11am 868w 12 noon 856w 1pm 706w (4 panel in shade) 2pm 266w (light cloud) 3pm 683w 4pm 78w all panels in shade , the day produced 4.19 kw

So Richard the house was in deficit in terms of solar power not meeting power actually consumed.

A friend is installing solar system costing $10,000 with $8,000 Government subsidy and requires an estimated $5,000 on top of that to become solar power positive and he lives alone in his house, a family power consumption would require a larger investment.

For me the entire monetary equation doesn't make sense in terms of pay back for solar and it boils down to a good feel green environmental wish washy exercise at the expense of the tax payer who as always is footing the dream of some politician.

yeah last week by 50kw remembering it is winter, elect blanket etc

week ending 16/6 9am system produced 14 kw and the house used 93 kw ( 2 people )

cartm58,
I don't think you can make blanket statements like "to me the whole monetary thing doesn't make sense".
It depends which State you live in! Gross or net FIT's? Different rates for different States!
I am currently having a 10kW system installed for $50k and I believe it will pay itself off in 5 years. After that.....just profit! Maybe I have an error in my maths???
In NSW Origin Energy is paying 66c / kWh gross (ie for EVERY kWh produced). In WA where you are it is I believe only 47c net, so you only get paid for your excess. That is over and above what you consume.
Regards.
bw