Solar power outcomes

[Gillie]

We are currently in the research stage of investigating Solar Power. There is a little bit of info on Aulro but not so much on outcomes. This stems from not only receiving our latest bill but also some information on the ABC radio a few weeks back.

The lady being interviewed (who also worked at the ABC) said that her and her husband installed a 3.1KW system and they are in front after 9 months to the tune of $1000ish. They had a number of kids and a big 5 bedroom house. Some callers rang in to say they had also made $$$ with some of them getting paid monthly, some yearly and some not at all.
We currently use 27KW/H average daily usage.

Would any one like to comment on their experience as to how it worked out for them? Interested on size of system, cost, how it has panned out, are you in credit and do you get paid? Would you recommend it?

[p38arover]

We've had ours for 500+ days. The inverter failed Xmas day and wasn't replaced for 3 weeks. We were lucky it was. The supplier has now gone out of business so our warranty is worthless.

We've generated over 5MWh of power for a credit of $3,400+

If I was looking now, I wouldn't do it in NSW as there is little financial benefit. at least we got the govt. interest-free Green Loan to buy ours.

here’s my solar generation. p38arover 3.040kW (http://pvoutput.org/list.jsp?id=309&sid=271&g=0&z=0&gs=0&sg=1&t=2&s=1)

Run the mouse over the graph. I’ve generated about 5MWh at 68 cents/MWh = $3,400

Click on Follower, Following, Photos (of mine) etc. below the graph to see more info.

This is my Live production: p38arover 3.040kW | Live Output (http://pvoutput.org/intraday.jsp?id=309&sid=271&dt=20120426)

For comparison, I picked someone who is following my system to compare., see Compare Live (http://pvoutput.org/comparelive.jsp'sid=271&sid1=720&dt=20120425&m=1)

I was comparing Bytemrk's (from this forum) system to mine but his hasn't been uploading data for over 10 days now.

My solar inverter directly uploads to my PC via a serial port.

For consumption monitoring, I use a Current Cost EnviR Current Cost - Reducing your energy bills so you can live a greener life! (http://www.currentcost.com/product-envir.html) which uploads to the PC via a USB port.. I used to upload to the ‘net via my router and I could monitor the power from anywhere (via Google PowerMeter). Google have closed that service. I now use the PVOutput service linked above.

[Gillie]

We've had ours for 500+ days. The inverter failed Xmas day and wasn't replaced for 3 weeks. We were lucky it was. The supplier has now gone out of business so our warranty is worthless.



:D Why does this not surprise me!

[eddy]

For all the information on solar in Australia go to the green tech forum at http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/143

[tonic]

It's a gamble, you go with a good local sparky and they will sell you top stuff from Germany etc or you go with one of the big advertisers and get stuff fom China which will be about 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of the presumed better stuff.

As we are going to renovate and sell one day we went China. Ifstaying I would have spent the extra.

We are also going to get an inverter pool pump. Current pool pump costs around $400 per 1/4, the new one will cost $80 per 1/4, for an investment of $1,400.

The solar stuff works and you do save. Be aware that they might be about to cancel all selling back to the networks so make your mind up I have been told.

[Reads90]

I got a 2.5 kw system put on my roof with a 3kw inverter. That was put on September 18 months ago. Ours is a German unit

I am very pleased with it. I did at the same time ( on advice from the company that did it) get my pool , dryer , washing machine and dishwasher put on tarrif 33

My bills we quickly heading towards $600 a quarter. To be honest some of that is our fault. With two very young kids we tend to do all our washing at the weekends. So this means washing and then drying it in the dryer even in Brisbane summer days. So we dot really help our selves but I accept that.

But our last power bill ( and we have not changed our habits ) was $75 for the quarter and the one before that was $92.
So all in all very happy with it and my neighbour has just got it on his roof after seeing my bills before and after

I am looking at putting another couple of panels up on the roof later this year. We have 12 panels but can have 16 with the inverter we have , so going to get another 4

[bee utey]

We have a 1.5kW system using a solar tracker. This makes it approximately the same daily output as a 2kW system. With SA's feed-in tarrif we have covered our modest electricity costs for the last 3 1/2 years.

Our daily usage is around 10 kWh being the combination of Vestfrost low energy use fridge and heat pump hot water. We heat by wood and cool by evaporative. Our F & P frost free fridge used to cost 3kWh daily, the Vestfrost about 0.7. The tucker box freezer adds about 1kWh daily. No pool, no monster TV, no halogen downlights.

The panels are Japanese made Kyocera, the inverter is German made Sunny Boy 1.7kW. Neither has shows signs of deterioration, I monitor the system by walking past the inverter once in a while and reading the numbers. We are up to about (edit!) 6800kWh production since October 2008.

[p38arover]

I forgot to mention our last electricity bill put us $292 in credit. That will get used up over winter with using the aircon for heating.

Are there any others on here uploading to PVOutput (other than Bytemrk's Powerhouse)?

[Tombie]

I run a 5kw system.. Its been up and active since September 2011.

In that time it has generated over 7600kWh of power for our household.

Needless to say, with sensible energy usage.. We are well in front :cool:

Skuilnaam

[rovercare]

Your main concern is return of investment and quality of components, I'd suggest talking to some local installers, they should sell you good gear alot cheaper than any agent, I do warranty work for a few of the larger mobs, lots of replacement inverters, I expect the failure rate to head up in time

Good luck on whirlpool, to many jokers you really don't know and very few that do, it's quite painful

I sell to chosen customers and install for a few other mobs now

[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

[Gillie]

Has anyone been paid for what they are in front?

[isuzurover]

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?

[rovercare]

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

[rovercare]

Has anyone been paid for what they are in front?

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

[JDNSW]

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).

[isuzurover]

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

Which is?

[rovercare]

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

[bee utey]

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 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LED-Solar-Tracker-12v-single-axis-manual-track-BOXED-/200701959137?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item2ebac4dbe1)

[p38arover]

I run a 5kw system.. Its been up and active since September 2011.

In that time it has generated over 7600kWh of power for our household.

You are doing remarkably well to generate 7.6MWh from a 5kW system in only 240 (or less) days, i.e., an average of 32kWh per day.

[Tombie]

You are doing remarkably well to generate 7.6MWh from a 5kW system in only 240 (or less) days, i.e., an average of 32kWh per day.

I will double check my logs but I believe thats correct.

We were putting out over 35kwh per day throughout summer.

[p38arover]

I will double check my logs but I believe thats correct.

We were putting out over 35kwh per day throughout summer.

Ahh, cloudless days — unlike Sydney over the past couple of months. :D

Mine's been in for a year longer than yours and we are only just over 5400kWh. :(

[rovercare]

I will double check my logs but I believe thats correct.

We were putting out over 35kwh per day throughout summer.

On tilt frames? What latitude?

[rovercare]

To put it in perspective, most who don't, can't afford it, yet another ironic government subsidy that only those who a financially able it helps financially:D

Financially I think it's well worth it, spend a bit more for quality components though!

The green side of it, well, that's upto you

I only put it on after feedback from people who's systems I'd installed, now I'm very happy I spent the money, albeit, I'm in a reasonable financial position...... And I'm a tightass:angel:

I have not installed it on one close friends place yet, 2 reasons, most can't afford the initial outlay or 2 they won't stay living in the same place for 5 years plus

[harlie]

We have 4kw in Brisbane facing 3 degrees off North tilted 28 degrees.

Power Bill was about $420 / quarter, now have a rebate of 230-270 / Quarter. I wouldn’t do it if feed in tariff was 20ish c like talked about here – we are on 52c. I have several items on Tariff 33 (runs 9pm-530pm) like Pool, ducted AC, Deep freeze, Dishwasher – so these appliances are not calculated in the “Net Feed-in” equation.

[Tombie]

On tilt frames? What latitude?

I will get the specs to you once I find them...

I believe angled about 23 degrees and they are facing true north..

[superquag]

My system:- Motech 4600 inverter, 3 MPPT's.

16 Panels, REC brand, 235 Watts each. = 3.760 kW maximum design output.
These have been set up into 2 strings of 8 panels. Frames are flat onthe corrugated steel roof, which is 18 degrees pitch and faces exactly NE. - 045 degrees true.

Installed middle of last August, reduced my bank balance by $13,750. OUCH!


The old Faraday wheel meter was still there, was'nt changed for some time... and yes, I used to stand there, mesmerised by the wheel and number-dial going sdrawkcab. :p:p:p

When the Solar went in, our meter reading was 91163, and a month later with the new, bi-directional one was installed, it was 91184.
21 units used /purchased from the grid in 4 weeks. Less than ONE day's use previously..... :D

As of today, the setup has produced 4941.6 kW/h in 3210 hours of production. From mid-August last year to end April this year.

This averages out at 1.539 units produced per hour of operation.

Our meter is 2917 units imported (bought) and 2854 Exported (sold at 40c + 7c per unit) Normally, the figures are on a par, often the export higher, but using our 'economical' evap cooling system or SWMBO developing a fetish for ironing... makes mince-meat of any gains....

Our first power bill after installation of meter, was $226 CREDIT, down from n$600 or so from previous bills.... That included the co$t of the meter...:D

Naturally, such good news can't last, and our last bill was only $172,Cr making a grand total now of $559 CREDIT

Comments:-

The roof direction is a pain, as output nosedives in the early pm, wasting all that light..... But to compensate a bit, it fires up just before the sun surfaces.

Need a 3 rd string to face NW to take up load in the pm, especially in Winter
Example of what I mean...

Jan 16th. 2012

0600 would have been around 160 to 180 W, based on other week days.

0800 = 2127 Watts.
1100 = 3692 W
1300 = 3187 W
1500 should have been around 2300 W, but not recorded... my bad.
1600 = 1616 W
1700 = 661 W
1730 = 348 W
1800 = 132 W

Total recorded production was 28.2 units. This was a Good Day. Overcast/rainy days... well, watch this space....

Basically, after 3 pm (1500) it stars slacking off...

Hopefully, that helps a bit.