My potential system....

[Scallops]

Hey folks,

After much research and consideration, I just put down a (refundable) deposit on a 3.18kW solar system (return to grid setup), upgradeable to 4.2kW's, and am hoping when the tech can finally get over and check my roof, that the expected output will come out OK.....my concern is that my home faces north and the roof is split east and west facing....

I'm hoping the use of brackets or a frame of some sort might allow some panels to be north facing but I guess I'll make the final decision once it's been investigated and I crunch some numbers following the discussion with an experienced installer. I've got my Energex form in anyway.

I've chosen 13 X REC 245w Multi-Crystalline panels coupled with a SMA Sunnyboy SB4000TL inverter.....8 grand all up....and through keen2bgreen on the coast.

Any thoughts on an east-west split setup - my idea (I'll have a a dual MPPT inverter) or some other configuration? I suspect I'll loose around 20% efficiency over a north orientated setup but I can't move the house!

[isuzurover]

If you have a dual MPPT inverter then I would split them 7/6 on each side of the roof.

We only have a 1.5kW system with a single MPPT inverter (8.4c feed-in tarriff in WA, so not worth it to fit more), and our options were NE and NW facing. Went the NE option, as less shading from trees.

So far we are happy, the system was generating 800W at 10 am this morning, and overall we are about covering our usage so far (in winter!).

[Scallops]

If you have a dual MPPT inverter then I would split them 7/6 on each side of the roof.

We only have a 1.5kW system with a single MPPT inverter (8.4c feed-in tarriff in WA, so not worth it to fit more), and our options were NE and NW facing. Went the NE option, as less shading from trees.

So far we are happy, the system was generating 800W at 10 am this morning, and overall we are about covering our usage so far (in winter!).

Thanks! Reckon that's what I'll do....along with fuelling up the Stihl! :D

PS - I have your GCLRO member card/name badge.....shall I mail it to you? :)

[isuzurover]

Thanks! Reckon that's what I'll do....along with fuelling up the Stihl! :D

PS - I have your GCLRO member card/name badge.....shall I mail it to you? :)

Cool - yes please! Wait till I pay the membership though ;)

If a certain AULRO member refunds my money by monday as promised then I will transfer the funds then.

[WhiteD3]

That's a good price Dan. I'm thinking of signing up to a 2kW system with the same inverter for $6200. Might have to give your guy a call.

[Ferret]

I've chosen 13 X REC 245w Multi-Crystalline panels

In terms of square meters how much area does all that cover?

I have thought about solar electricity occasionally but I've already got a solar hot water and solar pool heater sitting up on the roof. Still have a bit of north facing real estate up on the roof I could use but I have no idea how much area is needed for something like 3 - 4 kw.

[superquag]

Good choice with the REC panels.. their specs are less rubbery than some. (Ask me what brand I've got !)

Mine is a Motech 4600 with 3 MPPT's, two used for 16 panels. Hope to get some more efficient panels later on for the 3rd imput and for 'afternoon sun'
Roof is 17 degrees, and faces exactly NE.
System starts producing just before sunrise, but pretty well dies after 3:30pm. Pity, as there's lots of useable sun around till 5:00 pm in summer.

I'd say utilise a split, try and go for NE / NW. Friend of mine has that, and with a 1.5kW setup is doing very well. Or set it up for winter sun-angles... you'll over-produce on a really bright summer's day.


Just check out what the standby power consumption is on your inverter.. Yes, they use power when the sun is hiding... Can vary a fair bit.

[Scallops]

In terms of square meters how much area does all that cover?

I have thought about solar electricity occasionally but I've already got a solar hot water and solar pool heater sitting up on the roof. Still have a bit of north facing real estate up on the roof I could use but I have no idea how much area is needed for something like 3 - 4 kw.

:D I dunno - yet! :) But it's roughly 20 -30 square metres.

[Scallops]

That's a good price Dan. I'm thinking of signing up to a 2kW system with the same inverter for $6200. Might have to give your guy a call.

My research led me to think so....glad I have a few believers in my choice :) ....went from novice to expert in 48 hours - that's my much :D....now have to go to work this weekend and do some work! :(

[WhiteD3]

I won't be going with this mob.

Submitted an enquiry online and they rang me within a hour, which is good service. My enquiry stated I was after a 2 to 3 kW system on the north facing roof.

Within a minute of the call he's talking about a 10kW system on the west roof. When asked about the LG panels shown on their site, he admits they don't do them anymore and are pushing REC.

Then wanted a $200 (refundable) deposit to sign up then and there. Sounded dodgy to me and far too pushy.

[Scallops]

I won't be going with this mob.

Submitted an enquiry online and they rang me within a hour, which is good service. My enquiry stated I was after a 2 to 3 kW system on the north facing roof.

Within a minute of the call he's talking about a 10kW system on the west roof. When asked about the LG panels shown on their site, he admits they don't do them anymore and are pushing REC.

Then wanted a $200 (refundable) deposit to sign up then and there. Sounded dodgy to me and far too pushy.

Sorry to hear that, Mark. I found them to be quite the opposite, and any internet search (Whirlpool etc) seems to support the view that they are a well regarded company.

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1935495

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1813965

Of course, everyone has an opinion, but I know several people who have used this company and they were very happy.

[Scallops]

...... And I'm also quite surprised that keen2bgreen even recommended one panel over another.....they offered me a choice of ET, REC or Suntech panels on a 3kw system - all top tier stuff it should be said, but steadfastly refused to recommend one over another.....when I chose the REC's, they actually asked why!

In all honesty, if a company did push REC panels onto you, they'd be doing you a favor.

[WhiteD3]

The REC recommendation came about when I asked about the LG panels they offered on their site. He said the LG's became too expensive so they shifter to REC.

They might do great work (and I hope they do so for you Dan) but pushy, up-selling salesmen always put me off.

[Scallops]

The REC recommendation came about when I asked about the LG panels they offered on their site. He said the LG's became too expensive so they shifter to REC.

They might do great work (and I hope they do so for you Dan) but pushy, up-selling salesmen always put me off.

Yeah, that would put me off too. Did you get form 1003 in by midnight last night?

[Scallops]

Well, my potential system turned out to be just that. :( Too much shade and not the best aspect....at least the potential installer (Keen2bgreen) were entirely ethical and honest about our situation....

So now we're sitting in a dark house with 3 jumpers on and, shock horror, long pants! :p

[WhiteD3]

Had a 5 kW system installed this week. Very happy with the job, time will tell re the pay back but I've done the math and I think a little over 3 years at current electricity prices.

LG 250w panels and an SMA inverter.

[rovercare]

Had a 5 kW system installed this week. Very happy with the job, time will tell re the pay back but I've done the math and I think a little over 3 years at current electricity prices.

LG 250w panels and an SMA inverter.

Should be about right with 44c tariff and lots of export

[Tombie]

Should be about right with 44c tariff and lots of export

My 5kw system is returning between $1200 and $1500 per quarter :cool:

We did a lot of energy conservation upgrades too.

LCD TV instead of plasma, use TV without Home Theatre unless watching movies etc..

Smaller, more efficient fridge. Better close to full than 1/2 empty.

LED lighting everywhere

Even the workshop is entirely LED..

:cool:

[rovercare]

My 5kw system is returning between $1200 and $1500 per quarter :cool:

We did a lot of energy conservation upgrades too.

LCD TV instead of plasma, use TV without Home Theatre unless watching movies etc..

Smaller, more efficient fridge. Better close to full than 1/2 empty.

LED lighting everywhere

Even the workshop is entirely LED..

:cool:

$1200/qtr is 30kw/hrs a day average @ export only, sun must pump in whyalla! What is the latitude I'll chuck it in sunny design in a few days when I'm doing some quotes

[Tombie]

$1200/qtr is 30kw/hrs a day average @ export only, sun must pump in whyalla! What is the latitude I'll chuck it in sunny design in a few days when I'm doing some quotes

Dont forget I get $0.52c /Kwh here too, which helps.. :cool:

And yes, around 30kw/h a day average... Tends to swing between 26-38...

[rovercare]

Dont forget I get $0.52c /Kwh here too, which helps.. :cool:

And yes, around 30kw/h a day average... Tends to swing between 26-38...

I'm on 66c Pfit, but stay at home wife's and kids eat into that:D

Sunny design says 18kw/hrs a day for mine, obviously some winter days can be 2kw/hrs others far greater, I'll plug in 5kw at whyalla, I'm assuming close to north and 11*?

Well worthwhile investment, I'm still selling quite a few and considering I can do a 5kw SMA suntech combo for less than 10k, it's pretty cheap