Solar power 3kw system

[TheEntertainer]

Hi all,
Just got a quote for $7000 for a 10 panel system, 2.5kw system, fully installed.
Is this a good price, what should i be looking out for to get the best deal? Living in west ryde, sydney.
Cheers

[Saitch]

I've got a few rellies & friends with solar & they've all gone for 5kw as apparently it's the minimum output to really make a difference. Don't quote me on that as I don't have it!

[d@rk51d3]

Probably depends on your usage.
Mum & Dad recently had a 3kw system installed, and its pretty much wiped out their power bill so far.

$7000 pre rebates is average for a 3kw system.

[hans]

how much are you getting back per kilowatt

[superquag]

Go for as big as you can afford, try and arrange panels to get the best winter/autumn/spring aspect, as summer will look after itself... "losing" a bit of summer light does'nt hurt as there is plenty.

You'll "never'' add the extra panels on afterwards.- Human nature. :eek:

Mine is 3.6kW, 3 strings available, facing 045 (NE) degrees on 18 degrees slope. Power bill gone. - But good quality panels...
I could do with another 500 to 1kW facing NW or even W., lifted up to 30 to 40 degrees to harvest the 'after 3pm' sun. - Virtually dead in winter, idling at a few hundred watts in summer!

[Ivan]

I have a 3KW system installed and am getting the 44c per KWH. On my last bill they paid me $279!! We do not have air conditioning and there are only two of us. When I had it installed I was quite happy with doing away with my electric bill. The fact that I am getting money back is a bonus.
The system cost $4000 to be installed and we are generating over 300KWH per month.

Ivan

[Homestar]

A quick question - is there a lot of Solar already in your street? If so, I would chack your voltage one day - mid morning during a sunny weekday. If you have a lot of solor already in the street, the voltage may be very high when no one is home - and everyones panels are trying to make them money. They push the voltage up in a localised area, and can affect how well other systems in the area run. Stick a multi meter in a power point - if it is up around 255 volts at the times stated, I would do some more research.

You could end up putting a large system in, and not seeing the benefits you may think you will get...

Don't get me wrong - it can work very well, but in some areas, we are already seeing PV reach its saturation point...

[DiscoMick]

Sounds a bit high. We only paid $1900 for 1.5kW, although the prices seem to keep changing. Suggest you get some more quotes.

[Redback]

We have the 3kw system, ours has 12 panels though(2 rows 2 arrays) unless you have the rebate of 60c don't bother, you will need 5kw as a minimum to see any real savings in your power bill.

You'll need a good north facing roof area with no obstructions for the panels.

Baz.

[Saitch]

Probably depends on your usage.
Mum & Dad recently had a 3kw system installed, and its pretty much wiped out their power bill so far.

$7000 pre rebates is average for a 3kw system.
Good point here. All they people I know have young to late teens kiddies,

[rovercare]

A quick question - is there a lot of Solar already in your street? If so, I would chack your voltage one day - mid morning during a sunny weekday. If you have a lot of solor already in the street, the voltage may be very high when no one is home - and everyones panels are trying to make them money. They push the voltage up in a localised area, and can affect how well other systems in the area run. Stick a multi meter in a power point - if it is up around 255 volts at the times stated, I would do some more research.

You could end up putting a large system in, and not seeing the benefits you may think you will get...

Don't get me wrong - it can work very well, but in some areas, we are already seeing PV reach its saturation point...

Your distributor is legally obliged to provide you with 230V+10%, so its a matter of getting them to change tapping points in tranny's, can be a bit painful exercise though

[rovercare]

Hi all,
Just got a quote for $7000 for a 10 panel system, 2.5kw system, fully installed.
Is this a good price, what should i be looking out for to get the best deal? Living in west ryde, sydney.
Cheers

Don't base your solar purchase solely on price, it is an extremely bad mistake

Do some research, work out the products you wish to use and then hunt for price

For example I can purchase Tier 3 Mono panels for .60c/W wholesale, these things are rubbish, chuck in a JFY inverter and you've got a bargain!.....till it fails

Also, don't take advice most people with a general opinion, they are generally wrong

Read here http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/143 for good info

Many people will happily spend good money on motor vehicles, then become tight and shop to price only on solar, then whinge when there system does not perform, fails and they have to pay for repairs etc, when realistically its a 25+year purchase, you should be buying quality

[DiscoMick]

We bought the Origin 1.5 system with a 15 year guarantee and used their finance to pay it off over a year. Its halved our power bill.
Keep in mind that altering your power usage can have a big effect on your bill. For example, if you do washing and dishwashing at night rather than in the daytime its quite a big saving plus your solar generation during the day goes back into the grid for the credit, rather than being used in the house.
Also, apparently solar panels work most efficiently at about 25 degrees, so if its hotter than that it can be an idea to hose down the panels during the day to cool them so they work better.

[Homestar]

Your distributor is legally obliged to provide you with 230V+10%, so its a matter of getting them to change tapping points in tranny's, can be a bit painful exercise though

I understand that - I work with the supply authorities most days. They are having issues in some estates where too many solar systems are pushing the local voltage up too high - it causes the PV systems to limit their output. They have - in a lot of cases tapped the trannies right down so at night the voltage is bordering on being too low, but they still have high voltage issues during the day.

Putting an auto tapping trannie in is too cost prohibitive, so the problem remains...

[rovercare]

We have the 3kw system, ours has 12 panels though(2 rows 2 arrays) unless you have the rebate of 60c don't bother, you will need 5kw as a minimum to see any real savings in your power bill.

You'll need a good north facing roof area with no obstructions for the panels.

Baz.

Like Baz's advice, its completely incorrect

Its a very different world out there now with minimal feed in tariff's

Putting a 5kw system on can see a very bad return of investment, as it will pump plenty out to the grid, for 8c/kwhr when you need to be consuming what is produced as much as possible

You need to look at your lifestyle and energy consumption, panel placement is no longer North as a rule, East/west splits are very common and good for lengthening your solar production with some sacrifice to total yield (i.e. midday peak) sometimes it pays to load up the eastern roof, retiree's that like to be up at sparrow's fart, spend the morning doing there indoor domestic chores, then the afternoon out in the garden etc

I've loaded up western roof's for those whom are slow risers and tend to be out and about in the morning/midday time

It was easy in good feed in tarriff days, size as large as possible and for bulk yield, now you need some thought into sizing/placement for the best outcome for the customer, its also up to the customer to "manage" there consumption as best as possible, I try to enable this by fitting wattson energy monitors, they give you a real time display of what's happening

[rovercare]

I understand that - I work with the supply authorities most days. They are having issues in some estates where too many solar systems are pushing the local voltage up too high - it causes the PV systems to limit their output. They have - in a lot of cases tapped the trannies right down so at night the voltage is bordering on being too low, but they still have high voltage issues during the day.

Putting an auto tapping trannie in is too cost prohibitive, so the problem remains...

22KV feeders out to Mallacoota and Kerang I think are the worst effected

I agree with what you are saying and completely understand (i spent a long time with powercor,), but the reality is they have an obligation

Also it causes the inverters to drop the grid relay on overvoltage, none of them "limit" output that I have seen

EDIT: might be Charlton not Kerang, can't remember

[Homestar]

22KV feeders out to Mallacoota and Kerang I think are the worst effected

I agree with what you are saying and completely understand (i spent a long time with powercor,), but the reality is they have an obligation

Also it causes the inverters to drop the grid relay on overvoltage, none of them "limit" output that I have seen

EDIT: might be Charlton not Kerang, can't remember

Don't talk to me about the Charlton Zone Sub - It gives me nightmares...:D

Far too many stressful days and nights spent there... It could be the one you mean, it is on a crumby radial line and has a lot of dramas regulating its voltage at times when heavily loaded. They have almost finished the last section of new 66 up to it which they were supposed to cut over in May, but they just put it back to September.

[clubagreenie]

When the neighbour had his fitted as the installers were walking away from the box it exploded. Turns out we're seeing up to 275v at the points. Explains why I've been frying power supplies left and right.

[TheEntertainer]

Whooohooo thanks for all the replies, any one know a trustable installer in sydney, west ryde, call it smack bang in the middle.

The guy that was worked out that we would be paying around $5 more per week that what we do now. That includes the payment on the panels. So after 30months we own the panels
And start getting $$ back if we dont over use electr.

Questions:
Best panels:
Best inverter:
Size of inverter:

Cheers

[rovercare]

When the neighbour had his fitted as the installers were walking away from the box it exploded. Turns out we're seeing up to 275v at the points. Explains why I've been frying power supplies left and right.

275V? you'd be doing light globes every second day

[rovercare]

Whooohooo thanks for all the replies, any one know a trustable installer in sydney, west ryde, call it smack bang in the middle.

The guy that was worked out that we would be paying around $5 more per week that what we do now. That includes the payment on the panels. So after 30months we own the panels
And start getting $$ back if we dont over use electr.

Questions:
Best panels:
Best inverter:
Size of inverter:

Cheers

Finance with the company your buying from? your not that silly?.....right?

Best panels for the coin, Suntech, Trina, Yingli, REC etc, then move up to BOSCH, LG, Panasonic, then move up to not even going to pay themselves off:D

Tips for choosing the best solar panels - cost is only one factor: Energy Matters (http://www.energymatters.com.au/choosing-solar-panels.php)

Inverter, I'd stick with SMA only, but I've replaced almost everything under warranty for lots of melbourne companies, and SMA are superior to deal with, even AURORA (power-one) I've struggled with, they refused to pay an invoice as I did not have a company logo!, I'm sending their tech ATO paperwork to justify my invoice, bizarre

Inverter size, CEC now dictates the panels must be within 75% on inverter capacity, Ideally a correctly sized inverter is better, but its also important getting string voltage right up there to, as working the inverter down low wokrs the step up componetry


You can no longer wipe out your bill in a no/low feed in tariff state, salesman do not explain all this well enough, they are nasty buggers

[Vern]

Suntech are no more.:(

[bee utey]

Suntech are no more.:(

Not yet.

Global solar PV glut likely to outlast Suntech's demise | Sun king (http://www.smh.com.au/business/carbon-economy/global-solar-pv-glut-likely-to-outlast-suntechs-demise-20130322-2gjew.html)

[Vern]

Well that didn't last long. Or will it.

[muddymech]

this is what we need, solve problem of were to put panels.

Solar Cell Printing Facility Nearing Completion : Renewable Energy News : (http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php'main_page=news_article&article_id=3644)

[DiscoMick]

That would be great!

[LR1953]

Hi all,
Just got a quote for $7000 for a 10 panel system, 2.5kw system, fully installed.
Is this a good price, what should i be looking out for to get the best deal? Living in west ryde, sydney.
Cheers
Entertainer, I'd be getting a few quotes and asking the more expensive ones why their offer is better. "Oils ain't oils" and component quality varies. Ask each vendor what is the pay-back time for the system on offer. You need to consider the feed-in tariff you will get, whether week-ends are considered off-peak (lower feed-in tariff) your current supply costs, and the cost of borrowing the money to buy the system ("opportunity cost"). In Victoria, each "provider" eg AGL, Origen Energy, has different plans, you need to select to suit your circumstances. Good Luck!

[Graeme]

I had a site inspection today but when the person looked at my last 2 bills he just walked away. He said we might be able to justify a 1.5 kw system but we'd have better uses for the $4K cost. Apparently we use little power and are on a good plan that the current supplier inherited from the previous power provider for the area.

[Vern]

Put your money into solar hot water instead, like Apricus vac tube system

[rovercare]

Put your money into solar hot water instead, like Apricus vac tube system

Roi is not that good unless replacing failed unit

[rovercare]

I had a site inspection today but when the person looked at my last 2 bills he just walked away. He said we might be able to justify a 1.5 kw system but we'd have better uses for the $4K cost. Apparently we use little power and are on a good plan that the current supplier inherited from the previous power provider for the area.

If your down in the 4-5ish kw hour/day, he is correct, I've knocked back numerous people for the same reason

[Graeme]

7-9 kw total for peak and shoulder but I wouldn't bother with a 1.5 kw system anyway. Not worth fitting solar hot water with the current unit only 10 years old along with 13 cents a kw for off-peak rate.

[Kevin B]

[QUOTE=bacicat;1879910]A quick question - is there a lot of Solar already in your street? If so, I would chack your voltage one day - mid morning during a sunny weekday. If you have a lot of solor already in the street, the voltage may be very high when no one is home - and everyones panels are trying to make them money. They push the voltage up in a localised area, and can affect how well other systems in the area run. Stick a multi meter in a power point - if it is up around 255 volts at the times stated, I would do some more research.

I'm curious as to where you got this info from...?

[Mikey]

We had a 5kw system installed last year. Young growing family, and all we wanted was to eliminate our power bill if we could. We were not doing it to get a rebate and earn money but as it turns out, we have, who knew? We were fortunate to get 44 cents per KWH. We also changed the Sewage treatment plant, solar hw booster, washing machine and dryer to off peak. We also changed out a lot of 50w halogen down lights to led which are surprisingly good.

We did choose our system on price, BUT I wanted an SMA inverter and 250 watt panels (less panels on roof, space and orientation issues) so we went with a company that could supply this.

Can say that I did not pay attention to the panels they supplied though, was too focused /hung up on the inverter. I cannot find much info on them or where they might stand in the comparison stakes to more mainstream brands etc. Most probably at or near the bottom of the pile. The panels are Amerisolar, obviously made in China somewhere.

Time will tell how the system performs in the longer term and if we will have any failures. At least we seem to have a decent quality inverter as per Rovercare's post.

I would only install a system that is big enough to negate your actual usage throughout the year, allowing, within reason for variables such as prolonged low production due to weather etc. This will insulate you somewhat from power price rises that will come. This was our prime motivation for installing solar.

I would not be doing it to earn 8 cents per KWH!

Cheers,
Mikey

[Graeme]

Are the panels with their own inverter better or worse than a string connected to a single inverter? I was told that if 1 panel in a string gets shaded then the whole string's output is affected, unlike panels with their own inverter where only the shaded panel's output is reduced.

[Sitec]

Just looking at VENERGY now. Work is having a 15kw system fitted as part of upgrades, and may become an agent. I've been led to believe that the max any one home can have is a 5kw system, but... if you have two meters, (1 on house and 1 on workshop) you can have a 10kw system... VENERGY use Simax (Suzhou) panels which of course are Chinese... (Seems everything sadly is nowadays!!:(). Anyone know anything about these? I've also been told that the max you will be paid for in any one day is 30kw.. so with a 5kw system, 6 hrs of sunlight and you're done for the day! Too many 'buts' and 'maybe's' for my liking!!

[jboot51]

For any one interested, some real world numbers.
I've got a 3kw system installed.
I only see 3kw being generated around 1 PM.
Our average output per day is around 11-12kwH

I've attached a snip of the spreadsheet we use to keep track

- is what goes back to the grid

+ is what the house uses

ETOT is the total energy generated from the panels since installation

KW/H Today is the amount of energy generated from sun up 'til 2.30 pm when SWMBO reads the meters.
We make a profit on this, but this is QLD and we get $0.44 +$0.06 per KWH

[jboot51]

Better screenshot.