Household Solar power installation companies?

[Roverlord off road spares]

which company to choose ?, it's a minefield, who to trust, any experience good or bad appreciated.

[Hopalong]

Tindo panels made in Adelaide installed 3 years ago. performed better than expected. Bit more expensive.good product. Only issue Tindo after sales support was not great back then but i think it has improved.

[NavyDiver]

which company to choose ?, it's a minefield, who to trust, any experience good or bad appreciated.
Love my PV. Hate the shyster who sold it to me.

I do trust Seven20 electrical who are up your way. First rate sparkies who have done several jobs for me. They do know Solar inside out and are not the sales force nightmare which has a lot of rubbish.


Seven20 Electrical | Melbourne Electrical Company (https://www.seven20electrical.net/)

[Arapiles]

I'd go through the actual green suppliers like Going Solar who've been doing it since the 70s:

Solar Power, Solar Hot Water | Going Solar (https://www.goingsolar.com.au/)

TCK Solar (https://www.tcksolar.com.au/)

[Roverlord off road spares]

I did and online quote request with one mob who had the ring me They said she did a satellite image view and said my neighbors tree on the north side shaded me and the trees in the back yard in the Nth East corner would rob me of sunlight.
So by their reckoning I would have to live in a paddock with nothing around me for me to get Solar.

[windsock]

I did and online quote request with one mob who had the ring me They said she did a satellite image view and said my neighbors tree on the north side shaded me and the trees in the back yard in the Nth East corner would rob me of sunlight.
So by their reckoning I would have to live in a paddock with nothing around me for me to get Solar.

In solar assessments, satellite or aerial photos are very useful first estimation of solar access. There are two leading solar design software titles in use in the industry. One is Helioscope (HelioScope: Advanced Solar Design Software (https://www.helioscope.com/)) and they use aerial photos in their design process. It is possible this is the source of the information you were offered.

Solar access is where it is at. Without that at necessary levels you are screwed, and your best aspirations remain that, aspirations.

[Gav 110]

Have a look on the clean energy council installers list

Find an installer | Clean Energy Council (https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/consumers/buying-solar/find-an-installer)

Find a few local to you and get quotes from them rather than the solar retailers who pay the salesperson a commission, pay the installer **** all and pocket the majority for themselves

You may end up paying a little more for better quality panels and a better installation job, if any warranty claims prevail it’s far easier to get the smaller company back then trying to deal with a third man

[Vern]

Mario, try RACV. Mate of mine is the CEO, his company was Gippsland Solar which he sold to RACV. Great company with great gear. I used to do his installs for him years ago when he first started out in business.
Any questions in gear etc..feel free to ask me, i"m still in the solar game, just not in Victoria anymore

[Arapiles]

I did and online quote request with one mob who had a woman ring me. She said she did a satellite image view and said my neighbors tree on the north side shaded me and the trees in the back yard in the Nth East corner would rob me of sunlight.
So by her reckoning I would have to live in a paddock with nothing around me for me to get Solar.

.... which is when you install micro-inverters so shadowing isn't an issue.

[Roverlord off road spares]

.... which is when you install micro-inverters so shadowing isn't an issue.
From what I could understand she mentioned Micro-inverters wouldn't work.
it was a very quick opening conversation, we cant help you.
All other companies really want a site inspection for accurate appraisal, if its not feasable then so be it.

[Arapiles]

From what I could understand she mentioned Micro-inverters wouldn't work.
it was a very quick opening conversation, we cant help you.
All other companies really want a site inspection for accurate appraisal, if its not feasable then so be it.


Notwithstanding what Windsock said about calculating from satellite photos, I still think that you'd need a site inspection. The height of the trees to the North would be a relevant issue and may not be discernible from the satellite photo.

And a lot of houses deliberately put panels facing West so not having complete North exposure isn't a deal breaker.

[Arapiles]

Discussion of shading:

Partial shading and solar panel arrays - Solar Choice (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)

[windsock]

I had to ask her to repeat herself 3 times as I couldn't not understand her. Yes, you are right it doesn't matter what they sound like as long as they can be understood.

Yep, accents can be a problem for me too. I have a hearing problem. If I don't hear something I will ask for a repeat. If that doesn't work I will ask for an explanatory email.

Watch out for the drongo cowboy installer winging it to scam you out of thousands on the basis of them sounding suitable. I have seen such cowboys in action and it brings the industry into disrepute when a customer believes their hype and ends up with installed technology ill-suited to the situation through lack of appreciation of the engineering and calculations involved in good renewable energy system design.

[W&KO]

If you have the time entertain a few companies at your house, if it is anything like Queensland there is no shortage to choose from.

Steer clear of the cheap installs offered on TV.

We settled with a company that was far from the cheapest....the sales guy wasn’t pushy, and was really good at explaining it all.

If you have a tiles roof, it ls worth getting it checked and cracked tiles replaced prior to solar being installed.....

[p38arover]

I found out AFTER our first system was installed that the company and their gear were shonky. The first inverter failed and replaced under warranty about a month before they went into receivership. When the second failed. I managed to get one off ebay. When it failed I couldn’t find anyone who would repair it.

You need to find a supplier who will be there when your system fails. That might mean BP or AGL, etc. The warranty is only as good as the supplier:

[NavyDiver]

I did and online quote request with one mob who had the ring me They said she did a satellite image view and said my neighbors tree on the north side shaded me and the trees in the back yard in the Nth East corner would rob me of sunlight.
So by their reckoning I would have to live in a paddock with nothing around me for me to get Solar.

Its is worth looking at your house on google earth. You can see shading impact on it. One of my neighbors gets 80% less free power from a similar sized system to whats on my roof. I am on the side of a hill and loose sunlight about 25 minutes before my work system. That's a minor issue. My neighbors is in the valley and get light much later and looses it earler and trees reduce it significantly for them.

Trees and major shading may make solar a very marginal option.

Lunch Google Earth and search for your address.


Google Earth (https://www.google.com/earth/)

[DiscoMick]

It's good the company checked the satellite image, this is common practice by energy companies and local councils. I assume they would also do a site inspection. If there's a problem you would want to know, surely?
In our case the site inspection showed shadows from trees could be a problem, but moving the panels higher on the roof peak and on elevated frames would avoid most of the problem.
Keep in mind that the big advertisers on TV may be cutting costs by using lower quality panels.
We went with a small local installer who uses RCS brand panels, which some research found to be a good brand.
Incidentally, micro-inverters are more expensive and complicated. Our RCS are in two sections so if one half is shaded the other half still works.
North is not the only option. Some people put some panels facing west to get late afternoon sun.
Your local grid company may limit the maximum amount of solar power that can be put back into the grid. An installer should know.
Check the size of the wire connecting the house to the grid. If it is too thin it can cause wastage and you may not get the full rebate on the solar you generate. Ours was only 6mm thick and we had it replaced with a 26mm wire.
The inverter is likely to fail sooner than the panels, which is why the warranty on the inverter will be shorter. Do some research on inverters to get a good one. Ours is Sungrow.
We found useful information on this site:

Solar Matters | Off-grid, Storage, Panel Clean, Solar Maintenance, Victron Shop, Community (https://www.solarmatters.com.au/)

Hope that's helpful.

[windsock]

Here is your sun path diagram for Tecoma, Vic (as per your forum location). If you are in a very different location let me kow and I can generate the diagram for that location. Y-axis is the elevation angle of the sun path. X-axis is the azimuth angle of the sun path with 0 being true or solar north (if using a magnetic compass make sure any magnetic declination is accounted for).

166229

If you do not already have one, download and use an inclinometer app on a phone to assess the angle of the tops of your trees and use this angle against your sun path diagram to estimate how high the tree is in relation to the sun path. Be sure to account for differences in height between where you take the angle reading and where the potential solar array could sit.

Alternatively, I also use an app called sun surveyor.

Sun Surveyor (Sun & Moon) on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/sun-surveyor-sun-moon/id525176875)
Sun Surveyor: Your personal guide to the Sun and Moon - for iOS and Android. (https://www.sunsurveyor.com/)
Sun Surveyor (Sun & Moon) – Apps on Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ratana.sunsurveyor&hl=en_NZ&gl=US)

I use the paid android version (approx NZD16) from google play (links above). The paid version uses your phone camera to 'see' what you see and overlays the sun path over that in an augmented reality type view. You can then move your camera around your back yard and 'see' sun paths and ID potential shading elements for yourself. You can 'dial up' selected dates of the year to see again where the solar path is in the seasons and relative to the view field. Takes time to learn to use it but is a very useful assessment tool for solar access. I use it at every site I assess.

I realise you accessing your roof area may be limited but if someone can actually place themselves in the potential position of the array physically on the roof, they can use the app to take photos of the solar access with the sun path overlaid in the photo.

This app has a lot of other very useful tools to give you a greater understanding of solar geometry in everyday lives.

I hope this helps. The more you understand the solar access the more you will be able to discuss with anyone doing a site visit.

[Vern]

Mario, get companies to do a site inspection, if they don't jump on your roof with a SunEye and plot the sun path and show any shading issues, then don't bother with them. Companies that are lookimg via google, are just using near maps or whatever program to see how many panels they can fit on your roof, and for obvious shading.

[Old Farang]

which company to choose ?, it's a minefield, who to trust, any experience good or bad appreciated.

While there are some sensible useful reply's to Mario's question, it may be worthwhile if some of you bother to read the QUESTION!

As far as I know he does not have a helicopter, OR some other means of levitation for using some phone "app" designed for professional use, to take readings from the roof!

Also, as far as I am concerned, he is completely justified in commenting about some "person" of what ever persuasion or creed, calling him that cannot speak clear and PLAIN English! Maybe she is moonlighting from the ABC!

Rant over!

[Roverlord off road spares]

Well I had a quote emailed to me on an LG authorised system installation company, these are obvious high quality systems offering 25yr parts and labour, and an explanation from a satellite image showing 14 panels on the north roof and 5 panels on the west which gets the uninterrupted sunlight in the afternoon. A very professional proposal but at a cost of $14,500 . they estimated power saving of $1500 per annum.

this is more than I am prepared to spend.
they say
[ Due to the shading issues from the tall surrounding trees, especially causing shading through the morning hours, you will need the more advanced SolarEdge inverter technology, with DC Power Optimisers behind every solar panel, which help to mitigate the shading issues, and therefore greatly improve efficiency and reliability. You will also have the advantage of being able to track the performance of each individual solar panel via an easy to use phone app. SolarEdge additionally happens to come with the longest and most comprehensive standard warranties of any inverter technology on the market, so it is the best long term choice.]

[MickInTheMud]

I went through solarquotes.com.au to get three quotes 2 years ago. Ended up choosing the most expensive.

Cheers Mick

[Arapiles]

Well I had a quote emailed to me on an LG authorised system installation company, these are obvious high quality systems offering 25yr parts and labour, and an explanation from a satellite image showing 14 panels on the north roof and 5 panels on the west which gets the uninterrupted sunlight in the afternoon. A very professional proposal but at a cost of $14,500 . they estimated power saving of $1500 per annum.

this is more than I am prepared to spend.
they say
[ Due to the shading issues from the tall surrounding trees, especially causing shading through the morning hours, you will need the more advanced SolarEdge inverter technology, with DC Power Optimisers behind every solar panel, which help to mitigate the shading issues, and therefore greatly improve efficiency and reliability. You will also have the advantage of being able to track the performance of each individual solar panel via an easy to use phone app. SolarEdge additionally happens to come with the longest and most comprehensive standard warranties of any inverter technology on the market, so it is the best long term choice.]


Sounds like you were getting a 7kwh system - maybe something smaller would be OK and be cheaper too?

I'd choose a smaller quality system over a bigger poor quality one.


Edit: or 5 - 6kwh with cheaper panels.

[RHS58]

I went through solarquotes.com.au to get three quotes 2 years ago. Ended up choosing the most expensive.

Cheers Mick

Me too.
Happy with the final installation.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Sounds like you were getting a 7kwh system - maybe something smaller would be OK and be cheaper too?

I'd choose a smaller quality system over a bigger poor quality one.


Edit: or 5 - 6kwh with cheaper panels.

Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology for Australia Copy
4.985kW of Inverter Power
SolarEdge Technologies Ltd. 1 x SE5000H-AU
12 Year Warranty Parts & Labour




6,66 kwh panel,
https://opensolar-public-production.s3.amazonaws.com/media/public/LG_NeON2_360_365_370N1C-N5_Datasheet.pdf

https://opensolar-public-production.s3.amazonaws.com/media/public/Datasheet-SolarEdge-optimizer.pdf

[Arapiles]

Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology for Australia Copy
4.985kW of Inverter Power
SolarEdge Technologies Ltd. 1 x SE5000H-AU
12 Year Warranty Parts & Labour

6,66 kwh panel,
https://opensolar-public-production.s3.amazonaws.com/media/public/LG_NeON2_360_365_370N1C-N5_Datasheet.pdf

https://opensolar-public-production.s3.amazonaws.com/media/public/Datasheet-SolarEdge-optimizer.pdf


Look like nice panels. A mate of mine used to import cheap solar panels from China and apparently up to 25% were faulty out of the box. Caused him serious financial pain.

[theelms66]

but at a cost of $14,500 . they estimated power saving of $1500 per annum.

Mmmm. About 10 years before you break even.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Me too.
Happy with the final installation.
l'm waiting on solar quotes , 1 rang me but l had physio with me, l rang and emailed the guy back but he hasn't returned my call yet.
l did some back ground checking on their feed back and most reviews they had were from installations using GoodWe invertors and Jinko Panels both are Chinese. Never heard of those brands before, googling says they are large companies, but is the quality good?


i found this on panel efficiency,

Best Solar Panels in 2020 [Complete List] | EnergySage (https://news.energysage.com/best-solar-panels-complete-ranking/)

Best Solar Inverters 2020 — Clean Energy Reviews (https://www.cleanenergyreviews.info/blog/best-grid-connect-solar-inverters-sma-fronius-solaredge-abb)
reading this goodwe have partnered with GE

[Vern]

I commissioned a Solaredge system today that we installed this week, good gear, but save your money and get a cheaper system, something closer to half or less than that cost after rebates.

[Roverlord off road spares]

I commissioned a Solaredge system today that we installed this week, good gear, but save your money and get a cheaper system, something closer to half or less than that cost after rebates.

that's my thoughts, $14.5K buys a lot of electricity, it would take many years to recover probably 7 years if it was 100% of all we need, but I think longer. Realistically I won't be around to see that. still researching, just don't want to get ripped off. Some reading says some of the cheapies will give good warranties but the faulty units must be returned to overseas manufacturers, ie China at your expense and turn around can be lengthly.

[NavyDiver]

Well I had a quote emailed to me on an LG authorised system installation company, these are obvious high quality systems offering 25yr parts and labour, and an explanation from a satellite image showing 14 panels on the north roof and 5 panels on the west which gets the uninterrupted sunlight in the afternoon. A very professional proposal but at a cost of $14,500 . they estimated power saving of $1500 per annum.

this is more than I am prepared to spend.
they say
[ Due to the shading issues from the tall surrounding trees, especially causing shading through the morning hours, you will need the more advanced SolarEdge inverter technology, with DC Power Optimisers behind every solar panel, which help to mitigate the shading issues, and therefore greatly improve efficiency and reliability. You will also have the advantage of being able to track the performance of each individual solar panel via an easy to use phone app. SolarEdge additionally happens to come with the longest and most comprehensive standard warranties of any inverter technology on the market, so it is the best long term choice.]

Did the quote include batteries? That's more than I paid for very good quality solar 6 years ago. The Prices have fallen a lot. I would not trust that one at all unless they had 10kw or more of batteries in the price. That said If the tall trees shade that much I think putting most panels on the west side might work more cheaply? power capacity is higher during the afternoon (https://www.infiniteenergy.com.au/benefits-of-east-and-west-facing-panels/#:~:text=East%2Dfacing%20panels%20produce%20more,m orning%20than%20in%20the%20afternoon.&text=West%2Dfacing%20panels%20are%20the,start%20at %20around%202%3A00pm.) If they quote you got numbers are roughly correct spending more than $5000 would not be suggested.

If you want the north facing shade affected issues they mention can be managed by MTTPs or mitigated. The issue with shading "a shadow does not necessarily need to fall on an entire panel – depending on the technology used in the solar panel in question, shading of even just one cell could flatten the output of the panel and in turn the entire string. Many modern panels, however, come equipped with devices called bypass diodes which minimise the effects of partial shading by essentially enabling electricity to ‘flow around’ the shaded cell or cells. (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)Strategies and technologies for dealing with shaded solar panels (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)
Although the performance and therefore the return on investment (ROI) from a solar power system can be severely affected by shading – especially shading that occurs regularly due to an object that casts a shadow at the same time every day as the sun passes through the sky – there are a number of ways to avoid or mitigate these effects. (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)Use a string inverter that has MPP Tracking capability (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPP Tracking or MPPT) is a technology that now comes standard in most quality inverters. An inverter equipped with an MPP Tracker (or several of them) is able squeeze the most usable energy possible out of a string of solar panels (even when shaded) by adjusting the voltage to always suit the inverter’s preferred input range. In a nutshell, an MPP Tracker helps to minimise output losses associated with partial shading and other panel output mismatches. Inverters without MPPT capability simply lose the output from the weaker string once it passes below the required output threshold. (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)"

Victron is one of the best brands period in my view. A MPPT 100/15 Using MTTPs like this (https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers/mppt7510) is only about $150 a few can be used with almost any panels.

Do you know middy's Electical? https://mybranch.middys.com.au/products/391939FRONIUS INVERTER SB 5KW 2X MPPT -2019and some of these https://mybranch.middys.com.au/product/397837
(https://mybranch.middys.com.au/product/397837)JINKO SOLAR AUSTRALIA CHEETAH HC 72M 400W MONO PERC , CHEETAH HC 72M 400W MONO PERC SOLAR PANELA quote for them from Middy's and installation from the Gents I suggested or Quotes via https://www.serviceseeking.com.au/electricians#

Most sparkies can install and commission for you[bigwhistle]. Some SOLAR companies are sale only who use Sparkies to do the work as that is required to connect to the Grid. Fronius are top rated inverters. I have one at work.

[Roverlord off road spares]

now when I go onto face book I get bombarded with Solar ads, even JIMs. Jim's energy, we'll cross that one off the list me thinks

[Vern]

Did the quote include batteries? That's more than I paid for very good quality solar 6 years ago. The Prices have fallen a lot. I would not trust that one at all unless they had 10kw or more of batteries in the price. That said If the tall trees shade that much I think putting most panels on the west side might work more cheaply? power capacity is higher during the afternoon (https://www.infiniteenergy.com.au/benefits-of-east-and-west-facing-panels/#:~:text=East%2Dfacing%20panels%20produce%20more,m orning%20than%20in%20the%20afternoon.&text=West%2Dfacing%20panels%20are%20the,start%20at %20around%202%3A00pm.) If they quote you got numbers are roughly correct spending more than $5000 would not be suggested.

If you want the north facing shade affected issues they mention can be managed by MTTPs or mitigated. The issue with shading "a shadow does not necessarily need to fall on an entire panel – depending on the technology used in the solar panel in question, shading of even just one cell could flatten the output of the panel and in turn the entire string. Many modern panels, however, come equipped with devices called bypass diodes which minimise the effects of partial shading by essentially enabling electricity to ‘flow around’ the shaded cell or cells. (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)Strategies and technologies for dealing with shaded solar panels (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)
Although the performance and therefore the return on investment (ROI) from a solar power system can be severely affected by shading – especially shading that occurs regularly due to an object that casts a shadow at the same time every day as the sun passes through the sky – there are a number of ways to avoid or mitigate these effects. (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)Use a string inverter that has MPP Tracking capability (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPP Tracking or MPPT) is a technology that now comes standard in most quality inverters. An inverter equipped with an MPP Tracker (or several of them) is able squeeze the most usable energy possible out of a string of solar panels (even when shaded) by adjusting the voltage to always suit the inverter’s preferred input range. In a nutshell, an MPP Tracker helps to minimise output losses associated with partial shading and other panel output mismatches. Inverters without MPPT capability simply lose the output from the weaker string once it passes below the required output threshold. (https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/partial-shading-is-bad-for-solar-panels-power-systems/)"

Victron is one of the best brands period in my view. A MPPT 100/15 Using MTTPs like this (https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers/mppt7510) is only about $150 a few can be used with almost any panels.

Do you know middy's Electical? https://mybranch.middys.com.au/products/391939FRONIUS INVERTER SB 5KW 2X MPPT -2019and some of these https://mybranch.middys.com.au/product/397837
(https://mybranch.middys.com.au/product/397837)JINKO SOLAR AUSTRALIA CHEETAH HC 72M 400W MONO PERC , CHEETAH HC 72M 400W MONO PERC SOLAR PANELA quote for them from Middy's and installation from the Gents I suggested or Quotes via https://www.serviceseeking.com.au/electricians#

Most sparkies can install and commission for you[bigwhistle]. Some SOLAR companies are sale only who use Sparkies to do the work as that is required to connect to the Grid. Fronius are top rated inverters. I have one at work.You need to be CEC accredited to claim the STC'S, which most sparkies aren't.

Also good luck getting a hybrid system for $14.5k installed.

Victron is for off grid stuff.

Fronius are a very good inverter (even though that middys add has a picture of an SMA inverter) but is it really needed, return on investment mario is probably better off with a cheaper one like Delta, Sungrow, or Solis etc...

[W&KO]

now when I go onto face book I get bombarded with Solar ads, even JIMs. Jim's energy, we'll cross that one off the list me thinks

Why cross Jim’s off the list so quick.....

Pretty big franchise company which probably has good after sales support.

[windsock]

While there are some sensible useful reply's to Mario's question, it may be worthwhile if some of you bother to read the QUESTION!

As far as I know he does not have a helicopter, OR some other means of levitation for using some phone "app" designed for professional use, to take readings from the roof!

Also, as far as I am concerned, he is completely justified in commenting about some "person" of what ever persuasion or creed, calling him that cannot speak clear and PLAIN English! Maybe she is moonlighting from the ABC!

Rant over!




I read the question and had no direct experience to respond with in terms of the Australian solar sales industry but did respond to a subsequent comment using my experience of methods used in the field of system design and the regard to which this was received. Did you respond to the question or respond to subsequent comments? You appear to object to responses not addressing the original question while also not addressing the original question yourself.
If you read my post well enough I referred to exactly this situation where if he could get someone to get up there. Sun surveyor is a cheap app developed for photographers and used by me due to it having a pretty accurate solar geometry algorithm embedded in an augmented reality camera view. The results and knowledge gained about the solar access using this app are better than not knowing anything about the sun paths which are fundamental part of solar design. This advice can be accepted or rejected, as it is the individuals choice. You apparently reject it and so be it.
I did not actually deny him the right to comment but did draw attention to the knowledge being lost or disregarded on the basis of how a person sounded. I also included how I deal with accents as I deal with them all day every day. I find it interesting you defend the right to his comments but imply I have no right to comment on his.
I enjoy rants too, so I hope you got what you were seeking by yours.

[donh54]

but at a cost of $14,500 . they estimated power saving of $1500 per annum.

Mmmm. About 10 years before you break even.Hmm. My power bills add up to about $950 per year!
I love it when they ring up guaranteeing to save me money on my power bill.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Why cross Jim’s off the list so quick.....

Pretty big franchise company which probably has good after sales support.
previous dealings with other jims and friends dealings. and other reasons.

[Arapiles]

Did the quote include batteries?

I've been looking at batteries for over a decade and they're still not cheap. A single Tesla set would cost about what the OP was quoted, and as I understand it that still doesn't get you a set-up that will isolate during a blackout.

[Arapiles]

Hmm. My power bills add up to about $950 per year!
I love it when they ring up guaranteeing to save me money on my power bill.


My gas and electricity bills are pretty much zero. We use minimal electricity and as an early adopter I get the premium feed-in tariff of over 60c per Kwh. At the end of each summer we typically have a substantial surplus and we then use that to pay for winter gas bills. So, overall, we come out ahead most years.

The suppliers are however squeezing us - they can't really fiddle with the feed-in tariff but they are increasing their costs so the net balance is falling.

[theelms66]

You will be lucky to get 11c per kw/h with a new install today.

[NavyDiver]

I've been looking at batteries for over a decade and they're still not cheap. A single Tesla set would cost about what the OP was quoted, and as I understand it that still doesn't get you a set-up that will isolate during a blackout.

Fully agree. They are getting cheaper but with the systems need to switch and allow off grid 'reliable' supply if grid fails its is neither cheap or easy with out very good planning. I had a goodwe hybrid inverter which was great to 5000w or a little over. Work was at start up over and this crashed. At home a kettle, Microwave and a few other items all at once can go over 5000w.

Hybrid inverters are the cheapest way to have a grid failure protection. "a hybrid inverter (sometimes referred to as a multi-mode inverter) is an inverter which can simultaneously manage inputs from both solar panels and a battery bank, charging batteries with either solar panels or the electricity grid (depending on which is more economical or preferred). Their capabilities may go beyond this however – some devices also handle inputs from wind turbines, generators and other power sources."

Going to put my old hybrid one at home as soon as a storage option to store my PV is affordable. Not after a gov hand out but assume they will be tossing money at home storage as usual.

[Arapiles]

You will be lucky to get 11c per kw/h with a new install today.


Which is why, when our premium tariff runs out in 2024, we will install batteries so that we're focussing on minimising what we draw from the grid ...


Edit .... rather than what we export.

[DiscoMick]

Rather than aiming for a $1500 profit, maybe resize to break even.
They are proposing more panels than the capacity of the inverter, so there is room to downsize.
LG and Fronius are top quality but there is plenty of mid-range which is cheaper and does a good job.
Suggest you get a range of quotes.
You might get 15 c/Kw hour rebate if you shop around.
Daily chores which use power, such as washing and drying, should be moved to the daytime so the power is free solar.
Have you investigated federal and state solar grants?

[Roverlord off road spares]

Rather than aiming for a $1500 profit, maybe resize to break even.
They are proposing more panels than the capacity of the inverter, so there is room to downsize.
LG and Fronius are top quality but there is plenty of mid-range which is cheaper and does a good job.
Suggest you get a range of quotes.
You might get 15 c/Kw hour rebate if you shop around.
Daily chores which use power, such as washing and drying, should be moved to the daytime so the power is free solar.
Have you investigated federal and state solar grants?
Only saw a mention that vic govt rebate of $1850
ish if you qualify.

[Vern]

I've been looking at batteries for over a decade and they're still not cheap. A single Tesla set would cost about what the OP was quoted, and as I understand it that still doesn't get you a set-up that will isolate during a blackout.What do you mean by it won't get you a set up that will isolate in a black out??

[Vern]

Only saw a mention that vic govt rebate of $1850
ish if you qualify.Thats about a 3.6kw system with those rebates??

[Arapiles]

What do you mean by it won't get you a set up that will isolate in a black out??

Just checked and the current ones do isolate but my understanding was that the prior version didn’t.

Edit ... without something like an SMA Sunny Island added to the system.

[Vern]

Just checked and the current ones do isolate but my understanding was that the prior version didn’t.

Edit ... without something like an SMA Sunny Island added to the system.I've never done a powerwall1, done a few powerwall 2's, and i must admit, they are pretty impressive, can use any inverter too which is good.
The first powerwall would work in a blackout, you just needed to use the correct inverter and black out relay. The powerwall 2 can use any old inverter as the tesla gateway controls it all grid or no grid.

Nice, but costly, unfortunately

[Arapiles]

I've never done a powerwall1, done a few powerwall 2's, and i must admit, they are pretty impressive, can use any inverter too which is good.
The first powerwall would work in a blackout, you just needed to use the correct inverter and black out relay. The powerwall 2 can use any old inverter as the tesla gateway controls it all grid or no grid.

Nice, but costly, unfortunately

Yes, and the doubling of capacity for the same price was pretty cool too.

Have you seen this?

Tesla Powerwall 2 AC – Lithium Ion Battery Test Centre (https://batterytestcentre.com.au/batteries/tesla-powerwall-2-ac/)

Lithium Ion Battery Test Centre – Independent battery performance testing by ITP Renewables (https://batterytestcentre.com.au/)

Reports – Lithium Ion Battery Test Centre (https://batterytestcentre.com.au/reports/)

[John_D4]

We went with a smaller electrician from Flagstaff Hill. His price was around about the same as the larger companies but the customer service and after sales is excellent. No regrets