Thread: Power prices, gas prices- ouch or Solar perhaps?

Originally Posted by Homestar

I’m a Licensed Electrician but don’t hold an REC so I can do my own work no dramas, legal etc as I’m not contracting for profit or gain, but that means I can’t get a rebate as I can’t sign off on the work (that I don’t need to when I do it myself) so I have to pay some other spanker to do it… 🤬

Why not used panels and the new inverter that you want?

The rebates are for the panels only so at least you can have the system up and running. You don't need to be CEC certified/signed off then as you are not claiming RECs on the panels.

Being a qualified sparky you can sign off on the electrical safety COC which is all you need to connect to grid and then be able to get a feed in tariff from your retailer.


Too hard getting someone to sign off that is CEC accredited to get the rebates on the panels, as then they are also taking responsibility AND LIABILITY for YOUR electrical work.

At least this way you get it up and running.

EDIT: I am in SA and not currently installing so may be rusty on rules

We have two solar systems (3.4kW and 3.06kW). The first went in back when we were getting 68c/kWh. Even though it cost $10k, it paid for itself very quickly. We had an interest-free Green Loan for that. However, it also had 3 inverter failures over less than ten years. When we had an additional system added, it was just after the third failure so we had the inverter changed to the same as the new system.

The feed-in tariff is now only 5 cents so it would be hardly worthwhile installing solar if one doesn’t use the power. We do because we have ducted aircon. We use gas for the cooktop and for hot water (Rinnai instantaneous).

However, we have just received an email from AGL showing the new tariff. It has risen from 36 cents to 46 cents.

Current rates

Electricity usage____Unit____GST excl.____GST incl.
General Usage______c/kWh___33.42000____36.762000
Feed-in tariff_______c/kWh____5.00000
Supply charge______c/day____92.82000____102.102000

New rates
Effective 1 July 2023

Electricity usage___Unit_____GST excl.___GST incl.
General Usage______c/kWh____42.32000___46.552000
Feed-in tariff_______c/kWh_____5.00000
Supply charge______c/day_____98.51000___108.361000

Our FIT hasn’t improved ($0.52/kWh) however the bastards just raised of buy in rate by $0.10/kWh.

That now pushes my system to the limit of break even, likely tips it over into having to start paying again.

Time to level up, more panels, 3 phase and additional inverters and look to alternatives.

Love this free market, where things are supposed to be cheaper for the consumer! Thieving ****** - Wholesale price actually has gone down.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Our FIT hasn’t improved ($0.52/kWh) however the bastards just raised of buy in rate by $0.10/kWh.

I'm confused. A FIT of 52c/kWh is damn good and 10 times what we get.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Our FIT hasn’t improved ($0.52/kWh) however the bastards just raised of buy in rate by $0.10/kWh.

That now pushes my system to the limit of break even, likely tips it over into having to start paying again.

Time to level up, more panels, 3 phase and additional inverters and look to alternatives.

Love this free market, where things are supposed to be cheaper for the consumer! Thieving ****** - Wholesale price actually has gone down.

Sadly, increases were always going to happen due the companies maintaining the "Bottom Line" & to keep Shareholders happy.


Who ever thought or never considered this that wouldn't occur was a bit thick.

They were not going to give away such a lucrative market & stay in business.



Digital Meters made it easier for them by "inadvertently" hitting a few extra buttons now & then, all over Australia at billing time..

As Tombie said "Thieving bastards"

Many years ago a credit union manager said that operating a credit union was a licence to print money. Electricity retailers are many times worse.

Hi,
Haven't had a power bill in 10 years after spending $7k on panels.
A recent failure of our wood fired range meant we now use grid power for hot water and heating, with gas for cooking.
The $3k credit we had built up is now being eroded albeit slowly.
I hope to slow it further by using 'time of use tariff with some timers and storage heaters.
If we ever build again, it will be off grid!
Cheers

Originally Posted by johnp38

Why not used panels and the new inverter that you want?

The rebates are for the panels only so at least you can have the system up and running. You don't need to be CEC certified/signed off then as you are not claiming RECs on the panels.

Being a qualified sparky you can sign off on the electrical safety COC which is all you need to connect to grid and then be able to get a feed in tariff from your retailer.


Too hard getting someone to sign off that is CEC accredited to get the rebates on the panels, as then they are also taking responsibility AND LIABILITY for YOUR electrical work.

At least this way you get it up and running.

EDIT: I am in SA and not currently installing so may be rusty on rules

Worth looking into - thanks for the idea. One of my issues is that we don’t use lots of power but given my Partner works from home we can load shift most things to the day to get the most from the panels. Also I’m not going to be at this house forever so I don’t want to over capitalise and not see any benefit long term, so it’s a bit tricky. The rebate would help offset this but second hand panels might also do this.

Time for more research.