Thread: Solar Electricity - Brisbane

In several years when I move more rural and buy the huge block I will go with solar and wind power. Wind generators are much more cost effective then solar if they are in the right area.

Xav

I know little of solar energy except that you need to get it set up by someone who knows what they are doing and do it properly. Don't take short cuts.
As for the pool heating, I know a bloke in Orange who has an indoor pool and heats it through solar tubes on the roof. If it works in Orange it'll work anywhere in QLD.
Steve.

Thanks all for the advice and stories.
I should have said that I am only interested in a system that feeds into the grid.
I am stuck between a system that generates electricity for all appliances in the home, and heat the pool using other means or a system that just heats the pool (power home from grid) or a combination of the two.
I am not overly sold on the fact that return on investment will take a long, long time.
I am thinking of a smaller kw unit for the house, just enough to reduce the bill by 10% or so and separately solar heating the pool.
Anyone currently heat their pool this way? I am a sook and hate cold water, am aiming to get the pool to 28-32 deg.

Ralph

There is a great calculator here that that takes into account your location and how this affects your solar power generation.
Climate & Weather Data for use in Renewable Energy System Design: Solar Irradiation, Wind Speed, Temperature, Humidity, Air Pressure - Energy Matters

For example, for me, if I spend $45K on a 5kw system I'll get paid $1850 dollars a year (QLD Gov pays $0.44 per kwh for solar power) and save approx $900 a year on power costs. This system would be paid off in 17 years or sooner if you take into account inflation. Would it add $45k to the value of the house? I doubt it but it would be a good selling point, a house that pays you. This would require about 36 sqm of solar panels and add about 465kg to the roof.

Originally Posted by inside

There is a great calculator here that that takes into account your location and how this affects your solar power generation.
Climate & Weather Data for use in Renewable Energy System Design: Solar Irradiation, Wind Speed, Temperature, Humidity, Air Pressure - Energy Matters

For example, for me, if I spend $45K on a 5kw system I'll get paid $1850 dollars a year (QLD Gov pays 0.44c per kwh for solar power) and save approx $900 a year on power costs. This system would be paid off in 17 years or sooner if you take into account inflation. Would it add $45k to the value of the house? I doubt it but it would be a good selling point, a house that pays you. This would require about 36 sqm of solar panels and add about 465kg to the roof.

The QLD government program I mentioned above were trying to deliver a 1kw system (I think) for only $1000. It might be worth waiting

I can't see a need for having a storage system when you are connected to the grid, as the grid is effectively a "battery" anyway. Its also something that needs to be replaced every 10-20years, and they're bloody expensive.

From a sparkie's view,

In Vic you must be mindful of the costs associated with the installation. Down here we have many different power companies that can specify special regulations on the kinds of systems you can use and how they are connected. Do your research.

ANY system even just a stand-alone gen-set will involve an inspection from Energy Safe Victoria.

In my opinion don't go for an evilbay special.

I have been doing some research for the Rover Scout Chalet that's in an Isolated area ie No Power anywhere. So we need a stand-alone system, and the new inverters available now are pretty swishy. In terms of panels BP Solar are meant to be the most efficient and quality product, but pricey. We got 2X125 Watt 24v Panels for $2400 2 years ago.

Another option on large properties with a creek or stream is Micro Hydro.

My 5cents

Now back to reading about BeCM's, EAS and Slipped Liners

Originally Posted by Waynep

But to my mind it's still not attractive from a purely financial perspective. They reckon the break even period now with the rebates and feed in tarrif taken into account is now down to 10 years - still not good enough in my mind.

Seems that the "It'll take me ten years to break even" argument is a bit, to state the obvious, short sighted. If you are only planning to live another 9 1/2 years or less, then Solar is not for you. If you think you might still be using electricity in 10 years, then solar makes good sense. The current life span of Solar panels is around 25 years, so you're paying for 10, get 15 free. Or you're locking in the next 25 years of electricity for a 60% discount. And of course, the 10 year break even point is calculated using today's electricity prices. Do you think there's a possibility that Electricity costs will get cheaper, or more expensive? You might end up paying for your system in 8 or even 6 years.

Do I have a Solar grid-connect system? No. But I would in a flash if I could afford it. The Fed Govt offers a rebate of $8 per watt up to 1kW for Grid Connect Solar installations, that is, a maximum of $8000. A 1.5kW system (which would cover about 75% of an "Average Household's" needs) will cost about $11,000, that is AFTER the rebate has been applied. A 2.5kW system would cover most of the Av House's requirements, but it would cost around $18,000 after the rebate.

With a grid-connect solar system, when the panels are producing more electricity than you are using, your meter will turn backwards. When you are using more than the panels make (eg nighttime), you meter turns forward. The net difference is the amount of power your supplier charges you for. As the 1.5kW system won't make all your power needs, you will still be paying a much smaller power bill. With a larger system, depending on the policies of your local electricity supplier you may or may not get paid for the excess power generated if your net solar power production is more than you use. Check with your electricity supplier regarding their policy. As others have said, Qld is paying 44c per kW/h.