I'm a happy chappie.   8-)

First full day, well almost, of our new Solar system.

13 hours so far free of charge* from the grid.

*Pardon the pun!   ;D

https://i.imgur.com/0klrTch.jpg

A cute BYD Solar battery is coming in handy.

They have no right to call it a solar system. Maybe a spacecraft with panels in orbit around the sun, otherwise it's not on.

Are you off grid or grid connected? 

chimera wrote on Oct 6^th, 2023 at 8:29pm:

They have no right to call it a solar system. Maybe a spacecraft with panels in orbit around the sun, otherwise it's not on.

Hee hee.  ;D

Belgarion wrote on Oct 6^th, 2023 at 9:40pm:

Are you off grid or grid connected?

Grid connected.

I was surprised to see how much better this new system is compared with the old one which we had for 15 years.

Used to be on the Premium feed-in tariff which has now gone, but this battery is really doing a great job.

We went 16 hours self-sufficient.  8-)

There will be a knock on your front door soon by two big men in black.

Alas, I would need work done to increase the roof area before I could have a solar power system. Shits me.

The solar panels available are all 1.7m long, I could not fit enough of he big panels.  :'(

Looks like a massive system. Why is it charging at 20% in the middle of the night? Or is that how full the battery is?

fd, the day ends at sunset. Then the night begins. After the day.

freediver wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 9:28am:

Looks like a massive system. Why is it charging at 20% in the middle of the night? Or is that how full the battery is?

That is how full the battery is.

The system stops drawing from the battery when it gets down to 20% to allow the system to kick in if we have a power outage. We have all circuits covered for power black-out coverage.

The Solar array is 12 panels - around 6 kW capacity but in reality we get 4.5 kW from the inverter in good sun.

The battery is a BYD 11 kWh one, so it can take us a good way into the night before it stops being drawn from.

Funny thing ... weeks ago we advised Origin Energy (our energy retailer) that we were ditching our old system and getting a new one put in. So we were fully aware that our Premium Feed-In Tariff 66c / kWh would be gone.   :(

They said, OK no problem, the plan would have the new FIT applied once they receive the official paperwork from the installer.

Good-oh

Then, when the system was installed, we again rang them to remind them that we would no longer qualify for the 66c /kWh FIT.

OK, thanks, we will fix that when we get the paperwork.

Good-oh

Then, when the system had passed the inspection and was turned on during Thursday, we again called to make sure they were aware that we would now be on the measly 4.9c / kWh FIT.

No worries, it will be changed on your next bill. So, any extra earning you make? Good luck to you.

Good-oh

Well, sure enough, just checked our billing on-line and they are continuing to pay us 66c /kWh FIT   8-)

Won't last for long, but very nice while it lasts.

https://i.imgur.com/fpBYP6x.jpg

We have gone from around 15 kWh daily draw from the grid down to around 3.5 kWh  :D

Instead of a daily bill for around $5.50 they are going to pay us $5.00 credit - until the FIT officially changes.

https://i.imgur.com/1Clj32g.jpg


Ah! life's good.    :)

Don’t remind them again of the change in your system!

Guy down the road pays no electricity bill, sells enough power to cover power used.

BUT he cooks and heats on woodfired burner.

Quote:

We have all circuits covered for power black-out coverage.

You might want to disconnect the hot water from that one.

freediver wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 10:17am:

Quote: We have all circuits covered for power black-out coverage. You might want to disconnect the hot water from that one.

All good, we installed a hot water heat-pump and so far it looks like the battery covers it. Runs about 3hrs when it needs to do its thing.

Jovial Monk wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 10:07am:

Guy down the road pays no electricity bill, sells enough power to cover power used. BUT he cooks and heats on woodfired burner.

Yeah, we haven't had the electric oven hit the system yet so that will impact our results a bit.

Running the kettle and toaster at the same time certainly ups the drain each morning!  :D

Heating water takes a LOT of power. Mass and high specific heat.

My Saxon woodheater—I can put a pan of stew on the front of it, it will slowly cook it so will try that rather than my slowcooker

Jovial Monk wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 12:09pm:

Heating water takes a LOT of power. Mass and high specific heat. My Saxon woodheater—I can put a pan of stew on the front of it, it will slowly cook it so will try that rather than my slowcooker

Yes, the heat pump was running almost 4 hrs last night.

Ran for free though thanks to the battery.

Those other short spikes are the kettle.  :o

https://i.imgur.com/G71HHyD.jpg

Here is what happened for the rest of the morning and so far today.

Quite overcast most of today but we were still only drawing from the grid during off-peak except for that blasted kettle again!  ;D

https://i.imgur.com/56aFPO4.jpg

Yes, I would like to install a heat pump for hot water. Stuff paying the electric retailer.

Quote:

Yes, the heat pump was running almost 4 hrs last night.

I've never had a heat pump so I'm unsure how it works,  but why run it at night? My hot water was set on a timer so that it would only heat up during the day when the solar panels were doing their thing

Gooday Nemo

I had a 6.6Kw system installed this year, just wondering what the battery installation cost, as i wouldnt mind doing that as well?

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 3:31pm:

Gooday Nemo I had a 6.6Kw system installed this year, just wondering what the battery installation cost, as i wouldnt mind doing that as well?

$10,000 for an 11 kW BYD brand battery.

So the payback is a long-term prospect.

John Smith wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 3:12pm:

Quote: Yes, the heat pump was running almost 4 hrs last night. I've never had a heat pump so I'm unsure how it works,  but why run it at night? My hot water was set on a timer so that it would only heat up during the day when the solar panels were doing their thing

I let the heat pump do its thing whenever it wants to but it does have a timer set-up which I can use.

If the battery covers it I'm not really too worried when it fires up because we end up drawing from the grid during off peak (11 pm to 7 am) but I take your point that setting it to operate during the day might be a way to avoid drawing from the grid at all. I might have a go at setting it to run only in the day and see how we go.

It sounds like a heat pump is like a reverse cycle air conditioner. It will use a lot less electricity to heat up the water, and have an external cooler (beer fridge anyone?). The downside would be that it is not going to last 20 years like a hot water system should.

I have a group of Slaves.
They power my place by running the treadmill.

Captain Nemo wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 5:25pm:

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 7th, 2023 at 3:31pm: Gooday Nemo I had a 6.6Kw system installed this year, just wondering what the battery installation cost, as i wouldnt mind doing that as well? $10,000 for an 11 kW BYD brand battery. So the payback is a long-term prospect.

What type of battery? Lithium or something safer?

Only solar panels I can install without rebuilding the house are a couple portable ones on the garage roof to keep a fish pond pump going. My land slopes, vege patch will be levelled with two levels, two wide terraces, means a waterfall effect can be simulated.

Mind you, dunno what fish I can stock! Top water of the pond might freeze on frosty cold nights!

How's this for an idea - hook up your hot water system via a heat pump to your fridge and freezer. Maybe the temperature difference would be too much. I expect the hot water is much more powerful, so you could probably power a much bigger fridge and freezer while using less electricity.

Jovial Monk wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 7:04pm:

Captain Nemo wrote on Oct 7th, 2023 at 5:25pm: Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 7th, 2023 at 3:31pm: Gooday Nemo I had a 6.6Kw system installed this year, just wondering what the battery installation cost, as i wouldnt mind doing that as well? $10,000 for an 11 kW BYD brand battery. So the payback is a long-term prospect. What type of battery? Lithium or something safer?

I choose the danger.  :D

https://i.imgur.com/efNqb4E.gif

https://i.imgur.com/9bUeZmD.jpg




Cobalt Free Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Battery

BYD
Premium HVM
11.04kWh of Storage

No, you chose safety—those are the LiFePO batteries that are much safer than plain lithium ones. Well done!

I have to buy Communist Chinese crap that undercuts Western industry, but I would not give them that kind of money.

John Smith wrote on Oct 7^th, 2023 at 3:12pm:

Quote: Yes, the heat pump was running almost 4 hrs last night. I've never had a heat pump so I'm unsure how it works,  but why run it at night? My hot water was set on a timer so that it would only heat up during the day when the solar panels were doing their thing

Changed the heat pump settings to run only between a 9am to 3pm window and now we are going 22 hrs self-sufficient.

Good advice there JS  8-)

Captain Nemo wrote on Oct 6^th, 2023 at 8:10pm:

I'm a happy chappie.   8-) First full day, well almost, of our new Solar system. 13 hours so far free of charge* from the grid. *Pardon the pun!   ;D https://i.imgur.com/0klrTch.jpg A cute BYD Solar battery is coming in handy.

Hi Captain,
Well done. Loks very good. Once our large tariff ends it looks like a new system will be a good idea.
Will get it battery ready and ponder that area.

I am getting a 6KV system installed in January.

Captain Nemo wrote on Oct 9^th, 2023 at 8:41am:

John Smith wrote on Oct 7th, 2023 at 3:12pm: Quote: Yes, the heat pump was running almost 4 hrs last night. I've never had a heat pump so I'm unsure how it works,  but why run it at night? My hot water was set on a timer so that it would only heat up during the day when the solar panels were doing their thing Changed the heat pump settings to run only between a 9am to 3pm window and now we are going 22 hrs self-sufficient. Good advice there JS  8-)

glad to help

Jovial Monk wrote on Nov 28^th, 2023 at 11:00am:

I am getting a 6KV system installed in January.

Great news JM.

Enjoy!  8-)

I have decided at age 79, I may not be around long enough to enjoy the gains after the battery is paid off.

How long do you reckon Nemo will it take to cover the battery cost?

Redmond Neck wrote on Nov 28^th, 2023 at 1:16pm:

I have decided at age 79, I may not be around long enough to enjoy the gains after the battery is paid off. How long do you reckon Nemo will it take to cover the battery cost?

It could take between 10 and 15 years I reckon.

However, there is the benefit of knowing that you have added very useful infrastructure to the home that someone will inherit and enjoy the savings on their power bills.  8-)

Of course, the personal addition to the fight against CO₂ emissions is a reward in itself.

I really need to start investigating Solar, but with storage also.

I'd love to be able to have power when mains is out, plus be as off grid as possible.

My solar panels will be installed on the 20th—like a month later than promised. I had to chase them up twice and was starting to think i had been scammed!

Would like to add two wind generators—the sun don’t shine at night and not much in winter! No battery—mains is pretty good here.

All you need is Neptune in alignment with its twin Your-Anus
while they both polarise Jupiter and Mercury upon the other side and you will receive much Solar power as your inner chakras can afford to store.

I doubt using a heat pump to heat water would bring much benefit to me. A heat pump to heat and cool the study would be more beneficial.

Our heat pump is great for us because we went from a gas storage water heater to the electric heat pump. From costly gas heating bills to zero cost for heating the water now provided we have a reasonably sunny day.

I am all electric here.

Only I use the hot water.

Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 7^th, 2024 at 3:13pm:

My solar panels will be installed on the 20th—like a month later than promised. I had to chase them up twice and was starting to think i had been scammed! Would like to add two wind generators—the sun don’t shine at night and not much in winter! No battery—mains is pretty good here.

Good news. Well done.
A mate suggested to get them installed 'Battery ready'.
Batteries are not economic at this stage but are getting closer.
When batteries get viable if your system is 'battery ready' it is easy to wire them in.

Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 10^th, 2024 at 10:22am:

I am all electric here. Only I use the hot water.

In your case that makes perfect sense JM.

For us, it made a difference.

Here is today's chart showing the heat pump doing its thing for "free".

https://i.imgur.com/ZWK391v.jpg

Quote:

'Battery ready'. Batteries are not economic at this stage but are getting closer.

Good idea, Sprint, no harm having it “battery ready.”

When I rocked up here last Saturday of November 2022 there were no keys evident. I thought “maybe in the meter box?” and opened that only to nearly fall on the floor laughing—it was like a museum exhibit of the 1950s! Old fashioned meter, and actual FUSES!

Now there is a modern meter that can be read remotely (and I might be due a payment on that) and a modern switchboard with earth protection on each circuit—and a real earth not a bit of metal sort-of stuck in the ground.