Has anybody else installed a Solar PV home system? I'd be interested in experiences. I just purchased a 2kW system, so I'll keep you posted of how it goes.

We decided to install based largely on the projected price of electricity. The return on investment should be around 2-3 years based on that, allowing for REC's.  If we're away for a month or two, which we're planning to do, the unused electricity will be fed back into the grid, so theoretically we should get a credit for that period.

Yeah, I've heard about that kind of material. The downside is that although it looks good, if you have any in the shade, or not at the optimum angle to the sun, you stand to lose a great deal of efficiency.

I was looking at steered concentrator technology, but the waiting time was too long. They are only interested in major developments.

I think heat pumps and direct solar airconditioning will eventually come to the fore in Australia as it has in Europe. Solar airconditioning systems, such as the Astech design show a lot of promise. It's very inefficient to convert solar energy to electricity then use that electricity to power air conditioners.

http://www.buildup.eu/cases/9552

gizmo_2655 wrote on Sep 29^th, 2010 at 2:48pm:


I don't doubt that it's a good idea, but as with anything else, introduce it to Australia and you'll be paying roughly 2.5 times the price that they are in the US. At work, I've started buying a lot of things direct from the States, and it saves a fortune.

As a side note - you'd never achieve 35% with standard Solar panels. You can barely achieve 35% with triple junction cells and concentrators (lenses that focus the sun's light on to the cells).

Solar PV/thermal hybrids, such as the ones made by a company in Israel claim 75% efficiency (PV and Thermal combined).

   

Cost savings with feed-in tariff was $2500 per year based on the current price per unit.

If you can get a cost saving of $2,500 on a 2kwh system, you are doing very well.
I have had a 1.5kwh system installed one year ago and it has produced some 1120kw which equals to about $600.00 saving.

I'm getting a 1.5KW system. The 2yr interest free deal with Origin. It should be installed by December, but I'm hoping for a bit sooner.

I also opted for the 66 cents per kw/h feed in price, which I understand is a minimum for 15 yrs. In that case, I wouldn't expect any more, but it would've paid for itself a few times over in 15yrs.
I'm hoping that I will only be paying slightly more than my usual electricity bill whilst it is being payed off, by my estimation.
Being that I'm far more confident in my own theory vs. practise estimations than anybody else's, I think that the solar deals that are around these days should be snapped up, even though there are more efficient panels on the way.

Whatever we say about wanting to do what is right for the environment, the bottom line is always price.

One thing to be very careful of when evaluating the ROI on a solar system is the assumption used for number of hours of daily sunlight.  I saw one recently where they used 7 hours of daily sunlight to bump up the ROI; when being realistic one should only count on ~4hrs/day to take into consideration inclement conditions and the efficiency of the panel.

The only thing that is preventing me from installing a system myself is a massive palm tree in the way of our north facing roof space; the Mrs values the palm tree more.  Now where did I put that round-up.

Interesting. Maybe the calculator I used was a bit optimistic. Of course the price of a grid kWhr has gone up, and with a higher rated system there would possibly be more feed-in tariff above the usage threshold. The cost saving without feed in tariff included was around $1200.

We had very little sunshine during the winter, therefore the output from solar was rather poor.
I installed 8panels and the Salesperson quoted 6Kwh average per day but so far the output was 4Kwh so to recover my investment it will probably take more like 6 years.
I have asked some technical questions but have not been able to get answers; like, is there any difference in feed-in power when power is being used, and if the line voltage raises above 240volts, is the feed-in reduced.
Apparently the best results are when the temperature is about 25degrees.
I,am surprised that Germany has so much solar power, when their sunny days are a lot fewer.

A few weeks back I had 3 quotes from solar power installers, ranging in price (after all the rebates etc.) from $12000 for a 2.52 kWh system to  $4700 for 1.6 kWh.  Looking at my current power bills and the costs of these systems I estimated it would take between 2 and 5 years to recoup my expenses.

I decided not to go ahead as I think the price of these systems will only come down. I thought I detected an air of desperation to get me signed up before the rebates ended. Also, I have a large tree
in my yard which I was told would reduce the effectiveness of the system by an estimated 40%. Ironically the local councils green policy will not allow it to be removed.

I think the aspect of you becoming more aware of your usage, and more pro-active in learning how to use energy more wisely, is probably the biggest benefit you will see from your investment Ammad.
I think the plain yruth is that we all moan about energy pricing, while most of the time we are wasting a lot of power that we need not be using.

They had a TV show where energy auditors came through homes and showed people how to be more efficient, but they were so extreme that I think it actually put more people off it, by appearing too fanatical, than it converted people to being more efficient, and a common sense, and easier to follow energy saving education campaign would be better for ordinary people to accept.

I was just reading about hosing down your solar panels on hot days to get more performance out of them.

Before hosing, 530w output. After hosing, 1340w output!  

Today it wasn't so impressive - 1100w to 1250w, there may have been some clouds overhead when I checked it yesterday.i

Quote:


I suppose there's nothing like hitting the hip pocket to bring about some motivation.
During the Howard driven downturn (had to throw that one in  ), I had a lot of time on my hands and not much cash in my pocket, so I decided to spend some time to work out what each appliance was costing me to run.

First I shut down absolutely everything until the (old) meter wheel stopped spinning.
I then switched them on again individually, timed the meter wheel and used a bit of math to get a fair estimate of what each appliance was costing to run and also what they were costing to have on standby.

I had 3 full entertainment systems that were left on standby for the majority of the time which sucked quite a bit of juice when taking into account they were sitting there mostly idle 24/7. So it was easy enough to switch them off at the wall when not in use.

The amps seemed to be the biggest culprits. I also had a big-ass guitar amp that I used to leave on and which would buzz annoyingly. I switched that to a small practise amp which doesn't buzz and which also makes my guitar sound less annoying to the unforgiving ear.

Other things I've done or generally do:

Changed over a few old light globes which I hadn't bothered to switch over to the low powered ones.
Reset a security light that was set too sensitve and stayed on for too long.
Close doors to rooms not being used when heating or cooling.
Switch off lights not being used of course.
Use a fan instead of the air-con if it's not too hot.
Smaller appliances for cooking.
Use a smaller sound system that doesn't make the windows rattle, but actually sounds better.
Make sure that everything is off when not being used, not just on standby.

..and probably a few other things which, like you said, just comes down to being more mindful of power being used.
For those people who have teenagers, it's probably not even worth trying  


Just to add, for gas heating and hot water - I turn off the heater pilot light during summer and turn down the hot water service to comfortable shower temperature (or a little warmer). That way you only need to turn on the hot water tap when taking a shower. It saves quite a bit.

Amadd wrote on Jan 1^st, 2011 at 7:44am:


How many years warranty were you given on the panels and inverter?

Amadd wrote on Mar 10^th, 2011 at 6:59am:


I dont think the premium cost for power will reach 66c/kWhr in 2 years. Its 19cents now. Even with a carbon price and trading scheme whihc needs to get up in parliament anyway - AND wont be introduced for a few years anyway.

There is a Solar Technolohy company operating out of Melbourne which manufacures a slaor system that not only produces electrical power via PVs but also traps heat in order to produce hot water. Its a very uinque hybrid solarPV/thermal panel that has a focusing system for the suan rays etc. They are called Technique Solar

http://www.techniquesolar.com.au/technology

Amadd wrote on Mar 10^th, 2011 at 6:59am:


My main concern is how the power by-back system works.

Lets say that you install a PV system on a house roof top and you dont use any power at all for a whole year. That is an empty house - no appliances or lighting etc.

You simply pay the service charge for the power connection to your house.

In this instance will ALL of the power produced by the PV's be purchased at the 66c/kWhr rate?

Is there a limit to how much can be sold back to the power company?

Can I install a 50kW system for example on a wharehouse roof top and sell whatever power is produces?

Thanks Teddy Bear

Belgarion wrote on Dec 31^st, 2010 at 5:01pm:


If you wait for anything to come down in price you will NEVER buy amything.

I like to view it in terms of pay back period and what effect I can have now.

Also, I have a friend who has installed a PV system 2 years ago and thepaid back period willl be reached by the end of the year.

He intends to install a furthe 1.5 KW of panels - although he has a very large roof area so the optimum poistioning of these PV systems is easy for his situation.

muso wrote on Mar 14^th, 2011 at 8:25am:


Which is economically appealing to households.

Remember this period would be very much longer without the government rebate and most importantly without the premium buy back price of 66c/kWhr gaurantee.

And we are blessed on the Australian mainland with the one of the highest rates of Solar Radiation exposure.

Everything is in our favour to be one of the cleanest and sustainable energy producers in the world, but instead we are the highest CO2 emmting country per capita on the planet. (and have always been in the top 3 worst polluters)

We are now officially the most irresponsible and filthiest Carbon Dioxide emiiters per capita in the world

Equitist wrote on Mar 14^th, 2011 at 10:48am:

There is great irony in your statement.
THe NSW has also jsut approved 2 new coal fired power stations on the NSW coast.

If coal is so cheap, why is there such an increase in power prices planned?

The Coal fired power industry is not like Victorian brown coal sector which was privatised by the Kennett government in the late 1990's.

ANd when I say provatised I mean FOREIGN OWNED,

So an increase in power prices means higher profits which means more money flooding out of this country.

NSW will also privatise its black coal sector - only a matter of time

If there is a dumber country than Australia I would like to know where in the world it is

Foolosophy wrote on Mar 9^th, 2011 at 11:53pm:


Each state has a face plate limit on system size; ie. In Victoria you can have up to 5 kW, in Qld you can have 10 kW per phase (up to 30 kW).

astro_surf wrote on Mar 27^th, 2011 at 5:36pm:


Yes, at about the same time that the NSW government announced TWO new coal fired power stations to be built on the NSW coastline.

NOW WE WOULDNT WANT ANYTHING TO EAT INTO THE CORPORATE PROFITS OF THESE FOSSIL FUEL SCHEMES NOW WOULD WE FOLKS?

And when I say corporate profits, I mean OVERSEAS corporate profits

There can not be a more dumber and short term looking nation on this planet than our own - absolutely pathetic

I saw my neighbor uses solar panels in their house and its kinda great seeing your house having lights coming from sun.