Which household Solar company do you recommend?

[Campa]

I'm a complete novice when it comes to Solar and at the moment we are looking at getting a few quotes for a Solar system for our home.

Now I have no idea were to start or what is right or what is wrong. So I thought I'd ask the friendly people on Myswag to give us some advice, and maybe share your experiences (good and bad) with Solar installing companies.

Bnk

[Duchess]

We used a company from Cowra...they were brilliant and I have got a great system that is doing its job. I am actually thinking about expanding up to 2kw as I think that the system installed was capable of that...I only have 1.2kw of solar panels I think at the moment.

I know you're a long way north so I don't know if you'd get any service from these guys. However, they did travel up here to do our work (but there was a group of us that they did.)

[Shane083]

i cant help you with who to get or not to get butthe key is to forget about how much money a system will make you or how much money it will save you. you want to try and make sure that your system will produce more e nergy than you consume, then you cant get an electricity bill. also teach yourself and your family to use less energy, you will be surprised how much you can save by doing that,
Cheers Shane

[jclures]

I am a bit simple minded, I think it is important to work out how much it will cost you, then how much you will save in the power bill and then work out how long it will take you to recoup your money.
This should give you an idea on the size you need, if you are happy to still have a smaller power bill, then some times a smaller system is all that is needed.
This is the way I have gone, I have a 2kw inverter with 10 panels 1900w.  I still have a small power bill, but if I had have gone to a larger system just how long it would have taken to recoup my money became the thing to me.
Mind you the solar installers want you to get the biggest system possible, but that is what they want, is it not.

[UTE 701]

I would recommend Uni Industries .

They cover from Brisbane to Caloundra , so that should suit you .

http://www.uni-industries.com.au/

07 3889 6322 .

Let me know how you go .....

[bully60]

Have a true solar sysTem 2.4kw with a 3 kw inverter, had it for 12 months with no issue,also mate have gone with them here in Perth with also no issue.
I think it's more the installers than the company.
Anyway was happy with my true value system

[db]

Another thing you may want to consider is what sort of system you want and how long you will need to live with it.  We looked at ours from the perspective of the system has a likely usable life of 20 years or so, and we have no plans to leave our house.  Therefore the quality of the components was a major concern.  As with anything else there is range of prices and qualities with solar panels and inverters, you need to determine where these fit in your equation - what suits you.

[jwb]

I recently had euro solar fit a 3kw system
It went along with only a minor hiccup.
I opted for a upgraded Inverter
Google them or pm me for more info if required
Much better than a mob a mate used,
Holy crap.
talk about stuff ups. It took him/ them 12 mths to
Finally get it all sorted. I'll pm their name to you
Can't wait till they put the new meters on.
It should start paying back pretty soon
Cheers

Cheers

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk

[Wandering Tassie]

I am having a 3kw (16 panels) fitted next week. Upgraded the invertor to a 4.5kw so I can expand in the future.
The mob I am using are a local lot so no help to you there.

Trevor

[Signature035]

Hope this isn't taking this thread too far off topic.....

I have been looking into this seriously over the past 12 months, but just can't seem to make the numbers work

We are a family of 6 (4 older kids 18 -24).  I have done everything I can think of to reduce useage, new LED lights in kitchen & living areas, got rid of the old washing machine and fridge......  but I am still getting $700 - $800 quarterly bills. (and we have gas HW, Heating & Cooking)

To make any sort of dent in this I need to go to at least a 2.5kw system, which is going to cost me $7,500 + and will reduce my bill by $250 - $300 a quarter..... doesn't add up.

Am I missing something?  Or any ideas out there?  Maybe I just need some kids to move out 

PS:  I have had long talks with a Company called 'Energy Matters'  and thier pricing seems OK?   
http://www.energymatters.com.au/?utm_source=NewsletterMailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EM120228L

[UIZ733]

$300 per quarter reduction = approximately 15% return on your capital ($7500). Nothing wrong with those figures. Paid off in 5 years.
Regards

[Campa]

Thanks for the replies guys 

Lots of things to think about. I like the idea of getting a larger inverter to add onto later.

Our bills at the moment are only $300 per 1/4 (2 adults & 1 Toddler) so I don't think we would need to big of a system. *

Is there really that much of a difference between chinese & German solar tech?

[Rod Camping]

Thanks for the replies guys 

Lots of things to think about. I like the idea of getting a larger inverter to add onto later.

Our bills at the moment are only $300 per 1/4 (2 adults & 1 Toddler) so I don't think we would need to big of a system. *

Is there really that much of a difference between chinese & German solar tech?

On my opion worlds of difference. We went with CITISOLAR they use a panal that has met the german standard. 3 KW system for us, 2 adults and 2 kids 8 and 3 average power bill berfore was $900. Average after $420.

Cheers Rod

P.S. If you are thinking of useing this mob please PM me.

[Garry H]

Thanks for the replies guys 

Lots of things to think about. I like the idea of getting a larger inverter to add onto later.

Our bills at the moment are only $300 per 1/4 (2 adults & 1 Toddler) so I don't think we would need to big of a system. *

Is there really that much of a difference between chinese & German solar tech?

the inverters work more efficient if they are maxed out
get a big system anyway, not a smaller one
go the quality first time around, work with a fella who is on his 3rd cheap invertor (the screens have died)
could not be happier with our setup
last quarter on our system provided us with $495 credit for the 1/4
the previous "statement" provided us with $390 credit which we transfered to our gas a/c

here is our full specs as well as some other input
Topic: Solar Panels the house, 1 year on, the results  (Read 1408 times)
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=16691.0

[JCOJ]

I heard that South Australia is the 3rd most expensive place in the world for power prices!!!!!

We too are thinking of solar - but wonder about the quality of the panels.  Why does one solar panel for a camper cost nearly $1000 when you can get 26 panels installed for $7500?  Is it just volume?  Our power bills are around $650pq and with the carbon tax will be going up again!! 

How do you work out what size system you need vs what your power bills are?

[Garry H]

I figured I would put in a system that pumps in as much power as what I use, if the feed in tarif ever gets cut (they have tried) or power price rises to the same as the feed in tarif then I still will have no bill,

[Wandering Tassie]

I heard that South Australia is the 3rd most expensive place in the world for power prices!!!!!

We too are thinking of solar - but wonder about the quality of the panels.  Why does one solar panel for a camper cost nearly $1000 when you can get 26 panels installed for $7500?  Is it just volume?  Our power bills are around $650pq and with the carbon tax will be going up again!! 

How do you work out what size system you need vs what your power bills are?

John, to work out what size unit don't look at your $. Look up how many kw's you use a year, then if you want to half your bills get one that produces the required kw's.

When working out how long it takes to pay back, don't to forget to factor in price rises. On current rates, ours will take 7-8 years, but if there is a 50% increase in this time it comes way back.

Trevor

[Silvo]

how does that all work, from what i understand, if your not using the power during the day - say, when you are out of the house, then the extra power created will be fed back into the grid - so it this is the case, and you are buying a bigger system, would this just be to get a bigger feed in rebate? and then be used on weekends (during the day) to cover what you are using.

the thing is useless at night ofcourse, which would be when the majority of my power use would be.

[Garry H]

feed excess power into the grid during the day,
use from the grid at night,
different states have different regs on the feed in tarif, SA is net (you use from the panels first then export balance) some states are gross feed in from the panels,
I am able to feed in at 2x the rate rate I use (almost) but that will change over the years

at the end of the day, it is worth doing so look into it and do it........

[Shane083]

I figured I would put in a system that pumps in as much power as what I use, if the feed in tarif ever gets cut (they have tried) or power price rises to the same as the feed in tarif then I still will have no bill,

thats the best way to do it, and imho the price we pay atm will rise to meet the feed in tarif sooner rather than later.

[jetcrew]

 thats exactly what they all want, keep the demand for power as it is and make $$$ from solar installs as well. The key is to do it backwards , work out what sized system you can afford and the 1.5KW are the best priced because the recs credits are peaked at that. This is why a 1.5 can cost say $2000 and a 3kw will be $8000. Its because you get less rebate on the 2nd 1.5KW than the first.

So put in the 1.5 understanding it will never meet your current usage then do what green energy is all about ,reduce your power usage. when the inverter dies on the 1.5KW system strip the panels and sell them for more than the system cost you in the first place. with a 1.5KW system you are paying way less than the sum of the equip. the Govt is paying the rest. Or install a batt bank . I did ask if they would still give me a rebate if i complaetley powered my home with the 1.5K/W system by using dc appliances. which is very green, but apparantley thats not the intent of the solar rebate scheme.?

The power companies do not want everyone with 5KW on thier roof or they will be bill free and thats no good so they convinced Govt to curve the recs credits at an amount that they thought feasible whilst still protecting profits and 1.5KW is the lucky number.

I have seen them for as little as $1200 installed. that will pay itself off quicker than a big system and will help to reduce your bill without outlaying to much.

I know of people paying interest on loans to install big systems this is just crazy to me. If I had a lazy 10K I would put in a term dep and pay for the elec price hikes with the banks interest not me pay for power companies infustructure so they can claim Green energy cred with govt and onsell my solar generated power to someone slse for a premium price. And I still have my capital.

If i ever do install it it will be a 1.5kw system as the govt will pay more than me. so if they cut the system they loose to. In the meantime I am just using less just like fuel ,when it goes up you find ways to use less.

This is just my opinion and like LPG on cars it works for some and for others they can't see the benifit given the outlays. one thing you can be assured of is the solar rebate scheme was not designed with our benifit in mind.

I don't want to sound against it , but consider all the facts and never sign up with the sales guy in your lounge room.

Kind regards

JET

 

[Kit_e_kat9]

Well,

I've been reading this thread with interest.  I'm seriously considering solar and starting to look at options.  Just as confusing as what to buy for your camper I must say ... only more so.

I think Jetcrew just convinced me which way to go.  And of course, some others threw in the theory of a 4kw boxy thing upgrade when able to later after I've saved some $ ... that sounds fair to me.

Thanks to all.  Think I have this well and truely sussed now.  And I won't be buying from an energy company ... just to rub salt in the wounds.   

Kit_e

[Garry H]

So put in the 1.5 understanding it will never meet your current usage then do what green energy is all about ,reduce your power usage. when the inverter dies on the 1.5KW system strip the panels and sell them for more than the system cost you in the first place.


The power companies do not want everyone with 5KW on thier roof or they will be bill free and thats no good so they convinced Govt to curve the recs credits at an amount that they thought feasible whilst still protecting profits and 1.5KW is the lucky number.

love the line of thought, recycling at its best

I don't think the govt thought there would be as big a takeup on bigger systems,

I figure I will have my capital investment back in less than 5 years (4 years now) and then I'll start to get a payback permanatly and have my money back to to what I wish, bit like a term deposit where you get your money back and keep getting the interest

[UTE 701]

Apparently there is a limit on how much power can go back into the grid based on the transformer capacity in your street .

Everyone in one neighbourhood can not be putting power back through the one transformer , so only a set number of homes will be allowed per transformer .

But you can register and get your name on that vital list to stay , but not get your install done straight away .

Also you can choose a Euro inverter and Chinese panels if you wish .

The reason I suggested Uni Ind, at the top of the thread is they are a family business , and the sales guy is actually an installer , and qualified electrician  ( and the son of the boss )

I heard they were very good .

And I do think they do the south side too Kit_e   . Just ask them .

I will try and find out any more clues ....

[Wandering Tassie]

Well,

I've been reading this thread with interest.  I'm seriously considering solar and starting to look at options.  Just as confusing as what to buy for your camper I must say ... only more so.

I think Jetcrew just convinced me which way to go.  And of course, some others threw in the theory of a 4kw boxy thing upgrade when able to later after I've saved some $ ... that sounds fair to me.

Thanks to all.  Think I have this well and truely sussed now.  And I won't be buying from an energy company ... just to rub salt in the wounds.   

Kit_e, don't forget to negotiate a better price than they quote. I ended up getting their 3kw system price down by about a $1000 and then got them to through in the 4580kw invertor.
So I think most have some room to move.

Trevor

Kit_e