Whirlpool

Please continue discussion here. Follows on from /forum-replies.cfm?t=1215127&p=56 and

NoGi writes...

Ok so a 2Kw system (Brissie) for $4999-$5200 is a good deal then?

* SSS – 2kW CEEG panel + 2.5kW SMA inverter $5,200 (upfront payment)
* Hembrows – 2kW Risen panel + 2.5kW Latronics inverter $4,999

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing a 1.5kW solar system.

I am wanting to hear from other South Australian members who have had such a system installed and who they went through and approx price I should be finding.

Currently quotes are $7,500 from SShop (24 panels of Kaneka) and similar price from Origin.
Are there any other SA suppliers I should try?

Origin also offer 0.50c per kWh feed in.

Thanks in advance,
Agrajag

TheMaverickwrites...

what you say??

What did you get offered? Original 1.5Kw (CMS...) was $6190, but then they called me back and said they have a new offer (Aero....) for $4700, limited time.

slideit writes...

(Aero....) for $4700, limited time

yeah limited, could be cheaper after. lol

The inverter is China made so thats why everything is cheaper, need to know from other people's feedback on that brand of inverter.

drifand writes...

The inverter is China

So a Euro made inverter is going to be better i assume?

slideit writes...

What did you get offered? Original 1.5Kw (CMS...) was $6190, but then they called me back and said they have a new offer (Aero....) for $4700, limited time.

what ever is on their website was $7950 or something for 2kw system, they called back yesterday about 2 weeks later with an offer of $6500 for a 2kw with aero and cheaper panels, dunno what panels.
so i really dont know what to do, get this cheaper one or go with the $1500 more option.

TheMaverick writes...

so i really dont know what to do, get this cheaper one or go with the $1500 more option.
I am in Perth and 3 weeks ago I got quoted approx $6000 for a 2kw system Sunnyboy inverter and Ceeg panels from Clear solar. That was with one referral -$250. They were apparently selling the systems cheaper as the REC price were high.
So have the REC's dropped in price?

TheMaverick writes...

i really dont know what to do, get this cheaper one or go with the $1500 more option.

Seems our discounts are the same, mine went form $6.2k to $4.7k. So I'd say their new brands are the ones I mentioned earlier.

I decided not to go with them (chose SSS 2.04Kw offer instead) so never had to decide between their offers or research their new panel and inverter option.

Hard choice between unknown brand and slightly more unknown brand...

i just called them, clear solar have this sunny energy panels on this cheap deal compared with their solartec brand on their normal system along witht he different inverter.
panels have same 5/10/20 warranties and aero inverter is 10 year warranty compared with 5 year sunnyboy.

NoGi writes...

So a Euro made inverter is going to be better i assume?

It may appear so but hey you can have China men working in Europe so is could be same thing.

Is only because is China made so is cheaper as Aussie dollar is good against them but not with Euro. Thus the better deals.

I am not at all implying that they are bad, will need someone to let us know.

Nice tool Gherkin, played around with various costs and options. If you are not in positive territory within 10 years I presume one has to factor the cost of a second inverter, as they don't last forever, making some systems uneconomic. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Manticore writes...

Correct me if I'm wrong.

You're right.

As inverter are unlikely going to last more than 10 years, and cost quite a fair bit, you want your solar panels to pay for themselves before that.

Here was the solar calculator for those jumping in this thread
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ArnXIvHcJfCzdFJEV3ZkaFkwVDVFUHE1SmxTSTNOM2c&hl=en

slideit writes...

What did you get offered? Original 1.5Kw (CMS...) was $6190, but then they called me back and said they have a new offer (Aero....) for $4700, limited time.

Is $4700 the lowest price around for a 1.5kw system?
How does $4700 (assuming RECs @ $35) for locally tested Chinese panels with SMA inverter sound?

*shamelessly carries out market research*

hippiesparx writes...

Is $4700 the lowest price around for a 1.5kw system?

http://www.statesolarservices.com.au/products.php
$2,499.00 for a 1.5kW system , 9x170W CEEGSST panels with Sunny Boy inverter...

Gherkin.. writes...

http://www.statesolarservices.com.au/products.php

$2,499.00 for a 1.5kW system , 9x170W CEEGSST panels with Sunny Boy inverter...

do these d00ds do adelaide? site doesnt say either way that ive found so far.

How much would it cost to get a solar system that is fully self sufficient (under 'normal' conditions. A computer or two, small TV, a light or two, etc, but no heaters or air con), and even feeds back the odd dollar or two of power back into the system? And what would we be talking; a 5-6kW or so system?

TheMaverick writes...

do these d00ds do adelaide? site doesnt say either way that ive found so far.

They install in Perth so I presume they do in Adelaide also. I spoke to them a couple of days ago and even if they dont install in your area they will ship the entire system to your doorstep for the same price. It wouldn't even cost that much to get an electrician to install seen as it's only one day job.

I am seriously considering signing up with them as soon as I get my green loan.

Would be great to hear of anyone that has had theirs installed from State solar!

TheMaverick writes...

do these d00ds do adelaide? site doesnt say either way that ive found so far.

By the way, they do have a contact for south australia on their website!

Got a quote from ClearSolar for Aero-Sharp 1.5kW invertor and 8 Sunny Solar 188W chinese panels for $2970 installed. Anyone had experience with this invertor and panels? Any experience with Clear Solar as installer?

I just bought a 3 kW Solar system from Solar Shop and the quote was about $17K but they dropped about 2.5K off the price so with the Green loan, hope it works well. The wait is about 4 weeks which is not bad as some other companies are saying 8 weeks. So will see how that goes.

Agrajag of Adelaide writes...

Are there any other SA suppliers I should try?

24 panels for a 1.5kW system takes up a lot of roof space so I went for the much more efficient Sunpower panels about the same price as SS. I bought my system from Solarwind http://www.solarwindsystems.com.au/

5 x 225w Sunpower panels and a IG30 FRONIUS inverter.

I am very happy and I am now looking to expand the system.

I have been looking for 225watt solar panels on the net and found these. http://www.wholesalesolar.com/products.folder/module-folder/REC/SCM_225_wp.html
They cost about A$1850 here and US$675 in the US. I don't know what the freight or import duty would be.

Bob writes...

so I went for the much more efficient Sunpower panels about the same price as SS

That they produce more for the same surface isn't the only thing that matter regarding efficiency.

For example with Kaneka panels, for the same size as a usual 170W panels, they only rate 110W.
However, under any light condition, 1kW of Kaneka panels will produce more than 1kW of say BP panels.
Sure the surface will be greater, but they would produce more electricity, as such I consider them more efficient.

Got an interesting talk with a mate who had a 1kW system almost 2 years ago.
It's 1kW of Suntech panels with a SMA inverter.

He has produced 1660kWh for 5,500 sunlight hours.

That's an average of 2.3kWh per day over the period of time he has owned the panels.
That's pretty crap, only about 29% efficient.
With that effective efficiency, no solar system of any kind ever pay for themselves :(

im still after people with experience with aerodharp inverters and sunny energy panels to tell me if they are worth while or not.

Gherkin.. writes...

It's 1kW of Suntech panels

I don't know about Suntech panels but this is the result from my neighbours Sunpower panels in Adelaide. The figures are from the inverter.
Power generation results for past 2 years:-
12 mths to 30/6/2008 – avge daily 11.32kw
12 mths to 30/6/2009 – avge daily 11.14kw

12 panels @210 watts = 2520 watt system.
Installed May 2007

Thanks for the figures Bob....They seem as advertised.

Bob writes...

12 mths to 30/6/2009 – avge daily 11.14kw

Sorry, but that's even higher than advertising materials !

Unless there's never any clouds in their particular par of Adelaide that is :)

it would mean the panel produces 1.4kW during sunlight hours all year long.

Find this very hard to believe...

It will be interesting for my case, my bills are averaging 6 units of daily usage, and my install is with 1.5KW system with Suntech panels and SMA 3000TL

drifand writes...

It will be interesting for my case, my bills are averaging 6 units of daily usage, and my install is with 1.5KW system with Suntech panels and SMA 3000TL

I think you would be either no net usage, or a net feed in so really, all you will be paying is a service fee to the energy company or you might even get a nice FiT and pay nothing.

Hey all, still haven't heard back from the govt. re: solar panel deal – applied via SSS – what would be my next step to follow up my application to? my workmate who applied the same time as me also haven't heard back.

SSS did say they have sent the application before the panel rebate got taken off by the govt.

?CPC6128 3Gs writes...

Hey all, still haven't heard back from the govt

I sent emails but they do take a while to reply. The govt actually lost my application and made me fax it in with proof of sending stuff.

Just did some calcs for the NuEnergy-installed 1kW system (6 x CEEGST 170W panels and SMA SB-1100 inverter) here in Melbourne:

- time since installation – 55 days
- inverter run time – 579 hours
- total energy – 167.1 kWh
- to 6pm today – 3.67 kWh (partly overcast)

So average of 3.04 kWh per day for the last month of Winter and first of Spring.

The Sunny Design software on the SMA site estimates just over 4 kWh average over the whole year, so early indications are that it's on track.

Stupid question here,

Is it ok to have different brands of solar panels on one inverter or it doesnt work at all, or it must be the same output of what you are having?

hey paul_5666, could i please get that email address so i can drop them an email on my appliaction progress?

It is really clear that the market needs a large reliable supplier who will service most areas with a fairly standard set of options,eg 1.5kW, 2kW,3kWand 5kW at competitive prices through large volumes. Instead we have a large number of different companies offering a thousand different products with minor variations and mostly unknown reliability.

I suppose it will be 5 years before the market matures sufficiently.

And thats where a lot of new Chinese products are coming in with very competitive prices bringing an affordable 2KW system into play. And even now inverters such as Aero Sharp are being introduced giving a 10 year warranty compared to Sunnyboy's 5 years.

?CPC6128 3Gs writes...

could i please get that email address so i can drop them an email on my appliaction progress?

shcp@environment.gov.au

?CPC6128 3Gs writes...

still haven't heard back from the govt. re: solar panel deal

I received below from my installer on 29/9 ,,, (installer applied on 30 may 09),,,

We have just been informed that the Dept SHCP are again focusing on the processing of the applications that were submitted before 9th June.

They had been focusing their efforts on sorting out the duplicate applications and also bringing the backlog of rebates up to date. They will now again be processing the outstanding applications

drifand writes...

Is it ok to have different brands of solar panels on one inverter or it doesnt work at all, or it must be the same output of what you are having?

only if they are all exactly the same electrical characteristic

Gherkin.. writes...

Unless there's never any clouds in their particular par of Adelaide that is :)
it would mean the panel produces 1.4kW during sunlight hours all year long.

Just got a bit more info from my neighbour. He said, "Even though our panels total 2,520watts, I have seen up to 2,750watts generated on several occassions – mainly when the sun is behind the edge of a 'bright' cloud." He also just told me that he has sold a lot back to AGL at 0.44c. His account is now $1,244 in credit and he is about to request they send him a cheque. He does spend a lot of time away on holidays.

I just checked my maximum input since installation on my inverter and it is 1574w and my system is 1125w. My system was installed in March and hasn't seen a summer yet.

Bob writes...

"Even though our panels total 2,520watts, I have seen up to 2,750watts generated on several occassions -

that sounds like a fault in how the inverter is calculating then.

For a 1kW PV, the most I've seen in summer , in full sun is 880W.

smithy2167 writes...

So average of 3.04 kWh per day for the last month of Winter and first of Spring.

Yes, that's the average number I got from the Solar Shop brochure, 3.4kWh average per day (averaged over a year).

From today's emails:

The REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) Price – $30
Prices have fallen sharply in the past week due to the lack of buyers for the oversupply of (largely solar) RECs in the marketplace. For details visit our blog: www.greenenergytrading.com.au/blog.html.
This price decrease is immediate, however for regular clients we will hold the previous price of $33 until COB 9 October for complete and correct paperwork- please refer to our client trading term below.

smithy2167 writes...

So average of 3.04 kWh per day for the last month of Winter and first of Spring.

Hmm. 60c of electricity a day.

.

The only chance of a cheaper deal is getting it with the Aero Sharp inverter. Which is using the Strong Aussie dollar.

Gherkin.. writes...

only if they are all exactly the same electrical characteristic

I would have thought that they should have the same electrical characteristics if they are on the same string. But it would be OK if different panels were put on a separate string. Looking at my Sunny boy's manual, they support 2 or 3 strings of panels depending on the model.

Bob writes...

I just checked my maximum input since installation on my inverter and it is 1574w and my system is 1125w.

hmm wonder how much over the spec'd inverter you can generate before you "have a problem"

say.. a 10kw system / inverter , totally produces 15 kw on a special day in an hour.. will the inverter cope with that?

Gordon writes...

But it would be OK if different panels were put on a separate string. Looking at my Sunny boy's manual, they support 2 or 3 strings of panels depending on the model.

thats what someone told me as well.. eg.. 2nd string could have different sized panels than the first string. .say 225 watt panels instead of 170 watt panels.. ready to have this clarified by techies here..

Cheers

paul_5666 writes...

I sent emails but they do take a while to reply. The govt actually lost my application and made me fax it in with proof of sending stuff.

Same boat here. Called and emailed the govt but they can't find/lost my application. Asked SSS through their website but so far no reply.

So I'm not alone with unfortunately SSS deals.

eurong writes...

So I'm not alone with unfortunately SSS deals.

As each day goes by, it seems I've been shafted by SSS as well.

Dear Solar Homes & Community Rebate Applicant

“This is a Bulk Communication Email”

Until 2 weeks ago the DEWHA were keeping Diamond Energy informed in regard to what there processing date was (last notification 22nd May 2009). They no longer provide this information instead we received this statement -

As the program pre-approval date draws closer, the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (AGO) has advised ‘they are now at the stage of reviewing the proposals received in the last weeks of the SCHP (late May/June)’.

The DEWHA advised that they received up to three copies of the same proposal (email, fax and post) in many cases; and they have had to manually verify all the proposals and make sure there are no duplicates.

The advise Diamond has received was – ‘All applications will be notified in mail and soon’

I’m sorry there is nothing definite but we are limited with information coming out of the DEWHA Office. The DEWHA has advised that application received by 9th June 2009 (yours is included) will be processed.

If we hear anything we will let you know.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Solar Offer team on 1300 838 009.

Thank You
Staff and Management at Diamond Energy

Cheers
Felicity

ice-cat writes...

Dear Solar Homes & Community Rebate Applicant

“This is a Bulk Communication Email”

Me too got this this AM ..

Felicity should be advised that her spell checker won't pick up on "there" and change it to "their" for her.

Davy Jones writes...

Me too got this this AM ..

SSS dont have the decency to communicate with its applicants.

looks like prices are dropping, my 2.1kw system has gone from $8100 to $5500.

price's dropping very fast.

Where i may get mine they now are offering 3.15kw unit's for 10k, used to be 2.4 kw, an extra 4 panel's.

i asked for an invoice and got no reply a few week's back.

been waiting 4 month's and it is 40% cheaper, 5.5k instead of 8k.

rate's are going up now, so time to save.

edit – maverick just found out the same.

TheMaverick writes...

looks like prices are dropping, my 2.1kw system has gone from $8100 to $5500.

Who is that with ?

It would take about 4-5 year's to get even with the new price's, i will wait for them to rock up, i wont be chasing them.

With the rapidly rising aussie dollar, I'd expect some good savings on the way.

I'm now looking for a good deal on solar, I have enquired about it to SSS who want $800 because of the distance that I live from melbourne. I am about 200km away and amlooking for a 1.5kw panels for a great price.

I have been looking I did apply for the free panels from nu energy a little while ago but nothing has happened. does anyone know a good deal that will apply for rural areas as well?

chansthename writes...

a 1.5kw panels for a great price.

$800 for a 1.5kW system is a great price...

In Perth,
Queensland based Co "SmartOnTop" today increased their 1.5KW sunnyBoy + Chinese panels from $2,400 to $5,800 effective this Friday11/10/09 blaming devalueing REC's.

Gherkin.. writes...

$800 for a 1.5kW system is a great price...

That is just on top of the 1.5kw price whatever it is.

i was quoted 500 at about 250km's away from adelaide.

so they will probably not rush to do mine anyway.

Just be careful where you buy these from as saving a few dollars in the long run may not be worth it if there are issues wit the equipment etc.

From today's emails:

Regrettably the REC price continues its sharp fall. Today it fell $3 and as a result we must follow the market. We‘re decreasing our price by $2 so that from today RECs are $28.
This price decrease is immediate

I got a friend who is now quoted $400 more than what I paid from Solar Unlimited.

I signed up with SSS for the "free" 1kw solar PV system back in May. I am due to get my approval any day soon.

SSS has a 1.5kw which they are selling for only $400 more than the 1kw system, http://www.statesolarservices.com.au/products.php

Do you think they would give me a 1.5kw system for $400 (or even less) on top of my "free" system from SSS?

Has anybody else bought an upgrade to a 2kw or 1.5kw for x dollars on top of the "free" system? If so, how much did you have to pay? Has anybody "upgraded" from their free "Diamond Energy" PV system for $x?

ScottishDave writes...

SSS has a 1.5kw which they are selling for only $400 more than the 1kw system, http://www.statesolarservices.com.au/products.php

Do you think they would give me a 1.5kw system for $400 (or even less) on top of my "free" system from SSS?

Probably not since the extra $400 would be on the new scheme which you can't use since you're on the old scheme.

ScottishDave writes...

Has anybody else bought an upgrade to a 2kw or 1.5kw for x dollars on top of the "free" system? If so, how much did you have to pay? Has anybody "upgraded" from their free "Diamond Energy" PV system for $x?

I haven't bought an upgrade myself, but I was given a quote from SSS back in August for the following upgrades.

1.5kW $2000
2.0kW $4700
2.5kW $8690

These prices may have changed since then.

RACs have fallen sharply to $29.00. I am so glad I signed my contract just a week back.

Has anyone ever checked out http://www.enviromaxenergy.com.au/. They have some interesting trade prices for inverters and panels.

They sell the CEEG SST170-72M panels for $646.80 and SMA SB1100 for $1589.50 (inc GST).

poko writes...

Has anyone ever checked out http://www.enviromaxenergy.com.au/. They have some interesting trade prices for inverters and panels.

They sell the CEEG SST170-72M panels for $646.80 and SMA SB1100 for $1589.50 (inc GST).

For those awaiting their approval for the pre-June $8K "free" system, I wonder if Enviromax could better the 1kw deals offered by SSS or DE? Enviromax, hows about a 1.5kw inverter with 1.5kw panels or 2kw inverter with 1.5kw of panels. Hey, I'm "throwing down the glove" :-). Any other companies, you're more than welcome to better the SSS or DE deal as well.

To you solar companies, keep in mind that a fair number of people who get bigger inverters than they need at the moment may come back to you to buy more panels later.

if you get 8x170watt with SB1100w.

sb1100 specification
http://www.enviro-friendly.com/sunny-boy-1100-1700-specs.pdf

or

http://www.energymatters.com.au/sma-sunny-boy-1100watt-grid-connect-inverter-p-401.html

Do you think it is do able?

Do you think you will get full 8x170w = 1360w input from the sun?

because I am confuse.

If I don't get full sun but I will get 8x170w panel with sb1100w, do you think it will help?

Please let me know. THanks.

surat writes...

If I don't get full sun but I will get 8x170w panel with sb1100w

The inverter is one of the most expensive part of a solar system. Trying to save a few bucks by running one outside its specs sounds like a pretty unwise decision..

surat writes...

Do you think it is do able?

Your system designer/installer is responsible for ensuring the system is properly designed and installed.
He will check out your site and give you the best advice ( if he's any good )

Just make sure you don't get the bloke that did the install at Banyo that I spotted today. The PV panels are on the western roof and the HWS panel is on the southern roof. Unbelievable.

ScottishDave writes...

I signed up with SSS for the "free" 1kw solar PV system back in May. I am due to get my approval any day soon.

I highly doubt that you will even get the panels from this deal. I have not had anything in response to signing up a long time ago, they have all my details but nothing has been charged.

Today's REC price is $25.
That adds $1500 to the price of a system in less than a week.
One of my suppliers has been hanging on to RECs since they dropped below $40, hoping they would get back to $50. Bummer.

Not likely man, I was lucky to seal off my deal at $40 when they offered me. Taking note it was Synergy giving Solar unlimited the green light to sell it at that price and told them to change pretty soon. It was only 4 days after the price of the whole system increased by $900.00

If you can get a good deal, go for it. speaking of which, this means I got ripped off for my Solar hot water unit because the recs are dropping? My gas booster is not installed yet making me unable to claim the rebates now before it goes even lower.

Gherkin.. writes...

Trying to save a few bucks by running one outside its specs sounds like a pretty unwise decision..

Yeah..I have no idea as well. I think since i've got $8000 rebate and now the price of the panel drops so I will get 1kw system free with 8 panels. Not sure how many that they will install in reality but originally 6 panels but since the price drop, he said I will get 8 panels but not sure whether the inverter still the same sb1100w or higher.

That is why I check in this forum first.

They will install for me next month.

It will be about a 1.3 or 1.2KW system. Most 1.5KW system is at 9 panels.

TheMaverick writes...

looks like prices are dropping, my 2.1kw system has gone from $8100 to $5500.

Gherkin.. writes...

Who is that with ?

I'd like to know too!!! :)

thats depends on what inverter, my bet is with aero sharp and not sunnyboy. with RECs keep going down I dont think it will be cheaper any time soon.

I just received my $8000 pre approval in the post from SHCP. This was after DE sent me a email saying that they thought my application didnt make it.
FYI I sent my app in to DE on the Thursday before the Monday that the apps closed.

“This is a Bulk Communication Email”

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (AGO) have begun to send out so pre-approval letters in regard to the Solar Homes & Community Plan Rebate for $8,000.

Congratulations if you have received your letter!

If you have received your letter, please fax or email the front page with the Pre-Approval Number to Diamond Energy so that we may look at scheduling your Solar Panels.

Email: Retailoffer@diamond-energy.com
Fax: 03 9006 9031

Don’t worry if you have not received your letter, the AGO have advised they will start to send more in the coming days.

As there is a set deadline, Diamond Energy will schedule your installation within the 9 month timeline. If you are taking holidays and are unavailable please let us know so that we may plan a schedule around your leave period.

Cheers
Felicity

I havent received a email from Diamond since they said that my app didnt make the cut, and that was some months ago.
I have already contacted them and forwarded the cover letter as required.

Whooo hoo I am stoked. Just hope they come thru now.

Terry 007 writes...

I have already contacted them and forwarded the cover letter as required.

Whooo hoo I am stoked. Just hope they come thru now.

so it appears their information is screwed , telling you didn't make the cut then you receiving the approval letter from the AGO !

Don't bother ringing the AGO , they don't have access to any approvals in their contact centre, which is stupid, and Diamond are supposed to have been emailed all approvals but ringing them and they don't have any such email regarding approvals. Hopefully I have mine when I check my PO Box tonight.

Mark ...... writes...

Who is that with ?

I'd like to know too!!! :)

I noticed maverick mentioning clear solar on page 1-2.

FWIW mine is solarhut, now sunsavers, i did mention it in my post but edited it as i have not seen an install yet so i am not realy wanting to advertise them until i get mine.

I got my price reduced by $2600.

Was 10k for 2.4kw now it is $7430-600 install.
they upped the installation price about 250km from adelaide from $500 to $600 but i am happy.

Mark ...... writes...

Who is that with ?

I'd like to know too!!! :)

http://solarhut.com.au/ 2.1kw was $8100

Got my $8K letter today, Sent in by installer 30 May..

mark123 writes...

Got my $8K letter today

me too!
installer sent it on the last Friday before the cut off date.

just have to get house rewired first, then get them installed.

oh and why is it so hard to get a quote from sparkies for a full rewire of a house??? ive rang 10 so far and they have not got back to me.

Got my letter today too. Sweet

I also received my letter today.

Given the free offers that were around, I am going to change my supplier.

Does anyone know of a solar company doing the free deals in Adelaide?

Letter arrived today,,,,
Adelaide based now looking for a 2kw system...

netnode writes...

Does anyone know of a solar company doing the free deals in Adelaide?

Please disregard.

I phoned http://solarhut.com.au/ and the deal is done and dusted 1.23Kw for $8000.00 installed in rural SA.

I must say I was very impressed with Brad who supplied me with the details.

If you are paying 8k on top of your rebate, it is not a good deal.
(i gathered it was free with the rebate but got whimmed asking if he was ripped off, if it was free i cant see how you can get ripped)

They have never been a free install company, used to be about 3-4k when other's were free.
But the rebate has changed.
(edited also for the poster below)

he is helpful though.

Can I change installers now that I have pre approval? Or do I have to go with Diamond?

Do Solarhut/sunsavers do a "free" install with the SHCP $8K rebate?

Muhhahhahaaaa !!!! $8000 approval letter from AGO arrived today, faxed first page back to Diamond Solar !!!

It's been a good week for freebies.. first Windows 7 Ultimate Party Pack and now this.....

Good luck to the other 50000 lucky buggers out there receiving their letters, hope your solar install all goes well and you start enjoying the fruits of the sun soon !!

.

Terry 007 writes...

Can I change installers now that I have pre approval?

Yes.

Hmm, free deals in Brisbane?
Could be arranged.

hippiesparx writes...

Hmm, free deals in Brisbane?
Could be arranged.

Anyone in particular?

pactrpo writes...

oh and why is it so hard to get a quote from sparkies for a full rewire of a house???

its a prick of a job and no one likes to do it.

For all those who are going with Diamond Energy and have received approval letter from AGO , you may wish to consider joining

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/diamondenergysolar/

Davy Jones writes...

For all those who are going with Diamond Energy and have received approval letter from AGO , you may wish to consider joining

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/diamondenergysolar/

Done! Look forward to seeing if anyone has any success with this.

Finger writes...

Anyone in particular?

Maybe I need a reps' tag ;)

got my approval letter today for the free installation with SSS, can somebody here tell me which system setup im getting from their website:
http://www.statesolarservices.com.au/products.php

And i remembered there was a yahoo group for SSS, is it still around?? not having much luck searching for it..

Also, it's mentioned here that the solar prices have dropped, can my 8k rebate be used for another solar company if they offer a bigger system than SSS 1kw system?

hippiesparx writes...

Hmm, free deals in Brisbane?

Could be arranged.

Are you doing deals under the new scheme in Brisbane?

?CPC6128 3Gs writes...

can somebody here tell me which system setup im getting from their website:

PV ECO Basic 1.02kw System

Has anyone had a system installed or heard the latest from Diamond Energy?

There was rumor they might have done a larger than 1kW system but pricing was unknown?

Tardy communication, crap website, lack of information is leading me to worry these guys won't be able to get a system installed by July 2010.

Look at the overall picture before installing. The first thing that hapens is hat your electrical authority will change your meter which splits your power usage into peak and off-peak. Note that the peak usage time isgenerally in the evening which falls into the peak rate time. This comes with a considerably higher tarriff per unit consumption than the single tariff rate.

If the government was truly serious in promoting the benefits of solar power, they would:
a) let one retain the standard meter
b) drop the excise and GST on the equipment and installation

If you're the type that wants to have a warm and fuzzy feeling that you're helping the environment, then go solar. If not, then forget it.

I'm not against solar systems, just against the government making money from it and us.

Zerophitus writes...

If you're the type that wants to have a warm and fuzzy feeling that you're helping the environment, then go solar. If not, then forget it.

Well if you can get the $8,000 towards your system then you can be warm and fuzzy and have it cost nothing or very little.

a) let one retain the standard meter

How would they measure solar input to the grid?

Note that the peak usage time isgenerally in the evening which falls into the peak rate time. This comes with a considerably higher tarriff per unit consumption than the single tariff rate

In W.A. you also get paid the rate relevant to the time the power was produced i.e. when the sun's out = peak. So its a good move to go to peak/ off peak if you are going to have a solar system.

Zodie666 writes...

Are you doing deals under the new scheme in Brisbane?

I can do freebies under the old scheme.
The new scheme is difficult to price cos the value of RECs is dropping so quickly.
The freebie is Trina panels and Latronic inverter.

thanks for that Anunnaki! i can look into the system more..

hippiesparx writes...

Zodie666 writes...

I can do freebies under the old scheme.
The new scheme is difficult to price cos the value of RECs is dropping so quickly.
The freebie is Trina panels and Latronic inverter

Can you do better than the 1kw inverter + 1kw of panels e.g a 1.5kw or 2kw inverter etc?

Yay. Approval for 8g at last. I take all the negative talk back SSS ( as long as you get some panels on my roof soon ;)

CaptainScarlet writes...

Can you do better than the 1kw inverter + 1kw of panels e.g a 1.5kw or 2kw inverter etc?

Not in Sydney, no.

?CPC6128 3Gs writes...

And i remembered there was a yahoo group for SSS, is it still around?? not having much luck searching for it.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ssscustomers/

Cheers

Thanks Mick!!

BTW, looking at the copy of my application form to SSS – it's seems they are not offering fullgreen panels anymore – is this due to the fact it wasn't passed?

Just trying to get all the research as possible before i contact them on Monday and go-ahead.

Woo Hoo – Got my pre-approval $8,000 rebate letter a couple of days ago in the mail from DEWHA. Posted off my signed application to clear solar on the 4 June 09 the week before the cut-off – I'm glad they had there sh*t together :D

Says the panels must be installed before 6 July 2010.

The letter I received from Clear Solar a couple of weeks ago said they would contact me in about 4-6 weeks time about preferred installation times once I email them that I'd received the govt’s preapproval letter. They are still saying they'll get all the installations done by March 2010.

Now just need to get the roof tiles repaired before the panels go up...

coolcad writes...

Now just need to get the roof tiles repaired before the panels go up...

Might be worth getting a few spare tiles at the same time... Just in case any get broken when the panels are installed ;)

probably why Colourbond now is the prefered choice and is cost more also currently.

hoxygt writes...

There was rumor they might have done a larger than 1kW system but pricing was unknown?

So you are unhappy they are not supplying something they never officially advertised or promised based upon a rumour?

That's a bit unfair !!! As long as they supply me with the 1 Kw system for nix, I will be happy camper !!

Just got my OK letter from DEWHA and happy as never really sure I made it in time as mailed only the day before it shut. Went through NU Energy and probably looking at 1.5kw plus hot water so keen to hear any other NUE feedback + current costs.

Hey CPC6128, i don't know about the full green panels but they are offering chinese CEEG panels which seem to be the same as the nu energy panels and most people from the nu energy forum generally seem pretty happy with them

anyone here ever got an actual refund in the mail yet from the power company? not just a credit to account but an actual cheque or similar??

TheMaverick writes...

nyone here ever got an actual refund in the mail yet from the power company?

Pretty sure some here did get refunds. Not sure how far back in the thread the posts are though.

Cheers

I am looking for opinions on installers in Brisbane. To date I have spoken to Solarshop and although I like the Kaneka panels I don't have the northern facing roof space for them. I have also spoken to Infinity Solar who seem to be using good quality gear, Trina Panels and Latronics or SMA inverters. They are asking $9993 for a 2.1KW system yet others on here are suggesting you can get a system for a lot less than that (is it worth paying the extra?). Has anyone had any experience with these guys or can they suggest any other companies in Brisbane (with indicative pricing if you have it)?

Krumlov writes...

I have also spoken to Infinity Solar who seem to be using good quality gear, Trina Panels and Latronics or SMA inverters. They are asking $9993 for a 2.1KW system yet others on here are suggesting you can get a system for a lot less than that

I received my $8000 approval this week and am looking for a system. I applied through Eco-kinetics but their system is just not competitive so I am looking elsewhere. I too have looked at Infinity Solar and am keen on their 1.58kW system for $7493 (http://www.infinitysolar.com.au/library/INF1077_Fact_Sheets1.58KW.pdf)

This is one of the best deals I have seen thus far, so I am not sure what other deals everyone is talking about??

DrMonkeyButt writes...

I too have looked at Infinity Solar and am keen on their 1.58kW system for $7493

Looks like a great deal. Now if only they were in Sydney too!

Anybody got a similar deal in Sydney (and will give a concrete install date!)?

DrMonkeyButt writes...

I am not sure what other deals everyone is talking about??

Yeah I would like some more info as well. Freesolar are quoting a free 1KW system. Their website doesn't indicate if they will do bigger. They seem to have a rigid list of requirements for their qualifying criteria...

Otherwise for 2KW (or thereabouts)
Solarguys $11595 (kyocera panels??)
Enviro-friendly.com $13795 (using Suntech panels)
clear solar $7937 (panels ??)
hembrows electrical service $4999 (panels ?? latronic inverter)
Origin $12290 (sharp panels)
Infinity Solar $9993 (sunpower or suntech or Trina panels, Sunnyboy inverter)

Not much info on the cheap ones, Infinity Solar sitting in the middle with apparently decent gear?

Krumlov writes...

Origin $12290 (sharp panels)
Infinity Solar $9993 (sunpower or suntech or Trina panels, Sunnyboy inverter)

Other 2kW systems are
NU Energy $5499 (not sure what they are currently using)
SunSavers (Solarhut) $5500 (SMA inverters and Suntech Panels)

Last time I spoke to Hembrows they were using Risen panels.

I just got a quotes in Adelaide for a 2.1 kw system:
Nu Energy $6400 – 2.5kw Sunnboy inverter, CEEG Panels
StateSolarServices $5200 – 2.5kw Sunnboy inverter, CEEG Panels

Etsa are currently charging around $600 to upgrade the electricity meter :(

PS. these prices are based on the current rebate system

poko writes...

SunSavers (Solarhut) $5500 (SMA inverters and Suntech Panels)

Thats just the upfont payment. Another $100 + $5400 makes this deal $11000

Can't say about Nuenergy they only provide prices for a 1.5KW system on their site.

So Infinity still looking pretty good.

Krumlov writes...

Thats just the upfont payment. Another $100 + $5400 makes this deal $11000
http://www.sunsavers.com.au/product_2.1kW_specs.php explains that the out of pocket cost is $5500, it is just a bit confusing because they list both a full upfront payment scheme ($5500), as well as deposit ($100) + remaining on installation ($5400).

Can't say about Nuenergy they only provide prices for a 1.5KW system on their site.

Read the last page of the Nu Energy T&Cs http://www.nuenergy.com.au/images/stories/pdfs/tc-others.pdf

Thanks for clarifying!

CaptainScarlet writes...

Looks like a great deal. Now if only they were in Sydney too!

Does it?
It's rather expensive compare to some other offers.

We have to thank the tax payers for the $8000 gravy train of rebates for grid connect PVs.
Also when the rebate scheme was drawn up installed cost was about $8+ per watt, now its getting close to $5 per watt installed.
I can see the logic of Mr Garrett in scraping the $8000 rebate, will introduce a solar credts based on the RECs the system will generate.

So after applying in April'ish, my NUE 1Kw system is due to be installed tomorrow.
Woo-Friggin-Hoo!! Finally! I;ve missed my $2.5k for almost 6 months now!

Anyway – I'm in country Victoria, so a bit worried about the experience of the installers. Can someone list somethings I should be looking at when they say its complete? Wiring? Inverter location? Roof work etc etc.

jumper runner writes...

We have to thank the tax payers for the $8000 gravy train of rebates for grid connect PVs.
Also when the rebate scheme was drawn up installed cost was about $8+ per watt, now its getting close to $5 per watt installed.

Does that mean the "free" $8K 1kw systems supplied by SSS, DE and NU Energy etc are now only worth $5000 and they are making a $3000+ profit?

CaptainScarlet writes...

Does that mean the "free" $8K 1kw systems supplied by SSS, DE and NU Energy etc are now only worth $5000 and they are making a $3000+ profit?
I think a $3000 profit is a bit steep, but in bulk supply PV are $5 per watt, and rule of thumb inverter cost is $1 per watt

so the wholesale cost for a 1kw grid tie system would be $6000, exculding sundrys and labour

During summer my parents get like a $30+ credit to their account but winter is a different story their bill is around $80 due to running their spar more and heating costs. I would say maybe if you constantly had a credit on your account they would send out a check after a year.
They have a 2.1kw system

Didn't anyone else pick up thr nice government grant?
I think it's too late now though...

JessSydney writes...

Didn't anyone else pick up thr nice government grant?

I think it's too late now though...

You don't pick it up.

You had to apply for it.

If you failed to lodge it before 9th June 2009 then you won't be getting any grant

http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2009/tr20090609b.html

Just went ahead to proceed with my 1kw system ... going to cost me 10.4k all up before rebates and so on ... Trina panels and Sunnyboy 1100. Hope that's steal a reasonable price as I have to fund up front.

BlaCkAdDa writes...

proceed with my 1kw system

Who with?

guys please stop posting about applying for 1KW solar is OVER long ago.

People who posted are the ones who MADE the deadline.

NOW is about 1.5KW and solar credits

Hi All,

Was wondering if someone could give me some info (or point me to some info), on how exactly the solar panels are mounted to tile roofs? Do they have to drill through the tiles??

My father is scheduled to have his system installed this Thursday and he's a bit paranoid about the installers cracking tiles since he only just (as in last week) had the roof fully restored.

Some photos of panels installed on a tiled roof would be great!

-Steve

PS. I'm soo jealous he's getting his system before me! ;-)

I found this on the nu energy website, looks like they drill them into the beams and they come up in gaps in the tiles

http://www.nuenergy.com.au/solar-power/testimonials/job-portfolio/residential-jobs.html Non invasive tiles bracket system

Cabel writes...

I found this on the nu energy website, looks like they drill them into the beams and they come up in gaps in the tiles

Ahh I see, thanks Cabel!

I wonder if this system is commonly used amongst solar companies? Surely they don't try to drill through the tiles, i'm pretty sure they would crack up without any re-o.

UberSteve writes...

I wonder if this system is commonly used amongst solar companies?

well thats the third i know of that use this thing and i have only seen 3. so going by that the odds are for thta style for every tiled roof.

BlaCkAdDa writes...

Just went ahead to proceed with my 1kw system ... going to cost me 10.4k all up before rebates and so on ... Trina panels and Sunnyboy 1100. Hope that's steal a reasonable price as I have to fund up front.

man, that is daylight robbery isnt it?? you can get a 3.15kW unit for $10k now.

I'm unsure about other companies but nu energy are reasonably cheap, so if they are using them hopefully others are too. I am looking at signing up with sunsavers.com.au I will have to ask them!

Cabel writes...

I am looking at signing up with sunsavers.com.au

sunsavers use the same bracket as mentioned above.

TheMaverick writes...

sunsavers

Having received my letter of approval for $8000.00 I am going with Sunsavers http://solarhut.com.au/

Their web site lists the new rebate prices, you need to phone them for the old rebate price list.

I am getting a 1.23kw system for nothing except the 8 grand rebate.

They tell me I should have it finished in 6 to 8 weeks and I am in rural sa.

I am sure the new price sticks, there is no more 8K grant.

....
edited because it was already answered.

netnode writes...

Having received my letter of approval for $8000.00 I am going with Sunsavers http://solarhut.com.au/

Their web site lists the new rebate prices, you need to phone them for the old rebate price list.

I am getting a 1.23kw system for nothing except the 8 grand rebate.

They tell me I should have it finished in 6 to 8 weeks and I am in rural sa.

Pity they do not have a branch in Sydney? Anybody know of a similar deal in Sydney with a similar definite install time? I don't want to wait in the DE/SSS infinite queue.

CaptainScarlet writes...

Pity they do not have a branch in Sydney? Anybody know of a similar deal in Sydney with a similar definite install time? I don't want to wait in the DE/SSS infinite queue.

What makes you think they will be any quicker ?

solarhut have me in for a fixed install date early december as i requested.

G'day netnode, im in Adelaide (local)and just got my rebate letter for $8000 today
i am going to ring solarhut on Tuesday to see if i can secure the same deal that you got from them. Do you have to pay up front for the system or do you assign the $8k to them? or do you pay the $3000 upfront and they wait until you receive the $8k?
reason i ask is i didn't think i was getting the rebate so used the money i had saved to do other things:O)..
cheers
Augy

Hi themaverick,
did you get the same deal as netnode? if so any info would be appreciated
cheers
Augy

Augy there is no longer a 8K rebate. It applies to whole Aus. This ended way back in June.

Some of these websites have NOT updated, and some people here are just updating which would have confused you.

Hi drifand,
the rebate ended in June and there was a massive backlog of applications that were sent in by the cut off date, many of us have just received approval under the old scheme for $8k rebate.
Cheers
Augy

TheMaverick writes...

man, that is daylight robbery isnt it?? you can get a 3.15kW unit for $10k now.

No idea, the unit itself is around 6k, its a little under 2k for the inverter and the rest is GST and installation / certificaiton.

Augy writes...

Hi themaverick,

did you get the same deal as netnode? if so any info would be appreciated

cheers

Augy
i have not got the $8k rebate so dunno if prices vary, all i know is im getting the 2.1kW system for $5600 installed in december.

State that you have applied prior to the end date rather than enquiring about it to confuse crap out of everyone else.

This is WHY I told the mods to have a seperate thread Prior June and current deals. Instead of a massive thread

Not having a go at anyone

Augy writes...

Do you have to pay up front for the system or do you assign the $8k to them? or do you pay the $3000 upfront and they wait until you receive the $8k?

I don't have to pay anything, up front or when it's done.

When it's finished they do the paperwork, submit it and get their $8000.00 from the Govt.

Phone Brad:

Sunsavers.com.au
122 Mooringe Ave North Plympton SA 5037
Sunsavers.com.au
Brad.Branch@sunsavers.com.au
Mobile: 0413 748 313
Office: (08) 8377-6700
Fax: (08) 8294-0911

Hi Drifand,
with respect, may I suggest you start a new thread call "Post July Solar". As another guy pointed out this thread was originally for Pre July $8K applicants and we have been "dormant" whilst waiting for approval (like me).

Now I have approval I too, I am looking for a better deal since the cost per kw has dropped from $8 down to $5 since the $8k deal was announced. I also am interested in how installs via the "new" players such as SSS and DE are progressing.

I had a "casebook" bad experience with my solar hot water install a couple of months ago that borders on the O'Reilly Faulty Towers experience where everything, and I mean EVERYTHING went wrong. I don't want to be "burnt" twice.

Hey guys,

I have just started working for a solar company. The PV we sell use Conergy panels with a Conergy inverter. Are these any good? What are your opinions on Conergy? I looked through the threads and couldnt find much about Conergy.

CaptainScarlet writes...

Hi Drifand,

with respect, may I suggest you start a new thread call "Post July Solar". As another guy pointed out this thread was originally for Pre July $8K applicants and we have been "dormant" whilst waiting for approval (like me).

Respect granted, however mods do not agree.

It is frustrating for both sides and mods do not come in terms with our post for a new thread. To them, is a "Solar Deal"

Sigh.... anyway I stay out of it and let pre June carry on, wasnt implying anything that was wrong. Just confusing.

Everytime someone starts a Solar deal in Perth or something else it gets deleted after 5 days! Go figure?

I have written to the mods and have explained and even asked for a sub category like GPS as this is such a huge and on demand topic. looking through 50 pages is no joke.

And in ALL HONESTY this is a GADGET forum and not about approvals and waiting line. The mods can tell you off that solar panels should not be part of this forum read the gadgets rules on what is a gadget.

fiftycalibre writes...

I have just started working for a solar company. The PV we sell use Conergy panels with a Conergy inverter. Are these any good? What are your opinions on Conergy? I looked through the threads and couldnt find much about Conergy

Because is one of the most expensive Companies to go with. No doubt they use German panels and inverters. Again no offence on your company, but if they can justify the price to match competitive markets, I would have considered them.

Give a quote on a 1.5KW PV system and we will comment about the price.

drifand writes...

Just confusing

I tend to agree. A few weeks ago I started to research PVs and had a hell of a time working my way through all the info in the one massive thread. The pre-June stuff threw me until I got better at working who is talking about what.

Well I am not blaming anyone but the mods, who dont seem to know about post and pre June deals causing the pain.

Approved chineese sourced PV panels are aprox $6 per watt (getting cheaper), inverter is aprox $1.50 per watt. (for now), soon cheaper tranformerless inverters will get approved.
The prices for PVs and inverters are getting much cheaper than when the $8000 rebate was in force.
Im looking at system installing myself (best mate is a sparkie), I know a BCSE installer who can sign off on the instalation.
I will claim the solar RECS myself, should work out much cheaper than going to a packaged installer.
Assuming the solar credits scheme RECS procces stays the same.

jumper runner writes...

The prices for PVs and inverters are getting much cheaper than when the $8000 rebate was in force.

Inverter prices are definitely getting better. I just got a quote with an upgrade from a SB2500 to a SB4000TL for only $500.

Hi Guys -----OLD $8000.00 Rebate Approved.
Just got my Govt approval under the old $8000.00 rebate.
No longer have a relationship with the original Solar Co.
Any advice on who to go with in South East Qld/Sunshine Coast.
Any one offering more then the 1KW system in return for the $8000.00 rebate.
Thinking of letting it go.
Is this $8000.00 of Govt money (yours and mine) a valuable
resource or are better deals available now under the new rebate.
Cheers

jumper runner writes...

soon cheaper tranformerless inverters will get approved.

Hi Jumper Runner, you seem to be in the know... should we wait for the tranformerless inverters to be approved so we can get "more bang for our buck"? How much do you think they will be per watt?

What brand panels/inverter are you looking to buy?

Hi All/Augy,

I have also just received the govt. pre-approval yesterday.
I am keen to know what should happen next.
Is there a separate thread for those who have received approval?
BTW, I applied through statesolarservices and now thinking of upgrading to a higher capacity panel/inverter, any opinions?

Cheers

I had a "casebook" bad experience with my solar hot water install a couple of months ago that borders on the O'Reilly Faulty Towers experience where everything, and I mean EVERYTHING went wrong. I don't want to be "burnt" twice.

Which company?
I am thinking of getting a solar hot water system, is there anything close to free?

Again, who should I choose? I have got pre-approval for 8k solar rebate and processing through SSS.

I did a quick search and found a huge range of prices on offer around Brisbane (almost a factor of 3) despite the claim on all the web sites that the prices were inclusive of installation, RECS etc. (as far as I could tell; some are coy on the details).

All for 1.5kW photovoltaics, installed cost:

http://www.infinitysolar.com.au/productview.cfm?prod=19 $8,993

https://www.originenergy.com.au/solar-electricity/?_qf_p2_display=true $7,490 (you will need to fill in a form to get to the prices)

http://www.solarguys.com.au/solar_power_photovoltaics_web_specials.htm?gclid=CIvf_KGIuZ0CFQMupAodjFdgkg $8145

http://www.beyondbuildingenergy.com/packages.php $5995

http://www.solarselect.net.au/index.php?pageid=15 $9,985

http://www.solarhut.com.au/product_1.52kW_specs.php $3,500 (+$200 for double storey, meter not included)

http://www.braemacenergy.com.au/product_view_full.php?my_selection=42 $4,520

Does anyone have recommendations or experience on any of these? Any good reasons to steer clear of the cheaper options?

what's the brand of the inverter, i am in China, i could help you to check about the inverter

TheMaverick writes...

i have not got the $8k rebate so dunno if prices vary, all i know is im getting the 2.1kW system for $5600 installed in december.

Well after all the stuffing around to get the $8000 rebate, SSS wants to charge $4700 for a 2wk system, so I guess we've saved something over the non rebate receivers, but not much really.

For all those South Australians with PV or those getting PV Systems, you are being ripped off by the electricity retailers.

We are not getting a fair deal on the price paid for the excess supply.

Here is a link to a petition started by Mark Parnell MP.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-solar-rip-off.html

Mark's Media Release: http://markparnell.org.au/mr.php?mr=658

If you want to get a reasonable return on your PV investment, you should read the petition.

EDIT: It's an old petition, however it's more relevant now than ever.

im in vic wid tru. and if this is all "true" when i get my panels up.. bye bye to them.

That seem's pretty bad.

It mention's agl pay nothing, so they get my power for free?

I would be happy to get what i pay.

I also use 70% of my power at night, so hopefully it end's up cheaper anyway with offpeak tarrif's.

Someone also mentioned $600 for a new meter box, it was $475 last i looked.
They are gouging there aswell by the look's.

It does not suprise me that we get ripped as it is the norm is it not.

Here it say's
http://www.markparnell.org.au/campaign.php?campaignn=24
many people are only getting the 44c/kWh passed on by their energy company

I am happy with that as it is double but would like more if they are getting the profit's.

During the day i only use a fridge and my computer on all day/night wich i will cut down+ about 250 watt's from other little thing's/light's. And may get a laptop aswell.
Then after work i watch tv on my computer with an lcd.

So am hoping a 2450watt system is ok.
I use about average 20kw so i know it wont be enough, or i wont generate that from it anyway.

have to wait and see.

PhilipM writes...

found a huge range of prices on offer around Brisbane

We had a similar round up back on page 7 with 2KW systems. In order to compare you will need to find out what panels and inverters they use (look at page 7 as most of yours are already listed). Also whilst I haven't spoken directly to them the cheapest providers generally state FROM $$$$$ so I am sure they will find reasons to up the costs for whatever they can get away with.

No one as yet has posted any negative reports on any company that I am aware of. I have spoken to Infinity and they were very helpful and use good gear and are in the middle on price.

I rang AGL today to find out cost of upgrading my meter, they said $177 but definately no more than $200 for a bi-directional meter.

The killer being that AGL don't provide off peak if you go solar. It's one flat rate regardless, 24/7. He said about 20 something cents per kw/h. I might ring origin and see if its the same deal. Maybe its a statewide thing. Hopefully not as my electric hot water runs on off peak.

Finger writes...

The killer being that AGL don't provide off peak if you go solar.

Yeah there were newspaper articles about this in the last day or so. Your electricity bill will probably go up if you install solar in this case!

If you're in QLD you could get on the govt's deal to replace your hot water system with solar first!

I signed my form today, it will go to ETSA / was an ETSA form.
So i am not sure exactly.

I thought they wanted us all on off peak ect to save them money during peak time's.

ohwell whatever happen's happen's.

Krumlov writes...

If you're in QLD you could get on the govt's deal to replace your hot water system with solar first!

Yeah I have applied for this also but I am still waiting for a reply. I hear its on the back burner since Garrett revised the rebate for heat pumps from $1600 too $1000.

I see you are QLD.

ETSA is who supply the powerline's in SA if you did not know.
used to be the government until sold.

Anunnaki writes...

I signed my form today, it will go to ETSA / was an ETSA form.
So i am not sure exactly.

I thought they wanted us all on off peak ect to save them money during peak time's.

ohwell whatever happen's happen's.

If you have existing off-peak you need to ensure that you have mentioned it on the "Form A", otherwise it may be removed when the meter is changed.

Adding off-peak will require an electrician to have the tail ready for when the meter is changed.

I have off peak for my hotwater.

I did tick this part

"Off Peak HWS"

So that should let them know, i think, it is "Form A" anyway.

just looked at the form i scanned and sent, the writing look's like a 5 year old...

GHao writes...

what's the brand of the inverter, i am in China, i could help you to check about the inverter

Hi GHao, the brand is called Aero Sharp. However I dont think rebates work in such a way as you need to arrange certified installer in Aus which I am sure they will want you to buy their inverters and not supplied by yourself.

Hello

I had a quick look in the forum and please accept my apologies if it had been mentioned.

I have been offered a with rebate of a solar power panel to obtain either
a. 1 KW PV system with a 1.7 KW inverter with Thinfilm PV Panels for $782
and
b. 1.5 Km PV system with a 1.7 KW inverter with Mono crystalline PV panels for $2696.

I would like to know which one I should take and why.

The only different that I can work out is that the 1.5 KW Mono will produce more power.

Thanks

Happybuddah

happybuddah writes...

I would like to know which one I should take and why.

I would say that depends on how much north facing roof you have, what you are trying to achieve and what you want to spend!

Krumlov writes...

I would say that depends on how much north facing roof you have, what you are trying to achieve and what you want to spend!

The roof is facing north, and I would want to get the maximum benefit of getting the power onto the grid.

I just want to know that the different between the 2 and should I spend an extra $2 000 for something that will only give me an extra .5 kW.

Thanks

Hey all. Hope this is an appropriate thread. I'm one who got my 8k rebate approved way back when, and the company has just come around to install the 1kw system, but are waiting on a new batch of panels. The inverter is a sunnyboy, so I'm happy with that, but the panels coming in are Risen Energy 170w monocrystaline panels. Sorry – I did do a search and saw Risen mentioned elsewhere – but can anyone comment as to the quality of these? I know they're Chinese etc, but how do they stack up? Thanks heaps.

Purchase 2 of 1kw systems for ~$1500 or even 3 and you will still be cheaper than $2696

Bazzle

bazzle writes...

Purchase 2 of 1kw systems for ~$1500 or even 3 and you will still be cheaper than $2696

You have thought this through really.

A 1kW system is about $1500 because of either the rebate or the RECs buy-back scheme.
2 x 1kW system won't cost 2x$1500

bazzle writes...

Purchase 2 of 1kw systems for ~$1500 or even 3 and you will still be cheaper than $2696

I will only be able to get one 1kW at $782 because of the rebate, I don't think I will be able to get the second one at the same price.

Good thinking anyway but I dont think it will be any different.

I just am wondering what the different between the thinfilm and the mono crystalline panels. Is one of them a better quality or what?

Finally ordered my system today, I signed up with SolarHut/Sunsavers for mine, ordered a 2.8kw system with Suntech panels and sunnyboy inverter. Pretty happy with the suntech panels ans everyone seems to say good things about them and they seem pretty much comparable to a brandname panel quality wise.

Install should be in 4-6 weeks in Adelaide (depending on my green loan application), They were excellent in answering my questions. I had looked at SSS who were a bit cheaper but no-one has really left feedback about SSS so was a bit unsure and the panels were CEEG which are meant to be pretty good also.

happybuddah writes...

I have been offered a with rebate of a solar power panel to obtain either
a. 1 KW PV system with a 1.7 KW inverter with Thinfilm PV Panels for $782

Who is selling it for that price?

Cabel writes...

Install should be in 4-6 weeks in Adelaide

Wow thats excellent!!!!

They said they are currently tracking at 4-6 weeks and in a worst case it would be 8-10

Cabel writes...

They said they are currently tracking at 4-6 weeks and in a worst case it would be 8-10
waiting to hear back ordered the 2.8kw system...Adelaide based as well.

Thanks for the info netnode..i rang solar hut in Adelaide today and did the deal for a 1.5kw system fully installed for $1000 out of pocket expense if i had taken the 1kw system then i would have had no out of pocket expenses except for the meter from etsa
don't know the price on that as yet.
cheers
Augy

Ed: Forgot the quote I was replying to.

CaptainScarlet writes...

Who is selling it for that price?

This is a deal that was created in the NT before the Australian Government changed the closing date for the old solar panel deal. I had applied before the change of the closing date and just have been told that my application have been accepted. This offer is now no longer available to new applicant.

Augy writes...

don't know the price on that as yet.

ETSA Meter Costs:
/forum-replies.cfm?t=1212231&p=4#r70

Yeah, thank's, i saw that today actually, about what i hoped.

I was told i will get booked in once they give them notice it is ready to be connected from ETSA.

I am in the country so hopefully they should not be busy.

My dad used to work for ETSA for 20 year's until they were giving package's year's ago before they were sold, he was a forman of a truck, i went up and down in the bucket when i was younger.

Hi all, I just got confirmation in the mail that I got te 8k from the government.

I originally Went through diamond energy, does anyone know if they are any good and if I am obliged to stay with them? I'm in northern Tasmania and wondered if ther are better deals available to me.

Sorry if this has been asked before but the threads are too long and confusing now, an FAQ would be great.

Thanks everyone

these solarhut people communication seems dodgey, they have "told me" they have sent me out 2 letters now for my deposit and etsa forms and i have not yet received any, it has been about 4 weeks now.
anyone else not receive letters from solar hut they say they were sending??

happybuddah writes...

The roof is facing north, and I would want to get the maximum benefit of getting the power onto the grid.

This link will give you a quick description of the different panel types. http://tinyurl.com/yzhjjr3

So the difference between the two is different panel types and different max power output. The amount of roof space required will be different. The amount of power generated will depend on roof orientation, the panel chosen, the maximum KW of the system, and any shading. For example in winter with no shading the 1.5KW system should produce more power but in summer with some shading you could find the 1KW thin film system might produce more than the 1.5KW system.

So if you have heaps of north facing roof space with shade issues then the thin film panel may be best especially if you live in a hot area.

If you really want to put some power onto the grid you are probably going to need to put up a bigger system although if no-one is home during the day and you don't have pool filters running then you might be OK.

TheMaverick writes...

these solarhut people communication seems dodgey, they have "told me" they have sent me out 2 letters now for my deposit and etsa forms and i have not yet received any, it has been about 4 weeks now.

anyone else not receive letters from solar hut they say they were sending??

I switched to solarhut/sunsavers on Monday 12/10 as I was getting no joy from DE. Solarsavers has been in contact via email for the last 3 days and emailed the etsa and seg forms yesterday for me to fill out and email back. So, Im very happy with them at the minute.
Maybe try the email route?

I found Sunsavers answered all my questions really well but tend to only respond in the afternoons, I only just signed up however so I haven't required any forms

TheMaverick writes...

anyone else not receive letters

I was told an invoice was coming about 6 week's ago, nothing came so the other day i asked for one again when i asked for the new price.

They said it went to my physical address not my PO Box wich is understandable as the post does not get delivered to my house but i usually get it depending on who is sorting mail.
so i am expecting my rebate confirmation to go to the wrong address also as they may have not given the gov my PO box number.
so that may be more problem's for me. but another story.

They sent the form's to me twice, 2nd time a month later, the 2 ETSA one's as i was taking to long to get them to them aswell as a few other people as it was a bulk email.

I was sent an invoice by email within 24 hour's with the new price the day after/last friday and printed it out, no different to the post, they aslo said it would be sent, have not got it after 3-4 day's.

I sent form's by email back yesterday with photo's of my roof and power box and they got back to me today saying they got them.

Comunication could not be faster and i am sure it is not a big company and a few people have probably been asking them alot of question's as per this thread, they never were one of the freebie company's but the price's are now ok, their 1kw system was 3k when other's were free, so maybe getting busy now.

I do not have to pay anything upfront only on install, so once i get an install date i dont have much to worry about.

and heath from the sa thread mentioned to me he got an invoice.

yep i got an invoice. it was only for the $49 deposit tho'

I drove past the solar hut/sun saver office the other day, out of interest (On a Saturday) very plain looking building with MASSIVE fence and gates, No signage at all and a very expensive looking car parked inside.

Cabel writes...

I found Sunsavers answered all my questions really well but tend to only respond in the afternoons, I only just signed up however so I haven't required any forms

Brad works very late at night so I am sure he gets in a bit later. Around the time of the June 9 deadline he was doing very long days so I assume he needs rest like the rest of us.

No I dont know him personally, just talked to him a lot (via email). He is always obliging, but can take 1 or two days to reply, as he has a huge volume of correspondence to wade through every day.

Krumlov writes...

This link will give you a quick description of the different panel types. http://tinyurl.com/yzhjjr3

Thanks Krumlov. This is the very information I need I think I will go for the monocrystalline despite the higher cost.

Heathwithnoteeth writes...

yep i got an invoice. it was only for the $49 deposit tho

I was going to pay over 3 month's and asked when to start as there was an option for that at one stage, monthly installment's, i said it didnt bother me either way he said just to pay on install or they could start taking it out.

So i have not been asked for money yet fwiw
probably get it tomorrow now.

Last email was

"we will process the order with ETSA and once we get authority to connect to the grid we will book you in usually takes a week or so"

But i am expecting longer than just 1 week.

happybuddah writes...

I will go for the monocrystalline

I think thin film can take twice as much roof space if you havnt worked that out.

Anunnaki writes...

"we will process the order with ETSA and once we get authority to connect to the grid we will book you in usually takes a week or so"

But i am expecting longer than just 1 week.

is that to replace the power meter? if so i got told it will take about 10 weeks from order

yes by brad, was it him? as someone else may say different.

Someone else in the other thread said 1 month.

I am in the country so hopefully they have nothing better to do.

I am not worried becasue most solar companies we read about here have no answering of the phone.

He also asked me when i wanted it installed the other day, so he was not trying to not ask that ect.

edit- and that was only authorisation, not install.

I got my invoice today from solarhut, for 7+k.

I'm screwed

DEWHA letter stating
application not received in time,
certification not given by applicant, system designer or installer (DE) or signatures dated after program closure and
accreditation of installer/designer not provided or not accredited

back to the drawing board.

hihosilver writes...

I'm screwed

Only if you wanted a "free" 1kw system. You dont save much by upgrading to larger systems under the old rebate scheme.

phew, just finished the entire thread.

thanks to philip getting a quick summary of all the installation costs around for Brisbane.

seems like the panel installation price has dropped alot since June and now for the same amount of 8k rebate I can get at least a 1.5kW panel installed.

I am now in contact with infinitysolar and solarhut to find out the best option i have.

I am wondering why solarhut can beat the price down by so much compare to other installers?? (for 8k rebate i can get a 2.8kW suntech panel supplied and installed with no extra cost) has anyone actually got their panels fitted already via solarhut?? your input will be greatly appreciated.

I am wondering why solarhut can beat the price down by so much compare to other installers?? (for 8k rebate i can get a 2.8kW suntech panel supplied and installed with no extra cost) has anyone actually got their panels fitted already via solarhut?? your input will be greatly appreciated.

Are you sure? Have they given you a quote for this? Because all they are offering for "free" in exchange for the old $8K rebate is a 1.23KW system. I think the $7.5K price (for the 2.8KW system) on their website is on top of any gov rebate* you will find.

*By gov rebate I mean RECs.

The $7500 on the website is under the current scheme where you sign over your RECS and they sell them for what they can get. Not sure how this compares with the 8k rebate, but would assume if the system costs them somewhere between $15,000-$20,000 you would take they 8k off that and end up somewhere back at paying $7500??

When I was scouting for a good SHCP deal, I noticed many companies being very vague about the brand of panels they would use. This was a major point for me, but alot of people seem to have glossed over this fact in the hunt for $0 installations.

Oils ain't oils. The Sunsavers.com.au offers seems good, but I was deterred because they have "(or equivalent)" in their panel descriptions. With the value of CEEG 170 watt panels now under $500 in Oz, that short phrase could be the difference between $6000 worth of panels and $3000 :)

Anyone got an install completed with them? Care to share which panels they used? I was lucky enough to go with the solar suburbs offer, which was a bulk buy – they use SunTech panels, SMA/Latronics inverters and offer a 2 year warranty on installation.

Terry 007 writes...

Are you sure? Have they given you a quote for this? Because all they are offering for "free" in exchange for the old $8K rebate is a 1.23KW system

Thanks for the heads up. I have just spoken to the sales guy and he told me I can get the 2.8kW unit installed for $6500 which is the old scheme price. (What the heck even cheaper?!)

EDIT: over the phone I have also specificatlly asked for suntech panels and sunboy inverters. not the equivalent brands for my install.

so I'll definitely look into this and please someone who has dealt with sunsavers.com.au please please comment on your experience with their install.

[rpocklin] writes...

The Sunsavers.com.au offers seems good, but I was deterred because they have "(or equivalent)" in their panel descriptions

I had this same concern and emailed them and was advised they only use Suntech panels, I would assume this is there for when they run out of stock or something, if you contact them you should be able to get the same agreement. They have been very good with answering my long list of questions!

[rpocklin] writes...

With the value of CEEG 170 watt panels now under $500 in Oz, that short phrase could be the difference between $6000 worth of panels and $3000 :)
Where in OZ do you get a 170w PV panel for under $500??

For Installers, inc GST, http://www.enviromaxenergy.com.au/panels.html supply Chinese CEEG panels for $486.20

You need to wait 6-9 weeks for that price though.

Delivery & Payment Options *.
Immediate Delivery: Pay a 5% rush fee and receive goods in 5-6 working days +$ 40.27 (+$ 44.29 Incl. Tax)
.DEPOSIT ONLY – Pre-order (6-9 week delivery): Pay a 25% deposit to confirm your order and secure a low price. Balance to be paid prior to delivery of goods is -$ 331.50 (-$ 364.65 Incl. Tax)

Is WA the only state still getting screwed over by their government in terms of a net feed in tariff? It sounds like in NSW you could actually pay off your 1.5kW solar power panels in 5-10 years.

Sirlance did mention sss are still cheaper somewhere, but Solarhut install in country SA, the only reason i have been looking at them.

But a reason why it would be cheaper is our $ is 30% better now, was 60c now 92c and panel's have dropped in price about 30%.

So maybe they have not bought from china yet.

Panel's in the link below, and im sure they get them alot cheaper, they were about 1450 in june.
A saving of 3700 on my system for 14 panel's wich is the length of my roof, could fit another 14 above in the future, aswell as our good $.
$1,936.00 $1,190.00
Buy online & save $746.00

http://www.energymatters.com.au/suntech-solar-panel-175watt-24volt-monocrystalline-p-2499.html

Maybe he has not been following the drop in REC's, but we will find out i guess.

And i doubt any install's have been done yet, maybe just starting, so people expecting a quick install may be dissapointed, i have been waiting since june just after the 8k rebate closed as there was no rebate for a few month's.

I wanted to make sure i got suntech, wich is why i made sure to ask for it to be on the invoice also, wich it is aswell as the sb-2500 inverter.

Cabel, suntech is the biggest soalr panel supplier, so i have no problem's with them.

Is there anywhere that rates the different brand of panels?

hihosilver writes...

DEWHA letter stating
application not received in time,
certification not given by applicant, system designer or installer (DE) or signatures dated after program closure and
accreditation of installer/designer not provided or not accredited

same here. Received the dreaded letter today.

Would be good to let us know exactly wy, not one of three reasons.

sux to be me...

Finger writes...

Is there anywhere that rates the different brand of panels?

the installer from infinitely said i can find out some brand comparison from the desert knowledge center website http://www.dkasolarcentre.com.au/

but i haven't been manage to find anything there though about brand comparison :p

Heathwithnoteeth writes...

sux to be me...

BL Heath.

I hope you still get a system as you ordered before me and i have been waiing for your install.

It is not much dearer now really anyway and you where prepared to pay a few k and not get a freebie.

http://www.enviromaxenergy.com.au/1kw-solar-kit-sma-sb1100-inverter.html

hey look. thats exactly what ive got on my roof... and it was a 8k grant. haha sucks.

UberSteve writes...

I wonder if this system is commonly used amongst solar companies? Surely they don't try to drill through the tiles, i'm pretty sure they would crack up without any re-o.

How wrong was I! So, my father phones the installer (the installer and solar company are two separate companies and will remain nameless), and finds out they were planning on just drilling through the tiles and siliconing up the hole!? So, my father seeks proper advice and finds out that simply drilling through the tiles is definitely not an acceptable method under the building code. He calls them back and demands they use the proper brackets, which they finally agree to for a $125 extra fee. (This was a few days ago)

So, today was install day, and what a nightmare!
- The installers arrive around 8am. Both looked under 20 and very inexperienced.

- First they start to install the inverter, which took way to long because the they were trying to drill into brick without a hammer drill. Apparently it took hours just to drill a dozen holes!? My father even offered them his hammer drill, but they wouldn't accept.

- Next, they head to the roof to install the mounting rails for the panels. Turns out the brackets they brought wern't the right ones and wont fit the tile profile, which means the tile would have been sitting up too far and allow rain to blow in. Apparently the brackets they had were aluminium, meaning they had to be bigger then normal to achieve the same strength as stainless brackets. (I'll also note that they were originally planning on just bolting the mounting rails straight to the roof. Apparently, there should be a sufficient air gap between the roof and panels to 1) stop leaves, etc building up and 2) minimise the heat transfer from the panels to the roof.)

- The electrican turns up to hard wire the system, but of course can't because the panels haven't been installed yet. He gets on the roof, they try a few bodgy ideas with the brackets, but none were acceptable.

- 2:30pm, my father tells them enough is enough, go away and come back with the right brackets. They pack all the panels up and leave. (The inverter and wiring are still installed)

So, my father is going to call them tomorrow, try to speak to a manager and get it sorted. What a PITA!!

As I said, at this stage the companies will remain nameless, but I will say it was not SSS (who i'm signed up with and still waiting for a install date!)

Will keep you posted.

-Steve

Anunnaki writes...

BL Heath.

I hope you still get a system as you ordered before me and i have been waiing for your install.

It is not much dearer now really anyway and you where prepared to pay a few k and not get a freebie.

Spoke to Brad at Solarhut / Sunsavers. Apparently something has gone t!ts up
He told me DEFINITELY no applications were sent in late, but maybe part of the application was misplaced by the govt.

He is going to try and appeal on my behalf.

fingers crossed...

ok, i was not sure when you applied as the day before would be scraping it in.
Im sure he is hoping it is not all of his customer's ect if he filled out a form wrong.
Still a pain i guess waiting.

also those ceeg panel system's make solar pretty cheap, i wonder how cheap a panel has to be to beat coal.
but the 5 year warranty is why i would not realy look at them if i was paying out of my pocket.

DIAMOND ENERGY OFFER

Price to upgrade as follows:

System Size (kW)
Inverter
System Output (kW)
Approx Roof Space Required (square metres)
Price to Upgrade from 1.16kW installation (incl GST)

1.16.........1.5...........2.0 ...........2.0
SB1100.....SB1700.....SB1700......SB2500
1.16.........1.5...........1.85..........2.0
16............24............32............32
$0...........$2,499.......$5,299......$6,149

All prices quoted include:

First Solar Panels, SMA Sunny Boy Inverter x 1; BlueSky Energy Racking System Power Fab CRS; Standard Wiring; Bidirectional meter x 1; Installation by BCSE Accredited installer

Payment terms are 50% on order with the remaining 50% 14 days from the installation date.

Please note, a larger system will create more Renewable Energy Certificates ("RECs") than a 1.16kW system.

All RECs created by the larger system will still need to be assigned to Diamond Energy at time of installation.

UberSteve writes...

So, my father is going to call them tomorrow, try to speak to a manager and get it sorted. What a PITA!!

As I said, at this stage the companies will remain nameless, but I will say it was not SSS (who i'm signed up with and still waiting for a install date!)

This is the horror story that I'm dreading. Although I've got the $8g and am within an inch of going with SSS, I dont want to be a test pilot for dodgey tradies as well. I'd rather have NO solar than a buggered roof. I may just hang off for a while, as prices will keep coming down quickly imo with a rising dollar etc. The 8g rebate makes bugger all difference to the 2kw system I want anyway. Can I put my 8g rebate on Ebay ?
The rush for people to go solar, sort of reminds me about my rush to go Plasma for my TV. Sure I had bragging rights for a couple of years, but I paid $7000 for my 42 incher, when 4-5 years later you now know the cost.........

SirLanceAfew writes...

but I paid $7000 for my 42 incher, when 4-5 years later you now know the cost.........

At least you didn't pay $6000 for a rear projection a few years before that :)

Terry 007 writes...

I think the $7.5K price (for the 2.8KW system) on their website is on top of any gov rebate* you will find.

that's indeed the case for sunsolar. I have just found out while speaking to them 2nd time. seems like the first dude wasn't listening to me at all while trying to sell me the business.

in this case at the moment the cheapest deal i find is still infinitysolar 1.58kW system for my 8k rebate.

UberSteve writes...

How wrong was I! So, my father phones the installer (the installer and solar company are two separate companies and will remain nameless), and finds out they were planning on just drilling through the tiles and siliconing up the hole!?

As you see by one of my previous posts I had a similar farcical situation with my solar hot water system installation which I originally purchased via a major electricity body who are also selling solar PV systems.

The issue is that electricity body contracts out installation to major service providers who in turn, contract it out to area specific small companies like electricians, plumbers, installers etc. These small companies, who suddenly get all this extra work often employ people from the dole queues because they use their current employees for the regular work which pays more. In a number of cases (and I know there are many good installers out there) some of these installers were UNemployed for a reason and have shocking or no skills.

I would recommend for other new installs, you take photos before, during and after the install. My solar HWS system was screwed up everywhichway way and the good thing is the major service provider at the top of the "food chain" looked at the photos and remedied everything but it took over three weeks of painful "we'll try this and see if it's OK"

The problem with new solar PV startups is that they may close their eyes to any install problems and hope you go away.

I am currently rethinking my DE/SSS choice and thinking about using a major PV retailer so I have at least some comeback.

If anybody else has similar stories please post. Pre-warned is pre-armed.

Your story, I'm sorry to say, will not be the last of this kind.

Tritium writes...

Approx Roof Space Required (square metres)
Price to Upgrade from 1.16kW installation (incl

32 m^2 for a 2 kW system?

What panels are they using ??? Not even Kaneka panels would be using that much space...

something dodgy there...

for information, a 1kW system with Sanyo panels would be using 6m^2 ; not 16 like what's quoted here...

CaptainScarlet writes...

If anybody else has similar stories please post. Pre-warned is pre-armed.

Solar Installation Log – 5 solar panels

24/2/09
Tradesman and apprentice arrived about 9.30 and spent an hour or more working out how to route the cable from the meter to the inverter. Tradesman could not workout how to utilise the existing solar DC cables from the roof. Installed cable and inverter and isolation switches. (Plugs not cut off flush and junction box not flush against wall.) They spent rest of day sitting around the vehicle waiting for a safety belt hook which never came.

25/2/09
Tradesman and another apprentice arrived about 2pm. Spent 30 minutes trying to get a ladder off of the van, eventually tradesman cut the strap to remove ladder. Tradesman spent the next 2 ½ hours setting up safety rope and fixing two lengths of aluminium frame to the roof. (I had to ask tradesman to put a rag or bag between the ladder and gutter to protect the gutter from damage.) Tradesman would not fix the panels to the best angle on the roof because he said the roof was too slippery (to work on) and he could not fix it from the ground because his ladder was not long enough. (Supplier advised the change of angle would reduce efficiency by <2%) Tradesman said this job is turning out (to be) bigger than Ben Hur. He said he has never done a two story house before.
Said he would be back in the morning at 7am. Left at 5pm.

26/2/09
Tradesman and the apprentice arrived at 7am and installed the panels onto the frame. Tradesman dragged the panels over the gutter by one end with one hand causing damage to the colorbond finish on the gutter and then dragged the panels across the roof with one hand. They are only 15kg they should not have been dragged. (Tradesman only used one hand because he was constantly holding onto the safety rope with the other hand – he had obviously not been taught how to use the safety system.) Tradesman also leaned on the middle of the panels and rested his leg on the panels while fixing them. The fixings holding the panels to the frame looked untidy and crooked and very insecure. (2/3/09 supplier confirmed they were the wrong brackets) When tradesman tried to crimp the terminals onto the DC cables on the roof he yelled to the apprentice across the street for instructions on how the crimper worked and then still appeared to have trouble. They did not clean up and left a lot of screws, swarf, bits of foam, panel fixing brackets and tape in the house gutters. They did not clean the panels and left dusty foot prints on the frames. Left a piece of flexi conduit containing low voltage cable on the footpath where it landed when thrown from the roof. Finished installation at 10am.

Photos of installation and this log set to supplier. Supplier contacts installer.

6/3/09

Tradesman and the apprentice arrived at 9am. Apprentice seems to be in charge and apologised for the problems. Apprentice worked on the roof to replace all the fixing brackets and straighten and clean the solar panels. They dragged their aluminium extension ladder up over balcony balustrade and damaged natural anodise finish on top rail. I mentioned this to apprentice and he apologised and was very careful lowering the ladder. Apprentice cleaned the panels with a broom and cold water from a bottle he said the insect poo wouldn’t come off. Tradesman refitted the junction box but he must have had very dirty hands and has left marks all around the box. I asked tradesman how the panels look now and he grunted. Left at 11am.

I think it would help if we knew who used the dodgy installers, which suburb/state it was and who had a good experience. The roof bracing story was very valuable and i will be requesting the braces on any system i get on my new roof. But i have no idea if the install horror story relates to SSS or Nu or Sunsolar or some other...

If u pay by credit card i suggest just withold full payment until statisfied or threaten a charge back if u paid upfront and are unhappy. I did this for my roof restoration and they came back until i was satisfied. Never pay cash as you have no leverage and will have to rely on the operators goodwill and/or the small claims system.

ammo987 writes...

I think it would help if we knew who used the doggy installers

They probably all do. I was happy in the end. The lesson is: watch what is going on, take photos and talk to the supplier if the install looks dodgy.

My solar install story is in the nuenergy thread but I live in metro sydney and i got Tag Team Australia in camden to install my panels through nuenergy. Very professional team.

Install was nearly perfect, was very impressed. A bit of confusion at the beginning about which direction was north but that was quickly rectified. They used the good bracketing system, didnt damage any of my tiles which has just been fully restored recently too.

Wired everything to the meter box and even offered to install the meter for an extra fee but I declined since I have an electrician already to do that. Left the compliance form in the meter box for my ASP.

All in all, they arrived ontime, cleaned up after themselves, simple professional install and left at around 12pm.

Bob writes...

Solar Installation Log – 5 solar panels

Further to my previous post.... after the balls up with my solar HWS install I asked the the parent company to do an installation audit. The company sent out a qualified/quality plumber they use for fixing stuff-ups and he did an excellent job. I sent thanks to the parent company for quality backup.

Two weeks later I smelt a strong dampness smell from under the vanity unit. It turned out that my hot water tap had been weeping 'cos the first plumbers had got sand in the pipework and when they took the sand out of my hot water tap fitting had not done the refitting properly. The parent company then came out and replaced the shelf and fixed the tap. I thanked the parent company again for their diligence.

A month went by and I started hearing drip drip drip down the drainpipe when it had been bone dry weather. Went onto the roof and found the panels were leaking. Contacted Dux the Solar HWS manufacturer and they came out the next day. It turned out the first installers had put non removable fittings in backward and the panels had to be replaced. Excellent service and kudos to Dux.

I emailed the parent company and got no response. Another to add to my list of O'Reilly (Fawlty Towers) trademan stories.

The point of all this is to try and make sure you get quality installers which may be easier said than done. If you get dodgy installers who do a unsatisfactory job and the parent company is reputable and responsive contact them and ask for an installation audit.

paul_5666 writes...

nd even offered to install the meter for an extra fee but I declined since I have an electrician already to do that.

Doesn't Energy Australia supply and fit bi-directional meters for free? I rang them a couple of months ago and they said they would install it before the Solar PV system is installed, ready to connect up?

BTW Can somebody ask for a new thread called "Solar Panels in NSW" for us NSWelshmen before the thread bursts at the seams? (I am a newby here and don't know how to start a new thread)

CaptainScarlet writes...

Doesn't Energy Australia supply and fit bi-directional meters for free?

Im in the damned integral network. They made me install a dial meter. Can you believe it?!?! a dial meter. terrible. how do i get any FiTs now

Whats the featherbedding clean energy council doing about the crappy installers, they the ones who acredit installers and designers of Renewable power systems.
its a case of pay the fee to get acreditation, nothing much else matters, from what I have seen installers are bunch of cowboys and desigeners sign off on west facing roof PV panels (very small winter output and 30-40% less output in summer)
The posts on here dont suprise me

I think a new thread needs to be started listing peoples installation experiences both good and bad.

Had my Nu Energy installation done in Bris last week by Enviro Electrical Services of the Sunshine Coast.

Very impressed with Liam and his installation, no hassles, easy to deal with, very professional – highly recommended, and he has a genuine interest in solar and other environmentally friendly energy solutions.

Unfortunately it's a bit of a lotto draw as to who you end up with doing your installation. The company who was originally going to do my install had a bit of a backlog of jobs so NE got Liam to do mine – meaning a 2 ½ hour drive for him from the Sunshine Coast to my place.

Lucky for me in the end...

Hi all,

After skimming through all the previous posts, it seems there are several options for those of us who have the $8,000 pre-approval from the department.

One of my questions was is it ok to go with a different company after getting the pre-approval, but I'm pretty sure after reading all that we can.
I initially went through Diamond Energy and they have said it's all fine to start going ahead with it all, but I am just wondering if I can in fact get a better offer from elsewhere.

Just wondering who most people have gone with and what deal they have got. I am, like everyone, after the best deal for my (free) $8,000. Just want a good reliable system and more importantly the confidence of a good install and after-sales communication as it sounds like a few people have had bad experiences with a few companies!

Companies I now know of are:

- Diamond Energy
- Clear solar
- Nu Energy
- Solarhut / Sunsavers

Any recommendations or advice?

Thanks.

PS. I am in the Geelong/Melbourne region

Hey all.

Sorry – no response last time I asked this, so I'll try again. Won't keep spamming this thread after this though :)

Anyone have any experience with or knowledge of "Risen Energy" monocrystalline 170w panels? The manufacturer (Chinese) seems legit enough, but I'm just keen to know if these panels (25yr output guarantee) are OK compared to more familiar brands. Cheers all for the great discussion here! Will post my install experience when it's complete, but so far so good.

Most of the of package deals use the chinese 170w monocrystal panels, think of this way you get the 1kw system installed for $1000 out of pocket (RECS solar Credits to installer) if it lasts 10 years total you doing well, who is going to be around for 25 years anyway.
The wholesale price for 170w PVs (no nane chineese brand) is aprox $500, and inverters getting around $1 per watt.
While the aussie dollar is strong wait to see some discounting.
or better still get the bits your self and claim the RECS yourself assuming your a sparkie with acredition to install/design Grid connect PVs

paladin1970 writes...

Risen Energy" monocrystalline 170w panels

I have not heard of them and I personally would not go with any chinese based companies (understand BP panels are made in China ect.) except CEEG & Suntech. My thiknking is if major companies aren't using the panels It would be due to the potential for them to fail in the future. So only small operaters that don't expect to be around in 10 years would potentially use them.

Jumper and Cabel,

Thanks heaps for the response. I've seen these panels mentioned in a couple of places now. I imagine that companies using them are doing so largely for cost saving purposes (or else go with a name brand). My default position is also sceptical – hence my asking here in case someone knew something more about them.

In terms of giving back a bit of info in case anyone else googling them stumbles over this thread: on paper, their specs actually look OK in terms of cell/panel efficiency etc. They've been around since '85 – but from what I can gather as a low energy lighting etc company for some/most/all? of that time. So, from what I can gather – low cost, emerging/small player. But one whose products are starting to appear here in OZ.

In case anyone else googles this looking for info, here are some links to them. The first one includes a nice picture of their, ahem, product. I'll take five!:

http://www.enf.cn/pv/3055c.html

(And a slogan idea – "Risen solar – now with EXTRA silicone!")

Official site (the old advertising adage of showing the factory applied here – although this looks more like a concept sketch):

http://www.risen-solar.com/company_e.asp

Parent site (note they haven't spent top dollar on translators):

http://www.risen-lighting.com/en/about.asp

They claim to be ISO9001 compliant (which just means they have QA in place) and also "CE,TUV,IEC61730 &61215 and RINA approved". Google reveals the meaning thereof:

IEC61730 – safety standards for solar panels met. "The tests are judged to be passed, if the test applied would not result into potential electric shock, fire and personal injury."

IEC61215 – design standards for PV panels/cells, including ageing tested against sunlight, climate, mechanical load (hail/wind etc) – "comprises the examination of all parameters which are responsible for the ageing of PV modules and describes the various qualification tests on the basis of the artificial load of the materials."

From what I can gather, IEC is definitely a legit certification / licensing body and these are the appropriate certifications for this kind of product.

paladin1970 writes...

They claim to be ISO9001 compliant

They are in the list on the Clean Energy Council website

http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/accreditation/approvedproducts/pvmodulelist.html

Ninghai Risen Electric Co.
SYP170S- 50M

Also love the Panel Specs on thier website, It's a good way to sell more panels :)

Richo The Great writes...

Just wondering who most people have gone with and what deal they have got.

Companies I now know of are:

- Diamond Energy
- Clear solar
- Nu Energy
- Solarhut / Sunsavers

I just talked to Nu Energy and they said wait 2 weeks as we will be offering a 1.5 kw system for the $8K.

Australsun are also offering a 2kw deal for $1910 on top of the $8k with 2.38kw SMA Inverter and CEEG panels.

Cabel writes...

They are in the list on the Clean Energy Council website

Cheers again, Cabel. A :D for you. Thanks for the extra info.

If anyone wants to know who the dodgy company is my father is dealing with, PM me. At this stage (while he's still trying to get his system installed), i'd rather not name them publicly. I'll do the right thing and give them the opportunity to make things right.

All I can say is, it's not SSS or Nu Energy, though who knows who those companies use? I guess it's possible these "cowboy installers" contract to more than one company?

-Steve

CaptainScarlet writes...

I just talked to Nu Energy and they said wait 2 weeks as we will be offering a 1.5 kw system for the $8K.

Are they in NSW ? No worries, I'll take a look!!!!!!!

Richo The Great writes...

One of my questions was is it ok to go with a different company after getting the pre-approval, but I'm pretty sure after reading all that we can.

My initial info is that you can change supplier/ installer ONCE. I'm not sure if this info is correct but it came from the Dept of Environment (one that approved rebate).

I initially went through Diamond Energy and they have said it's all fine to start going ahead with it all, but I am just wondering if I can in fact get a better offer from elsewhere.

I'm with you. The original Diamond offer was pretty good but prices seem to have dropped but Diamond haven't dropped their prices.

Diamond's 1.5kW system is $10,490 ($2,500) out of pocket and doesn't seem that great.

In addition they haven't installed any systems and smell a tad dodgy to me...

hoxygt writes...

I'm with you. The original Diamond offer was pretty good but prices seem to have dropped but Diamond haven't dropped their prices.

I think a lot of the "bargain" companies are now trying to rip people off by taking advantage of the rising Aussie dollar and lower manufacturing costs, but not passing these savings on to the customer.

SirLanceAfew writes...

I think a lot of the "bargain" companies are now trying to rip people off by taking advantage of the rising Aussie dollar and lower manufacturing costs, but not passing these savings on to the customer.

and perhaps by a lack of knowledge that people can change provider...

SirLanceAfew writes...

are now trying to rip people off by taking advantage of the rising Aussie dollar and lower manufacturing costs, but not passing these savings on to the customer

Why would they pass it on the customer. People agreed on a price, that price wasn't subject to any variations of the australian dollars was it ?

Would you have agreed to pay more if the Australian dollar went the other way , making all imports more expensive?

I don't think so...

I contacted
http://www.braemacenergy.com.au/product_view_full.php?my_selection=42 $4,520
to confirm their price on this system as I would have preferred the suntech panels instead of other lesser known brands.
I was informed the out of pocket price has now risen from $4,520 to $8,000 due to the low rec price.
That is what I call a price increase

Gherkin.. writes...

Why would they pass it on the customer.

Some companies are starting to pass the savings on, the idea, to attract more customers and provide good value for a product.

So please correct me if I am wrong. The 1.16 Kwh system with Diamond Energy is actually now less expensive (cheaper) but DE still get $8000 from the Gov't rebate ? Plus they get my RECS ?

Can I change my supplier if I am not able to negotiate a better deal with DE ?

Thanks

Davy Jones writes...

Can I change my supplier if I am not able to negotiate a better deal with DE ?

Yes, confirm with Dept of Env but my understanding is you can change ONCE – so make a wise choice.

I changed from DE to Solarhut. No problems, just emailed DE and said I want to be removed from their list, and stated that their customer service was nonexistant, couldnt give me a start date and that I was worried that I would lose my $8K by them not having installed in time.
Funnily enough they rang back straightaway!

These larger companies may have hedged their positions when the applications went in so just because dollar has gone up doesnt necessarilly mean it is cheaper for them to provide to you... Would you have paid more if it went the other way?

Still good that you can do what is best for you... My smaller installer has passed on a small saving when I asked him to, but he's probably still kept something aside as a 1kw system is still going to cost me over 2k out of pocket before deducting REC's (at whatever they're worth)

Actually on topic of REC's Im struggling with the concept of selling them... because in doing so Im basically turning that green energy I produce into dirty brown coal. Doesn't that mean that when someone else buys 'green' energy from whomever has my certificate they are effectively buying the rights to the 'greenness' whilst their actual power probably comes from dirty brown coal.. or am i missing something?

BlaCkAdDa writes...

they are effectively buying the rights to the 'greenness' whilst their actual power probably comes from dirty brown coal.. or am i missing something?

No, you have the gist of it.
The solar credits are even funnier, cos they produce 5 Recs where yours produces 1.

hippiesparx writes...

The solar credits are even funnier, cos they produce 5 Recs where yours produces 1.

I thought the government paid for 5x the market value of a REC but you still produced the same amount of RECs, or isn't it the way it work ?

No – you get more REC's under the solar credits scheme not necessarily more dollars. The Government doesn't set the value of REC's that is done by the market which at the moment is flooded with millions more REC's than required so the price of them has tanked.

Gherkin.. writes...

I thought the government paid for 5x the market value of a REC but you still produced the same amount of RECs, or isn't it the way it work ?

The government mandated 5x recs for PV installs, which you then have to sell on the market, which has enough recs now to last till 2011. Any recs created from now on only add to the excess. Which means the price of recs will continue to fall, as they are in fact, worthless.

this sucks, my solar hot water rebate was first at $35+ at least per REC when buliding and now I am down to $27 when my house is just about to complete. How unfair.

Need clarification: Are the REC rebates available to all, or just first time buyers?

Been thinking about getting just an extra panel or two for an existing IKW system, but if REC rebates are available I might go to more.

BlaCkAdDa writes...

Actually on topic of REC's Im struggling with the concept of selling them... because in doing so Im basically turning that green energy I produce into dirty brown coal. Doesn't that mean that when someone else buys 'green' energy from whomever has my certificate they are effectively buying the rights to the 'greenness' whilst their actual power probably comes from dirty brown coal.. or am i missing something?

No, you're not. And it gets worse, because by planning to give the generators 96% of their emissions permits for nothing based on their emissions between 2004-2007 and allowing them to sell any they don't use, your system won't reduce CO2 output by even a single gram.

ianb writes...

No, you're not. And it gets worse, because by planning to give the generators 96% of their emissions permits for nothing based on their emissions between 2004-2007 and allowing them to sell any they don't use, your system won't reduce CO2 output by even a single gram.

Phantom RECS, please let me introduce you to your new budy, Phantom ETS.

I went to a talk by ex-Qld premier Peter Beattie last week. While he still works for a state government that can't give up the notion of making money out of coal so he was constrained in what he could say, it was clear from his experience of living in LA that we are way behind here, and even the US is starting to wake up to the need to move fast to cleaner energy. Despite all this I am still going for solar because I can't see any way we can avoid real charges for CO₂ emissions and phantom RECS or not, a photovoltaics systems does reduce the overall load on the system and hence pressures to put in more coal-fired capacity.

The most likely effect of our government's efforts to stop coal from facing reality is that production will fall off a cliff rather than decline slowly.

A couple of questions:

• Has anyone got their Green Loan yet? Is there a list of providers?
• On the RECs signover form you have the option of # of years, what are people using?

hay guys i have a question after i talked to the sales guy from infinitysolar.

I have the 8k first round rebate scheme. and the first sales guy told me I can use the 8k to install their 1.58kW value pack for $6993 and use the 8k rebate so it's basically free ( i was even looking at spent abit more for the 2.1kW system )

but then in the afternoon another guy from them called me and told me that I was mistaken and my 1st round rebate can only be used for the first round price list which will only allow me to get a 1kW system and $500 out of pocket after my 8k rebate.

to me I don't know who to trust and I want to find whether the first round 8k can only be used for first round offers?? that's abit stupid because the price for panels have dropped significantly and with the same rebate money i can now install a much better system than 3 months ago.

Any confirmation or information is much appreciated. Thanks.

AF35 writes...

hay guys i have a question after i talked to the sales guy from infinitysolar.

SHOP AROUND!!!!!!
You Have the choice to choose....

Reading the fine print on the 1.58k system: http://www.infinitysolar.com.au/productview.cfm?prod=5 it says that the $6993 price includes the current government rebate (5x multiplier for RECS). As you have the 8K+1xRECS the price will be different. I wish all of these supliers actually shows the price BEFORE rebates so that you can compare pricing as the price of RECS change constantly. The only installer that i have seen that shows price before rebates is http://sunsavers.com.au

Are there other installers that actually have guts to put price up pre rebate? Almost all the websites for these companies have a "call/email for the price".

netuser writes...

SHOP AROUND!!!!!!

Got any recommendations? I've shopped around and haven't found anyone that instills confidence.

FluroGreen writes...

The only installer that i have seen that shows price before rebates is http://sunsavers.com.au

You can click on the "Already got your $8000 Solar grant? Click here to adjust our prices accordingly." link that shows BOTH the 1 kw and 1.23 kw for $0. The difference is for one extra panel. Why would you get the 1kw system??

A big plus from me for sunsavers.

I changed from Zen Energy to sunsavers on 7th October 2009.

Now it's only twelve days ago and they just informed me, it's being installed tomorrow.

I challenge anyone to get better service and I am in a rural area of SA 163 k's from Adelaide.

netnode writes...

Now it's only twelve days ago and they just informed me, it's being installed tomorrow.

Please inform on how it goes. I'm in Sydney, but am considering them as well.

netnode writes...

Now it's only twelve days ago and they just informed me, it's being installed tomorrow.

That's Excellent, I signed up with them last week and they have said they will call this week to organise an install date (Adelaide Metro).
Now my only problem is going to be the green loan and the seemingly endless wait for the report from the Govt so I can go to the bank.

I have a question with sunsavers, their 2.8kW package uses a 2.5kW inverter. can a 2.5kW inverter usually generate 2.8kW of power? otherwise the 300W power from the panel will be wasted.

EDIT: thakns to cabel for supplying previous posts which answers my question
/forum-replies.cfm?t=1212231&p=4

AF35 writes...

can a 2.5kW inverter usually generate 2.8kW of power?

that's not what 2.5kW for the ratings means.

2500W is what the inverter is rated at.

Like the Sunnyboy 2500 is rated for 2500W, yet the MAX it can take is "2700W DC power voltage".

How do you find out what sort of rebate can you get?

Everyone is eligible for 'Solar Credits'.
You get ~100 SC for 1kW, up to a maximum of ~155 SC for 1.5 kW.
Over 1.5kW you get RECs at the rate of ~20 RECs per kW.
Each REC or SC is worth $25 on today's market.

Unless you are >$35,000 off the grid there are no other free lunches

*Yes, I am trying to KISS.

hippiesparx writes...

Everyone is eligible for 'Solar Credits'.
You get ~100 SC for 1kW, up to a maximum of ~155 SC for 1.5 kW.

I currently have a 1KW system purchased under the $8K scheme. Can I still get full 'Solar Credits'/RECS if I add another 500w?

ianb writes...

Can I still get full 'Solar Credits'/RECS if I add another 500w?

You can get ~10 more RECs.
edit: the SC are only for systems after the rebate stopped.
RECs apply for all systems.

If I explain any more it will get confusing and you'll have to start using your toes.

FluroGreen writes...

... The only installer that i have seen that shows price before rebates is http://sunsavers.com.au

Where are the before rebate prices?

hippiesparx writes...

If I explain any more it will get confusing and you'll have to start using your toes.

The larger the system, the larger the total rebate right? Because you get more RECs?

NoGi writes...

The larger the system, the larger the total rebate right? Because you get more RECs?

Yep.
The SC, which are actually RECs x5 max out at 1.5kW.
After that you aggregate RECs at ~20 to the kW.
So at today's prices you get a ~$3875 'subsidy' for a 1.5kW system and ~$500 per kW thereafter.

geeeeeez solarhut(sunsavers) are bloody useless. sent an email thursday and still no reply.
im stuck on these damn seg and etsa forms. anyone help me out here?
i have signed up in my name but he power bill is in wifes name, that means she has to sign all the seg forms and etsa forms right and put her name on it??
second, i cant workout what to p ut in half the etsa form fields like new or upgraded service?? type of meter?? is meter position altered?? are consumer mains being replaced?? NMI number??? service type???

now can i just leave these blank and let them do it and just sign it and post it or do i have to fill these out not knowing what the hell im doing?? solarhut are no damn help, cant ever contact them.

TheMaverick writes...

new or upgraded service??

Upgraded

type of meter??

Single phase mechanic (or electronic)

is meter position altered??

No

are consumer mains being replaced??

No

NMI number???

On your last electricity bill if known, else leave blank

service type???

Residential

If any of this is wrong, they will get back to you. Someone here might correct any mistakes too.

Hope some of this helps.

Cheers.

edit....

Failing this, find the ETSA form number and try google.

Zodie666 writes...

Where are the before rebate prices?

from: http://www.sunsavers.com.au/product_1.23kW_specs.php

1.23kW Unit > Specifications

1. Inverters 1 inverter
   No of Modules 7 modules 175 Watt each
   Gross Area 9 m²
   Price Before Credits $8,040

The firms selling PV Packages want the process to be like a bowl of spagetti, impossible to trying to work out the true costs.
If they quoting a pre credit price of $8000 for a 1kw PV install they are making a packet based the price of PV componants at trade prices. allowing for RECS solar credits signed back to the installer you still have to pay upto $5000 for a 1kw system
Take a look at prices for a kit of components, typical install time would take 2 guys 4hours (fix frame to roof bolt on PVs cable to inverter, cable inverter output to meterbox), you have to ask is there lots of fat in the prices charged?

http://www.enviromaxenergy.com.au/kits/1kw.html

jumper runner writes...

Take a look at prices for a kit of components, typical install time would take 2 guys 4hours (fix frame to roof bolt on PVs cable to inverter, cable inverter output to meterbox), you have to ask is there lots of fat in the prices charged?

Sounds like you're looking for a job.
If you can do a kW system in a day, I'll just subbie all my jobs to you and rake in the cash.

Not looking for a job, just asking why its a so different to any other service, my plumber installed a new gas hot water service replacing a old storage electric system in the roof, whole job took 3 hours cost me aprox $500 with all labour and materials (had to crawl under the house to connect to water feed and connect into hot water piping)
The people down the road had a 1kw PV system installed whole job finnished by midday (6PVs on tile roof inverter under eaves)
The complexcity of installing a Grid interactive PV system is on par with installing split system Aircon really if you boil it down.
Cant be too much involved if the course to get accredited at TAFE takes 8 hours for a sparkie.

Got a quote for a 2kw system from Australsun.
http://www.australsun.com.au/

12 x 170w Panels + 2.38kw SMA inverter = "Free $8k Rebate" + $1910 on top

If you want to go to the 3kw SMA inverter it's only $770.

I think a 1.5kw system for the $8k rebate is the "sweet spot".

Any other better deals?

jumper runner writes...

Take a look at prices for a kit of components, typical install time would take 2 guys 4hours (fix frame to roof bolt on PVs cable to inverter, cable inverter output to meterbox), you have to ask is there lots of fat in the prices charged?

http://www.solarfreaks.com/shall-i-buy-sunpower-or-suntech-pannels-t197.html

Found this great link detailing price breakdown. It also mentions you can can extra RECS on top of the $8K grant. Can anybody enlighten me on the extra RECS?

wow great, Western power has already approved my installation and ready solar credits with solar unlimited. BUT my house is still finishing in locked up stage.

Is interesting to see the prices just within a month.

CaptainScarlet writes...

It also mentions you can can extra RECS on top of the $8K grant. Can anybody enlighten me on the extra RECS?

Cast your eyes to the top of the page and read my posts on RECs and Solar Credits

CaptainScarlet writes...

12 x 170w Panels + 2.38kw SMA inverter = "Free $8k Rebate" + $1910 on top

i went to their website and couldn't find out the panel type. which panel do they say they will use?

EDIT: gave them a call just now. they are going to sent a guy out in 2 weeks time to check out the roof for the right system.

but i asked them for a quote for 2.5kW system anyway. their panel is CEEG China panels and the guy quoted me $8k-ish out of pocket include my $8k rebate.
looks like they won't beat sunsavers then. :(

So we signed up with Hembrows and I am filling in the RECs assignment form. For what period are everyone assigning the RECs for? Options are 1yr, 5yrs or 15yrs.

Update on my install with SSS: I just received an email, they are currently mapping out installation areas right now, and will be sending out install dates shortly.

UberSteve writes...

my install with SSS

I've read on the Yahoo groups for SSS that their switching to Suntech panels.

Anyone know about this?

slideit writes...

switching to Suntech panels

Oh! That would be nice! FullGreen, then CEEG, now Suntech. At least they're heading in the right direction ;-)

I am playing around with Sunny Design program from SMA. I'm using the 2.8kW package from sunsavers as an example.
and I found out that SunnyBoy SB2500 supports maximum of 3 strings (inverter inputs). the more string it uses the higher the current it'll draw, and each string will support maximum 11 panels. so if i put 16 panels for 2.8kW i have to use 2 strings of input which will give me a MPP-voltage of string at 70 degree C of 232V which is less than the min. MPP-voltage of grid voltage (240V) at 234V (no good)

thus the check list reported possiblel yield loss if i use a combination of 16 panel + SB2500 inverter system. (i guess it's because of the high current that bumps up the working temperature). and I have to use SB3300 to solve the problem. (or make sure the roof temperature is always less than 70C which is out of my control)

just a little result after an hour of play with the sunny design program. any comments? should i go for the SB3300 if i want to install the 2.8kW system on my roof?

AF35 writes...

so if i put 16 panels for 2.8kW i have to use 2 strings of input which will give me a MPP-voltage of string at 70 degree C of 232V which is less than the min. MPP-voltage of grid voltage (240V) at 234V (no good)

So, is it no good in any scenario or would 1 or 3 strings be ok with 16 panels and the sunnyboy 2500.
I have signed up with sunsavers for exactly that (although they have advised they will upgrade me to the 3300 at no charge if my roof won't fit it?)

Cabel writes...

So, is it no good in any scenario or would 1 or 3 strings be ok with 16 panels and the sunnyboy 2500.

Only if your roof gets too hot (over 70 degree C). and really, it's only a slight decrease. I'd imaging that if I go for the same system that 2500 inverter will get stressed tested for its entire lifespan lol.
You can mention that to them, see if you can ask them to do 3300 anyway.

TheMaverick writes...

sent an email thursday and still no reply

I notice it is taking alot longer to get a reply fwiw, used to be an hour or so now it is the next day or later that day, soon brad will have drone's who know nothing.

I dont email them much either, so they cant be getting sick of me i hope, i am waiitng on a reply from 12 hour's ago asking how to pay as i want to pay it now while i have money a few k at a time as when i signed we had a pay over 3 month option, i keep spending the money.
Mine have not been longer than 1-2 day's though.

Im realy just replying to you about the ETSA form though.

When we got emailed the pdf file's they just said do it as good as you can.

I just added my name/address ect and the meter number (on your bill) and ticked hot water off peak and 1 phase, i also ticked over/under as poweline's come in over/through the air then go under the house, i was unsure if that was right and then signed it, i asked them to let me know they got it ok and they said yes.

I doubt it matter's to much if it is in your wife's name as this does not go to the gov, just etsa. But dont quote me on that.

And the SEG form just need's your address and sig on the last page.
Just make sure you let them know the form's are for your order number wich you will give them and is your wife.

Hi Everyone, I was hoping someone can help me out. I had the 1kW Nuenergy system installed (CEEG panels and Sunnyboy SMA1100 Inverter).

I have just received a "Customer's Rights and Obligations" form from United Energy Distribution in Victoria. It's a form I need to fill out before the meter change.

There's a few questions in there that I'm not sure what to choose or fill out (especially 4. below). Thanks in advance!

1. Inverter Rating (kVA)

2. No. of Phases (Inverter) – 4 choices:
a) Single phase 240V
b) Two phase 240/415V
c) Three phase 415V
d) Two phase 240/480V

3. Metering configuration – 2 choices:
a) Gross
b) Nett – This has to be the option I'm assuming due to being in Victoria and this is the tariff Vic government has chosen?

4. No. of Phases (Load) – same 4 choices as 2.:
a) Single phase 240V
b) Two phase 240/415V
c) Three phase 415V
d) Two phase 240/480V

Cheers.

noisuf writes...

I was hoping someone can help me out.

Nuenergy

Do you think maybe your installer would be able to help you?

I know I have no trouble filling out my customer's paperwork.

noisuf writes...

especially 4. below

most are on 1 phase, but you need 3 phase if you have larger machine's.

my dad has 3 phase but i have single, when i asked him he said if you only have 2 wire's coming into your property you have single phase, even though i was sure i was on 1 anyway, he used to work for ETSA in SA, so i think he may be right.

In SA they make a lot of new developments get 3 phase and stick the air con on the third phase (if it's refrigerated). That way on hot days they can remotely shut down the third phase for an hour at a time in different suburbs and try and stop blackouts.

Cabel writes...

That way on hot days they can remotely shut down

I guess looking at the wire's may help then?

They are going to start installing new wireless meter's also that can shut down any appliance in the house in the future. And take reading's remotely.
I dont like this idea.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,,25254233-2,00.html

im wondering if solarhut(sunsavers) are one of these companies where they will reply to emails very quick if you are after buying a system and give you wonderful before sales service and give absolute crap after sales service.
Thats the way its looking at the moment.

TheMaverick writes...

im wondering if solarhut(sunsavers) are one of these companies where they will reply to emails very quick if you are after buying a system and give you wonderful before sales service and give absolute crap after sales service.
Thats the way its looking at the moment.

I can't agree with your comments.

In a matter of 12 (TWELVE) days after contacting them I now have my system installed.

The installers knew exactly what they were doing and were very professional.

I just phoned Sunsavers a few minutes ago to enquire about when ETSA would replace my meter.

They answered the phone on the third ring and advised me that the install paperwork would be sent to ETSA today (the system was installed yesterday).

Every email and every phone call I have made to sunsavers has been answered promptly. Ask for Brad as he is the boss.

As I have said before, very impressed.

If you get better service from another solar company let me know!

i think sunsavers must be experiencing huge flood of enquires after alot of people have compared the prices between installers and decided to switch over :)

and i think it's only ganna get busier since pre-approvals keeps coming

AF35 writes...

and i think it's only ganna get busier since pre-approvals keeps coming

I would have to agree, I swithced to them after reading about them in this forum and they have been great, but I think Brad is the only one doing all the (complex) work so he is going to have a hard time keeping up, perhaps he should employ a brilliant new staff member, like me :)

noisuf writes...

Hi Everyone, I was hoping someone can help me out. I had the 1kW Nuenergy system installed (CEEG panels and Sunnyboy SMA1100 Inverter).

I have just received a "Customer's Rights and Obligations" form from United Energy Distribution in Victoria. It's a form I need to fill out before the meter change.

There's a few questions in there that I'm not sure what to choose or fill out (especially 4. below). Thanks in advance!

i think the electrical inspector from nu energy will send you that form filled out.

this is what happened to me, after my supplier rang me to fill that form out, the telephone operators at nu energy didn't have a clue, and wanted me to fill it out myself but after a few weeks the form arrived from the electrical inspector all filled out with a copy of the compliance certificate

Cabel writes...

I would have to agree

i agree also, i have not got a reply to a simple question in 2 days.

i will pay my tax bill instead.

Anunnaki writes...

i agree also, i have not got a reply to a simple question in 2 days.

No reply in 4 days here.

Same. Sent 2 emails requesting quote and install dates for Melb.

No response....

SirLanceAfew writes...

No reply in 4 days here.

I have nothnig against them but they are obviously getting busy.

I used to get them in an hour or within 20 minute's if he was there and i have not bothered them, only replied when they have sent me an email and not even every time then.

I guess i am not complaining, even though it may sound like it, i just wanted to pay them some to get it out of the way before my tax as that is not due for 3 week's but is now sent through bpay a k or so from my website's earning's.

I have been waiting 4.5 month's all up, before half way through part 2 thread, i would like it installed over christmass anyway if they wanted to do it soon as i will not have the total amount anyway aswell as no rebate yet, but that hasnt stopped some install's i have noticed.

but i keep spending money and have tax, power bill, redgo all insurance's coming up at the end of the month, then saving for xmass holiday's.

So i wanted to pay some upfront so it is less later.
all i asked was "do i send it through to your bank account with my order number after splitting the total in 3rd's".
pretty easy and i wont be sending money till i get a reply.

he also said i will get booked in when i get aproval from ETSA (SA power line supplier), but this cant be true as netnode's has been installed without the form being filled out at all.

i just waste the money on thing's otherwise, iphone app's, ebay, pizza's and gambling on the dog's and horse's :).

if anyone know's it would be good, how long till the new rebate is given out by the gov?, is it 3 month's like the other, been waiting 6 week's since they emailed and said i should get approval in the next few weeek's/month's.
i see some have them installed already in other thread's under the new rebate.

Today I called a few electricity company in order to get the feed-in tariff (my panels are installed this Monday) and my current provider (Jackgreen doesn't provide that service).

Now I've got some weird answers from all of them.
Most valid answers are from the 3 below. The other ones had no idea what I was talking about... So I didn't insist.

TruEnergy: 66c/kwH feed-in tariff, however if you have solar panels installed, you can't buy "green" (accredited) energy. Most knowledgeable guy I talked to, free change of meter, but they had the most expensive basic rate (20.9c/kWh)

Origin: feed-in tariff about 22c/kWh.. The new feed-in tariff should be available from mid-January 2010, however they couldn't say for sure how much it was going to be.

Energy Australia: by far the cheapest (15.5c/kWh w/ GST) and an extra 10% off if combining gas+electricity. Need to contact the distributor (in my case citipower) to get the new meter. Citipower told me that there's a $149 fee. Now Energy australia gave me the same feed-in tariff as Origin. I gave the guy a link to their web site that links to the Victorian government site, with the 60c/kWh... The guy said he wasn't aware of that , but that would be paid by the government directly (yeah right ...)
The guy however told me that once I install a meter with a digital display, I will be moved automatically to a peak/off-peak tariff and I wouldn't have a choice as that's what Citipower does automatically.

So overall, the feed-in tariff is a bit of a hit and miss.
What's kind of disappointing, every one of the people I talk to was surprised on why I would want to buy green power if I was installing solar panels. The concept seems completely foreign to them... If that's the general feeling, green electricity has a long way to go !.

I'm rather concerned with the comments from Energy Australia, is that true that once I move to a meter allowing feed-in tariff, I must move to a peak/off-peak pricing?
And why is no one other than TruEnergy seems to be aware of the 60c/kWh price?

Gherkin.. writes...

And why is no one other than TruEnergy seems to be aware of the 60c/kWh price?

I am pretty sure this is going down soon to match origin.

it has been mentioned in solar thread's here but the search only search's heading's of a topic.

It is mentioned in the SA thread on page 4, i have aso seen it elsewhere.
May be SA only, i have no idea as i will study this when i have my panel's.

Anunnaki writes...

I am pretty sure this is going down soon to match origin.

I'm in Victoria. The feed-in tariff is 60c/kWh, that should be from any retailers.

You're talking about SA , which has a feed-in tariff of 40c/kWh and TruEnergy still paying $0.66/kWh.
So completely different thing

Yep i took a look and noticed you are from vic wich is why i posted again and said May be SA only.

There may be the answer...
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/dpinenergy.nsf/LinkView/7AFCBB81592B8111CA2576350020903D3E1179147BC310BACA257635001F2BEF

The scheme is expected to start on 1 November 2009 and will run for 15 years.

It's going to take 2.5 months for me to move to the next electricity supplier, before that I won't get the feed-in tariff anyway...

drifand writes...

Because is one of the most expensive Companies to go with. No doubt they use German panels and inverters. Again no offence on your company, but if they can justify the price to match competitive markets, I would have considered them.

Give a quote on a 1.5KW PV system and we will comment about the price.

Sorry, but it would be pointless for me to quote, especially if it was compared to a much cheaper product. If you want a cheaper product, fair enough, but there is no point for me to quote on a much higher quality system (panels, mount, installation, inverter), with good manufacturer support, with good service and support.

I also am very reluctant to quote, since the RECS price fluctuates, and there are many possible options, such as a fee for installing on a 2 storey house. There are numerous sites out there advertising systems with prices based on very old RECS prices. I was browsing some companies the other night and I calculated that the RECS price they used was about $45 per certificate, when it is currently around $28. Even if you are talking about a 1kW system (103 certificates), you are still talking about a 1700 difference in price.

We intentionally do not carry lower end products, since we want the customer to be happy long term. While I agree that there is indeed a market for cheap PV, we are not willing to put ourselves in the same market as "fly by night" operators, since it is easy to be lumped into the same category as them.

As far as I am personally concerned, when you are considering something that will be attached to your house for the next 25 years, and provide cost savings as well as increase the value of your house, why take the risk? Why risk it when you are attaching something to your biggest investment?

As for Chinese vs German panels, it depends who you ask. Conergy does also have a Chinese built panel, which uses German technology, which we also do offer. It is less efficient, less corrosion resistant (salt, etc) and not as physically strong (hail) as the German built panel, but still very good and also cheaper.

Thats just my opinion anyway. Dont get me wrong, there are some other very good companies out there, but there are also some really dodgy companies. I havent seen any dodgy companies selling quality products, but there are plenty of dodgy companies out there looking to cash in on the rebate, and there will still be dodgy companies out there because of the RECS scheme.

fiftycalibre writes...

As far as I am personally concerned, when you are considering something that will be attached to your house for the next 25 years, and provide cost savings as well as increase the value of your house, why take the risk? Why risk it when you are attaching something to your biggest investment?

Hi fiftycalibre,
While a agree with most of what you have said, I personally feel the "will it last 25 years?" argument is somewhat debunked simply by the pace at which solar technology is moving. In 10 years time, you'll probably be able to get 1000W panels for $500. The inverters are only rated for 10 years, so that will probably need replacing (and will also be outdated). You also need to factor in the odds you'll be in the same house in 25 years. I know i'll probably be replacing my system in 10 years.

Just my 2c. ;-)

fiftycalibre writes...

I calculated that the RECS price they used was about $45 per certificate, when it is currently around $28.

The guys we went through told me that they had locked in their RECs at $50 until the end of the year which is probably why I am getting a 2Kw system for $4999?

NoGi writes...

The guys we went through told me that they had locked in their RECs at $50 until the end of the year which is probably why I am getting a 2Kw system for $4999?

Yeah, i've been wondering that myself. How do they "lock in" their REC price? When I ordered my system (1.5kW for $2.5k), REC's were ~$40ea, but there's been no mention of them up'ing the price now that REC's are 20c or whatever!?

Gherkin.. writes...

I'm rather concerned with the comments from Energy Australia, is that true that once I move to a meter allowing feed-in tariff, I must move to a peak/off-peak pricing?

write to them and get it in writing.

then search for an electricity supplier ombudsman or something.

NSW have just offered me 560 cents net feed -in – but last year said i wouldnt bget anything. They seem to have caught up with their obligations .

Some people are saying that electrical wholesalers will "get you back" if you install solar. Either the rate will go up, as in you cant get a fixed price. Ort they will move you to another rate, when they install your meter.

Not sure, but i thought the BCSE installer should check with the retailer when he fills in the forms for the meter, to make sure you, the installers customer, is not disadvantaged?

THere should not be "strings attached" to make you regret your decision to install solar.. they shouldnt try and"get you" in any way.. IMHO

Post back and let us know how you get on.. may help others...

UberSteve writes...

Hi fiftycalibre,
While a agree with most of what you have said, I personally feel the "will it last 25 years?" argument is somewhat debunked simply by the pace at which solar technology is moving. In 10 years time, you'll probably be able to get 1000W panels for $500. The inverters are only rated for 10 years, so that will probably need replacing (and will also be outdated). You also need to factor in the odds you'll be in the same house in 25 years. I know i'll probably be replacing my system in 10 years.

Your point is true, although the vast majority of people want their panels to last as long as possible, to get the full value out of their system. Most people just want to set up their system and then forget about it. I personally am of a similar mindset of you. I like to have the latest and greatest, if it justifies the cost.

Hey Guys, apologies for not reading the whole thread(s). Looking for a 2kW+ system in the ACT. Anyone know of a good deal through a reliable provider using decent gear?

Fodder writes...

Hey Guys, apologies for not reading the whole thread(s). Looking for a 2kW+ system in the ACT. Anyone know of a good deal through a reliable provider using decent gear?

I got a quote for a 2kw system from SolarChoice (a "solar broker" http://www.solarchoice.net.au) and amongst other deals there was one from Australsun http://www.australsun.com.au/
for 12 x 170w CEEG panels plus a German 2.38 kw SMA inverter. It was $1910 + the $8k rebate.

I am still looking for a good deal for a 1.5kw system for the $8k rebate + $0 in Sydney. I heard Nu-Energy would be doing such a deal soon but the call centre hasn't been told yet, apparently?

bluebay writes...

Some people are saying that electrical wholesalers will "get you back" if you install solar. Either the rate will go up, as in you cant get a fixed price. Ort they will move you to another rate, when they install your meter.

I had a chat to one of the guys at Energy Australia and they said most Energy Australia "catchment" customers will be eventually be switched over in the next 5 years to the smart meters. You can even get one now if you ask for it from them (it's free).
They say it is to give customers better control over their energy usage which is bull***t as I was told by another person that Energy Australia has plans to up the cost per kw anyhow over the next 2 years. Solar and heat pump technologies will make more and more sense at the cost per kw increases.

By the way, I am going to have a timer installed on the circuit for my solar HWS at the same time I get the smart meter installed so my HWS booster only cuts in during the off-peak time in winter. It makes sense to have timers for non-solar HWS washing machines, dishwashers, storage heaters as well as I believe the off-peak meter will be removed as well (correct me if I'm wrong).

CaptainScarlet writes...

It was $1910 + the $8k rebate.

This has to be the cheapest deal around ...

So far the cheapest seem to have been from SSS at $5199

The only problem is that you want the "best bang for the buck" I will be moving soonish to my own home (villa – as they like to call it) and I know electricity prices will go up soon. So I would like to purchase a solar system that will give me the best in terms of power output but also wont cost the world.

I saw in Beyond 2000 that someone is developing a new type of solar panel and with this solar panel you only need a 50cm x 50cm panel compared to 1 normal panel now. I was waiting for these panels because I could fit more onto my roof (if the statement is correct) and totally have solar and normal during off-peak and get some $$ back from the electric company.

Does anyone know if Sunsavers install systems in Victoria?

h45e writes...

I saw in Beyond 2000 that someone

Could it be this one your talking about?

http://pesn.com/2006/02/01/9600228_Sun_Ball_Released/

Gherkin.. writes...

This has to be the cheapest deal around ...

So far the cheapest seem to have been from SSS at $5199

A cheap deal, IF you can get them to answer your emails....

netnode writes...

Every email and every phone call I have made to sunsavers has been answered promptly. Ask for Brad as he is the boss.

As I have said before, very impressed.

If you get better service from another solar company let me know

Thanks mate, word of mouth wins every time.

I have changed my supplier, Brad was able to negotiate a better deal than on their web site and was very accomodating. Also gave me an undertaking in writing that I can get installed by the end of November. Something that DE can't or won't do .

DE wouldn't negotiate any better deal wanted $1000 for the Sunnybeam as well

They seem to require a lot more panels and takes up more roof space as well.

Davy Jones writes...

I have changed my supplier, Brad was able to negotiate a better deal than on their web site and was very accomodating. Also gave me an undertaking in writing that I can get installed by the end of November. Something that DE can't or won't do .

so is brad the man? without going back too far in the thread, anyone else had recent installs with these guys?.. seems a couple of guys are finally happy.. good stuff.

Davy Jones writes...

Brad was able to negotiate a better deal than on their web site and was very accomodating.

Please give us the details

A number of us on this thread are looking for a better deal than a 1kw system for the $8k rebate by DE/SSS/NU Energy.

If you cannot disclose the negotiated price please let us know the specs.

CaptainScarlet writes...

Please give us the details

That's a big ask, I think any personal deals should remain confidential.

Why don't you negotiate your own deal with them as your circumstances may be different?

netnode writes...

That's a big ask, I think any personal deals should remain confidential.

not really. the customer should be fine to say what sort of deal they got. This is the problem at the moment.. we have a 18ft squirrel, and he's a secret b*stard.

I've never really seen such a secret industry before, whereby one person's deal can not be replicated. why? because their roof is brown, and not black?

Thick Jawed Yokel writes...

Could it be this one your talking about?

http://pesn.com/2006/02/01/9600228_Sun_Ball_Released/

It also won the ABC Inventor of The Year in 2005
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s1487858.htm

and is currently being made in Adelaide. The inventor was Greg Watson from Green and Gold Energy
http://www.greenandgoldenergy.com.au/

Edit: I just removed a lot of this post as there is a lot of info out the web saying that there are a number of questions about the company and efficiencies of the SunBall.

I was initially enthused about the system, Googled for more information and was a little disappointed by what I read.

CaptainScarlet writes...

Why do we often look overseas for such things and ignore world beating technologies here in Australia?

Remember, to get the rebate it must be approved, is this system on the list?

It wasnt that one, I think it was just like a normal panel and they could "print" these panels.

Jeebus writes...

I've never really seen such a secret industry before, whereby one person's deal can not be replicated. why? because their roof is brown, and not black?

Because there are many variables, such as if the house is a 2 storey house, if its tiled, if it has a low pitch, etc.

You cant accurately quote offhand without knowing the whole details of someones house.

I negotiated a better deal with Brad (sunsavers) on a 2.8kw system for myself and a couple of guys at work and he is doing it for all 3 of us (on the new RECS scheme), he just told my workmates to put my name in the 'how did you hear about us' section of the form when they apply.

Cabel writes...

I negotiated a better deal with Brad (sunsavers) on a 2.8kw system for myself and a couple of guys at work and he is doing it for all 3 of us (on the new RECS scheme), he just told my workmates to put my name in the 'how did you hear about us' section of the form when they apply.

Just to be sure, did he specify how much you would be getting back via RECS? Their website uses a figure of $40 per RECS

fiftycalibre writes...

Just to be sure, did he specify how much you would be getting back via RECS?

I asked him 14 questions all up (all very specific) and this was his response to that:
* Is the price based on the current RECS price and can this price be varied if the RECS drops any lower?
No you will be locked in a the price you order at
* If your pricing goes down prior to installation, ie. the $5,499 becomes $5,000 can i get the cheaper price?
Yes you are only locked into the maximum price

Overall i was very impressed a lot of people have avoided my questions or only answered some of them, he answered them all, via e-mail.

h45e writes...

It wasnt that one, I think it was just like a normal panel and they could "print" these panels.

This one then?

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1865651.htm

The cost of solar is measured [by] the number of years of free electricity you need to pay off the installation. Today it’s about 20. With mass-produced sliver cells it could be just 5 to 7 years.

Origin Energy have bought the rights apparently.

Cheers

rocket writes...

This one then?

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1865651.htm

[by]

Origin Energy have bought the rights apparently.

Cheers

Actually, that story is 2 years old. Interesting though that Origin haven't made any progress on a technology that looked really promising! I smell me a conspiracy theory.

sounds like when sony bought connectix (to shut down the PSX emulator software)

paladin1970 writes...

I smell me a conspiracy theory.

Not really.
PV is a pretty mature tech.
I'm selling basically the same panels now as I was 20 years ago.
Is why these amorphous panels that diamond energy were selling have quietly disappeared.
They don't work in the real world.
They get trotted out every 5 years or so then sink back into the mud.
Sliver tech might have worked in the lab, but doesn't translate to a marketable item.
Pretty hard to beat your basic monocrystalline wrapped in glass and aluminium.

Got a couple of quotes today based on being approved for the $8K rebate:
Australsun (prices for Melb) – 1.5KW system $770; 2KW system $2708 (RECs $27 but subject to change)
SSS – 1.5KW system $2,000; 2KW system $4700 (RECs not subject to change, however they said their prices were going up on Monday by $500 to cover the lower price of RECs).

To be fair, the Australsun used a SMA 1700 for the 2KW system, whereas SSS had a SMA 2500 (+$770)

Emailed Sunsavers today but didn't get a reply.

So definitely shop around and get quotes as I know some companies have said they would be willing to price match another company's quote.

there's a company called solar choice and they act like a broker which collect quotes from many installers and refer customers to them (like mortgage brokers)

the guy was shocked when I mention about the prices given by sunsavers and he simply cannot match their prices (i was quoting 2~3kW systems) :)

CaptainScarlet writes...

Please give us the details

Sorry I am not doing your negotiating. I don't think this would be very ethical.

Learn how to negotiate and get the best deal.

hippiesparx writes...