Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 16
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    0

    Default Solar grid connect

    Hello all,
    I am thinking of having a solar 1kw grid connected system at my place (Sydney metro).
    I searched around on the net for independent information but it seems most of the information is provided by vendors, any of you are familiar with small grid connect systems or knows an Aussie forum about solar/renewable energies ?

    Cheers

    Jack

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    0

    Default

    I've seen a few articles in "Renew" magazine in my local library.

    Might be worth a visit to your newsagent?

    Cheers,
    Andrew

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    eastern suburbs, melbourne
    Posts
    486

    Default

    Definitely look at back issues of Renew in your library ( in fact why not join the ata and get a subscription to the magazine thrown in - see www.ata.org.au their current new subscriber draw is for a solar power system). There are local meetings held and you may get to meet someone who has already got a system installed and have a chat with them.

    You might also like to assist with their campaign for feed in tarrifs - this is where you the provider get a decent rate or reward for providing the electricity company with power when they need it most ( in summer ) and so mean they don't have to upgrade their infrastructure and build new power stations.

    http://www.ata.org.au/feedintariffs/take-action-nsw/

    Also you might find useful information in the Owner Builder magazine ( again checkout your local library ). In their events listings you may find sustainable house tours which again would give you a chance to meet people who've already gone grid connected.

    I'd be interested to hear how you go as I'm planning on going down that route myself - although thanks to laws which allowed my neighbour to block out my northerly light to my roof it is probably going to have to wait until I get a new garage and can put the panels up there.
    no-one said on their death bed I wish I spent more time in the office!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Grange, Brisbane
    Age
    53
    Posts
    44

    Default

    Try the Permculture Research Institute forum at http://forums.permaculture.org.au/in...06e506e5d0a136

    Just like here, there are a lot of people out there with free advice, always worth exactly what you pay for it! Good luck!
    Cheers, Richard

    "... work to a standard rather than a deadline ..." Ticky, forum member.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    I had a 2KW system installed (Melbourne Metro) a couple of months ago. It works quite well. It currently generates between 7-11kwh per day.

    I may be able to answer any questions that you have.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Thanks all for the replies, I have been doing a bit of home work and it seems I may go ahead with a 1kw system. (most bang for the buck due to govt grant)

    Peter,
    That is really good, avg of 9kw per day, I was hoping about 4kw per day for a 1kw system. Are your panels facing north smack bang or do you have some offset ?

    What brand/type of panels do you have, did you install yourself or got someone to do it ? Are the panels straight on the roof or on a frame ? Are you overall happy ?

    Cheers
    Jack

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by petermac View Post
    I had a 2KW system installed (Melbourne Metro) a couple of months ago. It works quite well. It currently generates between 7-11kwh per day.

    I may be able to answer any questions that you have.
    mmm more info please

    |^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| |^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
    | .....BIGGER ......._____| | ...BEER TRUCK.....| ||´|";,___.
    |_..._...__________/====|_..._..._______==|=||_|__|..., ] -
    "(@)´(@)"""´´" *|(@)(@) "(@)´(@)"""´´"*|(@)(@)****(@)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    There are 12 panels located on a north facing roof. The roof is sloped. The panels are attached to a framing system which consists of aluminium bars that run across the roof and these have brackets that fit under the tiles and are screwed to the rafters.

    The panels are Sharp NE-Q7E3E's. Each can produce 167 Watts. These are connected to a Conergy WR2300 inverted. I think the framing system is a Conergy SunTop II.

    The system was purchased through Origin Energy who handled all the paper work. It was installed by their subcontractor NU Energy.

    I'am very happy with it. It's a good feeling when they first switch it on and your electricity meter starts going backwards. Today we have already generated 12kw of power. Since it was installed in August it has generated over 500kw.

    Not sure how you would go installing a system yourself. The connections all look pretty straight forward but the problem might be getting it connected to the grid. A electrical inspector has to certify the system before it is connected to the grid so I assume the system would have to be installed by a qualified solar electrician. Also to get the $8000 rebate the system has to be installed by a qualified electrician.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    So what do these things cost and whats the ROI ?

    |^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| |^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
    | .....BIGGER ......._____| | ...BEER TRUCK.....| ||´|";,___.
    |_..._...__________/====|_..._..._______==|=||_|__|..., ] -
    "(@)´(@)"""´´" *|(@)(@) "(@)´(@)"""´´"*|(@)(@)****(@)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by meerkat View Post
    So what do these things cost and whats the ROI ?
    They cost around 12-13 thousand per kw less the goverment rebate of $8000. So a 1kw system is around $5000 and a 2kw system is around $15000.

    ROI isn't good but the system has a expected life time of at least 20 years and given that electricity prices are predicted to increase significantly you would probably break even before the twenty years are up. At current prices I estimate our 2Kw system will generate about $500 worth of electricity a year, so a 1Kw will generate about $250 worth.

    But you have to balance that against the fact that you now have a clean source of electricity without the hidden cost to the environment of CO2 emissions.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Pambula
    Age
    59
    Posts
    5,026

    Default

    If it were me, I would not be buying into solar energy for at least another couple of years. There was recently a breakthrough in solar cell technology that has yet to result in any new products in the market place, but when it does, the price is meant to be substantially less than current technology. The idea was developed here in Australia but last I heard it had been sold in the US.

    I know electricity costs have been projected to increase, but they would have to go up by a heck of a lot before they start to offset the huge upfront cost of solar. But I believe that by the time the gap closes, there will be much much cheaper solar alternatives available.
    "I don't practice what I preach because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to."

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by silentC View Post
    If it were me, I would not be buying into solar energy for at least another couple of years. There was recently a breakthrough in solar cell technology that has yet to result in any new products in the market place, but when it does, the price is meant to be substantially less than current technology. The idea was developed here in Australia but last I heard it had been sold in the US.

    I know electricity costs have been projected to increase, but they would have to go up by a heck of a lot before they start to offset the huge upfront cost of solar. But I believe that by the time the gap closes, there will be much much cheaper solar alternatives available.
    Yes, hopefully the price will reduce when these new developments become available. But the unknown is when.

    Currently I dont think that anyone is installing grid connected systems inorder to save money.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Pambula
    Age
    59
    Posts
    5,026

    Default

    I know for one that if you install one of these systems you can just about do anything you want in a new house because of the BASIX points you get from it.
    "I don't practice what I preach because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to."

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by silentC View Post
    I know for one that if you install one of these systems you can just about do anything you want in a new house because of the BASIX points you get from it.
    Whats BASIX ?

    |^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| |^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
    | .....BIGGER ......._____| | ...BEER TRUCK.....| ||´|";,___.
    |_..._...__________/====|_..._..._______==|=||_|__|..., ] -
    "(@)´(@)"""´´" *|(@)(@) "(@)´(@)"""´´"*|(@)(@)****(@)

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Pambula
    Age
    59
    Posts
    5,026

    Default

    "I don't practice what I preach because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to."

Similar Threads

  1. Solar Powerd Home Setup
    By West OZ Mark in forum PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, HEATING, COOLING, etc
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 9th August 2007, 11:28 PM
  2. solar V elect company
    By fxst in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH RENOVATION
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 17th March 2007, 10:33 PM
  3. Some hotwater pipes are not copper. Is it right?
    By Jessie in forum PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, HEATING, COOLING, etc
    Replies: 54
    Last Post: 15th February 2007, 07:49 PM
  4. Solar Power
    By rod1949 in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH RENOVATION
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 13th January 2005, 09:56 AM
  5. Solar pool heating
    By Rocker in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH RENOVATION
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 19th September 2004, 09:58 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •