All things Solar (merged threads)

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

the figures will be down simply because of the time of year.....it will pick up over summer

have you checked the install...looking for loose or dangling wires and the removal of the swarf?

Hosed off the roof. They didnt drill a lok of holes, utilising what was there already. They did saw off the alloy rails up there though.

Each panel had a Male plug on one side and a Female plug on the other. They were a really nice quality plug, so they all look good.

[poppa smurf]

ah thats good......I seen a job last week that was a shocker.....wires dangling on roof and swarf shining in the sun already rusting

are you looking at getting the smart meter anytime soon?

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

ah thats good......I seen a job last week that was a shocker.....wires dangling on roof and swarf shining in the sun already rusting

are you looking at getting the smart meter anytime soon?

Its part of the deal, but I have to wait for Ergon to come and do it. It may take a month I have been told.

[poppa smurf]

yeah! I hear that they are up against it some parts........

[MNM96]

Burning in 3 kw at the moment, a nice, almost cloud free day atm.
That is the best figure I have seen.

[buggerlugs]

I wouldn't have a clue on how to read the meter. I just wait for the credit to come in the mail...............

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

I wouldn't have a clue on how to read the meter. I just wait for the credit to come in the mail...............

Here is my inverter. It has 2 rows of data. It shows the current output in real time at all times on the top row. The bottom row swaps between about 6 functions, like Amps, AC and DC output, Daily Total, Total Forever etc.

Made 22 today, with clouds rolling over about 11.30am and hanging around for the rest of the day.

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

I wouldn't have a clue on how to read the meter. I just wait for the credit to come in the mail...............

what sort of meter have you got.......if it's a "smart meter" then just read your export and compare it with your import

your inverter is pretty well self explanatory.....you should have

instant production (what your array is producing right now)

days production (what has been produced by your array for that particular day)

and in some cases months production

there is other "stuff" on their that I don't bother too much about and the information varies from inverter to inverter

if you have a standard meter then compare your quarterly figures with previous quarterly figures.....found on previous account statements......this will give you an idea of what your array is doing over the periods studied

I'm simply watching my metering in order to get some idea of what it does over a twelve month period,....this will arm me with knowledge to make a decision as to where I go next

[bartaxr8]

I live in SE Melbourne and just got the local paper in the letterbox today. On of the ads in it was for a company called Solar Dynamics. They are advetising 2 KW systems for $2,990, 3 KW systems for $5,175 and 5 KW systems for $9,490. All these prices are fully installed. Are these prices ok?

[poppa smurf]

sounds pretty good to me.....do you know what panels they are using?

if it was me I'd be looking at the 3 kw system......but once again you must do your sum's

[bartaxr8]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

sounds pretty good to me.....do you know what panels they are using?

if it was me I'd be looking at the 3 kw system......but once again you must do your sum's

According to there website the solar panels are Canadian Solar Panels.

[poppa smurf]

what sort of warranty?......25 years seems to be normal

see if you can grab the deterioration figures.......all panels will drop in production output as they grow older but the cheaper ones, and i'm not saying these are, but the cheaper ones will drop production capacity quicker than the "better" one's

[bartaxr8]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

what sort of warranty?......25 years seems to be normal

see if you can grab the deterioration figures.......all panels will drop in production output as they grow older but the cheaper ones, and i'm not saying these are, but the cheaper ones will drop production capacity quicker than the "better" one's

Thanks for the advice mate. For the record the ad states: Leading brand products backed by 25 year warranty.

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by bartaxr8

Thanks for the advice mate. For the record the ad states: Leading brand products backed by 25 year warranty.

well that's as good as you or I are going to get!.....

[MNM96]

Well finally today, having checked every morning, I have managed to get below the start point, producing power to the point that I am back to the level when the system was fitted.

Been not a single day where we have had a cloud free day. Some days it produced only 3 kw for the whole day.

Anyhow, Happy days for me and the last of my electricity bills!

[davenl5l]

well not long now agl have sent a work order to rortega gotta ring etsa in 3 days for a appointment cant wait

[poppa smurf]

well done....especially for this time of year......happy days indeed

I've been down to 2 kilowatts per day with heavy cloud and rain......no export whatsoever....but I'm that far in front with my credit that it makes no nevermind

[GTB 351]

Hi all,
I'm looking at a 5kw system and have had 4 measure and quotes from 4 different companies. They range from 8.5 to 14 k. Suntrix has been the best quote, has anyone else gone with them and can you give me some feedback?
Cheers

[deesun]

Originally Posted by GTB 351

Hi all,
I'm looking at a 5kw system and have had 4 measure and quotes from 4 different companies. They range from 8.5 to 14 k. Suntrix has been the best quote, has anyone else gone with them and can you give me some feedback?
Cheers

Just like buying a car isn't it GTB351, they all have four wheels and four doors but one is 10k and the other is 100k. 5.5k is a big difference though. Is that 5kw inverter with 5kw of solar panels or is that a 5kw inverter with a smaller kw worth of panels? What brand of inverter and what type of warranty? I found my info here http://www.solarquotes.com.au/about-us.html and Papa Smurf has a bucketload more info and links. If you have already done some homework it might still be good to spend some time perusing the sites. Also try the Whirlpool site and search there for Suntrix and see what transpires. Happy sunny days to you, hope you start getting cheques real soon.

Found this http://www.solarquotes.com.au/instal...ix-review.html Sun Trix reviews give good reports 4*.

[GTB 351]

Cheers for that. Its a 5kw system with 5kw inverter. All had the same warranties. 20 x 250 kw panels, japanese parts assembled in china, chinese inverter. I will investigate further.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by GTB 351

Cheers for that. Its a 5kw system with 5kw inverter. All had the same warranties. 20 x 250 kw panels, japanese parts assembled in china, chinese inverter. I will investigate further.

Sounds like you have been doing some homework, well done. Apples with apples, see if you can get the brand of and model no of the panels and try searching comparison sites. So far the German inverters have the best reputations but the more inverters on the market the better the chinese ones will become but German was my preference as we are still in our infancy of mass produced inverters. Do you have any more space on your roof for more panels? The system will only produce 5kw for short time of the day. I put up 6.1kw of panels to push the inverter a bit more. This means it produces more power more often. I have 24 x 250s on a 5kw inverter. Sure I will waste a bit when its a sunny day but it will produce more during the other times. Extra panels werent all that extra but the companies who sell packages arent interested in breaking up their package to add extra panels. We were also looking to the futers as we have only just moved into the house and barring anything major happening we will be here another 20 years. Sunny days to you.

[ute83]

[QUOTE=deesun I put up 6.1kw of panels to push the inverter a bit more. This means it produces more power more often. I have 24 x 250s on a 5kw inverter.[/QUOTE]


Where does the extra 100 watts come from deesun?

[deesun]

Originally Posted by ute83

Where does the extra 100 watts come from deesun?

Actually 6.2 as the panels were 260kw. From first signing contract to getting panels he was able to get newer panels at same price so 6.24. Mostly I call it 6.

[poppa smurf]

good info from deesun!.....well done....GTB_351 you've done well....go with the above advice

[GTB 351]

Thanks guys. One of the reasons I liked Suntrix is the mounting system - 100mm off the roof and powdercoated aluminium mounts and frames at no extra cost. They will even do the panel frames in powdercoat at a no cost option which will suit my dark roof. They were the first to measure and quote and supplied evidence of there panels efficiency in tests done. Others just told me theres was the best panels and all others were inferior and did'nt show me any evidence off this. I think I'm on a winner and will go with Suntrix.
Thanks for the link on testimonials etc deesun, it was very helpful. Hope to be up and running before the end of the financial year.
Thanks to all, it took me a long time to read thru this thread but well worth the effort.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by GTB 351

Thanks guys. One of the reasons I liked Suntrix is the mounting system - 100mm off the roof and powdercoated aluminium mounts and frames at no extra cost. They will even do the panel frames in powdercoat at a no cost option which will suit my dark roof. They were the first to measure and quote and supplied evidence of there panels efficiency in tests done. Others just told me theres was the best panels and all others were inferior and did'nt show me any evidence off this. I think I'm on a winner and will go with Suntrix.
Thanks for the link on testimonials etc deesun, it was very helpful. Hope to be up and running before the end of the financial year.
Thanks to all, it took me a long time to read thru this thread but well worth the effort.

Well it all sounds good. keep us up to date.

[MNM96]

27.5 kw produced today.

[davenl5l]

Originally Posted by GTB 351

Thanks guys. One of the reasons I liked Suntrix is the mounting system - 100mm off the roof and powdercoated aluminium mounts and frames at no extra cost. They will even do the panel frames in powdercoat at a no cost option which will suit my dark roof. They were the first to measure and quote and supplied evidence of there panels efficiency in tests done. Others just told me theres was the best panels and all others were inferior and did'nt show me any evidence off this. I think I'm on a winner and will go with Suntrix.
Thanks for the link on testimonials etc deesun, it was very helpful. Hope to be up and running before the end of the financial year.
Thanks to all, it took me a long time to read thru this thread but well worth the effort.

get a garantee that it will be installed before june 30th or you will lose half the rebate $3,000+

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by davenl5l

get a garantee that it will be installed before june 30th or you will lose half the rebate $3,000+

is the instalation Guarantee a must.....I needed a "proof of purchase" and my "PV-Seg" number to qualify me for any relevant tariffs/rebate's

a bit different then compared to now but I could not get any sort of instalation "guarantee".....merely an "approximate" date, to be confirmed as the install date got closer.....installers and sales were absolutely flat out

I had a salesman knock at the door on thursday.....he said he was from A.G.L. and produced the relevant documentation.....he had obviously seen my array and stated he would give me .52c per kilowatt

interesting to see that the providers are actively seeking out the small solar generators

however he could not match my purchase price of imported power nor the discount for early payment nor the discounted supply charge

but he certainly tried......times are changing or is this just competition becoming exceptionally tight

[davenl5l]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

is the instalation Guarantee a must.....I needed a "proof of purchase" and my "PV-Seg" number to qualify me for any relevant tariffs/rebate's

a bit different then compared to now but I could not get any sort of instalation "guarantee".....merely an "approximate" date, to be confirmed as the install date got closer.....installers and sales were absolutely flat out

I had a salesman knock at the door on thursday.....he said he was from A.G.L. and produced the relevant documentation.....he had obviously seen my array and stated he would give me .52c per kilowatt

interesting to see that the providers are actively seeking out the small solar generators

however he could not match my purchase price of imported power nor the discount for early payment nor the discounted supply charge

but he certainly tried......times are changing or is this just competition becoming exceptionally tight

yep new rule is that it must be installed by june 30th to get the full rebate