Solar Power for the Home..

FreshCoffee2 · January 2013

You blokes are kidding? Our bills were roughly in the order of $1800.00 per quarter until we changed to a slightly less ripoff supplier (the cheapest we could find at the time) at around $1500.00 per quarter and as already stated, we only use enough power during the day to warrant a 2.5kW system. Bring it on.

derrilex · January 2013

Brett, I guess having kids chews the juice. I see my neighbour doing 3 loads of washing per day and they only have 1 toddler. You should ( will) destroy that bill. :thumb: FC, I just fainted. 1800 / 1500 per 1/4, my god ! Glad I don't live in Canberra any more

hiphipharar · January 2013

on 1357821801:

Hedging your bets is better than making shit up and then trying to prove it as fact by corrupting data to arrive at "the truth".

Oh, which side of the debate are you accusing of making shit up ? Or are you hedging your bets by not naming it. I infer it isn't the AGW side, which even climate change sceptics are leaning towards.

UNM · January 2013

Rules differ by state. Different retailers pay different rates for feed in - the FIT is a MINIMUM they must pay you. Installing solar (in VIC anyway) means you no longer have a separate of peak meter, they move you to a solar TOU (Time Of Use) tariff. The 8

derrilex · January 2013

on 1357852485:

Oh, which side of the debate are you accusing of making shit up Brett? Or are you hedging your bets by not naming it. I infer it isn't the AGW side, which even climate change sceptics are leaning towards.

Brett wan't accusing anyone of anything. I was. The AGW alarmists make shit up and no, sceptics are are not leaning towards their point of view but I'm not going off topic on that can of worms. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Lacehim · January 2013

I'm a climate change skeptic and I have a solar system. To me it's more about common sense! In this country you have masses of sunshine, so use it! It's also great use of my roof! 8) I have watched/listened to both sides of the story and I believe that you have to do what you are comfortable with. I had to pay to get the solar system put on my home which cost me $$$ up front, and for that I expect it to return something for my cash outlay. I don't really think anyone that hasn't installed a system can attack me for spending money and stimulating the economy. ^-^ The feed in tariff (FIT) is not guaranteed for the future so I had to take a risk! I think you'll find that the politicians privatised the power grid and claimed at the time that prices would not rise and yet the same people are in control over the solar rebates. Funny that eh. Also in regards to the climate, the planet is millions of years old, and we are just a blip on it's evolutionary radar. Looking at 1000 years of data isn't going to tell you anything, but it might increase the chances of panic, and for the governments to increase taxes on the sly. I'm also a firm believer of not destroying the place that we live. I think we should clean up our act, because we are only one of many species living on this planet. We pollute the seas, water ways and bulldoze whatever we need to clear to build houses/factories etc without a care in the world for anything else but our own gain. Maybe we need to rethink our existence as a species or there won't be anything left to enjoy after all our hardwork. :tearhair:

hiphipharar · January 2013

on 1357854861:

I'm not going off topic on that can of worms. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

No, you already did (open it) and now you're ducking for cover? Opinions are like @rseholes: everyone has one. Sometimes it is better to keep it to yourself. Check this out: http://www.skepticalscience.com/argument.php Here are the leading AGW sceptics: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-ten-most-important-climate-change-skeptics-2009-7?op=1. Note that several of the scientists do not completely debunk the concept of AGW. They just think it isn't as bad as the AGW theorists say. I hope they are right however... "That humans are causing global warming is the position of the Academies of Science from 19 countries plus many scientific organizations that study climate science. More specifically, around 95% of active climate researchers actively publishing climate papers endorse the consensus position." I will spare you my opinion. Obviously it doesn't match yours.

derrilex · January 2013

on 1357857346:

I will spare you my opinion. Obviously it doesn't match yours.

Like I said, a can of worms that should not be opened in this thread. If you want to debate it, start a new thread.

UNM · January 2013

on 1357836014:

I always think that for anyone that has not had any contact with the PV industry or item, it

UNM · January 2013

on 1357857346:

No, Opinions are like @rseholes: everyone has one. Sometimes it is better to keep it to yourself.

I have many opinions but AFAIK, only one ar$ehole. I shall continue to share my opinions for free, but as for the other, that will cost you $

conikal · January 2013

on 1357821801:

... Energex turned up today to change my meters to a new digital one ....

I will be interested to see the outcome of the digital (smart ?) meter. So many horror stories about inflated bills from people who have made that change. :'(

derrilex · January 2013

on 1357859941:

I will be interested to see the outcome of the digital (smart ?) meter. So many horror stories about inflated bills from people who have made that change. :'(

Not a smart meter, just digital version that covers the 2 circuits on my off peak, HWS and now pool pump. The new meter has a relay inside it to differentiate between the two, apparently.

derrilex · January 2013

Another issue AM is dirty panels. My neighbour has been monitoring his output and noticed a steady drop in output over about 6 months. So he gets up on the roof and the panels are filthy. A good clean up and peak output is restored. Dont forget your panels people. They should be cleaned monthly

FreshCoffee2 · January 2013

on 1357851454:

...I just fainted. 1800 / 1500 per 1/4, my god ! Glad I don't live in Canberra any more...

Its not Canberra, its NSW. I havent checked but its posisble that ACTEW rates in Canberra could be less than what we get charged by the available carriers in our area. There's a big variation through the various carriers and their different plans. And by golly.....its all the same electricity no matter who resells it or what plan you go for. What a rip off. We are now paying about the same for one quarter, as we used to pay for the whole year, for no significant increase in use.

on 1357856479:

............I'm also a firm believer of not destroying the place that we live. I think we should clean up our act, because we are only one of many species living on this planet. We pollute the seas, water ways and bulldoze whatever we need to clear to build houses/factories etc without a care in the world for anything else but our own gain. Maybe we need to rethink our existence as a species or there won't be anything left to enjoy after all our hardwork.......

And while we are (or were) on the subject of opinions, this strikes a chord with me. No matter what camp anyone's in, it shouldnt preclude people from leading a responsible way of life.

FreshCoffee2 · January 2013

Yes, I found the same thing with the solar panel that "powers" my front gates (2 x 12 foot farm gates, each with their own 12 volt motor). They make a nice wide opening for truck access, and act as the last barrier in case any animals get through the various internal farm gates and into the front yard (from where they can eventually access the road and passing traffic). The panel gets a film of dirt on...the surface has also degraded over a period of years, and of course you cant clean that off.... I just use a wet rag when the need arises, and I would be interested to learn what the OP uses...is it just a broom and a hose, or some kind of detergent etc?

derrilex · January 2013

He just used a soft broom and warm soapy water. By his own admission he did a "Friday" job on them but it still did the job. I suspect a soft broom, a gentle scrub, rinse and rubber squeege (sp) would be the go. Just like cleaning 20 windscreens at once :D I would also state the obvious and say that at dawn or dusk is the time to do it, not to compromise the output but to avoid flash drying of the soapy water.

Lacehim · January 2013

on 1357868661:

Another issue AM is dirty panels. My neighbour has been monitoring his output and noticed a steady drop in output over about 6 months. So he gets up on the roof and the panels are filthy. A good clean up and peak output is restored. Dont forget your panels people. They should be cleaned monthly

:rofl: not likely. Mine are on top of a 2 storey house! Local bloke quoted to clean them at around $200! He needs an offsider so the cost is over his usual price of $150 for a 5kw system.

Brett H · January 2013

on 1357906757:

:rofl: not likely. Mine are on top of a 2 storey house! Local bloke quoted to clean them at around $200! He needs an offsider so the cost is over his usual price of $150 for a 5kw system.

Im in the wrong job!!! Mine are on top of a two storey house too and I might just have to give myself some extra pocket money to get up there monthly! :rofl:

derrilex · January 2013

I was thinking? there might be a business op there until I googled it and found lots already doing it. Geez, tough to get a break :D A few stated their prices as $ 10 per panel for the first 8 panels then $ 8 for every panel after on a single storey. Double storey was $ 12 and $ 10. Minimum charge is $ 90 + GST. You would have to do at least 5 a day to make any money and working all day on top of slippery roofs in the full sun wouldn't be fun. Might not be too bad if you had 5 jobs all in the one area but driving all over town would be the killer to making a quid

RichardM · January 2013

on 1358045497:

So unless you notice a significant drop in production and can see OBVIOUS crap that may be causing a panel a problem... Not worth the $ or the effort to even do yourself. The risk of being on a wet slope for 45 min and the $ spent in cleaning hardware, is not going to be recovered by a 1% or 2 % increase on a 5KW or less system.

Also remember as going further north, the panels are at less of an angle, so might be worse. I'd like to hear someone in Cairns vs someone in Victoria. Might have entirely different outcomes.

derrilex · January 2013

All the adds on net are claiming a 25% drop in output if dirty. They all seem to use the same before and after pics too :laugh:

derrilex · January 2013

On a normal tin roof with a 22 degree pitch, add water + detergent = accident waiting to happen. On a tiled roof with a 31 degree pitch and moss on tiles = accident almost guaranteed to happen. Throw a beer or two into the equation, as is the totally OZ way and........ You should ask around the ER AM for how many admissions are for cleaning panels. :rofl:

Brett H · January 2013

on 1358072840:

On a normal tin roof with a 22 degree pitch, add water + detergent = accident waiting to happen. On a tiled roof with a 31 degree pitch and moss on tiles = accident almost guaranteed to happen. Throw a beer or two into the equation, as is the totally OZ way and........ You should ask around the ER AM for how many admissions are for cleaning panels. :rofl:

Nup, nup, nup... 1. Spray ususpecing cat with bottle of Palmolive. 2. Borrow wife's oven gloves. 3. Relocate cat to roof. 4. Wait for rain. Amateurs.

derrilex · January 2013

:rofl: Chatted to neighbour today Brett. His system is just short of 3 kw and his elect bill used to be between 300 - 400 per 1/4. He now pays no bill and got 480 in the pocket last 1/4. Going on those figures and with your 5 kw system I would say you will have no bill and maybe 150 per 1/4 for the coffee fund errrrr mortgage.

Brett H · January 2013

on 1358083402:

:rofl: Chatted to neighbour today Brett. His system is just short of 3 kw and his elect bill used to be between 300 - 400 per 1/4. He now pays no bill and got 480 in the pocket last 1/4. Going on those figures and with your 5 kw system I would say you will have no bill and maybe 150 per 1/4 for the coffee fund errrrr mortgage.

Looking at my feed in/outgoings I don't think so. I'm still crossing fingers for the 1/3 the usual price.

derrilex · January 2013

Guess its hard with the 2 kiddies - and all those high current stone polishing machines :D. Time will tell

Brett H · January 2013

on 1358119666:

Guess its hard with the 2 kiddies - and all those high current stone polishing machines :D. Time will tell

We are generating 25kwa/day. We use 30 with the Aircon. I'm looking at changing our hot water to one of those heat pumps... My biggest concern is now to educate the family that we don't need every light on, and every appliance on standby. It's too big a house to do that!

derrilex · January 2013

Just move the light switches up so the kids cant reach them and flick the RCD for the GPO's on your way out the door :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

FreshCoffee2 · January 2013

Brett. If you have tastics in the bathrooms, remove the heat globes. If they're corroded into place as usual, get someone with relevant expertise / qualification to bypass the switch or similar. Every time my kids drop in, the heat globes go on instead of the light....they do it on purpose because they know how much it irritates.....and of course its not them paying the bill. Re HWS, if you can, turn the thermostat down (and of course fit limiting valves to all showerheads). Just a couple of thoughts from an experienced parent :laugh:

Brett H · January 2013

on 1358151743:

Brett. If you have tastics in the bathrooms, remove the heat globes. If they're corroded into place as usual, get someone with relevant expertise / qualification to bypass the switch or similar. Every time my kids drop in, the heat globes go on instead of the light....they do it on purpose because they know how much it irritates.....and of course its not them paying the bill. Re HWS, if you can, turn the thermostat down (and of course fit limiting valves to all showerheads). Just a couple of thoughts from an experienced parent :laugh:

Good advice. The Tastics went with the spa when we moved in! Our hot water is really noggin scorchingly hot. I'll have a chat to my sparkie!

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