Solar options for home in 2022.

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50 posts

Geek

#3342233 13-Feb-2025 08:58

fastbike:

Just updating this with our most recent power bill covering 11 Jan to 10 Feb. This is the first bill where we have had the system fully commissioned. It shows a net credit of $324.93. Our power bill at the same time last year was $200, so we are $524 ahead for this month. Although we use most of our power in winter so this will diminish as the days close in.

Night units (9pm-7am) 232kWh $42.08

Day units 53kWh $16.06

Daily charge $31.90

Solar credits 4441kWh $414.97

Wow, that's an enormous amount to export. Do you have three-phase inverters?

fastbike

212 posts

Master Geek

#3342321 13-Feb-2025 09:34

EgorNZ:

Wow, that's an enormous amount to export. Do you have three-phase inverters?

Yes we're on 3 phase and had a good sunny month.

I actually throttled the exports to keep within my limit. Am investigating a battery so I can store midday production and export as panel PV output decreases later in the day.

Otautahi Christchurch

EgorNZ

50 posts

Geek

#3342461 13-Feb-2025 11:11

Interesting news today: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/541698/how-solar-power-systems-might-start-offering-better-returns

Proposed changes should lead to New Zealanders with solar power systems on their houses get more of a return for any power they put back into the system.

...

The taskforce recommended lines companies provide a rebate when consumers supply energy into congested parts of the network, and that large electricity retailers offer at least one time-varying rate for when they buy electricity from consumer power systems.

The other proposal would make "time-of-use" plans, which offer cheaper off-peak power, more widely available, by requiring every power firm with at least 5 percent market share to offer it as an option.

Interslice

159 posts

Master Geek

#3342527 13-Feb-2025 16:35

Has anyone bought a solar package from anywhere like Trade depot and had it installed yet? Thinking about getting solar installed and their pricing seems good from what I can see even with a battery. Just wondering what a straight install would cost after you purchase one of their packages would be as I would need to get a green loan from the bank.

fastbike

212 posts

Master Geek

#3342552 13-Feb-2025 17:47

EgorNZ:

Interesting news today: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/541698/how-solar-power-systems-might-start-offering-better-returns

We have 4 problems with electricity supply in this country:

dysfunctional market with 4 gentailers acting in a cartel like fashion, aided and abetted by the government as a large shareholder
widespread energy poverty
peak supply issues during very cold spells
dry year issues

The cynic in me says that a government suffering from poor polling want to be seen to be doing something. The proposals skirt around issue three - peak supply - but do nothing for the other systemic problems. They also appeal to folk who can afford to cover their houses with solar panels (I fit that demographic) while ignoring those that lack the ability to pay a basic power bill, or even live in a house that only requires a modest supply.

Complete reform of the sector is required - but don't hold your breath.

Otautahi Christchurch

HarmLessSolutions

969 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#3342554 13-Feb-2025 17:53

fastbike:

EgorNZ:

Interesting news today: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/541698/how-solar-power-systems-might-start-offering-better-returns

We have 4 problems with electricity supply in this country:

dysfunctional market with 4 gentailers acting in a cartel like fashion, aided and abetted by the government as a large shareholder
widespread energy poverty
peak supply issues during very cold spells
dry year issues
The cynic in me says that a government suffering from poor polling want to be seen to be doing something. The proposals skirt around issue three - peak supply - but do nothing for the other systemic problems. They also appeal to folk who can afford to cover their houses with solar panels (I fit that demographic) while ignoring those that lack the ability to pay a basic power bill, or even live in a house that only requires a modest supply.

Complete reform of the sector is required - but don't hold your breath.

Add to your points the adversarial attitude of lines companies towards distributed generation. Until that situation is corrected we with solar generation are at battle with the authorities we rely on in order to supply our 'excess' generation to the national grid.

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#3342555 13-Feb-2025 17:54

Interslice:

Has anyone bought a solar package from anywhere like Trade depot and had it installed yet? Thinking about getting solar installed and their pricing seems good from what I can see even with a battery. Just wondering what a straight install would cost after you purchase one of their packages would be as I would need to get a green loan from the bank.

I have been looking at solar, primarily Micromall, before Trade Depot released their products / pricing. I have been chatting with Paul @ Micromall and he is very quick to reply and to supply pricing for installs. The system I am looking to have (12-16 panels, no battery, 6kw inverter) they offer 2 option - self install or full install. Pricing is $1500 and $2800 respectively.

From what I can see on the Trade Depot site, installs are $5000, and it LOOKS like they use the exact same hardware as Micromall, and no option for the self-install.

fastbike

212 posts

Master Geek

#3342556 13-Feb-2025 17:54

Interslice:

Has anyone bought a solar package from anywhere like Trade depot and had it installed yet? Thinking about getting solar installed and their pricing seems good from what I can see even with a battery. Just wondering what a straight install would cost after you purchase one of their packages would be as I would need to get a green loan from the bank.

Why would an installer put up gear that they have not supplied ? They miss out on the markup, and they are on the hook for installation problems. I'd start by finding a friendly installer and then asking them if they would be happy to install that gear, and if not getting them to recommend / supply gear that they are familiar with. In that package, the inverter is Deye (which is a budget entry level brand) but the panels are some no name item. And there is no detail of the brand/quality/quantity of the mounting kit. Depending on your roof, and where you live it might be sufficient or it might be completely unsuitable.

P.S. Your bank will want to see a quote / invoice so asking on this forum is not going to get you a loan.

Otautahi Christchurch

fastbike

212 posts

Master Geek

#3342557 13-Feb-2025 17:57

HarmLessSolutions:

Add to your points the adversarial attitude of lines companies towards distributed generation. Until that situation is corrected we with solar generation are at battle with the authorities we rely on in order to supply our 'excess' generation to the national grid.

Yes, even though we have a reasonably friendly lines company in Christchurch but I still got pinged and forced to make changes because I was 2% over the export limit they set ! I didn't bother arguing as it is there lines and I'm not paying any extra to export but it struck me as pretty stupid.

Otautahi Christchurch

tweake

2391 posts

Uber Geek

#3342614 13-Feb-2025 19:57

EgorNZ:

Interesting news today: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/541698/how-solar-power-systems-might-start-offering-better-returns

Proposed changes should lead to New Zealanders with solar power systems on their houses get more of a return for any power they put back into the system.

...

The taskforce recommended lines companies provide a rebate when consumers supply energy into congested parts of the network, and that large electricity retailers offer at least one time-varying rate for when they buy electricity from consumer power systems.

The other proposal would make "time-of-use" plans, which offer cheaper off-peak power, more widely available, by requiring every power firm with at least 5 percent market share to offer it as an option.

the problem with stuff like that, is they will cover the loss by making others pay more. for eg those with ev's would benefit from overnight charging, at the cost of those who are at home during the day.

also if they can buy consumers power to fill demand, then that lets them off the hook and reduces the incentive for them to have enough generation. also the most common time they don't have enough generation is winter where consumers also have the least.

dantheperson

174 posts

Master Geek

#3342618 13-Feb-2025 20:09

timbosan:

From what I can see on the Trade Depot site, installs are $5000, and it LOOKS like they use the exact same hardware as Micromall, and no option for the self-install.

Trade depot have recently added options with installation, but they still sell the package with just the gear.

e.g
5kW package, hardware only only $6499 https://tradedepot.co.nz/5kw-smart-hybrid-inverter-with-solar-panel/
with 10kWh battery, hardware only $8999 https://tradedepot.co.nz/5kw-smart-hybrid-inverter-with-solar-panel-and-battery/
with 10kWh battery and installation $14999 https://tradedepot.co.nz/5kw-smart-hybrid-inverter-with-solar-panel-and-battery-installation/

14999 is only a couple grand more than i paid harrisons for a 5kWh system with no battery less than a year ago, so they look like a great deal to me.

If you click on the documents tab, you get the panel specs https://www.dahsolarpv.com/dhn-54x16-fs-bb-420-430w_p262.html

HarmLessSolutions

969 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#3342622 13-Feb-2025 20:30

fastbike:

Just updating this with our most recent power bill covering 11 Jan to 10 Feb. This is the first bill where we have had the system fully commissioned. It shows a net credit of $324.93. Our power bill at the same time last year was $200, so we are $524 ahead for this month. Although we use most of our power in winter so this will diminish as the days close in.

Night units (9pm-7am) 232kWh $42.08

Day units 53kWh $16.06

Daily charge $31.90

Solar credits 4441kWh $414.97

If I was exporting that much I'd be looking for a supplier with a better FIT than 9.3c/kWh. Octopus would be paying close to double that, or even more if a reasonable part of that was occurring during peak periods for those companies that pay a premium in that regard.

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

EgorNZ

50 posts

Geek

#3342679 13-Feb-2025 22:05

tweake:

the problem with stuff like that, is they will cover the loss by making others pay more. for eg those with ev's would benefit from overnight charging, at the cost of those who are at home during the day.

You're suggesting that the power co's make more money if someone charges their EV at peak time just because they might charge a higher tariff. But the reality is the wholesale cost of electricity varies widely with the time of day and so it's likely more profitable for them to sell you power at a discount night rate than to have you charge it at peak time on a flat rate tariff. So it doesn't necessarily follow that they'll need to recoup lost profits elsewhere.

dantheperson

174 posts

Master Geek

#3342685 13-Feb-2025 22:36

EgorNZ:

You're suggesting that the power co's make more money if someone charges their EV at peak time just because they might charge a higher tariff. But the reality is the wholesale cost of electricity varies widely with the time of day and so it's likely more profitable for them to sell you power at a discount night rate than to have you charge it at peak time on a flat rate tariff. So it doesn't necessarily follow that they'll need to recoup lost profits elsewhere.

This make sense to me, but then if that is the case, why do we need regulation for it to happen? The power companies would moving the customers onto ToU tarrifs of their own accord.

Perhaps the regulator is best placed to take a holistic view at what's the best outcome across generation, transmission, and distribution. The gentailers could otherwise take the view that there's more profit to be made on flat rate tariffs, and so what if transpower have to hike their charges $20/month, that will affect all retailers equally so wont hurt their profits.

fastbike

212 posts

Master Geek

#3342687 13-Feb-2025 22:53

HarmLessSolutions:

fastbike:

Just updating this with our most recent power bill covering 11 Jan to 10 Feb. This is the first bill where we have had the system fully commissioned. It shows a net credit of $324.93. Our power bill at the same time last year was $200, so we are $524 ahead for this month. Although we use most of our power in winter so this will diminish as the days close in.

Night units (9pm-7am) 232kWh $42.08

Day units 53kWh $16.06

Daily charge $31.90

Solar credits 4441kWh $414.97

If I was exporting that much I'd be looking for a supplier with a better FIT than 9.3c/kWh. Octopus would be paying close to double that, or even more if a reasonable part of that was occurring during peak periods for those companies that pay a premium in that regard.

Crikey, that was a slip up. 2441kWh ! at 17 cents per kWh. Sorry for the confusion.

Otautahi Christchurch

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