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Willuknight

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#202062 15-Sep-2016 15:31
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Looking at getting a quote for solar city install, does anyone want to give me a referral code? For anyone else, I'll let you know what I find out.


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richms
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  #1631058 15-Sep-2016 15:36
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Ummm, not sure I have a refereal code, Mine was installed some time ago tho. I did get an email where I can put peoples details in to get $200 if they install - is that it?





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mattwnz
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  #1631114 15-Sep-2016 16:41
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How are you getting it installed, are you storing the energy into a water heater, as that is apparently the most cost effective way to do it? Selling back to the grid is't worth in in my area based on the poor payback.
I would also look at Vectors Tesla powerbank solution which has just come out. 

 

Also these things are only getting cheaper, so it isn't something I am rushing into. But one piece of advice I was given, is to make sure you have an EV socket installed in your garage, to future proof the home.


richms
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  #1631118 15-Sep-2016 16:45
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You need to generate more than you use before worrying about crap sell back rates or storing it. I got a 2.something kW system with 10 panels that just means that I dont crank the AC in hot weather till about 10am to get the most of it from solar.

 

1 unit sold back over the last 2 months, 6 units the 2 months before that. They only read every 2-3 months so that is how often they will do the buyer created invoice.





Richard rich.ms



mattwnz
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  #1631149 15-Sep-2016 17:44
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richms:

 

You need to generate more than you use before worrying about crap sell back rates or storing it. I got a 2.something kW system with 10 panels that just means that I dont crank the AC in hot weather till about 10am to get the most of it from solar.

 

1 unit sold back over the last 2 months, 6 units the 2 months before that. They only read every 2-3 months so that is how often they will do the buyer created invoice.

 

 

 

 

It is only generating power during the day when people aren't usually in the house. Hence why storage in some form is usually needed. Not unless you are using more power during the day than it is generating.  Don't you have a smart meter?

 

I have seen one system, that just dumps the energy into an underfloor coil heating system in the concrete slab, which isn't a bad idea, except during summer.


richms
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  #1631151 15-Sep-2016 17:48
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I had a smart meter, but genesis took it out and put in an identical looking meter that is not smart but will record import and export for their person to come and copy the numbers off occasionally.

 

Guess its a good thing I am home during the day then ;)





Richard rich.ms

Willuknight

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  #1631361 15-Sep-2016 22:00
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richms:

 

Ummm, not sure I have a refereal code, Mine was installed some time ago tho. I did get an email where I can put peoples details in to get $200 if they install - is that it?

 

 

 

 

Yeah that one, I just figured i'd help out whoever already had paved the way.


Willuknight

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  #1631364 15-Sep-2016 22:03
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mattwnz:

 

richms:

 

You need to generate more than you use before worrying about crap sell back rates or storing it. I got a 2.something kW system with 10 panels that just means that I dont crank the AC in hot weather till about 10am to get the most of it from solar.

 

1 unit sold back over the last 2 months, 6 units the 2 months before that. They only read every 2-3 months so that is how often they will do the buyer created invoice.

 

 

 

 

It is only generating power during the day when people aren't usually in the house. Hence why storage in some form is usually needed. Not unless you are using more power during the day than it is generating.  Don't you have a smart meter?

 

I have seen one system, that just dumps the energy into an underfloor coil heating system in the concrete slab, which isn't a bad idea, except during summer.

 

 

 

 

I work from home, plus there's usually at least one other person home as well and I can use it to heat the hot water heater. I'm only looking at pricing atm, if the return isn't better than leaving the money in the bank at crap interest rates, I'll leave it in the bank.


 
 
 

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richms
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  #1631373 15-Sep-2016 22:20
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Willuknight:

 

I work from home, plus there's usually at least one other person home as well and I can use it to heat the hot water heater. I'm only looking at pricing atm, if the return isn't better than leaving the money in the bank at crap interest rates, I'll leave it in the bank.

 

 

I have averaged about $45 a month worth of power from it so far I think. Graphs and stuff here. https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/pv/public_systems/vVJN843120?preview=1

 

Mines on a 45 degree slope facing quite towards sunrise, so its useless in the late afternoon. The next lot will be going on the shed that is 90 degrees around from the garage panels, and a much more gentle slope. Waiting on the shed to get a reclad and repile before getting them tho since that might go horribly wrong and need more money.





Richard rich.ms

  #1635607 18-Sep-2016 20:40
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I got my solar panels installed by SolarKing about 18 months ago. I was impressed with them as a company - that is, not too slimy - and they've been in the solar power business for years, unlike some that have seen the latest band-wagon and jumped on!!!

 

I wouldn't worry about any possible short term price reductions but suggest you get a couple of quotes before deciding on which company to go with.

 

Is it worth it? Well, If you've got a couple of thousand dollars spare then it possibly is. If you need to borrow the money then I would say No!!!!

 

For me, I'm getting a reduction in my electricity bills by about 35% over the year and I should get a return on my investment inside 10 years... not too bad for a system that should continue to work twenty years plus and it adds to the value of the property. Plus the ROI will reduce when the price of electric goes up again.

 

 


mattwnz
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  #1635610 18-Sep-2016 20:48
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Personally I would always buy any such system outright. Wouldn't want to get caught up in long term contracts of any type. Especially as the cost of these things is dropping all the time. 


Willuknight

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  #1635621 18-Sep-2016 22:01
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Yeah I'm not a fan of contracts either. Would be pricing up to see if its worth adding onto my mortgage . 


Aredwood
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  #1635652 19-Sep-2016 00:59

Don't count on the price of electricity always going up. Im with flick electric and paying way less than my previous company. I switched to a plan that has higher prices during peak usage times and cheaper prices off peak and weekends. Normally im paying less than 10c unit off peak and occasionally

 

Click to see full size

 

Peak rates often between 20 - 25c unit. Rates are "standard user" so lines fees are $1.60 per day. Although my usage is low enough that I might be better off going to "low user". I much prefer having the low unit costs than low fixed fees.

 

So Im saving at least as much as what I would with grid connect solar, but just by switching power company. And a combination of some timers and changing usage patterns. But you would still need the timers and usage pattern changes to get the most benefit from solar.






Willuknight

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  #1635742 19-Sep-2016 10:56
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I'm with flick as well, pretty happy but yeah its going to be hard for solar to beat, but i still want to at least know what the $ figure would be. 

 

Loving my off peak and weekend rates of $0.6 at the moment - my partner is paying $0.30 any time and $0.12 off peak


pbgben
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  #1635760 19-Sep-2016 11:21
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Solar + a battery system is the best option, Having power during an outage is a huge benefit and I'm sure would sound perfect when trying to sell the propriety. Also, many people don't know this but charging an EV from batteries is many times better then stepping grid power upwards. 





richms
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  #1635766 19-Sep-2016 11:35
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Outages are infrequent enough that a generator is fine for them.





Richard rich.ms

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