Solar Panels

Yes ive seen that. Its interesting... though the recommendation is to reduce installed cost per kWh not reliability.

The new electricity plans have come out and are interesting...

There are plans which are not only time of day tariff but also seasonal tariff.
The non winter and non summer periods are cheapest

For my area:
The seasonal tariffs (net of on time payment discount and GST incl per kWh:
Supply charge $0.97/day
1Apr-31May and 1Sep-31Oct
Off peak 15.14c / Shoulder 24.82 c / Peak 24.82c

1Nov-31Mar (summer) and 1 Jun-31Aug (winter)
Off peak 15.14c / Shoulder 24.82c / Peak 47.44c

The other option is a flat all year round tariff
Supply charge $0.78/day
One tariff 25.3 kWh

NFit is $0.125 for both (GST excl)

With solar there is no way the single tariff option will be the cheapest

The peak of 47.44c just about breaks even for a Battery.

Plans are postcode specific
The plan for Wagga Wagga does not have seasonal tariff
Either a TOU tariff
Supply charge $1.41/day
Off peak 16.03 c / Shoulder 29.13c / Peak 31.05c

or a single tariff
Supply charge $1.23/day
One tariff 27.5 c/kWh
 
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Quickstatus said:
I discovered the 25kW inverter can actually be “overclocked” to 30kW without voiding the warranty.
I was planning to add another 5kW a bit later to the existing 20kW on the roof but I have space for 7kW more.
But I’m not sure if overclocking is such a good idea.
Click to expand...

I'm restricted to a 5KW inverter due to QLD 44c/kw FIT.... but I've got 7KW of panels feeding into it. This is the the limit of overcooking I can do. The system was installed in 2012 and hasn't missed a beat.
 
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Quickstatus said:
With that FiT you want to keep the panel glass free of bird poo
Click to expand...

Indeed. I have a bloke clean them every 6 months..... also does a special 50% off windows when you combined the two.

The QLD FIT expires in 2028, that's when I'll be supersizing my system. Have abundant Nth facing, no shade roof left to cover with panels.
 
Had the electrician here today to upgrade the switchboard. It was last done in 2012 when I got a safety switch installed whilst getting new power points.

So everything installed and as he was checking it he couldn't find an earthing point. Turned out it wasn't there when last upgraded! So much for safety certificates!

It will be installed tomorrow afternoon and then the safety certificate will be issued.

Now to deal with submitting identification documents.

The phone link timed out in literally one second and cannot be resent. So have to do paper documents but there is no address, either electronic or physical to send them.

The phone line is an hour minimum to talk to a virtually non functional speaker of English who has no idea what they're talking about!
 
Hvr said:
… Now to deal with submitting identification documents ...
Click to expand...

Just wondering what these documents would relate to?

Edit: I'm going through the process of solar installation (SE QLD) and the installer is submitting the paperwork. Anything needed from me is just attached to an email to the installer. Maybe specific to VIC?
 
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I spoke with my solar panel company today, they asked if there was a problem with Solar Victoria.

I advised them about the document submission issue and the problems I'm having with the process.
Apparently this is a very common issue that is well known and they're waiting until they get lots of complaints to resolve it!

Now the process is you have to get a quote from a solar panel company who then submits it to Solar Victoria who then invites you to apply for the rebate. There are only 3,333 rebates this month so you have to be quick.

I'm in line for the rebate if I get my application completed in 14 days from submission. But they won't accept my documents! The company has several applicants in the same boat and aren't allowed to ask questions on their customers behalf.

The company called Solar Vic today and heated words were spoken. I expect a phone call tomorrow to resolve the issue. If not there will be calls from me.
 
Hvr said:
I spoke with my solar panel company today, they asked if there was a problem with Solar Victoria.

I advised them about the document submission issue and the problems I'm having with the process.
Apparently this is a very common issue that is well known and they're waiting until they get lots of complaints to resolve it!

Now the process is you have to get a quote from a solar panel company who then submits it to Solar Victoria who then invites you to apply for the rebate. There are only 3,333 rebates this month so you have to be quick.

I'm in line for the rebate if I get my application completed in 14 days from submission. But they won't accept my documents! The company has several applicants in the same boat and aren't allowed to ask questions on their customers behalf.

The company called Solar Vic today and heated words were spoken. I expect a phone call tomorrow to resolve the issue. If not there will be calls from me.
Click to expand...
I put my rebate application in after all the work had been done. It was only when I started the process did I realise that I could have started it a month earlier.
 
JessicaTam said:
I put my rebate application in after all the work had been done. It was only when I started the process did I realise that I could have started it a month earlier.
Click to expand...


That's interesting. I was told that once it was installed you couldn't apply.

Anyway I got the link today and found a person I know with a passport close by. The referee must have a current or recently expired (less than three years) passport.

As I was filling out the paperwork I got a call from Solar Victoria asking how they could help. I explained I had just got the link I needed and would be submitting the forms by tomorrow. All good.

My pharmacist (who has known me for 24+ years had the day off today so I'll be there tomorrow to get the certification and then I can scan and submit the forms via a single use link.

Then once approved I can get them installed quite quickly.
 
Hvr said:
That's interesting. I was told that once it was installed you couldn't apply.

Anyway I got the link today and found a person I know with a passport close by. The referee must have a current or recently expired (less than three years) passport.

As I was filling out the paperwork I got a call from Solar Victoria asking how they could help. I explained I had just got the link I needed and would be submitting the forms by tomorrow. All good.

My pharmacist (who has known me for 24+ years had the day off today so I'll be there tomorrow to get the certification and then I can scan and submit the forms via a single use link.

Then once approved I can get them installed quite quickly.
Click to expand...
I should have said that my application went in during the first round at the start of the year, before they started the new quota per month. That may have made a difference.
 
So submitted the documents yesterday. Of course the scanner ceased working so I had to photograph the documents and make them into a PDF document for submission.

Today I got a call from the company to say it had been approved and that I should have an email from Solar Victoria. I checked and I did.

They have an installation time free on Monday morning which suits me so planned arrival time is 0700 hours for commencement, weather permitting.
 
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And they completed it in a timely manner. Now I have to wait for the VicGov inspection. Then deal with the power companies.
Still the physical part has been done and now it's a waiting game.
 
This all takes a while so be patient. Because we have done a few solar installations I have learnt to be quite patient.
 
Interestingly the new electric plan has an off peak tariff GST inclusive (2200-0700hrs) of less than the FiT which is GST exclusive.

There is now no incentive to shift any of the off peak load to the daytime.
 

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