Solar Panels

[Denali]

We plan to have a yearly spring cleaning list for house maint, inc solar panel cleaning as Im not letting Mr Denali on step ladder let along 3 stories up on the roof

 

[cove]

We get it done 6 monthly along with gutter cleaning. We use the water from the gutters to fill the pool during our long hot summers in Perth.

 

[tgh]

I don't bother cleaning our panels much, however recently used a patio cleaner with the Karcher and there was a huge difference.
Surprised about losing the fit, are you quite sure ?
Replacing panels and /or inverter seems like maintenance to me..I would talk to a few sparkies

 

[Daver6]

We get it done 6 monthly along with gutter cleaning. We use the water from the gutters to fill the pool during our long hot summers in Perth.

All 4mm of summer rain?

 

[p--and--t]

This is why we get a bill. Without that amount we'd almost be self sufficient.

Just looked at our bill. Same here. Power in credit but fixed fee

 

[DC3]

My 10yo system is down to ¼ its original output, of course the installer has gone out of business.

Plenty of cowboys doing solar 10 years ago. In and out of the business pretty quick, with cheap quotes. Are they a good brand of panel?

 

[Brissy1]

What sort of cleaning? Get a panel cleaning company in or DIY?

DIY. Access is easy, I'll do it again

 

[Brissy1]

I don't bother cleaning our panels much, however recently used a patio cleaner with the Karcher and there was a huge difference.
Surprised about losing the fit, are you quite sure ?
Replacing panels and /or inverter seems like maintenance to me..I would talk to a few sparkies

No I'm not sure, just what I was told if I went ahead and bought a new (much larger) system. Currently 1.6kw panels, 2kw inverter, about 50c fit so based on my very low usage a larger system without grandfathered fit would actually increase my bill (if my current system actually worked properly).

Interested in your experience with the Karcher. I've got a petrol sprayer but thought I might do damage.

 

[p--and--t]

My 10yo system is down to ¼ it's original output, of course the installer has gone out of business. (Cleaning the panels made no difference).
Local (N/W Brisbane) solar business didn't want to check/service it, said that "I" (or maybe really "they") would be better off installing a new system. But would then lose the grandfathered fit.
A lesson in green energy costs... depreciation.

The quality of the panels has jumped leaps and bounds in the last 10 years. I think my panels are warranted by the manufacturer for at least a certain output for 15-20years.

If you replace the system would you be able to claim the gov rebates to defray a lot of the cost?

 

[Brissy1]

Plenty of cowboys doing solar 10 years ago. In and out of the business pretty quick, with cheap quotes. Are they a good brand of panel?

Yes plenty of cowboys, probably still are. I did a lot of research, used an asx listed company, and got good service before their receivership.
Don't know the panel brand, I'd have to partly unscrew one, bit cautious, not sure of the voltage!

 

[Brissy1]

The quality of the panels has jumped leaps and bounds in the last 10 years. I think my panels are warranted by the manufacturer for at least a certain output for 15-20years.

If you replace the system would you be able to claim the gov rebates to defray a lot of the cost?

That's interesting about the quality. Rebates would be nice but I presume not.
This conversation has enthused me again; I'll clean and if that doesn't work get quote for 2kw of new panels keeping my fit

 

[tgh]

The fit is gold…don't lose it !
I have a 3500psi petrol powered cleaner with a big rotary cleaner but would not attempt to use it on the panels.
The little Karcher K7 is my new best friend around the farm, have already worn out one patio cleaner.
@ 18kg I can carry it up the ladder and drag it around for the roofs annual bath after the wet season ends.

 

[DC3]

Yes plenty of cowboys, probably still are. I did a lot of research, used an asx listed company, and got good service before their receivership.
Don't know the panel brand, I'd have to partly unscrew one, bit cautious, not sure of the voltage!

I used MC Electrical for my solar installation about 6 years ago. Excellent reputation. Good quality panels. Not the cheapest around but good quality work.

 

[moa999]

quote for 2kw of new panels keeping my fit

2kW these days would only be 4 or 5 panels (maybe a bit bigger dimensions than your original). Panels themselves under $1k total.

The bigger cost will likely be in new racking and wiring, the existing is unlikely to be up to current standards.

Does your FIT have an end date?

 

[Brissy1]

2kW these days would only be 4 or 5 panels (maybe a bit bigger dimensions than your original). Panels themselves under $1k total.

The bigger cost will likely be in new racking and wiring, the existing is unlikely to be up to current standards.

Does your FIT have an end date?

Good question, found this (Qld)...

"The Solar Bonus Scheme offering a 44 cent per kilowatt-hour feed-in tariff is not available to new customers.
If you currently receive this tariff rate (and maintain your eligibility) you will receive this rate until its expiry date on 1 July 2028."

 

[tgh]

The 44c fit was originally available for ANY size array of panels..some folks built 50kw arrays and are flying first at the expense of the have nots
Sadly we were a bit late/slow and had a max of 5kw.
That has given us 0 electricity account for longer than I can remember.
When they were about to kill the deal I rang all our friends and encouraged them to hook up, those that did so have also had many years of free electricity.
All this is at the cost of the have nots, typical of political idealism in action.

 

[DC3]

There’s a heap of conditions to ensure keeping the QLD 44c FIT but so long as they are met, then all good:

Solar Bonus Scheme 44c feed-in tariff

Eligibility and conditions for receiving the 44 cent solar bonus feed-in tariff.

www.qld.gov.au

 

[tgh]

It is possible to add panels ; a 5w array mostly produces less over the day.
Add a couple of panels and the inverter will be at max output for longer.
Perfectly legal , my mate did this as the inverter will only out put 5kw .
I have no room for extra panels so no cigar for me.

 

[Cynicor]

10 years ago seems too short for degradation. I’m still getting 5kw from my 10 year old system, same as when it was new

 

[Brissy1]

It is possible to add panels ; a 5w array mostly produces less over the day.
Add a couple of panels and the inverter will be at max output for longer.
Perfectly legal , my mate did this as the inverter will only out put 5kw .
I have no room for extra panels so no cigar for me.

I'm learning; Google results (so there, must be true) indicate that having more panel kw than the inverter, undersizing, is allowed in au to 133%, and may actually be desirable for efficiency.