Environment

Use of solar energy

Environment

Posted by: wilko

13th Apr 2010 10:28am

How many of you have taken advantage of the Governments solar panel subsidy. I have and in NSW there is certainly good financial benefit in the energy generated being put back into the grid.

Comments 57

Anonymous
  • 27th Jun 2012 08:49am

This is something I am interested in (we live in NZ), but wonder at the viability of putting solar in from the perspective that due to being retired, we do not have the spending ability that we used to. Is anyone out there, in the same boat?

robyn1476
  • 1st May 2012 10:36am

I wish all home owners would, its the best for the environment and your pocket

kath
  • 21st Apr 2012 11:06am

solar panels are going on next tuesday 24/4/2012 i also have put solar hot water on 2 years ago i,ve done many other enviornmental things eg light fitting new loo draft stoppers insulation in roof it goes on , it has been expensive at times but i look at the long term it will be worth it

catho
  • 21st Apr 2012 07:56am

I live in a unit in Brisbane, so I can't benefit from Solar. The rest of my family have them installed and love the benefits - (savings & grid payments have paid for panels and instalation). The government is likely to continue to reduce rebate & benefits, so it's important to get registered with a company installing solar systems as soon as you can.
It's expensive upfont for many people - so how much would people be willing to pay? Do the upfront costs need to be reduced or spread over longer time?

Anonymous
  • 14th Feb 2012 11:20am

Oh yes,there are so many power companies out there competing for customer feedback and you would think to yourself,well we now have solar energy so why not create your own solar DIY that is better still after all man is the inventor of discoveries and going that next stage is even better rather than pay the power company for their profit making and you give yourself a pat on the back.

Anonymous
  • 14th Jan 2011 07:20pm

We hope to buy a home soon,And im really going to consider solor power.

passum
  • 28th Dec 2010 02:03pm

Hi folks have had my unit for some time ive got 30 pannels from solar Newcastle at Wicham, and lucky me gets a rebate of $1200 per quarter by carefull usage. sSo dont nock green energy it helps us and the enviourement at the same time cant beet that.

giznjack
  • 27th Dec 2010 08:19am

I have had solar panels for almost 2 years now. I have a 1KW system which generates about 6kw per day at this time of year, which is great. Unfortunately I bought my system when they were still quite expensive, not like today when you can get a 1.5KW system fitted and running for around $3000. Go for it!

Anonymous
  • 19th Dec 2010 01:05pm

I have thought of using windpower and solar for my hot water with a generator for back up.

passum
  • 18th Dec 2010 02:55pm

Hay all of you hopefull solar users Ive got a 5.25kwh unit it makes me on average $1200 per quarter after usage the problem is when I bought mine it COST $50,000 you can now get same for half the outlay or for less than you would spend on a new medium priced car a 10 kwh unit on the efficenciency rating mine runs at roughly three quarters of its capacity if I had more suitable roof space I would add 6 more pannels to pickup the late evening sun or early morning sun to add more capacity with minimal expence. The biggest problem is getting your rebates back from your suppliers in a way thatisconvient to you ,and, on a regular basis instead of having to chase up all the time for rebates.

mysteron347
  • 6th Dec 2010 07:10pm

The original system was introduced by the Liberal government, when the subsidy was about 50% of the cost - capped at $8,000.

After the change of government, all that appeared to have got through was the $8,000 rebate limit. As the word price of the units dropped, installers were charging $8,000 for a unit that should have been priced at $6,000 - but the government was rebating $8,000.

So many people were piling onto the freebie bandwagon that Peter Garrett pulled the plug on the scheme 3 weeks early.

But what of the state governments' attitude? In WA, Synergy would charge you for the total number of units you used, and refund the number you had generated - MINUS GST, which effectively meant that you were paying GST on the energy you were generating.

That is, of course, AFTER you have paid for the new meter they claim is required (YOU pay, but the meter belongs to Western Power) AND for the reprogramming of the meter AND for changing the billing structure to include the rebate. Total here could be $1000 or more.

Complete opportunist rake-off by the State authorities, totally at odds with the aims of the federal government scheme (of whatever political flavour.)

Then they changed the rebate structure. There's a charge (naturally) for enrolling in the Renewable Energy Rebate Scheme but the rebate is paid in two parts. The government refunds 40c/unit for 10 years and Synergy pays 7c/unit for the energy returned.

Well - that's what their documentation claims. 7c per unit is the wholesale price of electricity in WA.

So - given that the 40c/unit is pork-barrelling by the politicians, we have a real rebate rate of 7c/unit - yet we pay nearly 3 times that rate for power used plus GST, of course and Synergy/Western power still claims it has to increase the price because it can't make a profit.....

Hillicent
  • 6th Dec 2010 04:32pm

i installed panels of 2.3kW approx earlier this year. no idea how the rebate system works tho. anyone know? i'm with agl and can't make much sense of the info in their website.

Anonymous
  • 1st Dec 2010 12:37am

we have 12 panels and are putting 12+ unuts back into the grid daily. Rod

passum
  • 23rd Nov 2010 05:24pm

My name is Ron and I have a 5.25kw unit and its great to get $1,200 back each quarter untill 2016 but watch out governments can and do change their policies with regrd to rebates etc very easly. at present there is a company in Sydney installing 10kwt units for the same cost as mine cost 3yrs ago.

pothum
  • 1st Nov 2010 09:53pm

There was, until recently it was 60 cents, which is what we got ours for, but recently I have heard it has dropped to 20 cents. Will be interesting to see how much rebate is being given.

PukPuk
  • 26th Oct 2010 09:09am

Solar panels have been installed and generated a massive $14 of income so far. Will take a long time to recoup the initial outlay. To be effective, it is best to be north og the Great Divide where there are fewer clowdy days.

Hillicent
  • 25th Sep 2010 11:40am

in vic - my panels (2.3 Kw) were on my roof for about 2 months before all the planets aligned sufficiently for the meter to be connected and the sunlight to start feeding back into the grid. the bureaucracy was beyond appalling. and now i discover that even though i'm generating solar power
- i still need to pay extra to purchase green energy
- my solar rebate only comes - on request - once a year.
i tell you, it's nowhere near as simple as i'd've wished!

Hillicent
  • 9th Feb 2011 05:30pm

after persistent enquiries i finally (in january) extracted an electricity account for a 3-month period ending in november. as the company owed my $35, i guess they'd thought it wasn't worth the bother. on the phone they told me they will automatically credit my account annually in november. watch this space with me...

Anonymous
  • 9th Feb 2011 04:38pm
in vic - my panels (2.3 Kw) were on my roof for about 2 months before all the planets aligned sufficiently for the meter to be connected and the sunlight to start feeding back into the grid. the...

We've had similar issues, Hillicent. I wonder how many complaints it takes to get under the energy provider's skin?

Elcee
  • 16th Sep 2010 09:26pm

We are currently looking at moving in this direction to help with our power costs as well as do our bit for the environment. The scariest part is finding a reputable provider. There were so many problems with other "incentive" schemes that it is a real worry finding the right company to do such important work.
Elcee

bigjimmy1
  • 19th Aug 2010 01:01pm

although i dont hsve solr panels yet i believe tfey are a gret policy to help clims\ate changethanks to labour with yheir rebates to housholds

misstarnia
  • 17th Aug 2010 11:10am

The proof is that governments don't support it. Both state and federal governments own a massive amount of real estate and not many of their buildings have embraced the green revolution and carbon reduction. It's quite easy really - build an agreement like the NBN, install solar and other carbon reduction technology on all state and federal government buildings including housing.
It's blindly clear, we live in a country that gets A WHOLE lot of sunlight, why are we so slow on the uptake

bond
  • 3rd Aug 2010 04:19pm

My wife and i have talked about this a lot and we would love to put some solar panels in to use but our ussless landlord wont let us, is there any way around this problem, we cant afford our own house.

llellie
  • 19th Jun 2010 01:25pm

I have just had both solar hot water and 9 solar power panels installed. The cost was very reasonable as the Qld government has extra subsidies on top of federal rebates for hot water.

victory
  • 8th Jun 2010 08:17pm

I have done some research and seems common sence to have the solar panels installed, free energy from the sun save energy etc. but in saying this, I have more questions, for example who pays for the maintenance and when the house is sold what happens to the payments of the interest free loan which is generated from the panels? I presume that it would be paid out of the sale, the financial benefit would take a lot longer to regain. I think that the Government is pushing us into going solar. There are too many different business out there and it is confusing, but if electricity is going up seems like there is no choice but to invest choice the correct solar company and get the bonus scheme.

auzie3136
  • 14th May 2010 07:48pm

To wilko,
I have had solar panels installed with the government subsidy. I am still waiting to have the meter installed otherwise am all ready to go. It has been some months since the rest of the work was done and I don't know when it will be able to be used. auzie3136

auzie3136
  • 19th May 2010 01:23am
Like you, I have had solar-electric panels installed very recently using the Government subsidy. I don't have a meter yet but I am enjoying watching my meter going backwards. Hopefully I'll be able...

Hello Butterfly,
I hope I don't have to wait much longer as the weather is getting colder and my power usage will be getting heavier. I also hope I'll be able to enjoy watching the meter going backward. I also have solar hot water and find it is really worth having as it saves money. auzie3136

Butterfly
  • 18th May 2010 06:12pm
To wilko,
I have had solar panels installed with the government subsidy. I am still waiting to have the meter installed otherwise am all ready to go. It has been some months since the rest of...

Like you, I have had solar-electric panels installed very recently using the Government subsidy. I don't have a meter yet but I am enjoying watching my meter going backwards. Hopefully I'll be able to generate a good amount of electricity for me, regardless of whether anything much goes into the grid. Hope you don't have to wait too much longer to get going.

shachah7
  • 14th May 2010 01:50pm

dont forget electricity prices will increase in the future

shachah7
  • 7th May 2010 06:58pm

Can someone give an indication of the costs before and after the rebate? Cheers

david
  • 3rd May 2010 02:36pm

the subsidy is a great idea.unfortuneately even with this grant some people especially the elderly pensioners cannot afford the difference,i have solar power.but i had no benefits when mine was installed.david

Pod
  • 30th Apr 2010 03:52pm

We built a new home and have solar panels for hot water but would have gone further if it was cost effective and we could afford it.

foxxyboy
  • 29th Apr 2010 06:11pm

I have not taken up the offer, and as an electrician and having done the sums and research into this.
To put the size system in that would be required to balance the average power use of a standard residence, would take somewhere in the vecinity of 35 - 50Yrs to break even.
Simply not worth the expense and reduction in lifestyle the expence would cause.

paradox
  • 23rd Nov 2011 07:19pm
Sorry foxxyboy I have taken up the offer - and I am saving about $200 per quarter.
Initial cost to me was $4500 so in my book that's just under 6 years. On top of that my carbon footprint is...

what size is your system and are you on solar for your hot water. saving $200 a month seems to be rather a lot unless your previous bills were huge. As for Reduction of carbon foot print have you taken into account the footprint to produce your system?

bigal
  • 2nd May 2011 02:01pm
I have not taken up the offer, and as an electrician and having done the sums and research into this.
To put the size system in that would be required to balance the average power use of a...

Sorry foxxyboy I have taken up the offer - and I am saving about $200 per quarter.
Initial cost to me was $4500 so in my book that's just under 6 years. On top of that my carbon footprint is heaps less now than it used to be.

david
  • 5th Aug 2010 06:16pm
Forgot to mention the system I came up with is the highest quality giving the most power production per cell{not panel(panels are made up of a number of cells, you must get the good cell)} and...

how much did your system cost,what was the government rebate

foxxyboy
  • 29th Apr 2010 06:16pm
I have not taken up the offer, and as an electrician and having done the sums and research into this.
To put the size system in that would be required to balance the average power use of a...

Forgot to mention the system I came up with is the highest quality giving the most power production per cell{not panel(panels are made up of a number of cells, you must get the good cell)} and life.

Anne Collins
  • 23rd Apr 2010 12:30pm

This would be great if only I wasn't renting. I've been in contact with my landlord but he isn't interested in installing solar panels. If it was my own home I'd jumpa at the opportunity to save some money on electricity. Oh well, them's the breaks!

Paulie
  • 19th May 2012 09:22am
I know what you mean. I'm also renting and wished we had solar power at our house so we could save on electricity bills. If anyone knows if there is anyway renters can benefit in anyway, please let...

We've fitted solar electricity systems to six of our rentals. Most have solar HWS as well. We did this when interest rates fell to all-time lows. We also installed air-conditioning and reflective solar-tinted windows in homes that didn't include these worthwhile initiatives, at the same time. Our tenants stay longer, because they're happy/ier... and we get a (depreciation) tax-write-off for these improvements... .

trix56
  • 5th Dec 2011 10:10pm
trix56, I am sorry to disappoint you but green energy is extremely expensive to produce and cannot be used as a base supply. Solar panels by their very nature only supply very little power for the...

No solar hot water but a new system that doesn't bother to heat the water at all. The cold water coming out of the cold tap is hotter than the hot water. I should save heaps.
But I do do as much as I can to lessen my carbon imprint. I don't use heating (can't afford it anyway) and I don't have an airconditioner. Power saving globes turned off when not needed. And I'm a big recycler.
I prefer to have a Happy Christmas and send that to you all now. Merry is more associated with New Year. Happy Christmas everyone.

paradox
  • 5th Dec 2011 09:31pm
I made a comment somewhere else on the panel today.
Brand new housing trust house. No solar energy. Wouldn't it make more sense for the government to install solar panels when they build...

trix56, I am sorry to disappoint you but green energy is extremely expensive to produce and cannot be used as a base supply. Solar panels by their very nature only supply very little power for the cost involved and only work for about 30% of the year as a supplement. Wind generators work only very rarely at capacity mostly at around 35% and again only when conditions are favourable. Solar hot water should be mandatory for every new house built as should be water tanks. Reliable and frequent public transport should also be available for all and sundry to reduce the horrible traffic congestion that is taking place twice daily. one more thing trix56 we all can make an effort to reduce our footprint on this our only wonderful planet. cheers, and have a merry Christmas.

trix56
  • 23rd Nov 2011 01:27am
This would be great if only I wasn't renting. I've been in contact with my landlord but he isn't interested in installing solar panels. If it was my own home I'd jumpa at the opportunity to save...

I made a comment somewhere else on the panel today.
Brand new housing trust house. No solar energy. Wouldn't it make more sense for the government to install solar panels when they build houses nowadays. After all, it would save low income earners on their power bills.
Or would it? Can't understand why people are paying more to the electricity companies when they are generating their own. Just doesn't make sense.
Then again, you pay more for "green" electricity when it's generated by wind.??????????

RainbowSpirit
  • 13th May 2011 09:26pm
This would be great if only I wasn't renting. I've been in contact with my landlord but he isn't interested in installing solar panels. If it was my own home I'd jumpa at the opportunity to save...

I know what you mean. I'm also renting and wished we had solar power at our house so we could save on electricity bills. If anyone knows if there is anyway renters can benefit in anyway, please let us know ! ! ! !

hipichic
  • 6th May 2010 02:24pm
This would be great if only I wasn't renting. I've been in contact with my landlord but he isn't interested in installing solar panels. If it was my own home I'd jumpa at the opportunity to save...

yes, I'm in the same boat as you. I would do it too if I wasn't renting!

Lid
  • 22nd Apr 2010 02:24pm

If there were something of this nature where I live in Queensland I would definitely be looking into this option. At the moment because I am in an area that is not connected to the grid I have to generate my own electricity and use a combination of solar with a back up diesel generator . I rarely have to use the back up diesel generator.

Anonymous
  • 1st May 2012 09:16pm
If there were something of this nature where I live in Queensland I would definitely be looking into this option. At the moment because I am in an area that is not connected to the grid I have...

I would love to get solar ,but still looking for what will actually save you loads of money. You are lucky you can generate your own+ that makes you clever. Good on you. Power to the people.

Isildae
  • 3rd May 2011 04:05pm
If there were something of this nature where I live in Queensland I would definitely be looking into this option. At the moment because I am in an area that is not connected to the grid I have...

The same thing happened to us - we have a 3kw system but pay a higher rate as a result. I'd like to be off the grid but apparently it's not an option because we are in a suburban area. Solar is great for reducing enviromental impact and saving some money but I would recommend seriously crunching the numbers and looking at all aspects before committing to it. How much will the system plus install (and associated costs including potential rate increases) cost versus energy generated? I think most solar companies well focus on the maximum a system will produce and so far (lots of cloudy days!) we're not seeing anything like the output that was promised. We were told it would take around 4 years to pay off but at current rates and output, it's going to be closer to 6.

Anonymous
  • 9th Feb 2011 04:22pm
If there were something of this nature where I live in Queensland I would definitely be looking into this option. At the moment because I am in an area that is not connected to the grid I have...

I think you are wise to stay off the grid, Lid. Our grid connect system caused Origin energy (Northern Victoria) to increase our usage cost by 9 cents per Kwh - nice of them. We have been speaking to the energy ombudsman's office about being penalised for having our own supply of 'green energy' while still being charged higher rates than our neighbours.

drafang
  • 14th Apr 2010 02:55pm

Particularly with the horror stories in NSW about the anticipitated increases in power costs - I will definatley be looking into this option this month.
I am concerned over the set up cost and finding a reputable supplier.

john
  • 2nd Jul 2012 12:49pm
If there were something of this nature where I live in Queensland I would definitely be looking into this option. At the moment because I am in an area that is not connected to the grid I have...

if you make $65,0000.00 in a one year period you must either have a system supplied by aliens ie.little green men or about 1,000000 panels

Paulie
  • 19th May 2012 09:29am
If there were something of this nature where I live in Queensland I would definitely be looking into this option. At the moment because I am in an area that is not connected to the grid I have...

$65K in a one-year period, Ray? Most of our tenants save $500-$850 per annum.

If governments were serious about this worthwhile green initiative, rebates and returns would be standardised across all states. It's interesting to see whole communities in western Europe (with far less annual sunlight) operating almost solely on solar and wind power.

kath
  • 21st Apr 2012 11:07am
Particularly with the horror stories in NSW about the anticipitated increases in power costs - I will definatley be looking into this option this month.
I am concerned over the set up cost and...

i would do it as soon as u can because i think the government will cut out the rebate they have done it on the solar hot water panels may be next

Anonymous
  • 14th Feb 2012 11:24am
I had a one kilowatt system. I have been generating just about 4 Kilowatts a day. I understand the newer panels are more efficient A 1,5Kw system should generate over 6 Kw.

True you make your own power you save and you don't have to rely on a power company and save roughly $65,000.00 in a one year period so what better way to put all that money else where for your own purpose

Frank
  • 18th Jul 2010 03:01pm
I had a one kilowatt system. I have been generating just about 4 Kilowatts a day. I understand the newer panels are more efficient A 1,5Kw system should generate over 6 Kw.

We are at the ordering stage for a 1.6 Kw unit. But we are worried about the instalation as there are so many rorts out there. I am also worried about what happens in a bad hail storm.

auzie3136
  • 19th May 2010 01:16am
Particularly with the horror stories in NSW about the anticipitated increases in power costs - I will definatley be looking into this option this month.
I am concerned over the set up cost and...

Hello drafang,
I contacted the Solar Shop Australia and found them to be very helpful and also very good to deal with. They are endorced by Planet Ark. Solar Shop Australia have stores in most states.Log on to their website www.solarshop.com.au and ask them to send more information. auzie3136

auzie3136
  • 14th May 2010 07:50pm
I had a one kilowatt system. I have been generating just about 4 Kilowatts a day. I understand the newer panels are more efficient A 1,5Kw system should generate over 6 Kw.

I have a one killowatt system but have the new panels.auzie3136

wilko
  • 14th Apr 2010 05:19pm
Particularly with the horror stories in NSW about the anticipitated increases in power costs - I will definatley be looking into this option this month.
I am concerned over the set up cost and...

I had a one kilowatt system. I have been generating just about 4 Kilowatts a day. I understand the newer panels are more efficient A 1,5Kw system should generate over 6 Kw.

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