Solar Power
Submitted by wangler on Mon, 2013-04-22 19:22
Thinking of getting Solar Power now. Growatt inverters seem to be the popular option with a lot of solar install companies at the moment and upgrading to the SMA is anywhere from $500 - $1200, a big price variant for the upgrade.
Anyone got a growatt inverter and how do they rate them?
The Solar panels on the other hand, there are thousands to choose from 
.
Any opinions on systems what ppl have would be appreciated.
I'm looking at getting a 3kw system and have a 3phase meter at the meterbox.
Thanks in advance
Dougie
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Want to make someone mad... tell a lie! Want to get the world upset... tell the TRUTH !
Dougie
Lamby
Posts: 3145
Date Joined: 04/08/09
Dougie, pm reelax on here
Dougie, pm reelax on here mate he is the full bottle on that area
sunshine
Posts: 2620
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Have a 4kw with twin inverters
Installed by Carbon Footie - brilliant - great installation super neat and cost effective _ but you do need to change your habits - now programme the washing machine and dishwasher to operate during daylight and my bills have dropped by well over 60%
Mainey
Posts: 177
Date Joined: 17/09/10
change of habit :)
If you do the washing during the day when the sun is shining you may find you wil be spending $$ on electricity :)
The reasoning behind this is simple:
during the day your collecting Amps from the pannels and you should be selling them back to your electricity supplier at a higher price than your paying your supplier for them at night.
If you use your washing machine during the day and not selling the Amps (power) back to your supplier then your buying their power to at least some degree.
If you sell them your power at the higher price during the day, then buy it back from them at night, then your in front by at least the difference in the selling/buying price you have with your electricity supplier
Just a thought that was relevant a few yrs ago when I was into solar power, I'm not sure of the exact buyback $$ prices at present, but I believe the buy back $$ price is still higher than the Electricity suppliers selling price
Maîneÿ . . .Likc
Posts: 361
Date Joined: 09/08/09
If you have a meter, which
If you have a meter, which can go “backward” then you don’t even need to do that. What you don’t use is put back into the grid and when you need more, you take that from the grid.
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
no backward meters
if your system is installed correctly , your meter will be changed over or reprogrammed to suit solar , you use what you generate during the day .any extra gives you around 8 cents a unit in reserve or credit , not the full 22 cents your paying per KW on West Power supply , so best to design your system capacity to what you actually use in the home.
i usually run the pool pump and washing machine during the middle of the day , i installed a 2 KW system but would be happier with 2.5 or 3 kw , the rest of my power bill is what is used at night time
Ericl
Posts: 475
Date Joined: 02/05/11
I Believe they dont allow the
I Believe they dont allow the analogue meters any longer which can wind your meter back. Have to install a new meter which will just show a credit (at 8 cents) for whatever you put back
Don't spend all your money on beer, boats, and fishing. Save some to spend foolishly
kingdeckie
Posts: 35
Date Joined: 09/10/09
I have installed thousands of
I have installed thousands of solar systems, growatt are the kia sorrento of the solar industry...... They do the job, but you get nervous when the warranty runs out.
Pay the extra and go the SMA, Delta or Aurora.
Over the years a large percentage of solar companies have closed their doors, anyone in the industry will remember solar shop and more recently unleashed and love energy. So choose your install company very carefully.
Look at SMA 3kW, the new range is dual tracking, put 2kW on an eastern aspect and 2kW on western aspect (you can oversize the inverter)
Go quality, it will pay in the long run, system life is around 25yrs on your roof.
wangler
Posts: 607
Date Joined: 26/04/08
Signed up last week
Got the SMA 3kw dual tracker - North and West and Jinko Panels. Suprisingly, after about 8 quotes from $6500(SMA), after negotians down to $4200(SMA), even had a quote for $3700 (SMA)
Just hope the install is good now.....
Want to make someone mad... tell a lie! Want to get the world upset... tell the TRUTH !
Dougie
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
Mate just wondering who your
Mate just wondering who your using for purchase and install?
robby4675
Posts: 87
Date Joined: 14/10/12
I'm looking at putting a
I'm looking at putting a system in, anyone willing to PM me some info who have had installs done or who do installs.
Looking at a 3kw system
born to fish, forced to work
barlow2
Posts: 43
Date Joined: 04/11/12
thanks
good info , although i didnt ask the ? in the first place!
sunshine
Posts: 2620
Date Joined: 03/03/09
I used Solar Footie
Brilliant installation - could not fault the workmanship, clean up and operation (now twelve months of operation) power bills running at around 38% of what we used to have to pay even with the hot summer and my continuous use of a 6hp reverse cycle AC - 4kw of panels and regret not installing the other kw - they are also shaded from around 4pm in the afternoon by large gum trees as we back onto a golf course so we are not getting full efficiency by any stretch - seen at least three more of their installs and all as good as ours - would not hesitate to recommend, not the cheapest but they gave us other install customers to ring (with customers permission) and that made up our minds