Considering Installation of Batteries to Existing Solar Panels

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  poboy on 29/01/2017 - 07:12

  +2

  No. Not yet.

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  chumlee on 29/01/2017 - 07:36

  The new Tesla powerwall is coming out in a couple of months. I reckon go for it as electricity prices will just keep increasing. I enquired with Energy Australia as they have the Tesla powerwall but haven't got around to doing anything further

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  mskeggs on 29/01/2017 - 09:47

  +1

  It depends.
  While solar panels are cheap enough that they make sense for just about everyone with daytime power usage, batteries are still pretty costly, though dropping fast.
  This analysis:
  http://reneweconomy.com.au/teslas-price-shock-solar-battery-…

  Shows batteries likely will pay for themselves over their warranted life span (meaning if they last longer they will return a profit), but that used south Australian power prices, most other states are cheaper.

  My conclusion is it is line ball. I am a big supporter of renewable energy, and have solar panels, but I will wait and see if prices drop further in a year or so.
  For some households (e.g. Part pension retirees) there is an incentive to spend capital, to lower ongoing costs. The tesla batteries have been popular with these people who are more exposed if power prices rise in future.

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  [Deactivated] on 29/01/2017 - 10:00

  I wouldn't bother as yet
  there have been alternatives to the Telsa wall for years, if people had the storage and capacity they could very easily run things off a bank of batteries and invertors in a DIY solar arrangement provided it was all legally wired by a sparky and to australian standards

  That said, it was a complete off grid system

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  Gordon61B on 29/01/2017 - 10:55

  +1

  As you're at a 'gathering information stage' this might be helpful - there's a new product on there every other time I look:
  https://www.solarquotes.com.au/battery-storage/comparison-ta…

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  Euphemistic on 29/01/2017 - 21:18

  +3

  My brother works in a business supplying solar systems. I asked him wether I should put batteries in yet and he said no. Not yet. The cost benefit isn't there yet, it's more effective to work out how you can use you generated electricity before it is exported.

  I also considered putting a circuit in to heat our hot water with excess generated power. Since we run off peak hot water and use most hot water in the evenings there wouldn't be much demand in the hot water service to justify the $600-$700 for the circuit upgrade.

  I run the pool pump during the day, dishwasher and washing machine in the day and have panels installed on north and west facing roof trying to maximise the benefits. At the end of the day I got the install to reduce future electricity costs as much as to save money now.

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  usmanyousaf on 30/01/2017 - 00:29

  Thanks guys for your input & thoughts. I think it is better to deposit 10k into mortgage than investing into battery system for several reasons.

  1. As most of you people suggested, I should wait.
  2. It is quite expensive at the moment & therefore should wait for few other competitors in the market until the price falls.
  3. Prefer to keep the initial cost into mortgage account which will save me interest on it.
  4. It will take years(5-10) to get my initial cost back.

  Thanks everyone for your input & thoughts. Much appreciated.

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  Rollie on 07/02/2017 - 15:08

  Sorry to highjack but I can see people who know about solar.

  Can anyone tell me whether I should fork out money for more expensive solar panels?

  I'm in a dilemma here.

  Trying to decide on which Tier 1 panels as they are both great.

  My ozbargain tells me to go with Trina based on price/watt but would like an input for those who might know.

  LG does perform better but is it worth it?

  Trina 290w - $1.32 per watt

  LG 320w Neon X - $1.60 per watt