Solar Suggestions (VIC)

777 on 30/08/2019 - 12:46

We recently moved into our new house, our energy bill is bit of shock.We literally used to pay a quarter of it in our old house.

House is double story, all brick & concrete construction( yes even internal walls and ceiling)
It is about 45 sq home. Gas oven, upstairs ducted heating. Downstair electric wall used in one room and 8Kw Reverse cycle aircon used - 5 hrs appx a day

Last 2-month gas bill is $1200 and 3-month electricity is $2250. Our habits haven't changed just the location

It is no brainer I need better insulation & solar

Just wondering how many kilowatts I can go for in the residential installation
I have seen those facebook adverts free solar- I don't believe they are free. It is a PPR and have not had any solar claims for any property. Any recommendation on what should I look for a different approach?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • foxmulder on 30/08/2019 - 12:59

    First check the bill to see if they are all yours, not partially belong to previous tenant? If you haven't been on discounted rate if pay on time, sign up immediately.

    • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 13:26

      No, it is mine for sure, we owned this property for over a year.

      As we did the major upgrade including 2 new switchboards, new meter& 3 phase power supply

      Bill was ok, when we were renovating for about 8 months but after we moved in, it is gone up

      I do have lumo 27% on the entire bill offer and AGL gas has 20% discount or so.

  • GG57 on 30/08/2019 - 13:01

    Have you checked the state government subsidies for solar installation?

    BTW, how many people live in your 45 sq home?

    • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 13:28

      yeah I am looking it right now here, just a bit too late lol

      https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/applications-now-open-for-hal…

      4 adults and 2 kids. My parents are home all the time which hasn't changed from previous house

      • GG57 on 30/08/2019 - 13:40

        I think I read only this week that the government is extending or increasing the support for solar. I would keep monitoring.

        • ATTS on 30/08/2019 - 13:58

          what is the "support" included?

          • GG57 on 30/08/2019 - 14:04

            @ATTS: From The Age of 28 August:
            "An extra 23,000 Victorian households will get state-subsidised rooftop solar panels this financial year after the government dramatically increased the monthly allocation to meet overwhelming demand.
            The rebates will now be released fortnightly rather than once a month in response to a backlash from solar businesses and consumers after the August allocation was snapped up in 90 minutes."

            • ATTS on 30/08/2019 - 14:07

              @GG57: thanks

              do you know, is the "support" is available to NSW residents aswell?

        • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 14:03

          the website says 6500 more homes added in Victoria form Sep 2

  • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 13:31

    I am thinking I might need a 15-20 kw system or more my daily usage is 50 KW approximately

    • outlander on 30/08/2019 - 13:41
      +2

      That is.. insane.

      I would expect that from someone with vaulted ceilings and a heated pool. Are you sure that the bill is all your usage? If the previous occupant used power while it was registered as disconnected, you might be paying two bills.

      • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 14:02

        yes that's what bill says. There is a new meter installed 4-5 months back. Old one they took it and new 3 phase one is installed

    • poboy on 30/08/2019 - 13:44
      +1

      In Vic, residential solar system inverters must be limited to 5kW/10kW depending on who your distributor is. solarquotes.com.au is usually a safebet to finding a good company. After my due diligence I am going ahead with essential solar.

      • ATTS on 30/08/2019 - 13:56

        noob here (me)

        so just wondering, what kinds of things helped you decide with going with your chosen company?

        and curious, what will your FIT be?

        • poboy on 30/08/2019 - 14:05

          FiT = not sure. I will change plans once all is up and running. I expect about 11c. But given you will likely use all the energy you generate, your FiT shouldn't really be a concern.

          I got 3 quotes, with 2 parties visiting my place. I have quite a few non-standard requirements, so I ended up choosing the most expensive installer as they were based in Melbourne with their own salaried installers and superior warranties. I didn't want them to cut corners.

          • ATTS on 30/08/2019 - 14:11

            @poboy: thanks for the reply

            i dunno if its true, but i read online a while ago, they said dont go for the cheaper installers ( even though can be cheaper than the main installer like energy australia)

            because sometimes they use inferior solar panels and also sometimes disappear after installation ( and cant contact them anymore)

            would you know if this is true?

            • poboy on 30/08/2019 - 14:26
              +2

              @ATTS: Correct. 22% of solar installs were deemed to have problems (clean energy council).
              Approx 30% of all current solar systems have been installed by a company that no longer exists (Choice). Try claiming a warranty on that.

            • lgacb08 on 01/09/2019 - 17:11

              @ATTS: Any of the retailers (Energy Australia) are certainly not main installer, they sell electricity and just contract some tradies to get extra cream on top. Even RACV sells solar but I don't think they're well staffed enough pay electrician salaries to do that.

      • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 14:06

        Thanks for info. I might then have to go for 10KW at minimum

      • lgacb08 on 01/09/2019 - 17:07

        Not if you have 3 phase (op does), and some distributors (United) allow more than 5kw per phase

        • 777 on 01/09/2019 - 23:33

          Nice good to know, maybe 5kw per phas is a limit for short paperwork?

  • Ocker on 30/08/2019 - 14:09

    Size of solar will be determined by the amount of roof space available, which should ideally be north facing. What postcode in Vic?

    • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 14:52

      South facing- would that be same thing? 3073

      • Ocker on 30/08/2019 - 15:00
        +2

        In term of solar generation South facing is the worst direction.
        I live in 3124 and have a 6Kw system on a North facing roof. Generation since installing on Feb 6 this years has been
        Feb 518Kw
        Mar 552Kw
        Apr 366Kw
        May 221Kw
        Jun 191Kw
        Jul 201Kw
        Aug (to date) 256Kw

        • Archi on 30/08/2019 - 15:09

          interesting

          I have 4kw panels and a 5kw inverter.. mine a installed flat on a metal deck roof
          Sydney
          Feb - 534Kw
          Mar - 428Kw
          Apr - 375Kw
          May - 287Kw
          Jun - 208Kw
          Jul - 285Kw
          Aug - 345Kw

          • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 15:53

            @Archi: It is more closer to tropic of Capricorn by like 500km+

            • Archi on 30/08/2019 - 15:57
              +1

              @777: interesting to see the difference, even though you have a bigger system the location of the panels makes a difference

        • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 15:52
          +1

          Sorry it the direction of house, the roofs are West and East rectangle house

          • Archi on 30/08/2019 - 16:00

            @777: the direction of the house is pretty much square. the panels are installed flat on the northern side of the house.. but it wouldn't matter its flat so I would get the same sun anywhere on my roof

            • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 17:18

              @Archi: @Archi I will keep you posted!

        • lgacb08 on 01/09/2019 - 17:17

          Do you have shading or high grid voltage or those are export only figures? Those figures are quite low for a north facing system in Melbourne. My 6.6kw with 60% of them in the less optimal south west orientation generated more than yours, aug only was around 450kwh

  • luffyex2010 on 30/08/2019 - 16:08
    +2

    Fascinating facts

    Your 3 months electricity bill $2250 is enough to cover my yearly electricity bill.

    The problem is not just you need solar, your house energy efficiency needs to be evaluated by a professional or you can start testing by yourself.

    -Insulation (roof/windows)
    -Cooling/heating capacity
    -zoning
    -electrical equipment and how much electricity consumption

    hmm cannot visualize how big is a 45square home.

    • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 17:24

      one thing I can think of it is double brick and there is a gap between two bricks held together with steel hook and there is no insulation and the house has about 50+ vents at different levels.

      I am thinking of coming up with magnetic sheets which can act as vent closer during the winter and summer

      Both heating and cooling are old systems and not zoned

      split aircon that we use for both heating and cooling

      Normal electrical equipment what we had earlier I do have lot of automation but it hasn't change and should have much impact on the bill even it on all the time. The only difference I can think is heating and cooling

      it has 5 bedrooms, 3 living areas, a study 2

  • ssquid on 30/08/2019 - 16:32

    No mention of how your hot water is heated? Switching from a house with a gas heater to electric is always what surprises people come bill time.

    • 777 on 30/08/2019 - 17:26

      No it gas heather -storage ones

      We also have hydronics heating - which I should get fixed, the boiler is broken

  • Skramit on 30/08/2019 - 17:45

    What rates are you paying? Not the discount as that means nothing.

    I’m paying 16.8c kWh and 89c daily charge.

    Have a look on your bill as it sounds like it might be very high.

    • luffyex2010 on 31/08/2019 - 09:33

      I am jealous 😏
      Paying 23 cents per kWh after discount (Sydney).
      Anybody in Sydney can confirm if you can get better rates? If yes, can I know who is the supplier?

    • hoey888 on 01/09/2019 - 17:30

      Are you on the lowest cost provider?

      The Victorian State Government is providing $50 rebate for comparing energy prices.
      https://budget.vic.gov.au/putting-power-back-hands-victorian…

      $50 from Victorian State Government for comparing energy prices on below website. Just need to have an electricity or gas bill handy.
      https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/

      • 777 on 01/09/2019 - 21:11

        Already claimed that previous house

        • hoey888 on 01/09/2019 - 21:39

          Why not claim again?
          I claimed against old house. Also claimed again against new house.

    • 777 on 01/09/2019 - 21:11

      Just checked bill 39c step 1 and 43c step 2 with 27% discount

      • Skramit on 01/09/2019 - 21:14
        +1

        Dude that’s your problem. I’m on 16c after discount. You need to shop around quicksmart. You could halve your bill.

        How many kWh was your last bill period in total?

        You are currently paying double what you should be. You are getting ripped hard for not shopping around. Who’s your current provider?

        • 777 on 01/09/2019 - 23:31

          Yup that's so correct
          Jumping the boat shortly

          Last billing was around quiet less but we partly moved into the house and there were no heater

          Any referral for tango?

    • 777 on 01/09/2019 - 21:12

      Who you with that so cheap

      • Skramit on 01/09/2019 - 21:14
        +1

        Tango

        • ssquid on 02/09/2019 - 04:23
          +2

          Still on prices from 18-24 months ago?
          They're not that great any more, supply charge jumped up to well over $1/day. They also jack prices up when your contract runs out unless you contact them and ask for the rates advertised on their website.

          • Skramit on 02/09/2019 - 08:56
            +1

            @ssquid: But I'm the kinda guy that will happily shop around as soon as they jack my rates.

            When I joined they price locked me for 2 years. SO Ive still got another year to run at these rates.

            • ssquid on 02/09/2019 - 13:39

              @Skramit: They're not the same company now though and shouldn't be recommended. They let the ex-CEO/founder of Sumo take over last year and (as expected) things have gone downhill fast.

              • Skramit on 02/09/2019 - 14:11
                -1

                @ssquid: Regardless OP needs to shop around. Solar is not his answer, a reasonably priced electricity plan is. Even if he doesnt go the cheapest of cheap providers, he's going to still halve his bill and suddenly solar seems less necessary

  • AncientWisdom on 01/09/2019 - 00:00
    +1

    Hi,
    With that kind of money involved it would be well worth your time to fix the inefficiencies in the house, you can imagine it like filling a bucket with a hole in it, turning the tap higher won't necessarily help you avoid losing a lot of water 😉

    There's a fantastic Facebook group that got recommended to me here called "my efficient electric home". Lots of great posts with discussions about situations like yours with pointers on where to start, in order of importance/effect. Well worth the time to read up a little there and even post the same question in that group.
    Also in your case it might well pay to get a professional out to make recommendations.

    Regarding solar, the first thing that you need to find out is when do you consume power? Because solar only generates power during the day obviously and if most of your consumption will be in the morning/evening that would still be drawn from the grid. The ideal situation would be to shift your consumption after solar installation to daytime, so for example switch to a hot water heat pump that runs during the day when the sun is shining, heat the house during the day etc. Some people even have their washing machines/dishwashers on timers to run. You mentioned you have some automation already so that kind of stuff can really help.
    The general recommendation is go the biggest system you can afford (from a good installer, see above comments about using solar quotes website) that will fit on your roof.
    If you have any specific questions about solar, post a follow up comment.

    But fix the inefficiencies first… 🙂

    Good luck!

    • 777 on 01/09/2019 - 21:19

      Thank you for the detailed reply,much appreciated
      Will look into that Facebook group

      Power is mainly consumed in the night on heating and cooling

      I spoke to one installer found on Ozbargain and he advised that 15kw invertor and quoted about 15k with Fronius invertor and jinko panels excluding the rebate

      I would like to go for 20kw bit apparently it is much harder to get such system as there is fair bit of paperwork involved

      Might need to get more information before I jump in

      • AncientWisdom on 02/09/2019 - 00:20
        +1

        No worries. As you probably understand the solar panels won't help with your night time consumption, all they might do is pay back some of the cost via FIT, which is generally not that great (but I hear it's worth shopping around overeast).

  • 777 on 03/09/2019 - 15:46

    I got quoted 15k for 20kw SMA invertor with WiFi
    Jinko split 325 kw panels
    Austral? Aluminum brackets
    Installation
    Paperwork & all materials

    That's including the STC and I can claim $2225 rebate

    So $12775 installed after rebate
    Everything has 10 year warranty and panels have 25 years performance warranty

    Do you guys think it is good?

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