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JA Solar PV Panel System 6.63kW & Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh Li-Ion Battery) Bundle $23,294 @ AGL

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Not sure if this is a good deal.

Bundle includes

Tesla Powerwall

6.63kW JA Solar PV panel system

Fronius Primo 5.0kVA single-phase inverter
Tesla Powerwall features
13.5 kWh usable capacity*
Fully integrated Tesla inverter
Lithium-ion battery
Backup power available
Wall or floor mounted^
Indoor or outdoor installation^ (currently we install solar battery bundles only to premises within 100km of your state’s capital CBD)
10-year product warranty
Certified carbon neutral+

How a solar battery bundle works

A solar battery bundle includes everything you need to get started: solar panels, a solar battery, a solar inverter and the option to join our Virtual Power Plant (VPP).

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closed Comments

  • +12

    Watch the Fronius Primo inverters, when they’re working their fan is loud, and sound like a server. Fronius won’t let you swap out the fan for something else, and there’s no settings to quieten it down. I have mine in my garage and I hear it in most of my back yard. My biggest regret of my solar system was the Fronius inverter.

    • +1

      Sorry to hear that but thank you for letting us know!

    • +2

      I have Fronius as well and mine is not that loud, I also got it in the garage and only hear it on hot days when in the garage. I like it as they update software all the time to make fixes and updates and hasn't missed a beat in 5 years so far.

    • +1

      The fans are your friends when it comes to inverters.

      My "quiet" inverter came with no fans.."dont need them" they say, "customers complain about fan noise". Inverter temps were close to 80C. This thing was on a fast path to an early death.

      I added 3 PC fans to the top..inverter now maxes out at 42C.

      P.S. give the fan blades a clean, check edges for plastic lumps when molded. The slightest lump will cause drag, which presents as noise.

      • Fan blades are clean, installer was out a couple weeks ago and checked this.

        While I agree fans are your friends for electronics, this inverter is large, so the engineers could have easily designed it with a larger fan. This would provide the same airflow at a significantly lower noise level.

    • yeah I bought a Delta unit for this reason, good solid reliable and unobtrusive unit, totally shit software interface.

    • +1

      That's odd, I have one in the other side of my bedroom wall and can't hear it from inside.

    • Is that the one you can plug to charge on the outside?

    • +2

      CEO confirms they have a loud Fan
      https://youtube.com/shorts/JHrbx4OzgKM?feature=share

    • I’ve got one too.. it’s only loud during the peak parts of the day and it doesn’t bother us inside (it’s on the outside of an old qlder so walls are single skin wood) you can hear it on the deck next to where it is but that’s expected.

      Fronius connects nicely to home assistant too, which was why I picked it - and quality Austrian engineering

    • I went with the SMA sunny boy for this very reason

  • +3

    It's the batteries that are expensive ATM - especially Tesla ones that (on my last quote from another place about 8 months ago) are about $16k.. the Panels themselves are relatively cheap these days.

    • Solar panels are actually more expensive than they used to be

      • In line with inflation really. I guess the ongoing public feud with China doesn't help either TBH.

      • +1

        Depends on what you mean by used to be

        10 years ago they were definitely more expensive than now

    • I was quoted $19k just for a Tesla battery in December.

      • ouch, glad we got on the AGL VPP. $4400 4 years ago
        .

    • They're getting cheaper. Lithium prices have halved since November and cobalt halved since the start of this year. Thus why Tesla has already knocked $1,600 off the price of a powerwall in Feb (and knocked a whole lot off the price of their cars too).

      Hopefully more competition and more lithium supplies push the prices lower too.

      • +2

        Lithium is actually only 3% of the battery. Tesla dropped their prices only because they make a huge profit per vehicle and other manufacturers were more competitively priced

  • +14

    It would take me ~12 years to break even this with this cost, assuming I'd be paying interest or a monthly fee of some sort, even if electricity prices keep on rising. Not great to know, considering the battery will degrade over time, and only had a 10 year warranty and will likely need to be replaced before I've paid off this 'investment'.

    • +6

      I agree battery prices going the wrong way at the moment, used to be $10K-12K now $15K I think wait to see if there is some sort of government rebate in the future to make them cheaper.

      • Yeah thats what Im hoping for. I've already got a solar panel set up, just need a battery tbh. If I can get that cheaper, especially with some government rebate, it might justify the initial outlay.

    • +5

      This is the basic calculation and conclusion I also reached. You are essentially paying your electricity bills 10-12 years in advance as you never reach ROI as warranty is finished by that time.

    • What will need to be replaced before you've paid off the investment?

      • +1

        The battery.

        • It will be interesting to see how long these batteries will actually be serviceable, noting the 10-year warranty and the ROI at these prices.

          Agree the deal is not very attractive as is. If serviceable for 20 years it would make some difference, but that's a long time and brings the longevity of the panels and inverter into question.

          Although there is some value in securing your own energy security - especially as the broader grid transfers to renewables and electric cars.

    • Not worth it

  • +13

    Published figures this week, average annual electricity bill is around $1200. Meaning a 20 year ROI with only a 10 year guarantee. Most people should avoid. Consumers with larger bills will benefit more but 5kw inverter seems small. $2400 annual bill is still a 10 year ROI. FiT is only around 5c plus there'll be a charge payable by the solar owner for feeding into the grid. Give it a miss IMO, certainly not a bargain

    • +4

      I’m surprised the average is that low.

      • Me too. $1253 is the actual figure in Sydney

      • +1

        Lol. Yeah.. I hit that amount in a quarter depending on season and usage of aircon/heaters in the house. (granted, I have 5-6 people in my household though). Still $1200PA sounds a bit low overall.

        • That is around what I pay for a household of 3, but I rarely use AC.

          • +1

            @Aureus: Yeah.. kids in house complain when it gets to 30c and moans about turning it on. Also the fact I'm running like 3 fridges in the house doesn't help nor me working from home I suppose.

        • +1

          Yeah I was paying ~$1000/qtr before in South Australia for family of 3. The air-con/heater is what killed us.

          Now paying $280 my first quarterly bill but thats one month without solar and two with. Expecting a full solar reduced quarterly bill to settle around $100/qtr in Summer.

          $1200pa seems very low. I'd like to know the average without including solar users. I assume thats whats bringing the average down?

          • @GamblorAU: Is that with or without battery? Depending how much usage through the day (where electricity is generated), that's where you will save most. Solar is probably a very good option for me if I continue to work from home - but not sure since might be changing jobs and going back into the office more regularly. Just have to see.

            • @bchliu: 7.8kW panels with 10kw battery. Max generation has been ~6kW for various reasons (panel placement, etc).

              My only real grid usage so far has been on hot Adelaide nights where the air-con might come on for a bit too long. Otherwise we are pretty much covered.

          • @GamblorAU: Daikin split system only uses about 300W/hr once the room temperature is reached, which takes 10 to 15 mins for us, FYI when replacing your aircon. Also our bills were $1300/year before solar so around the supposed average. Solar will be definitely lowering the average significantly, ours is now around $500/year. In 2021, year of our install, our first year electricity contract had a FiT of 17c so we made $700, which are the figures we based our decision to install solar on. Governments, pfff

    • +3

      average annual electricity bill is around $1200

      For now…

      But yeah, my total bill for 2022 was a tad over $600. We are not particularly low users either, but do have a decent solar system. If I was to add a battery on, even for $10,000 it will take forever to payoff…
      If there was a change to the market which allows you to export excess battery charge at peak periods for a premium feed-in tariff then maybe that could make more sense, but it makes little sense for anyone at the moment. Community batteries are going to be where it's at I think, not household.

      • I only got a solar system installed in 2021, low user, high exporter so expected ROI 5 years. Then they changed the FiT from 17c to 5c so ROI had ballooned out. If I'd known it was going to change I wouldn't have got solar. IMO they should only have been able to change the FiT for new installs, or at least wait until your initial ROI period has passed. Nothing worse than hearing about non solar system owners thinking it's unfair that solar owners get cheap electricity. They can tell me about it if they give me my $10k outlay back!

        • Just wait until THEY start charging YOU to put unused solar back into the grid - https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2023/02/24/s….

          • +2

            @NinjaChicken: Rofl. I can't work out why i even need to be on the grid during sunlight… For some reason I need to be on the grid just to use my solar? I figured solar would continue to work if the grid went down (eg: during a power cut) but this is not the case. THEN they come up with the idea of charging me for exporting? Insanity.

            Future me would like to buy a battery and sever myself from electricity companies. They made it impossible.

            • +1

              @justtoreply: It sure is crazy.

              It works out better to plug a heater in and sit it outside in the middle of summer to use up the excess electricity generated by the solar on the roof than to put it back into the grid.

              How does that make any sense?

    • Yes - calculate based on your own consumption figures, cost of the interest, maintenance costs, etc.

      But my figures are too small to spend time calculating ROI! Have very low electricity use.


      So this Deal isn't for me!
      (Was interested as long ago lived off grid on basic solar + 12V storage batteries.)

      I effectively make a profit on electricity! (Electric only house, single occupant, no solar)

      In last year, only paid $20pm (Winter - no heating necessary) - $40pm (Summer - aircon) after Qld Govt daily rebate.

      Less Qld Govt annual $175 cost of living rebate (to increase this year).

      Last monthly bill was $38 but waived by retailer due to earlier $20 overcharge.

      And receive $100 - $150 (usually as Woolies gift card) every 3 months for swapping retailer through comparison Deals here. (New electricity retailer starting from today.)

      • What year did you install it?

        • Install what? I've just got a standard electricity connection. Don't even have solar etc.
          Just make a profit on my electricity use through State Govt rebates & comparison Deals here with incentives.

          • @INFIDEL: are you that infidel guy?

            • @Poor Ass: That's me😉
              But I'd Rather be Travelling now!

              I've commented about this before. It's an option for some to save $$.

              Recent report showed most don't know they may qualify for Govt rebates.

              Last year rebates were worth over $500 from QLD Govt. Digital Visa Card & Woolies gift cards for switching electricity retailers were valued at $500-600/yr.
              More than electricity costs me per year.

              Got the aircon on, so time to go back to the pool to stay cool💦

              • @INFIDEL: where do you usually go to get those gift cards for switching

                • @Poor Ass: Electricity & Gas comparison sites in OB Deals.
                  Received last 2 for electricity only for $150. Switched to next Deal - connected today.

    • Stuff the average, it hides reality. My quarterly bill in Q3 2022 was $1100. Now I'm on solar without a battery, it's on track for $450 for this quarter, even with AC use.

      • The reality is that it might work for you but not most! This deal is also for a 5kw inverter, I'll bet yours is bigger. The facts are that higher users get more benefit and it is up to the individual to decide if it works for them in their circumstances.

  • It's worth mentioning by joining Tesla Energy Plan, credits will help reduce the ROI and extend the warranty a further 5 years.
    Energy rates in VIC is increasing by 30% and 20% for NSW and QLD and EV will be the other factors improving ROI.

  • +1

    Had a Tesla Powerwall 2 for 1.5 years after if completely failed. I paid $13000 for this with delivery and installation after all rebates. It’s a joke considering I have a 10 year warranty. Now I wait for them weeks and weeks to get a new one.

  • +5

    I don’t see why this is not taking off yet
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-02-14/electric-vehi…

    Basically for people with EV’s, give up some range on your car to use as home battery.

    • +1

      EV's are also overpriced ATM and you can't just stick your EV into any old solar inverter and use it as a battery. Most people quibbling about the price of a solar and battery system are certainly gonna object to the price of an EV

    • +1

      Loosely…All about limited cycles.

      A car (particularly in Australian heat) has a limited number of cycles, and batteries are $$$$.

      Lets say $2 per cycle. So why waste a cycle to save $2 in power. End up at the same financial point, but have a car with reduced range.

      • +1

        Thanks, I get that. But how is it different than buying a $13K-$15K appliance (Tesla powerwall) which will degrade similarly, instead of putting the money into a bigger battery EV or swapping out degraded cells (similar to what people used to do in their old gen Prius)

        And to Gary’s point the target audience for EV and power wall are people with more disposable income that can afford these futuristic ideas.

    • +3

      Essentially you'll be degrading your car's battery (and life) this way since there's always a limited lifespan to any battery system out there. I'm thinking it will be more expensive to replace EV Car batteries than it is to replace the wall mounted batteries at home.

    • +3

      Because Australia has only 2 car models that can do V2G at the moment.

    • +2

      "The only cars sold in Australia that offer V2G right now are the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi plug-in hybrids."

    • Id consider an EV with V2G when more cars can actually do it.

  • God this is terrible value.
    maybe $15k tops - the payoff on the battery will be negligible if at all as it'll be close to end of life after 11-12 years when it finally starts to become cost neutral.

    Buy an EV
    Get a battery and a free vehicle!

  • gee you need to have high power usage to make this worthwhile.. at my current costs it would be about 10 years to break even and then it is out of warranty

  • +1

    Not a good time to remind everyone you could get a entry brand 6.6kw solar + 13kwh battery for $4999 4 years ago. $7999 for a Tesla battery. I went a cheaper Growatt System and it hasnt missed a beat and still at 99% capacity.

    • What's battery do you have?

      • 2 x Growatt 6.5kwh. Based on an inside tip to avoid a Tesla Powerall (a non brainer failure point somewhere that will pop up in a few years of use).

        • That's pretty good

          Jinko or Longi panels?

          • @Poor Ass: Leapton panels. Jinko was also an option. I also had an existing array of Q cells. The Q cells fell apart (literally). Realised warranty is not worth the paper it's written on (when the installer closes down). After a shit fight, Q cells agreed to replace the panels, but labour was at my cost. Naturally new panels (with STC's) were cheaper than the labour cost.

            Eventually got a new installer who did it for nothing (if I removed the old stuff), as he wanted to get in the good books with Q cells. Install job looks like a free install. End of the rail is dropped, so warped the panel. Neither he nor Q Cells seem concerned. So in summary, went with one of the cheaper panels I could find, but still had a big presence. This way, if they need to go in the bin in 8 years..so be it (as the Q cell premium is not worth it).

            FYI - Leapton are still outputting 110% of their rated output after 3 years. New Q cells are pretty much bang on 100% of their rating. Will see in the future how they compare.

            • @tunzafun001: why would they install for free

              • @Poor Ass: Get on Q Cells books as one of their contractor installers (I believe Q Cells also paid them an amount as well).

  • +2

    That’s only paying for itself. Over the years it will need maintenance. So you are not winning. It’s extremely expensive. Not a deal!

    • +4

      Also if you pay it up front and can get 5% interest on your savings, that's $1200 lost in interest in the first year. That's $12k over 10 years, more when you work out the compound interest!

      • +2

        Lol I didn’t think of that
        That is very true
        It shows it’s just not worth it.

      • Interest rates won't be this high for the next decade.

        • +1

          They won't be 0% so still hidden costs to keep in mind!

        • Mr Lowe is that you?

      • If you clicked on the link you'd find that they offer 60 month intertest free.
        However I now know this isn't a good deal anyway, usually when things are bundled together you get somehwat of a discount, but from this as others have commented, its just 3 things priced at their RRP being put together.

  • Bundle is nothing special. Similar to the price for both the system and battery separately.

  • Bundle imo is too small. Should get more panels. This would struggle to charge the battery on a lot of the days

  • +2

    I was quoted $18k last month from Origin for this deal
    -17x390watt JA Solar Panels with 1x5kW Sungrow 1-Phase
    Inverter and 9.6kWh Sungrow Battery

    Didn't go ahead with it - but just thought I'd post it up for comparison purposes.

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