Origin Solar Plus? (New Solar System)

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  SBOB on 28/05/2023 - 09:08

  +2

  How much would an equivalent system be installed outside origin.
  Likely you'll find you're just paying over the odds for the install in the hope of reclaiming back some of all of that in fit.
  What's the supply and usage rates like on their plan, as you'll likely be paying more there than potential other suppliers with lower fit

  The way to make this system pay itself off would be to maximise the FiT.

  The best way is to use the power yourself. FIT sums come after self consumption if you're trying to maximise the solar ROI.

  I've had solar for a few years now. Using multiple years of usage patterns and current plans in my area, higher fit plans don't always make the best return.

  • 

    D0nny on 28/05/2023 - 09:23

    Thanks for your input mate!

    Would need to look deeper into their supply charges etc.

    Possibly being on the higher end with the installation costs - I assumed that much already.
    I have a 10k quote for a 10kw sun grow system from an independent installer.
    I asked origin for a quote to upgrade to a 6-7kw sungrow inverter plus maximising panels to see how far off those two options would come in.

    For the optimisation of usage: we aren't home during the day and hardly use aircon/heating. The only thing we already took care of is putting the hot water system onto a timer.
    Everything else like cooking, TV, lights won't move out of the no-light period of the day.

    • 

      SBOB on 28/05/2023 - 10:11

      Not sure the benefit of an $8k solar install for your example then.

      7kw system might average, what, ~30kwh a day generation averaged over a year?
      20c fit
      So about ~$2k/year
      At 5c fit that's about ~$5500/year.
      On an $8k install that's about a 10 year roi (2 years at 20c fit, the rest at 5c, ignoring loss of upfront expenditure and usesbiltiy of that money for other earning or offset mortgage returns) if you aren't using the power yourself?

      And the solar plan will most certainly come with higher daily supply charges and likely higher usage costs which isn't accounted for in that ROI calc.

      • 

        D0nny on 28/05/2023 - 10:19

        You mean installing solar might not be worth it at all? Or do you reckon the 10kw system for 10k would be the better option?

        • 

          SBOB on 28/05/2023 - 10:23

          @D0nny: You aren't using the power based on your example.

          Do the sums on ROI and a bigger more expensive system likely won't change the maths just make it worse if you account for opportunity costs etc.

          Do the maths on any system, work out it's average daily generation based on the kw size for the area of the country you're in, do the maths on yearly fit at 5c (unlikely to stay 5c forever, and any 20c fit promo is short lived) and work out the net payback to $0 period.

          Then decide if you think it's a good investment

          If you self use the power with heating/cooling/hot water/adjusting operation of appliances to day time, the equation changes, but you're banking purely on fit payback (and ignoring any possibly higher daily/supply costs that go along with solar plans generally)

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  Muzeeb on 28/05/2023 - 09:24

  Is there people in your house most days or is the house vacant all day during the working week?

  Edit: you answered my question while I was typing.

  • 

    D0nny on 28/05/2023 - 10:20

    +1

    Yep, only fridges and hot water system run during the day whole usually no one is here.
    (Just adding the response to save people from reading the lengthy one above)

    • 

      Muzeeb on 28/05/2023 - 10:45

      Try to use delay function on appliances. Eg set the dishwasher to come on at midday before you leave. Or the washing machine to finish not long before you get home so you can hang out to dry before the clothes get all janky.

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  saltypete on 28/05/2023 - 11:01

  We got an Origin system. All teir 1 gear and a Fronius inverter. 5 years ago and going strong. It does depend on the installer, Origin couldn’t change a light globe - they outsource it all. We had pretty good installers - as Origins brand is in this they don’t want trouble.
  Worth doing some background on the Solarquotes site to get unbiased info and decent cost/benefit models.
  The main reason we went with Origin rather than any of the 3 quotes was at the time Origin was doing 2 years interest free payment.
  Once you finish the 20c rebate, Consider changing hot water to heat pump. This operates similar to a battery in some cases - essentially heating your water for free during the day.

  • 

    D0nny on 28/05/2023 - 11:54

    +1

    Thanks for the insights!
    Hot water system is already a heat pump 👍🏼

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  Drakesy on 28/05/2023 - 12:04

  My 6.6kw system was $2250 (here in WA) bought about a year and a half ago, Growatt inverter, Seraphim panels.
  Admittedly we get 3c/kwh off peak and 10c/kwh peak so the payback is slower (about 4-5 years is my estimate).

  Since then inflation and constraints have increased costs (the equivalent is now around $3,300).
  $8k for this sounds like a lot though