Am I Being Extorted with The Solar Quotes?

Wilson Wallace on 04/07/2023 - 15:45
Last edited 04/07/2023 - 15:54

Hey OzB Friends

I’ve so far received 2 quotes for solar, waiting on a 3rd. Here is the breakdown

  • I have a single story, 3Br, 1 bath. Potentially buying a electric car soon. Nothing fancy or big.
  • I live alone, do have a partner. Don't plan on being here for the long term but maybe buy another house and potentially rent this or sell it.
  • Electric bills during the winter months are around $65 to $75 per month. Gas is around $350 during winter. Summer months for electricity the highest is goes to is about $100 (Jan) but cooled off to the 70s then 60s there after.
  • was planning on putting 2 more split systems in each room

I've received these quotes and I feel like I'm being bent over without lube.

Here it goes

Quote 1- 6.175kW solar system; 13 Panels (Jinko Tiger Neo) ; Goodwe DNS GW5000D; Cirtcuit board upgrade extra $200

Total cost = $2700 after rebates

Quote 2 - 6.65kW solar system 14 panels (Jinko Tiger Neo); Goodwe DNS GW5000D; circuit upgrade included.

Total cost = $4300 after rebates

My dad got his solar installed last year - 20 Panels, double story. Only ended up paying $1600

What's going on here? Hoping to find some answers behind this from people with experience. To me, these quotes are a big no no no no. Was referred by solarquotes.

Home & Garden Solar Energy System

Comments

  • Oofy Doofy on 04/07/2023 - 15:56
    +1

    Inflation.

    That and not shopping around…

  • thefreelunch on 04/07/2023 - 16:02
    +5

    Those prices seem reasonable for NSW at least - have a look at the SolarQuotes website. But based on your low electricity bill, I don't think it would ever pay off for you. It sounds like your hot water is heated by gas, which is one of the main energy uses in a house.

    • Euphemistic on 04/07/2023 - 16:05
      +1

      Going to solar it would be worth dropping the gas component - but that’s another investment.

    • Wilson Wallace on 04/07/2023 - 16:14

      Got it changed last year to instantaneous and my showers are 2 Min showers.

    • ESEMCE on 04/07/2023 - 16:22

      At that usage agreed.
      Electric car is probably going to be at work through the day (when the sun is shining) so no "free" charging for that either.

      The only way it could work is if OP doesn't drive to work, then potentially car to grid could eliminate power consumption overnight and get topped off through the day.

      • bmxr on 04/07/2023 - 18:41

        See this comment a lot, the assumption being that EVs need to be charged every day. They are like ICE, we generally only charge when needed.

        So if OP purchases an EV with a range of 300km+ (pretty much all of them these days) that means you only need to charge it once a week? The ABS calculates that the average commuter to work distance over the last 15 years is 16km. Double that for the return journey. Add another 50% for shopping/education/recreation/sports/etc.. related trips, gets you to 48km per day. Five days a week = 240km. Gives you either day to charge on the weekend, allowing for weekend trips, weather etc..

        Also during the October-April months, there is enough power coming off our panels before we leave in the morning from sunrise to 8am AND after we get home from 5:30pm to sunset to get a top up charge.

        • ESEMCE on 05/07/2023 - 08:54
          +1

          Fair.
          Although getting into the habit of plugging in when you get home is also touted as a common habit by owners.

    • SBOB on 04/07/2023 - 16:22

      But based on your low electricity bill, I don't think it would ever pay off for you

      yep, low energy user. Self charging may add to ROI if you're home during the day (pointless if you work away from home 9-5 for example)

      • Wilson Wallace on 05/07/2023 - 15:02

        Yep, home 8-5 everyday as I work from home. Not a big energy user to be quite frank.

  • hothed on 04/07/2023 - 16:07
    +3

    Something you havent accounted for is; Didn't the rebates go down also from last year?

    Also - get a quote from the company your dad used?

  • Sal in SA on 04/07/2023 - 16:10
    +5

    Jeez, monthly power bills are almost like our weekly = even with 6kw solar.

  • Drakesy on 04/07/2023 - 16:11
    +6

    My dad got his solar installed last year - 20 Panels, double story. Only ended up paying $600 out of pocket expenses.

    Sounds like he signed up for a Buy now pay later scheme. there's no way that out of pocket expenses are that low.

    I bought my 6.6kw system 2 years ago for $2250 off a deal off here after rebates.

    Ever since, about par is $3200 nowadays for that sized system.

  • Stewardo on 04/07/2023 - 16:12

    How old is your dad? Does he get a different rebate?

  • Detective fishlips on 04/07/2023 - 16:14
    +1

    10, 15, 20 panels mean nothing. What's the actual power generation of the panels (and brand) that your dad got? What inverter?

    e.g. 15 x 400w panels has the same power output as 20 x 300w panels (though I doubt anyone uses 300w panels now).

    Like @thefreelunch said, go to solarquotes and that will have all the information you need.

  • ESEMCE on 04/07/2023 - 16:19
    +1

    Is your dad locked in to a long term deal with an electricity retailer to get that price?

    Essentially pay a little upfront and then pay extra for power over the next 5 years?

  • SBOB on 04/07/2023 - 16:20
    +2

    My dad got his solar installed last year - 20 Panels, double story. Only ended up paying $1600

    Even the most dodgy, corner cutting, low budget installing gear setup would struggle to be $1600 :/

    Even that first quote seems too cheap , though its a pretty low level/budget rate inverter.

    If you arent staying long term i guess buy cheap gear, but if you expect to get a decade+ from it, buying something with a better inverter would likely be beneficial.

  • Protractor on 04/07/2023 - 16:47
    +2

    "Am I being extorted with the Solar quotes?" Not if you haven't coughed up.

    If you want an example of what 'real' extortion looks like Google AUKUS.(usual offenders are the beneficiaries) (aka extortioners)

    • Leadfoot6 on 05/07/2023 - 18:59
      -1

      Do you like the threat of Chinese military expansion throughout the Pacific region?
      I don't.
      AUKUS = money well spent.

      • Protractor on 05/07/2023 - 20:12

        Good on ya comrade

  • notfrodo on 04/07/2023 - 16:55
    +1

    These quotes are extremely reasonable. I am not sure why you think it isnt. I just had an 8.5kw system with a fronius inv installed for 9.5k. These prices are fine.

  • MeesusEff on 04/07/2023 - 18:26
    +1

    Would solar really be worth it for you? Our bills are $3-500 every 2 months but I still dont think solar would make a big difference as once the kids go to school and we go back to work it'd be pretty much not worth it.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2023 - 00:22

    People seem to say above are reasonable. However, how come the big different for extra few units of watt. Is that normal?
    So better to get cheaper one or worthwhile investing extra 1K to get the extra wattage

  • Jugganautx on 05/07/2023 - 12:46

    You're complaining about being extorted? I paid $5200 for the same setup and that was the cheapest i got out of 10 companies.

    Cough up cheapskate

    • Wilson Wallace on 05/07/2023 - 15:00
      +1

      With or without government rebates? Do you have a double story? Instead of throwing numbers out, explain your situation.

  • Wilson Wallace on 05/07/2023 - 15:05
    -1

    Quick update - The $2700 quote is only out of pocket expenses for me. I would still need to owe the gov another $1400. Basically $4100 in total.

    • ESEMCE on 05/07/2023 - 15:12

      What do you mean "owe the gov another $1400"?
      A rebate is not a loan, you don't have to pay it back (least not directly… you will through taxes of course)

      • Wilson Wallace on 05/07/2023 - 22:37

        The solar panel company said to me that 2.5K is payable to them (the solar panel company ) and the interest free loan from the vic gov of $1400 is payable to vic gov. 3.9k for the third quote.

    • VQLD on 22/08/2023 - 11:57

      Jeez… why did you put Total cost as $2700 if it's $4100?
      I thought $2700 is bloody cheap comparing to QLD quotes for $6.5-9.5K incl meter box upgrade (more expensive with Fronius)

  • lachhelix on 05/07/2023 - 22:51

    don't plan on being here for the long term

    Electric bills during the winter months are around $65 to $75 per month

    If I were you I'd save your money and not bother with solar

  • wetsandwich on 07/07/2023 - 14:57
    +1

    If you get rid of gas and use more electricity then it might be worth it. Otherwise no, as your electricity bills now are 1/3 of what most people would be paying.

    Also I'm getting an ad literally on this page, 6.5kw panels for $3990 if that helps.

  • lewislardboy on 22/08/2023 - 12:03

    Your bills are only $65-75/mnth? Wow.

    My daily fee is over $1/day — so that's $30 baked in. Assuming 40c/kw — you only use 2.9kw of power per day?? My fridge idles at around 200w/hr, so that's already doubled your usage.

    Are you sure on those numbers?

    • lewislardboy on 22/08/2023 - 12:10
      +1

      Assuming you're out of the house all day, and that you'd generate ~9mw per year @ 8c feed-in (all feed to the grid as your not using it), you'd make $720 credit per year. That'd take 9 years to pay back. I really don't think solar is for you.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join