Anyone on Solar Home Bundle from Energy Australia can share your experience?
https://home.energyaustralia.com.au/solar-home-bundle
Assuming they use reputable installers and quality hardware, it doesn't sound like too bad a deal.
For our usage, it cost $500/year, or $3,500 over 7 years.
You would think they don't want any call outs and therefore would push for a decent install, but they may choose equipment only work for 7 years. Who knows.
Watch the system exit fee as it looks to be way over the top. Before signing anything make sure you read ALL of the conditions in the contract and if you do not understand them then do not sign the contract.
They used $15,000 as an example, on a pro rata basis.
If equipment and install actually worth that much, then it's not unfair.
Will need to find out exact brand/model of the panels, invertor, battery, and smart meter they will be installing. I guess contact centre wouldn't know, will have to find out from the installer when they come out for site visit.
For our usage, it cost $500/year, or $3,500 over 7 years.
You mean your power usage is $500 a year? Or it will cost you $500 a year more at your current power rates compared to the rate they charge for this? From what their site says you just sign up and pay a fixed rate for 7 years for all your power usage. If you're only using $500 of power a year then this is a bargain, because it's probably $10-15k worth of hardware and installation. If the rate they charge means you'll pay $500 more each year for your power, I'd question whether you're better off installing solar yourself and do the battery later.
Battery reviews aren't amazing but then that's usually the case with any online product, you only get the horror stories.
Will need to seek further clarification, the fixed rate they have quoted online is $0.387/kWh and $0.935/day (GST inclusive), I guess this can't be the fixed rate for the entire 7-year term?
It will be $350 more per year, rounded up to $500 to include some head room.
Looks like it changes over time which is a bit rubbish.
IMO I'd price out what solar would be like and your usage. My payback period is about 4 years and I tend not to pay a whole lot except for the depths of winter.
Also consider what it'd be like if you bought an EV at some point in the future and your demand increased significantly. I tend to plug the car in every sunny day I can to charge it up, it would cost me a lot if I had to pay 38.7c a kWh to charge it.
If I understand it correctly, kWh is fixed, daily supply fee can change. This "should" be okay even going up 50 cents, there are only 365 days in year.
We don't have appliances on controlled load.
From a mate who signed up to this he said he was very happy with the contractors that came out and has had no regrets. Like others said it’s just the lock down period but other than that he said it was the best decision and he was very happy with the quality of the panels and workmanship.
I would consider it but for some reason my address is not eligible I think because I’m in vic?
Do you know if he has access to the stats/dashboard? Like how much power came in and went to the grid, battery status, historic data/trend, etc?
Kind of think about it, there's no benefit until after 7 years, sort of the like renting out the roof for a future one time payment in the form of used equipment.
I will check. Yeah basically it’s that after 7 years it’s all yours but these panels and batteries have a life span far beyond 7 years which is why he went for it. He did say energy Aus has access to use his battery as needed but so far they have only accessed it a handful of times when the grid was at capacity other then that his been able to use the battery and his bills have dropped to almost zero
It says they charge you a fixed rate for all electricity, whether it comes from grid, solar, or batteries. So not sure how that is working? Definitely not in line with how the website says it works.
@djsweet: Yeah, I was wondering. May be his friend is on some sort of early adapter program that has different terms.
@djsweet: From the website (second paragraph) -
EnergyAustralia will manage your solar panel and battery system and we’ll charge you a fixed general usage rate for all the electricity you use in your home, no matter whether your energy comes from your solar panels, battery, or the grid
Actually depends on how you look at this.
Energy Australia's approach is $0 upfront, benefit later.
Buying a solar system outright will have immediate benefit, but still negative due to initial outlay.
This is actually no go. The fine print at the bottom of the page says minimum usage applies, without mentioning what is the minimum.
Found it in a blog post, 16kWh per day. Guess that implies they will charge from 16kWh per day. It will be $1,200 per year more than current bill, shot up to $8,400 over 7 years. Suddenly not too good.
Guess that implies they will charge from 16kWh per day
I read it as the 16kWh means you are eligible to take up the offer and you pay some sort of 'blended rate' for every bit of power that you use, no matter where you get it from - including from the solar panels.
From that blog you referenced -
Customers are charged a blended usage rate per kWh for the electricity consumed at their home, including electricity from the grid or electricity generated by and drawn from the solar or battery system but excluding controlled load usage where applicable.
As always , read ALL of the fine print and make sure that you understand what you are signing. I think there is an underlying conflict of interest with an energy retailer (the sole purpose of which is to make money selling energy) who suddenly becomes your BFF & wants to save you money . There must be a catch somewhere. Good luck with your deliberation.
Thanks for the advice, will look further.
Sounds like the deal my brother signed up for. He's spewing now, but I don't know what the issue is. Maybe just not as lucrative as salesman said?? But I know his recommendation would be run away.
I'll post back if I find out more.
Ive thought about it. looks decent but im scared of the lock in plan.