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I'll add some anecdata from Australia. My neighbour had a 5kW system put on, single-phase inverter, about three years ago - for ~ A$7000. I've just put a depo

by Jedd 6y ago

I'll add some anecdata from Australia. My neighbour had a 5kW system put on, single-phase inverter, about three years ago - for ~ A$7000. I've just put a deposit down for installation of 12kW of panels with a 10kW three-phase inverter for A$7400 Same provider, though I haven't compared breakdown of costs (I'm assuming very similar installation / labour costs).

harry8 6y ago
How do you find a provider? Feel like sharing who you used and some details?
- Jedd 6y ago
  I'm not sure where you are, and what regions the vendor I'm using covers, but I did pick Beyond Solar. This was mostly because my neighbour, an ex-power plant engineer, with much more expertise in this tech than me, had selected them three years ago, and his son had gone through a similar process a month or so ago and also chose them. Quality of the equipment is the big factor, and I gather a lot of the significantly cheaper companies are cutting costs on the quality and/or warranty. I was recommended https://www.solarquotes.com.au/ https://www.solarquotes.com.au/ by several trusted sources for comparing options, though didn't end up using them.
  - harry8 6y ago
    Thanks!
SulfurHexaFluri 6y ago
I wonder how the economics on this work. Does it make more sense to wait or does it make more sense to buy at any point since you always win?
- Jedd 6y ago
  Good question. In my case we're spending an inordinate amount on power currently, because we're using upwards of 20kW / day. Part of that is a horribly inefficient hot water system, part of it is needing an air conditioner this time of year (here in Australia). The new system will include a smart meter changeover, which means hot water can be off-peak, and time-constrained, and air-conditioner will be used primarily during the times that we're generating power. Combined with some other plans - adding a shade-roof over one of the existing poorly insulated structures, replacing the HWS with a heat pump, etc - I expect that we'll be close to power-positive most sunny summer days when we're on-site, and every non-cloudy day that we're not. Payback for my neighbour was ~ 3 years, though he was more extravagant with his air conditioner because it wasn't costing him anything to put it on. I expect a similar or slightly faster payback period. In which case - it makes more sense for me to do this immediately. Whether it would have been the case 3 years ago, I'm not so sure.
kovach 6y ago
Coming at this late, but that is a really good price for a fully installed system, does that include some government subsidy? Considering a similar system like that in southern Europe where installation is pretty cheap, and the prices are higher, I see A$12000 for a 10KW system of panels and a 10KW Fronius three-phase inverter.
- Jedd 6y ago
  Yes, there's some rebates from federal government in those numbers. For the record: 33 x 370W solar panels (Jinko) - 12 year warranty Three-phase inverter (Sungrow), battery capable down the track Installation (labour, mounting kits, wiring, etc) Total is A$13,000 -- less the government incentives / subsidy ($36 / STC) of A$6,600 which are intercepted by the vendor in this case. In Australia these subsidies are taking yet another hit at the end of this year, hence there's a bit of a spike in people paying for these systems, but scheduling installation in 2021.

by Jedd 6y ago

harry8 6y ago

How do you find a provider? Feel like sharing who you used and some details?

Jedd 6y ago
I'm not sure where you are, and what regions the vendor I'm using covers, but I did pick Beyond Solar. This was mostly because my neighbour, an ex-power plant engineer, with much more expertise in this tech than me, had selected them three years ago, and his son had gone through a similar process a month or so ago and also chose them. Quality of the equipment is the big factor, and I gather a lot of the significantly cheaper companies are cutting costs on the quality and/or warranty. I was recommended https://www.solarquotes.com.au/ https://www.solarquotes.com.au/ by several trusted sources for comparing options, though didn't end up using them.
- harry8 6y ago
  Thanks!

SulfurHexaFluri 6y ago

I wonder how the economics on this work. Does it make more sense to wait or does it make more sense to buy at any point since you always win?

Jedd 6y ago
Good question. In my case we're spending an inordinate amount on power currently, because we're using upwards of 20kW / day. Part of that is a horribly inefficient hot water system, part of it is needing an air conditioner this time of year (here in Australia). The new system will include a smart meter changeover, which means hot water can be off-peak, and time-constrained, and air-conditioner will be used primarily during the times that we're generating power. Combined with some other plans - adding a shade-roof over one of the existing poorly insulated structures, replacing the HWS with a heat pump, etc - I expect that we'll be close to power-positive most sunny summer days when we're on-site, and every non-cloudy day that we're not. Payback for my neighbour was ~ 3 years, though he was more extravagant with his air conditioner because it wasn't costing him anything to put it on. I expect a similar or slightly faster payback period. In which case - it makes more sense for me to do this immediately. Whether it would have been the case 3 years ago, I'm not so sure.

kovach 6y ago

Coming at this late, but that is a really good price for a fully installed system, does that include some government subsidy? Considering a similar system like that in southern Europe where installation is pretty cheap, and the prices are higher, I see A$12000 for a 10KW system of panels and a 10KW Fronius three-phase inverter.

Jedd 6y ago
Yes, there's some rebates from federal government in those numbers. For the record: 33 x 370W solar panels (Jinko) - 12 year warranty Three-phase inverter (Sungrow), battery capable down the track Installation (labour, mounting kits, wiring, etc) Total is A$13,000 -- less the government incentives / subsidy ($36 / STC) of A$6,600 which are intercepted by the vendor in this case. In Australia these subsidies are taking yet another hit at the end of this year, hence there's a bit of a spike in people paying for these systems, but scheduling installation in 2021.