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I live in NE Australia (~17"S) and our feed in tariff recently went up from ~6.6c to 9.3c (so now around US$0.063). Massive boon for us, given rising prices. Wi

I live in NE Australia (~17"S) and our feed in tariff recently went up from ~6.6c to 9.3c (so now around US$0.063). Massive boon for us, given rising prices. With a 5kw system we feed in 1500kwh per quarter and buy back 600kwh (at ~22c), averaged across the year. Lots of variation summer to winter (sun angle) and depending on wet season, WFH, etc. On our "best" days we'll generate >38kWh. Pool runs for free year round, aircons run for free during the day. For now it's very cost effective for us without a battery. Less so with one. Less so for friends without pool / large appliance running through day. Older systems, generally much smaller, have grandfathered feed in tariffs sitting around 40c. These people tend to go out of their way not to use power during the day. Pool on at night, etc. Interested to read other's experience.

foxrob92 4y ago
I'm in Perth. Our feed in tariff changed in July to 10c/kWh between 3pm and 9pm, and 2.5c/kWh at other times. Use tariff is 26.2c/kWh. I'm pretty sure our solar will pay itself back in under 5 years, but we have a 25 year warranty on the panels. My parents are building outside of Adelaide and they've decided to go off grid (solar + battery + backup generator). Their expected payback period is (iirc) 8 years, with a 10 year warranty on the batteries and a 25 year warranty on the panels. They're expecting to have to run the generator once a year or so.
- somishere 4y ago
  2.5c isn't great, but 5 years is. Shows its definitely worth it if you've got any kind of load during the day. Are you able to make any use of the peak rates after 3 over there? From what I hear SA is one of the best places in the country to generate. Optimal temperature for the panels plus lots of sunlight. 8 years seems like nothing with the genny and battery. We tried but couldn't make the numbers work with any kind of decent backup, this was 3 years ago. Cheers for the info!

foxrob92 4y ago

I'm in Perth. Our feed in tariff changed in July to 10c/kWh between 3pm and 9pm, and 2.5c/kWh at other times. Use tariff is 26.2c/kWh. I'm pretty sure our solar will pay itself back in under 5 years, but we have a 25 year warranty on the panels. My parents are building outside of Adelaide and they've decided to go off grid (solar + battery + backup generator). Their expected payback period is (iirc) 8 years, with a 10 year warranty on the batteries and a 25 year warranty on the panels. They're expecting to have to run the generator once a year or so.

somishere 4y ago
2.5c isn't great, but 5 years is. Shows its definitely worth it if you've got any kind of load during the day. Are you able to make any use of the peak rates after 3 over there? From what I hear SA is one of the best places in the country to generate. Optimal temperature for the panels plus lots of sunlight. 8 years seems like nothing with the genny and battery. We tried but couldn't make the numbers work with any kind of decent backup, this was 3 years ago. Cheers for the info!