Solar Panels

[Quickstatus]

IMO it depends on the inverter. I have an SMA, there are plenty of inverters I wouldn’t overcook.

Most of the quality ones can be overcooked by up to 30%. However the generated heat would reduce the lifespan of the Inverter by x. I dont know what x is

What is an inverter's sweet spot?. % of nameplate capacity?

 

[amaroo]

Most of the quality ones can be overcooked by up to 30%. However the generated heat would reduce the lifespan of the Inverter by x. I dont know what x is

What is an inverter's sweet spot?. % of nameplate capacity?

I called SMA and got their advice - it matched the installers recommendation 100%.

Selecting the right installer / equipment is critical.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

$30k. Did the install myself. Payback was not long.

 

[VPS]

Just got my final electricity bill for the year so for the full year is $588 total refund so my initial outlay of $9K in $2011 is well and truly justified.

 

[cove]

I think we will fly to London to discuss your thoughts with our actuary friend Quickstatus.
We have never qualified for a FIT.
So far we rely on the sun and LED lights for the big savings. Before too long it will add up to quite a bit.

 

[Quickstatus]

Our LED lights didn’t make a difference as our 2 aircons chew up around 3kwh/hr round the clock

The capital work requests are piling up.
450m of timber post and rail fencing
15kW solar
New car to add to current fleet. (Yes I think we qualify for the use of the word Fleet)
Timber floors to replace old carpet
New kitchen

Need Capital

 

[burmans]

Need Capital

Or just say no.

 

[cove]

If everyone said no the economy would struggle. Say yes in stages perhaps.

 

[cove]

Ordered a new 30 kW solar system thru Sustainable Savings in SA.Payback is estimated at just over 3 years.
They are looking at a biggie for me that could be more than 100kW. We are waiting to see the maths on paybacks. A three year payback would be a winner.

 

[Quickstatus]

How do you calculate your payback @cove

 

[cove]

Savings divided by cost works for me. I don’t bother doing a discounted cash flow analysis when the return is 30% plus subject to depreciation and maintenance.
Yesterday the one I signed off was 3.2 years payback based on today’s electricity price in that location.
It was a cafe/lunch bar yesterday that is attached to our two warehouses in Adelaide.
There is little point donating almost free power back into the grid as you rarely get offered a reasonable rate for doing this.

 

[Quickstatus]

Savings divided by cost works for me.
...There is little point donating almost free power back into the grid as you rarely get offered a reasonable rate for doing this.

What’s you rule of thumb for a reasonable payback period?.

Our problem is that our major consumption is mainly after 3pm. We could sell to the grid at circa 12c/kWh.

 

[cove]

Where the payback is over 5 years a business might hesitate. Personally you could go out a bit because the savings are tax free and often your alternative use of money gives only modest returns.

 

[RB]

What’s you rule of thumb for a reasonable payback period?.

Our problem is that our major consumption is mainly after 3pm. We could sell to the grid at circa 12c/kWh.

We are in an Origin Energy area. For us I had 2 options-with discounts applied pay approx 23.16c and get 8c feed-in OR pay approx 30.361 and get 20c feed-in. They let you swap between plans but the discounts are not set in stone. The cheaper usage is with a 26% discount while they offered 3% discount when taking the higher feed-in

 

[Quickstatus]

Any landlords who have tenants who want solar panels?. Whats the financial approach in this situation?

Capitalise the cost then rejig the rent?

 

[cove]

Our tenant was paying 27 cents and we agreed on 20 cents a unit to avoid him feeling that he was getting robbed. That worked for both of us as we have a happier cafe owner seeing his monthly cost is reducing nicely.
With our Queensland tenant we did LED lights and solar and they tell head office that we are the nice landlord. They are a big board USA business so they tend to rent everything.

 

[moa999]

Any landlords who have tenants who want solar panels?. Whats the financial approach in this situation?

Ok on commercial with a long term leasr where coves approach works.

Harder on residential unless tenant is willing to sign a long term lease, as future tenants may not be willing to pay.

 

[Quickstatus]

I dont have SP
The electricity provider offers NFIT (net feed in tariff)
So potentially over a quarter, the export to the grid could be greater than the import from the grid in $ terms.
And potentially that can cover even the daily connection charge.
Can the quarterly electricity invoice be negative? such that the electricity retailer owes you $?
....

Our tenant was paying 27 cents and we agreed on 20 cents a unit to avoid him feeling that he was getting robbed.

Thanks @cove.
Thats a neat way of doing it. Ill do the sums.

Here is a link to recent rulings regarding solar power and residential tenants
There seem to be rules in place where the NFiT is deemed to be a rebate that cannot be excised from any electricity charges the tenant may pay to the landlord.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Can the quarterly electricity invoice be negative? such that the electricity retailer owes you $?

Certainly has been that way in the past (I get a very healthy cheque each quarter) and I can't see why that should change as you are selling them energy, but I guess it would depend on the contract you sign with the provider.

 

[DC3]

It may have been mentioned up-thread, but I find Whirlpool forums to be interesting reading for solar information. Whirlpool > Green tech > Solar

Edit: Here's a link: Solar - Green tech - Whirlpool Forums

Also: There's plenty of other information tucked away in the SolarQuotes website, here (not just the quotes for solar systems, but the other stuff): SolarQuotes | Get 3 Solar Quotes From Your Best Local Installers