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6.6kW (Jinko) Solar System with 2x6.5kWh Growatt Lithium Batteries Installed for $4990 (SA Only) @ Sunterra Solar

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6.6kW (Jinko) Solar System with 2x6.5kWh Growatt Lithium Batteries Installed for $4990 (SA Only) @ Sunterra Solar
Go to Deal
LStimps on 09/10/2019 - 11:27 sunterra.com.au (3072 clicks)
Last edited 09/10/2019 - 17:14 by 2 other users

Solar with Battery Package – 6.6KW Solar with 2 x 6.5kWh Lithium Batteries at only $4,990, Fully Installed. *

20x Global #1 – Jinko Solar, Mono PERC Half Cell 330W Panels
1x Growatt SPH5000 5kW Hybrid Inverter
2x Growatt GBLI6531 6.5kWh Lithium Batteries
Usable capacity is 6kWh each battery.

South Australia’s Home Battery Scheme
From October 2018, 40,000 South Australian households can access $100 million in State Government subsidies and $100 million in loans to pay for the installation of home battery systems.

While the subsidy is available to all South Australians, Energy Concession Holders are eligible to access a higher subsidy, ensuring low-income households are supported to access the Scheme.

The subsidy is applied to the battery component only, participating households can apply for finance made available through the Commonwealth Government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation to help pay for the balance of the battery and to purchase new or additional solar panels, if required.

The subsidy is calculated on the kilowatt hour capacity of the battery being installed, and capped for everyone at a maximum of $6,000 per battery installed.

Home Battery Scheme subsidy levels
Energy concession holder $600.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh)
All other households $500.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh)
A set of minimum technical requirements for battery systems has been developed to ensure the batteries are safe, reliable and capable of being recruited into a virtual power plant.

While households are able to choose whether or not their home battery system operates as part of a virtual power plant, the ability to aggregate home battery systems - either now or at a future point in time - creates opportunities to address network issues and smooth loads by balancing out peak power demands.

A dedicated website is available to assist South Australians consider their suitability for a home battery system, choose between approved products and system providers, access the subsidy and apply for finance, if required. Visit: www.homebatteryscheme.sa.gov.au. Alternatively households can call, 8463 3555.

Businesses interested in becoming system providers can learn more about the application process, by visiting www.homebatteryscheme.sa.gov.au/become-a-provider

Electrical & Electronics Solar Energy System

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closed Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2019 - 11:29
    +18

    Can I get installed on my trailer in SA, then drive it back to Melb?

    • PinzVidz on 09/10/2019 - 11:36
      +1

      That must be a big trailer you have there…

      • IVI on 17/10/2019 - 07:38

        While visiting family in Outback SA
        a guy showed-up at their door, there
        to inform folks about the subsidy.

        He suggested they'd need to ALREAD
        be using a min. amt of Electricity,
        ie, to be eligible for the subsidy.

        (That doesn't make sense to me, ie:
        because the Virtual Power Station
        should be happy to take power from
        where ever it comes.

        Right?)

        Did you Know?

        LG now offers PV panels, that
        output 240 VAC

        Any1 use 'em? What are their
        trade-offs? Costs? Warranties?

        Any greater risk (if any) of
        them being hit + destroyed by
        Lightening? Hail-Storms? etc.

        Does the typical Home Cover
        include cover for such events?

        In SA, they Gentrify Everything!
        …even "Trailer Parks"

        (In SuprBrudda's case, I imagine
        a Road-Train of Trailers, like a
        small residential version of the
        long distance Passenger-Train ;~)

        Anyone seen Canadian comedy show
        [on TV]:

        • "The Trailer Park Boys"..?

        Saw it 1x; I don't Recommend it

  • jv on 09/10/2019 - 11:31
    +14

    How much is it normally ?

    • IVI on 17/10/2019 - 07:47

      +1

      We once tried one of those:

      • "Get 3 Quotes" services

      Nobody wants to quote by phone

      "Oh, we need to see you roof, etc."

      (Eg: See Nice Home => Higher Cost)

      It seemed WORSE with Solar HW Svc's

      OzB needs a Permanent Thread, eg:

      • "What I paid for my Solar PV sys
        & what exactly I got for my $$"

      (as well as one for Solar HW Svc's)

      Each should include comments on how
      the job went, who did it (Co.Name &
      ABN), & - after, say, 5 years - how
      well it's survived.

    • IVI on 17/10/2019 - 10:29
      -1

      The HomeBatteryScheme phone number has VERY LITTLE INFO
      (I'd guess they're set up to advise would-be Providers,
      as they have so little info for would-be system BUYERS)

      Eg, Not even a Sample whole-system cost, to see if they
      can Afford such a system!

      The number Only sends one to the website f Battery-Info

      Splitting the info on a System into System Elements is
      Silly, IMO. Typical [SA] Gov't… :~/

  • Seedy seed on 09/10/2019 - 11:32
    +4

    Can you use your adress insa then install for me in qld 😂 what kind of god dang huge rebates do sa give out????

    • justtoreply on 09/10/2019 - 11:39

      Hell maybe I could rent somewhere in SA via Airbnb and do the same :)

      • IVI on 17/10/2019 - 10:32

        I'd bet it's only available to Home Owners

        (So, if you rent & your landlord doesn't
        want it, You won't be able to save $$ on
        your Power Bill.)

        PS In the OzB page's ad-column, I've been
        getting an ad w/photo of a tropical-storm
        & ad's message is ~Buy a Generator(!)

    • IVI on 17/10/2019 - 07:51

      For the Battery, they use RateSetter
      so; dunno if there could be any re-
      percussions to moving the system to
      another venue…?

      (Possibly getting reduced rates, due
      either to SA Gov't "bulk-buying loans"
      there -OR- subsidizing each loan…?)

      Any1 know the nitty-gritty, eg, how
      much lower the % of Interest or Fees
      are, than they'd be for Average Joe,
      who gets a similar RateSetter loan?

      PS:

      I'm surprised some of you, in Qld,
      aren't taking thinks 1 step further:

      • "Oy! While we were away at DisneyLand,
        etc., someone STOLE our PV system!"
        (followed by a dodgy insurance claim)
      • Seedy seed on 17/10/2019 - 08:19

        Lol your saying qlders are fraudsters??

        • IVI on 17/10/2019 - 12:35
          -1

          Of course not, although
          the only Nurse I know fr
          Q did get into strife for
          removing "old" med's from
          her workplace, instead of
          tossing them out, per
          protocol.

          And.. Q burns fossil fuel
          (as do NSW + Vic) instead
          of doing its part to push
          back Climate Change, like
          preparing for New Nuclear
          = Safe Green, Liquid-Fuel
          Molten Salt Reactors ~due
          2030:

          Search + view in YouTube:

          1 "Pedersen TEDxCopenhagen"
          2 "IMSR Hybrid Nuclear / Renewables"

          app ElectricityMap &
          compare Qld to { France, SA or Tas }

          "Green is Good; Dark is Bad" ;~)

  • HKS on 09/10/2019 - 11:33
    +1

    can you buy the system and get it installed at a later date? i haven't bought a house yet but first thing i want is solar.

    • ihbh on 09/10/2019 - 12:39

      As long as you pay first, not a problem.

      • dantione on 09/10/2019 - 13:55

        Surely you would need an address attached to any rebate - and for it to actually be installed. It's intended purpose is outlined above, doubt the government would give you $$$ for it to be sitting in a cardboard box

        • ihbh on 09/10/2019 - 14:03
          -1

          I meant if HKS wants to give their money to the company, they will gladly take it… (and claim the rebate from the govt when HKS actually installs).

    • Steptoe on 09/10/2019 - 14:25

      First I’d get a roof to pin it on.

    • Gaz1 on 09/10/2019 - 15:26

      If its going to be a while probably better to wait as prices have been falling for some time on battery solar systems (although this seems mcuh cheaper than anything I've seen).

    • Ulysses31 on 09/10/2019 - 21:48

      Builders call it "Reverse Building".

  • justtoreply on 09/10/2019 - 11:38
    +4

    Seems too good to be true?

  • renster72 on 09/10/2019 - 11:45
    +1

    wow that's awesome cost $13.5k for my Tesla powerwall 2 battery alone

    • xkcd12345 on 09/10/2019 - 12:37
      +1

      What's the capacity of a powerwall 2?

      • FTTNope on 09/10/2019 - 13:08
        +1

        Usable - 13.5kWh

        • Steptoe on 09/10/2019 - 13:24

          with 90% round trip efficiency.

      • tor on 09/10/2019 - 13:10

        13kwh.

  • noise36 on 09/10/2019 - 11:46
    +8

    Wowee wish Wa had batteries this cheap

    • FeZZa21 on 09/10/2019 - 12:33

      me too!

  • User2049 on 09/10/2019 - 11:47
    +1

    $2990 for just the battery wish I was in SA.

    • User2049 on 09/10/2019 - 11:51
      +2

      6 year payback period.

      • reubenb87 on 09/10/2019 - 12:33
        +5

        Depends on usage, but 6 years is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than it was a few years ago!

    • Zondor on 09/10/2019 - 15:05
      +1

      Our grid power prices suck and the cost to go off grid is huge. You don't really wana be here for power.

  • SS625 on 09/10/2019 - 12:19

    Can you go off grid with this system?

    • dan0909 on 09/10/2019 - 12:23
      +2

      in a way, yes. but you are still required to have electricity connection by law in some states.

      • Illyria on 09/10/2019 - 12:31
        +3

        And you'd still want to be connected to the grid anyway so that you can export excess solar energy (from which you earn money).

        • scratchy on 09/10/2019 - 14:19
          +6

          Well that depends how much you get paid for your export the "Feed In Tariff" or FIT.

          In WA you get 7c per unit exported BUT you pay 95c a day to be connected to the grid.
          With this 5kw inverter you'll do a max of 30 units generated a day (probably average out at 25 units a day year round).
          Considering you'll be using your excess to recharge the battery you probably won't export more than 5 units a day (logic average Aussie household consumes around 25 units a day).

          So 5 extra units exported at 7 cents= 35 cents.
          So in WA my annual connection fee (.95 x 365= $347)
          So in WA my annual export to grid (.35 x 365= $127)

          SO IN MY SITUATION I WOULD SAVE $220 PER YEAR I WENT OFF GRID.

          ymmv

          • Hendot on 09/10/2019 - 15:04
            +2

            @scratchy: $220/year vs the risk of running out of electricity after a couple of rainy days in winter.
            ymmv indeed.

            • scratchy on 09/10/2019 - 16:14
              +5

              @Hendot: What is this rain thing you speak of? ;-)

            • CookieJacker31 on 09/10/2019 - 16:38
              +2

              @Hendot: GET TWO!

              13.2kw of generation and 26kw of storage, that'd be enough to get most people through a few rainy days (which still generate a little bit of juice 10-20%).

              • Hendot on 10/10/2019 - 10:25

                @CookieJacker31: And you would have so much spare production in summer that the grid connection fee would more than pay for itself in exports.

          • tunzafun001 on 10/10/2019 - 01:20
            +1

            @scratchy: Scratchy, don't forget to add in the sign up incentives you can get for switching energy providers. Most are around $120 (look on cashrewards), and you can do it every 6 months without much issue.

            Simply Energy are offering $260 in bill credits over 2 years (basically meaning little cost for a grid connection), and AGL providing $480 over 2 years if you have an Elect vehicle (this means the cost of grid connection is basically zero as their day supply charge is around 75c/ day).

            Ie, with this deal, you can save $2990 by not getting it! and staying on the grid. This is what stops me from going ahead with a battery. I have a small generator for blackouts if needed, and most batteries wont work in blackouts anyway without paying a higher cost than the cost of a generator).

            *disclaimer..this guy ports.

            Just some food for thought.

    • ESEMCE on 09/10/2019 - 12:46

      It'd be super tight through the depths of Winter when you're generating only 2-3kWh across the entire day.

      My house consumes 2.5kWh/day in standby usage alone, just running the fridge, modem, Clock Radio and TV on standby.

      • Gracey on 09/10/2019 - 13:03

        @scubacoles This system will make 5kw per hour in decent conditions. You might see 40+ kw generated after a sunny day

        • ESEMCE on 09/10/2019 - 15:18
          +2

          Did you actually read my comment?
          In the middle of Winter on those cold overcast days where there is very little insolation you'll be lucky to generate 3kWh (Source - my own 5kW system performance).
          Get a few overcast days in a row and use any electricity outside of the extreme basics and your battery is going to be rapidly exhausted if you're off-grid.
          If you've got electric Hot Water, forget it!

      • team teri on 09/10/2019 - 14:28
        +2

        Those days are very rare, I've got data from my own system for 9 years.

        Only 5 days in 9 years were below 3kWh. The lowest I got for 2 consecutive days was 9.5kWh. The lowest for 3 consecutive days 24kWh.

        That 3-day result is more than I use. For both the 2-day and 1-day result this battery system would have been more than sufficient.

        • ESEMCE on 09/10/2019 - 15:32

          It all depends on your usage, but in my case, it's not logical
          13kWh is about what my house uses on average per day (this with Gas Hot Water, Heating and Stove).
          When you're generating only a few kWh and you're using your full battery capacity it only takes 2 poor days to realise that going Off-Grid wasn't such a great idea.
          In all 3 of your scenario's * , my house is out of power (or on power rationing) for at least half a day. Added to this, the battery is being kept at VERY low levels, which is (likely) not good for its longevity.

          *Also factor that you're going to lose 15-20% round trip through the battery.

          • team teri on 09/10/2019 - 16:06

            @ESEMCE: I'm surprised that your house uses 13 a day when the standby and fridge only come to 2.5. Where does it all go? Especially since you have gas for the big consumers.

            In any case you have 3 options then:
            * rule out batteries
            * get more batteries
            * add a small generator

            In my own situation (unfortunately only theoretical, since WA doesn't have the same generous subsidies), I'd be happy to reduce the battery size to about 10kWh and have a cheap 2kW generator to back it up, knowing that that generator would only be used between 0 and 20 hours each year.

            • ESEMCE on 09/10/2019 - 16:44

              @team teri: Washing Machine, Dishwasher, Oven, Dryer, Coffee machine/Kettle/Toaster, Watching TV, Lights, Computers, AC during Summer.
              All the usual stuff.
              Looking back through my Whole House Consumption readings, I've probably over-estimnated our usage through Winter, it's probably more like 10kWh/day on Average through Winter and 15kWh through Summer (cause of our Gas heating, we use less power through Winter than Summer), but still run over 13kWh for the day on Laundry days.

              These batteries are DIRT Cheap though. I am tempted to investigate further as 13kWh batteries at less than $5000 out of pocket puts them into profit territory (on grid and before factoring any future VPP possibilities) based on my previous calculations when this SA Govt rebate first came in.

    • guidedlight on 09/10/2019 - 13:27
      +1

      No.
      Grid-connected inverters tend to only produce active power so the grid is still needed for reactive power. More expensive off-grid inverters would be able to absorb the reactive power.

  • 28kb on 09/10/2019 - 12:28
    +4

    Growatt is a subtier inverter.. But that is cheap!

    • h4lcyon on 09/10/2019 - 12:49

      What are higher tier inverters? Aurora/ABB?

      • guidedlight on 09/10/2019 - 13:28
        +4

        Fronius is the most popular in Australia

      • kaleidoscope on 09/10/2019 - 14:20

        Fronius. Thats also the most expensive one

      • 28kb on 09/10/2019 - 16:28

        SMA are the leaders, although I dont know if SMA have a hybrid inverter in the market yet

    • netjock on 09/10/2019 - 14:31

      I think you mean lower tier. Growatt & Goodwe is probably the best of the Chinese converters. You could do a lot worse. Pay any more and you'll be into European inverters.

      Given Growatt has a 10 year warranty and half the cost of Fronius. In 10 years time technology have moved on and you have better options at same or lower price.

      • Steptoe on 09/10/2019 - 18:14

        You don’t rate Huawei in the Chinese range?

        • netjock on 09/10/2019 - 18:30

          Not of my business who rates. Huawei might give financial comfort they will be around but whether they will be successful in inverters is a different story.

          Look at Hyundai. They did panels, then pulled out of the Australian market, they are back again.

          If you are set on Huawei I'd do my own research. I was looking at 3 phase inverters and I don't think Huawei does it.

          • Steptoe on 10/10/2019 - 00:26

            @netjock: I’m not set on much as of yet.

            Huawei are not new to the game. 3 phase is probably in their commercial range. They have a 29.9kW 3 phase model to max out connections in Australia

  • Scotch on 09/10/2019 - 12:29

    Are there any govt rebates/schemes for SA residents? I am considering this

    • 28kb on 09/10/2019 - 12:31
      +7

      This is why it's so cheap, price includes 6k subsidy from SA gov. Will need to check if you are eligible. I'd check other suppliers total cost for a real apples to apples comparison

  • Naigrabzo on 09/10/2019 - 12:31
    +1

    I am worried about this. What's the normal price for this? What short cuts are being taken to get this at a great price? The last thing I want is a suboptimal system (battery) that catches on fire or something.

    Otherwise, unbelievable price.

    • NotAMoodle on 09/10/2019 - 21:06
      +1

      $5k - $6k government subsidy included in price, as per post.

    • Naigrabzo on 11/10/2019 - 16:35

      Ok I get it. Thanks guys.

  • Berek on 09/10/2019 - 12:33
    +2

    If you click the link….

    Quick Facts about the Home Battery Scheme:

    The subsidy is available for the installation of home battery systems.
    The subsidy will be up to $6000 depending on the size of the battery and whether the customer is an Energy Concession Holder.
    $100 million subsidies for up to 40,000 SA households are eligible for the subsidy.
    An additional $100 million low interest loans are available from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to help households pay for the balance of the subsidised battery and new or additional solar if required.

    • ESEMCE on 09/10/2019 - 12:48
      +2

      Yeah, for regular people who might actually be able to afford this, the Subsidy would be $5k, so the price would be $1k more.

      • Steptoe on 09/10/2019 - 13:04
        +1

        The storage capacity exceeds the rebate cap for both classes, so if still $6000 regardless. Added info in Post above.

        • ESEMCE on 09/10/2019 - 15:34
          +1

          $6000 is ONLY for Energy Concession Holders Only (ie the people who are unlikely to be able to afford this… It's a Headline number only, unlikely to be used by anyone). The maximum for regular folks is $5000.

          • Steptoe on 09/10/2019 - 18:20

            @ESEMCE: Where do they hide that detail?

            • ESEMCE on 09/10/2019 - 22:01

              @Steptoe: It's not hidden it's blatant.
              Most of it is even in the OP above.

              Energy concession holder $600.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh)
              All other households $500.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh)

              Capped at 10kWh

  • wrx5 on 09/10/2019 - 12:36
    +14

    https://www.solarquotes.com.au/solar101.html

    many useful info here for the beginners. I hope it will be helpful.

    • dansblackcat on 09/10/2019 - 12:58
      +4

      That's the site I went through when I got my solar set up. Really informative and very helpful. I punched in my details and they contacted 3 reputable solar installers in my area who then contacted me with quotes. Really good and really easy.

    • Duff5000 on 09/10/2019 - 13:11
      +2

      good info.

      If you are in vic you can also get an interest free loan to help pay for solar:
      https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/loans-solar-pv

  • tunzafun001 on 09/10/2019 - 12:48
    +2

    I have a 4kw system with Q-CELL Panels and a SMA inverter. Noticed the panels aren't producing any more than 3kw max.

    Went to clean the panels and noticed a heap of silver 'shorts' running through the panels. Called the installer (Solar Choice), they say they are no longer in business/ partnership with Solar Choice and are now known as Hale and Baulm Plumbing, and only do plumbing now. Dodgy, but that's solar!

    So called the manufacturer, sent photos and completed forms. They claim the 'snail trails' are acceptable. But never quantify how many 'trails' are acceptable. Anyone else got through this before I hit up Office of Fair Trading?

    or now thinking, do I just get this and replace the lot (such a waste though). ..and so everyone knows to avoid Q-CELLS, that's Q-CELLS who are ducking and weaving on the warranty.

    • SBOB on 09/10/2019 - 13:39
      +1

      Warranty On qcell is pretty good usually (from what I've read), but installer going out of business is the issue

      Likely need to pay a solar electrician to diagnose the issue/faulty panels and raise it with qcell..still gonna cost you some $ though as your original installer isn't an option (and qcell don't pay installer fees on panel warranties from memory)

    • team teri on 09/10/2019 - 14:42
      +9

      3kW from panels rated 4kW is not too far off from what you'd expect from a system where everything works perfectly fine.

      Panels are rated at standard test conditions (STC), that assumes 1000W/m2 insolation. Depending on your location and the orientation of the panels you might never get that. Even without any shade, which would make a huge difference again.

      Then the main factor is cell temperature. Testing is done with cells at 25 degrees. On a day with full (1000W/m2) insolation your cells will quickly heat up to around 60 degrees. For each degree you lose about 0.5% of output. That's 17% loss in that example, leaving you 83%.

      Add in inverter efficiency of perhaps 95%.

      So full insolation on 4kW panels will result in 3.15 kW AC output (4x0.83x0.95). Pretty close to what you are getting. Probably close enough that a warranty claim would not succeed, save yourself the $$$ and time.

      • KRM123 on 09/10/2019 - 15:23
        +1

        This… It's also likely your inverter is 3kw, and oversized by the recommended 33% to give you the 4kw of panels.

        Position of panels in relation to North will also have an effect.

        • Steptoe on 09/10/2019 - 18:22

          Good point, would need to check inverter model/capacity

        • tunzafun001 on 10/10/2019 - 00:46

          Cheers, but it is definitely a 4kw inverter (4000TL SMA). House faces NNE, no shade/ tree interference.

          • B-Man02 on 11/10/2019 - 20:31

            @tunzafun001: I have 10.35kw system and if i get a sun burst through the clouds i hit 10.100kwh and thats with 2/3 west(slightly south😳) and 1/3 north
            So i cant see 3kw for a 4kw system is good enough especially with decent inverter and panels

            • tunzafun001 on 05/11/2019 - 16:32

              @B-Man02: Out of interest, what brand / size are your panels (watts per panel)? and what brand / size inverter? cheers

      • tunzafun001 on 10/10/2019 - 00:45

        Cheers for this. I wish Q Cells put it in a simple context for me. I will uses your numbers for theoretical peak output. As for the 5% inverter efficiency, wouldn't this be what is lost when feeding back to the actual grid, and not on the PV generated number on the inverter read out itself? (hope that makes sense). Ie the inverter shows what is coming from the panels (with 17% loss) and then the smart meter would show a further 5% loss?

        So, this week we have had perfectly clear skies (with warm sun, yet really cold winds) with max temps 15- 17C, with an apparent temp of 7- 8C. So I think this is about as good as it will get for solar production. The solar energy is definitely there as our Solahart hot water is around 55C (and I have it turned off - p.s. these things are amazing). Feels cold outside, yet water is hot with no electricity/ gas usage whatsoever. We don't have any trees / shade interference and the house faces NNE with a 25 degree roof pitch. The read out from the 4000TL SMA inverter peaks in the high 2800's. So I think some panels aren't firing on all cylinders. I also had someone out today to quote on basically updating to this deal, and he said it looked like 2 panels at least were cactus. He think likely damaged on the install.

        So, getting back to your info, it looks like it will come down to numbers. Are 2 panels responsible for bringing the total output down by around 300w (probably), and is it enough to trigger warranty conditions. Then who is actually responsible for the cracks in the panels (the installer who no longer exists? the transport company? or a panel manufacturer who provided a panel too fragile to be handled by the prior 2 (not fit for purpose).

        Finally, this 4kw Q-Peak panel system was $13 200 (after all rebates) in 2012. None of it can be used if I go with this 6.6kw offer :(

        Any ideas if I could use Tindo panels with their own built in inverters on the back of the panel to bring the system up to 6kw? Or run them on a seperate circuit to the current system. I have seen these going for $500 for 3kw (panels only).

        • team teri on 10/10/2019 - 01:12
          +1

          Your inverter shows the AC output, after conversion losses. That's also what it is rated at, the 4kW are AC. You might have some additional loss on the way to the meter, but I'd be very surprised if that is more than 1%, that would indicate undersized wires.

          Why the need to get to 6kW solar in total?

          If you have to: The 4000TL has 2 MPPT trackers, suitable for 2 independent inputs. Are they both used? If only one is used by the existing panels you could perhaps add an extra 2kW of panels to the second input. If you put them on a different roof area (i.e. facing NW) you would get a very long peak each sunny day during which the inverter is maxed out at 4kW output.

          No idea how the Growatt batteries could be integrated into the system. If they are AC coupled they could easily charge from AC, but how to communicate the when to charge? Can they perhaps connect to the blutooth of the inverter to know its output?

          • tunzafun001 on 10/10/2019 - 01:39

            @team teri: Legend, very informative again! Looking to go 6kw for winter. In summer we had a $15 bill credit, Winter was a sub $200 bill for 3 months. Solar Hotwater booster required! Plus I drive a PHEV, so that chews up a bit.

            How would I know how many inputs are used? Can I isolate the inverter from the grid, then open it up at night to be uber safe and look for something? The Bluetooth feature is currently disabled, so I need to open it one day to activate it anyway.

            We do have some vacant roof area on a W aspect that would see full sun from 2pm onwards, but I thought this would bring the whole system down prior to 2pm. But you are saying that the inputs are independent? That would be ideal.

            Does the second row need to be the same panel output as string 1. Ie, does this mean I need to find 255w panels with the same resistance or whatever to match the Q Cells that are up there? (basically, do I need to find more Q cells)?

            As for batteries, I don't think I will go for the Growatt. AGL give me a $60 bill credit every 3 months with equal to the best rate I can find anyway 0.75 supply charge/ 17c feed in / 0.33 peak/ 0.18 controlled laod (So I'm basically not paying for the grid anyway).

            But I did see these Tindo solar panels that apparently don't need an inverter? If I can just add a few extra kw of them that would be great?

            • team teri on 10/10/2019 - 02:03
              +2

              @tunzafun001: No need to open up the inverter, at the bottom left of the display you should see a symbol for PV panels. It should alternate between input A and input B every 10 seconds or so. If you get data (PV Voltage and current) for both A and B, then both inputs are already in use. If it shows data for only A or B, then only one input is in use.

              The two inputs have independent MPPT. You can have different panels in different configurations on them, facing in different directions.

              Also, technically you could have a second system with a second inverter, you would not need to use Tindo panels. The only issue here in WA is that there is a 5kW limit for total inverter capacity. No idea what the rules are in SA.

              • tunzafun001 on 10/10/2019 - 20:28

                @team teri: Cheers, I'll check when I get back. Same 5kw on single phase limit.

                Only asking about tindo as I can get 3kw for $500.

              • tunzafun001 on 21/10/2019 - 16:31

                @team teri: Looks like the system is evenly spread across the 2 inputs.

                How do I find out the maximum number of panels I can put on one input?

                Would be good if I can put all the current panels on one, an then an approx extra 2-3kw on the other facing west. In theory, they will never all peak at the same time so should be able to put a fair whack of panels on the 4kw inverter.

                • team teri on 21/10/2019 - 18:11

                  @tunzafun001: As far as I know there is no limit to the rated output for either input. The main question is whether the original installer had a reason to use both inputs or just did it because that was the easiest option at the time.
                  Do all the existing panels face the same direction? With the same amount of shading (ideally none)? Is it an even number of panels?
                  If you can answer all those question with yes, and especially if (as you suggest when you write 'evenly'), the two strings have the same number of panels, it would be very easy to combine them on one input and add other panels to the second one.
                  Why not ask an installer for a quote for that plan? During that process they should check the feasibility.

                  • tunzafun001 on 21/10/2019 - 20:53

                    @team teri: Cheers. I remember someone saying a voltage limit on the inverter or something like that. No shade issues, but there is a total of 15 panels.

                    As for an installer, no one really wants to touch it. Everyone only offers to remove it and install a new 6.6kw system at the same price as adding 2kw. They all say at 7 years its too old (go figure). I guess thats why the second hand market is flooded with 3kw systems.

                    • team teri on 21/10/2019 - 21:01

                      @tunzafun001: Yes, the voltage limit is why I asked about the number of panels. You'd probably need them wired as 2 parallel strings, which requires an even number to have equal strings. (there is a current limit too though).

                      SMA inverters are designed for 20 years, throwing one out after 7 would be a waste in most cases, but of course no one can predict the luck of the draw, even if only a small number fail around the 10 year mark, you could draw the short straw.

                      Another reason no one wants to touch the old system could be that it is quite possible that there are new requirements in force now, and they would have to bring the whole system up to those new standards as soon as they modify anything.

                      • tunzafun001 on 21/10/2019 - 21:53

                        @team teri: Not an even number though? 7 and 8?
                        And yeah they all say its "not up to code" any more. Don't really know what's changed other than everything these days is in conduit? Maybe that's it.

  • ozyboy84 on 09/10/2019 - 12:55
    +6

    If you are gong to go battery dont go cheap no matter the perceived bargain. Tesla and LG are the main players and have been the main players for the past 5 years for a reason.

    • Zondor on 09/10/2019 - 15:59

      There's cheaping out and there's half the price, if it was a 1k difference than sure but yeah.

  • he88388 on 09/10/2019 - 12:59

    How much to install this in western Australia?

    • Steptoe on 09/10/2019 - 13:06

      Best guess would be $10,990 (without SA rebate).

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