(From email):
4.3kW inverter
10 x 250 watt panels (2.5kW output)
Wireless Home Energy Monitor
Full installation and warranty
TVS Best Introductory price ever - $3878 (existing quote holders only? - 72 units only)
Free upgrade to 5Kw inverter first 50.
Agreed, a lot of solar noobs tend to mistake inverter size for panel output, which is really misleading! In fact, the TV ad's don't even tell you the panel output, they give you the number of panels X individual panel capacity, and then quote the inverter size which is even worse!
My solar installer told me that if your output is nowhere near the inverter sized, it isn't 'optimized' (his words) - you're better off getting the inverter as close to your panel output as possible.
This ^
Oversize inverter is not operating at its maximum efficiency and you will be losing power.
The only advantage is that you don't have to buy a bigger inverter if you add panels later on.
From what I know of this, most of the larger inverters have 2 channels (half the total capacity running through each channel)
So it's odd that they are selling 2.5kW of panels on a 4.3kW system as each channel would support only 2.15kW each.
I can only assume they are still running the upgrade to a 5kW inverter for $1 and expect all customers to take that offer so that the 2.5kW would be on 1 channel of the 5kW inverter.
No logic here, it is only a sales pitch.
Most of people don't know the details how things work and buy whatever has the greater number.
Listed as March Metro Offer Only.
Looks like we miss out in Tas, otherwise it looks to be a fairly decent price.
A Standard Install for Metro Customers
All prices for a standard install (see below) within metro areas. Metro areas defined as below:
QLD: 100km of the Brisbane GPO or Yatala Post Office.
Electrical Contractors License 74345.NSW: 100km of the Sydney GPO. Pricing for STC Zones 1-3 (Zone 4 please call for pricing). Home Builders Licence 243772C
VIC: 50km of the Melbourne GPO.
SA: 60km of the Adelaide GPO.
Electrical Contractors License 232138. Customers will enter into agreement directly with the Installer >for the installation of solar panels. True Value Solar Pty Ltd will not itself be involved in the >installation of the solar panels. Offers excludes Mt. Gambier and Kangaroo Island postcodes.
WA: 70km of the Perth GPO. Pricing for STC Zones 1-3 (Zone 4 please call for pricing). Customers who wish to order a solar system with an output capacity of less than 2.5kW will generally be approved within 24 hours by Western Power. True Value Solar customers are also able to order systems larger than 2.5kW, but are subject to Western Power’s approval. Systems greater than 2.5kW will require a technical review and the approval process can take up to 30 days. True Value Solar will submit the application on the customer’s behalf to Western Power, but does not guarantee approval. Customers with multiphase power may incur additional costs.
That's intetresting info about WA. I ordered 3kW system in Feb and was told approval takes 5 working days but it's been longer than 5 days :(
BTW: I went with SolarGain and got 3kW o panels with 5kW inverter for less than this offer.
Doesn't seem that great value compared to past offers. During the boxing day sales you got 3.5kW for the same price. I can't see how "TVS Best Introductory price ever" is anything but a lie…
What.is the brand of solar panel and inverter? How long is the warranty for ? If we have warranty claim, do we go to true solar or installer?
These matter too - my neighbours had an aerosharp inverter installed! to those not in the know, aerosharp has gone into liquidation!
Good thing I got my solar installed from origin, they replaced my aerosharp inverter that failed with another brand
Unless it's changed from the past few months (I ordered during boxing day sales), the inverter is a Growatt, solar panels are either ReneSola, Seraphim, or one other brand (can't remember atm, sorry). I was able to specifically request ReneSola though.
Not a good price if you have to surrender STCs (which I assume you'll have to).
TVS are always willing to offer a better deal than advertised.
I posted this because it is a good deal, but you should treat it as a starting point when negotiating with sales staff.
(I have no affiliation with TVS, and I haggled with them in a deal for my father's house.)
They do not have very good reviews:
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/true-value-solar.html
Search at http://forums.whirlpool.net.au
Also they did not specify the products (Panels, Inverter etc) clearly.
The solar panel and inverter brand model do make a difference on the price. So ask what you are getting not just the price and kW.
Also conditions in warranty. I wonder how many will still be around in 10 years time to honour the warranty.
That current affairs story was based around TVS in South Australia. From what I researched back then, TVS in each state is owned/operated separately and other states have a higher rate of satisfied customers. I'm not saying TVS nationwide are fine, but experience seems to differ from state to state with this mob.
I'm in QLD and my TVS install approx. 18-24 months ago was flawless. It was also less value compared to offers they have run since. 10 x 190w panels, 2kW inverter $3699. The redeeming part of the deal is that I get 54c feed in tariff for approx. 20yrs.
Best advice, only pay initial deposit and choose to pay the balance on the day of SUCCESSFUL installation. It would appear more of the people that have had issues are those that have paid in full up front.
I hope prospective buyers do their homework and calc with respect to return on investment…
Just say warranty is 10 years on panels and inverter (which TVS only offer 2 yrs on their unit http://www.truevaluesolar.com.au/advice-faq/warranties/ ) without nil maintenance and breakdown, on a linear analysis (no NPV-ing, interest costs), u would need to save around $400/yr in electricity to "break even"…
I had a $16XX 1.5KW system installed almost 2 yrs ago by TVS and did the sums then on a feed-in tariff of 22c/kw and it worked out to something like 7 yrs to break even…
Mind u, the feed-in tariffs have now been reduced (someone correct me if I am wrong on this).
One more thing, with age, the inverters give out a buzzing sound…very annoying for me as the inverter is installed on the exterior wall of the master bedroom…if only I knew…
Don't let my comments distract those keen on doing their bit for the environment…but make sure u weigh things up and do some research (from a greenie perspective also)…it's rumoured that the resources/energy to manufacture and get these things running render them not very environmentally friendly…all in context of course…just like the debate on electric cars…
I got a 4.1KW inverter and 14 x 250W(3.5Kw) panels for $3300 from TVS in January.
Quick install, great service.
Outstanding deal.
I'm a noob at all this solar stuff so be nice!!!! (-;
Say my power bill has average daily consumption of 25 units = $6.82. (which would be the absolute max we'd ever use)
Can I get one of these solar co. to install a unit that will cover that.
Not interested in making money on power just to end up with a $0 power bill.
Let me try and answer in very simple terms…
I assume 25 units/day = 25kw/day….
You get roughly 12 hrs of sunshine…assuming 100% electricity generation from the solar panels, you'll need 2.1kw to be generated every hour…hence you would need a 2.1kw system as the bare minimum…however, there's a lot of assumptions with my analysis….
In reality, u would continue to use electricity at nite, solar is weather dependent, etc…
So, you'd probably need a 5 - 6kw system to be electricity neutral…but it won't be cost neutral….when u consume electricity, u pay more than the selling of excess electricity back to the grid. Then there's the daily service supply fee…
The current govt subsidises only a 1.5kw system, anything greater than 1.5kw will cost a lot…and may not break even your capital outlay for a long time to come….
Anyone else care to comment?
amen to your point, i find people quite stupid just splash money to buy biggest deal out there, and realized you need probably 10 years to break even cost due to the lower sell back cost now..solar company now is so desperate they will try to say anything to sell you a system.
Go to http://www.infiniteenergy.com.au/residential/products/cec-co… and then download the guide. Go to page 5. You will need at least 5.5kW system if you want to end up paying $0 power bill. The cost is around $5500 - $7000 depending the panel brand and inverter and also who install them. In order to break even, you will need to see from this point. Eg. your monthly power bill is $200. And your solar system cost is $6000. You will need 30 months before you break even. So rather than paying $200 / month to power company, you invest in solar system. The calculation is assuming that no interest for the solar system, and you pay nothing to power company. So, divide the cost with the average monthly power bill = break even.
Hi guys, do you know which brand will last more than 25 years for panel and 5 years for inverter? I was advised, either SMA or Aurora is the best one.
Borderline misleading quoting an oversized inverter, usually in larger font than the panel output.