Can anyone recommend me a Solar System Installer in Melbourne.
Looking at getting a 5kw system for a new house build.
I contacted a couple, most want to do it afterwards and aren't interested in installing the panels first and coming back 6 months later to install connect the inverter etc.
I'm thinking it's cheaper/safer to install the panels while I have the roof fall protection for the installers.
That's a good point, however, many items installed in the house aren't fully commissioned until the house is complete, i.e. air cond.
I was hoping not to trawl through WP.
I'm thinking it's cheaper/safer to install the panels while I have the roof fall protection for the installers.
That's their issue, not yours. Most don't use them anyhow, so if they try to charge you for them, and they don't use them. Withhold that from the payment!
The problem is, most won't be paid until the job is complete and working, so they don't want to pay/install panels out of their own pocket for 6 months while you're building.
You could get your builder to quote/install them. As sometimes they will do it while its being built etc.
pretty silly not to do it while fall protection is up for the tiles from a safety point of view.
I'm also happy to pay for the solar panels upfront.
I'm owner building it, so in effect am the builder trying to do it while it's being built! lol
Silly? Maybe. But as above, its up to the installer when they want to install them.
You might not be saving anything by doing it mid bill, have the 'risk' of the panels being stolen or damaged while its a building site etc for those 6 months.
By all means, run the elec cable to the roof space and get the prep work done. But its the installers choice at the end of the day and as you have found out, they are not interested in installing the panels first and coming back 6 months later to install connect the inverter etc.
I've spoken to my electrician and he will rough in all the cables so its easier to install the solar panels later on.
Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise, the panels may be cheaper and more efficient when I finally install them.
I assume you have a double storey. Just ask some solar people what extra they charge for doing their fall protection…if it is not any real sum, and anyway they will probably charge the same even during the build, then this idea falls over.
Correct, double storey. The one place I spoke to advised it's cheaper to do it with using the existing fall protection. We had a good chat, I sent my plans across to them and haven't heard back on them.
The other reason why I want to install it while the roof is on is that I can check their work and quickly replace any broken tiles.
I have a 4kw system & now after 2 years feel I should have done the garden instead unless your getting a battery system as well
Yeah, it's not a short term cost neutral solution. Though prices of electricity will never go down, and you'll always need power. But yes, without a battery it's quite a loss in investment. I found this too. As when the power goes out, you can't even use your solar panels while they're producing power. Due to feedback safety issues into the grid.
But I'd still get them, over not having them in my next home. If can afford.
I'd get battery storage one day, it's not cost effective yet, but as batteries increase in capacity and reduce in cost, and electricity prices increases, batteries will make sense.
It only took 1 year for the Telsa Power Wall to double in capacity at the same price.
The reason I want it is not feed in tariff but so I can run the air cond during the day in Summer.
Fortunately, the feed in tariffs have also increased in VIC this year.
I haven't got solar for a new house yet.. but I thought I'd update this.
I got a 5kw Zever Solar inverter and 6.6kw Jinko Panels installed by Captain Green at my parent's house.
They cracked many tiles at my uncle's house and did a shody repair. We told them to be more careful at the parent's house and they did a good job, save for the external conduit (they should have run cables inside the brickwork).
System cost $4,300. After the Vic Gov rebate, costs should be $2,150 which is a really good deal I think. Payback may only be 3 years depending on how much power we save/consume during the day.
It's been running since Christmas, we got approx 25kw/day on average since Christmas. West facing panels. The real test is in Winter.
After seeing how many panels are required and the roof of my new house, I'd be lucky to get 3kw. My electrician has roughed in the conduit from the roof to the meter. He suggested not to run cables as it the current cables may not be compliant in future when I do decide to install solar.
I would want to wait until the whole system/job can be done and tested at the same time Example, they install the panel and come back in 6 months time to hook it up - doesn't work because a panel has a fault. They then say it was OK when they installed it. Now what do you do?