Solar Quote Opinions

BadBreath on 21/02/2018 - 13:54
Last edited 21/02/2018 - 14:10 by 1 other user

Hi everyone,

I am finally thinking about getting solar. My Electricity bill every quarter is dreadful.
I have a quote from True value solar for a 6Kw system (I am in South Australia).
I have no idea what I am looking at though.

Can anyone advise about these components?

PRODUCT ESTIMATE
TVS Bronze Package
22 x 270W Jinko panel (Poly)
1 x 5.0kW GoodWe D-NS Inverter Single Phase GW5000D-NS
Professional Install
Warranty $8,900.00

EXTRAS
Non standard install cost
- 1 x Site Inspection +$0.00
- 1 x Complimentary Battery Assessment +$0.00
- 1 x Goodwe 10 Year Warranty +$0.00
- 1 x Split Array +$225.00
ADDITIONAL COST
- 1 x Tiled Roof surcharge +$150.00
DISCOUNTS
- 1 x Additional Discount -$4,876.00
AMOUNT PAID $0.00

TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE $4,399.00

Any advice would be great, as it seems like a good price but an expensive investment.

Baddie1

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Nugs on 21/02/2018 - 14:02

    we used this guy 6 years ago.
    aurora inverter and trina panels
    no probs
    easy to deal with

    http://www.solarsouth.com.au/pricing-specials/

    .

  • poboy on 21/02/2018 - 14:06
    +1

    There are SOME solar providers that have a very POOR name in the industry and SHOULD be avoided.

    That should legally protect me.

    • 87percent on 21/02/2018 - 14:25
      +1

      HOW about YOU name THEM?

      • poboy on 21/02/2018 - 15:12
        +1

        Perhaps that's been done.

        • mskeggs on 21/02/2018 - 15:59
          +1

          I notice when you google solar installer companies a lot have reviews from other customers these days.

  • atris17 on 21/02/2018 - 14:11
    +1

    I would recommend Solar Gain, reputable and been in the market for decades.
    My parents had an issue with their solar panel of 11 years, and they honour the warranty

    I have a
    6.75 kW Solar panel system
    25 Jinko Panel
    8Kw Fronius Inverter
    Cost $7000 less

    Go Top brand for Inverter, and Tier 1 for Solar Panel

    • BadBreath on 21/02/2018 - 20:50

      Hi Mark, Thanks for the heads up - what does $7000 less mean?

      • atris17 on 22/02/2018 - 01:46

        Yeah I can’t remember the excact amount. I know I paid around less then 7000

        I would recommend you Install Paladin too

        Google Paladin Solar Hot water diverter

        Iif your r on electric hot water tank

  • dcep on 21/02/2018 - 15:48
    +1

    1 x Complimentary Battery Assessment

    what battery ?

    tesla wall ?

    • mskeggs on 21/02/2018 - 15:55
      +5

      It means they will assess whether they wish to sell you a battery.
      Magic 8 ball predicts "yes".

  • mskeggs on 21/02/2018 - 15:54
    +2

    That inverter is cheap and cheerful. Jinko panels are all right, but these are the cheapest versions they sell.

    I don't know any SA installers, but there are many cowboys in the industry that spend heavily on marketing, do cut price subcontracting to lowest common denominator installers to do the work, then disappear later when the warranty claims come in. I would urge you to avoid those.

    My best tip is to get a handful of quotes from solar choice or similar, then ask around friends and neighbours to see who they used, and try the local paper for installers in your area. Find a small business who has been around a while, ask them to quote and aim for them to get to the average price from your other quotes. If they do a bad job, you can at least chase them up.

    For what it is worth, I think the best quality/performance is SMA inverters and Trina panels, but there are plenty of other reputable brands too.

  • chumlee on 21/02/2018 - 16:04
    +2

    Go with EnergyAustralia. I'm sure they price match and will be around in the future should you have issues

    • vinni9284 on 21/02/2018 - 20:52

      I reckon that this is very good advice.

      Energy Australia won't be going any time soon. So if there are future issues (e.g warranty and if the company goes bust), then there is a level of accountability from them to support/assist (Well we hope lol) if it goes pear-shaped.

      Cheers

  • Mrbean007 on 21/02/2018 - 16:18
    +1

    Thought South Australia was going to get free Solar?

    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/sa/2018/02/04/south-au…

    • Nugs on 22/02/2018 - 08:01

      yeah, Adelaide only has 50000 homes?

      • Mrbean007 on 22/02/2018 - 12:01

        There starting of with 50000 homes i heard on the news and expanding to do more obviously adelaide has more homes!!!!!

  • Archi on 21/02/2018 - 16:22
    +1

    we recently installed 18x270 watt jinko panels with optimisers and 5kw solar edge inverter by captain green in Sydney

    have a look at solarquotes website and youtube channel, lots of information

  • jsheroes on 21/02/2018 - 16:24
    +1

    I speak with some experience. In my personal opinion, the one listed on this page that I'd deal with is Solargain. Other good ones are Envirogroup and Energy Matters.

    Q's to ask / note:
    - length of history of manufacturers of panels and inverters in oz market
    - length of warranty (ignore performance warranty on panel - means little, you want to know parts and labour replacement warranty length on both panels and inverter. Min 10 years on inverter is the go).
    - focus on the quality of the inverter more than the panels (though both are important). Google the makes and models proposed to you.
    - who are their installers - employed by company or subbies? Specialists in solar?
    - what racking system do they use
    - ensure they do a proper design, taking into account orientation, nearby shading and your energy demand. If they don't initiate this without you asking, tell them to take a hike.
    - ignore any statements about 'battery ready' systems etc. All BS. Essentially, any system can have a battery added later.

    Get multiple quotes and let them know you're doing that. Ask them to speak about the quality of the components. At the end of the day, know that all the sales staff are sharks, even MOST of those in the call centres for the good companies, and with a bit of research you can know more about the products than many (but not all) of them.

    Finally, don't go for the cheapest deal just 'cos its cheapest. Really. You'll regret it.

  • nk14 on 21/02/2018 - 19:04
    +1

    I had a 5KWh system installed last August by Soltek, LG panels, solar edge inverter and meter change. Good installer and competitive pricing.

  • BadBreath on 21/02/2018 - 20:49

    Hi Everyone Thanks for the advice.
    Definitely getting more quotes.

    A see some have used the Jinko Panels

    Has anyone used a GoodWe GW5000D-NS inverter?

    I am definitely expecting the battery up sell - lol and its free! :)

    Cheers
    Baddie1

  • jsheroes on 21/02/2018 - 21:03
    +1

    Have no direct experience with that inverter. Has just a 5 year warranty though, which tells you how much the company backs its own product.

  • timthetoolman on 21/02/2018 - 21:36
    +1

    You definitely get what you pay for, especially with solar. Find a company that has been around for a while (and will continue to do so) as hundreds of them go out or business and re open under different names.
    Try for a fronius or solar edge inverter if you can afford it. Can't comment on the panels though sorry.

    • djkelly69 on 22/02/2018 - 00:09
      +1

      What about Binford??

  • Sunshines bright on 21/02/2018 - 23:48
    +1

    I used https://gienergy.com.au/ for my solar. (they are also in SA)

    I initially had a 4.77 watt system (18 panels), paid $5,150.00 but I recently added 4 panels costing me an add'l $1,260. and so I paid a total of $6,410.00 for 22 panels, a 5.88 Watt System. YOU may be able to bargain a little on the price using your current quote to get a slight discount but doubt they would meet the price.

    Either your quote is for less expensive products (maybe even less quality) or your getting a really good deal; I really could not say which.

    I have a Fronius Primo Inverter - which I can access online to see how it is performing daily or historically (5 Yr Warranty + Protect your Fronius product today by extending your warranty for free to up to seven years. You can also purchase additional warranty extensions to cover your product for up to 20 years. )

    The panels are German engineered Q Cells -The Q Cells are a top 3 performing panel worldwide, they come with a 12 year standard warranty and a 25 year performance guarantee that's fully insurance backed, meaning the manufacturer guarantees that the panels will be operating with at least 83% efficacy after 25 years.

    Everyone I have spoken to in the industry tells me the batteries are still overpriced. I estimated it would take me approximately 15-18 years to see a return using a battery, they are that expensive. You figure using a battery you may save about $60.00 a month on your electric bill but the batteries run around 9,000.00. Keep in mind you still have to pay for monthly supply from your electric company even if you use the battery- unless you can go completely off the grid. If your young and plan to live in your house for over 20 years it might be a good investment but …??????

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