Hey team, a follow-up thread for the solar power nation deal that was posted on ozbargain. Will be a good place to compare notes for those of us taking the plunge and others deciding if it’s a good deal or not.
Personally, I‘ve paid my deposit and ordered a system $3,299 in total. 6.6kw Huawei Inverter w/ Risen 315w panels.
Original deal here https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/483479
I’ve downloaded the Huawei solar app, it’s really good. The reviews online are solid too
Yeah no prob.
I went with the 6.6kw system with Huawei SUN2000L Inverter w/ standard ET 275W panels. Fully installed for $2999.
I told the local company I was getting a good deal elsewhere but would like to shop local and the best he could do was $5500, so as long as it’s installed ok, there’s a bit of warranty risk with the ET panels because they don’t have a local office Incase SPN go out of business, but apparently inverters are the things that usually pack it in, hence going for the Huawei.
Similar quotes. Why the risen panels?
because risen is good and prob. has local office.
i got similar quote from solar nation, 6.6kw, huawei inverter and risen panels. $3600 fully installed.
i think you better add another $600 and get risen.
True. Looks like only $300 more for the risen. My local bloke said ET are actually really good. So I might just roll the dice. U like Saj which no one has heard of
sorry my quote above is wrong. only 5kw panel, huawei, risen.
cant fit 21 panels on my roof, just 16 max. so thats why my quote is more than @impoze, because the gov benefit is less for us.
@CyberMurning: 21* 315w panels is still 6.6kw of panels (as youd want to on a 5kw inverter.)
Rebate (STCs) isn't per panel, it's per watt of generation
@SBOB: Yeah that's what I said, I can only fit 16 panels so max system is 5 not 6.6kw.
And therefore the stc we got is less
@CyberMurning: I didn't even realise the cost was subsidised. Must have been obvious to everyone else.
@peterpeterpumpkin: It shows up in the quote. FWIW SPN are making a lot more from the rebates than they do from the end user’s payment
@Bellpop: Yeah, it makes much more sense now. I made a comment about using the company for a van installation, even if only for parts, since the quote sounded so competitive.
I know some people that became wealthy from the federal government’s insulation rebate scheme, so it's a smart move to get in hard and early if you've got the certifications to install. PV modules are expected to drop further in price per watt-DC in the coming years so the profit margins will probably increase.
@Bellpop: I don't know the exact figures unfortunately but they went from renting to a very fancy house in a couple of years. Probably had a deposit but still well above the 100k range of a successful tradie. Apparently they worked super long days every day of the week since they knew it wouldn't last forever.
@peterpeterpumpkin: @peterpeterpumpkin
The subsidies have been around for years. They drop 7% every year
@brad1-8tsi: Yeah I knew about the existence of solar subsidies. I didn't know the companies were quoting post-subsidy prices (or that the STC deductions were still so high - they've slightly gone up since the same time last year).
Just to clarify, the get-rich-quick guy I was referring to benefitted from the pink batts scheme in 2009.
It was the first option given to me.
Previously I had been getting quotes from another company and had been quoted for the same Risen panels, doing some research on Risen, and they seem quite good as ChiMot mentioned.
I'm just wondering whether to go single or three phase.
I think the real problem with failures is that if the inverter packs it in you will know about it straight away.
If the panels do not live up to promise, and degenerate over time it will be a while before you realise something is wrong, and proving a case is problematical
Ah good point.
I haven’t been given an install date or estimate yet. Paid deposit last Thursday. I’ve been dealing with ‘ken’, he sounds decent enough.
Ken is also calling me.
I've got Josh
Hi. My name is Josh and I'd like to talk about reincarnation…
Also with Ken, $100 deposit.
Quoted $3499 6.6kw 315w jinko panels with huawei inverter.
Estimated installing date on quote is mid Dec
mid Dec?
which city are you based in?
You are happy with mid Dec? That's far away.
I wasn't really in a hurry but i guess I could shoot them an email and ask
Syd
I’ve been offered an upgrade to risen panels over the ETs for $300. Thoughts people?
No brainer
(Also likely means they don't have et panels in stock, ol bait n switch,but in this case you'd be stupid not to for some form of local panel manufacturer warranty alone)
But I'd be trying to step up to their higher wattage panels ( eg 315/325W panel)…Newer tech, more likely easily replaced in the future
the Risen panels they offer you should be the 315W which they offered me.
Thanks mate
well if its $300 for higher wattage panels, with 'local' manufacturer warranty, same total kW, less panels on your roof…
that's about the easiest decision you could make in your entire life.
sure, going even better quality panels would be an even better decision but if its 'a' or 'b', shouldnt need any 'ask the audience' or 'phone a friend' on that one
Omg thanks SBOB a useful comment ;)
they've all been useful, not my fault if you cherry pick the ones that suit ;)
yeah so basically you get exatcly the same as impoze see the very first comment of this thread
Is the 325w the better panel mate?
higher wattage, means 'newer' tech, means no brainer (as above, if thats the only two choices)
well if you have panel with just 100w then you need 60 panels to make up 6kw. unless you live in warehouse, you cant do that
The panel is this one RSM120-6-295M-315M/5BB
For $300 extra
Accept?
Thanks for your help mate
OUR STATS
100K+
PANELS IN RESIDENTIALS
100K+
PANELS IN COMMERCIALS
12+
YEARS OF EXPERTISE
The company ABN has not been around that long ??????
Ask them why…?
100K+ PANELS IN RESIDENTIALS
100K+ PANELS IN COMMERCIALS
I'm gonna have to call bull* on those numbers based on how long they've been around
SBOB 😂😂 but I agree here
Just got a call from the installation team to say the job would be done Monday. So quick!
I’ll keep everyone updated!
Take photos, of the invertor install, panel install and isolators
Will do
This is from there Facebook page LOLOLOLOLOLOL, I hope you don't get a shit install like this
https://scontent.fadl4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18423717_267…
@Nereosis: I could be wrong, but I think he is talking about the DC power leads just lying about over the roof.
Better practice might be to have that hidden inside the roof, reduce risk of sun/weather/branch damage.
@idonotknowwhy: conduit snake… lazy install running conduit over ridge cap instead of within ceiling cavity
Conduit likely to degrade over time, weather/water ingress, flooded conduit, shorted out electrics
conduit in the sun wont last 20 years
@SBOB: Yep this, also from that photo the panels do not look to like up with each row… ( Could be the angle)
I signed with AICA $3400 for Fronius 5kw Inverter with 21x315 Risen Panels for 6.6kw system
what's AICA?
That's almost impossible fronius inverter cost alot lot lot
Yeah looks too good to be true they are going to install on 4th of oct will update here on how it goes
installed?
@KRM123: Looks all good , i am still waiting for one fully sunny day but i am getting around 30Kw generated on fairly sunny days and around 20-25 on cloudy days.
@jassd: Hi sorry for bumping up old post, i am going to get solar from them. Would you mind if i ask how'd you go with it? I have sent u a pm Thank you
Following. Have limited to no knowledge on this and am based in Melbourne. But if it saves on electricity bill and is a good bargain and good for the environment, could jump on it in the near future.
No joke cheap stuff like this does not last, and if it takes 2 people half a day….. how cheap are they paying there subs
The problem with these super cheap quotes is not the gear involved.
What you are paying will cover the cost of the gear but leaves next to the nothing for the cost of install. Whats the easiest way to save money on installing? Usually to hire people who are cheap and cut corners where possible. Reading some of the reviews on a few of these companies with super cheap quotes, in some cases, members of the installer team on the day cannot speak English and the CEC Accredited Installer was not actually present but would magically sign off on the job.
When the profit margin is that small, doing a dodgy somewhere in the install to save even a couple of dollars is probably worth it.
But that's fine if everything is installed correctly and the system is running when they leave right?…
How long will it take to get them back on site if there is an issue?
If the profit margins are so small, wonder where these companies will be in 5yrs? Well most likely still going but phoenix'd into a different solar company but now meaning that your fantastic 10yr workmanship warranties mean nothing and your 25yr product warranty has to be chased up with the AU Distributor if that company does not have a AU Office.
I’ll take lots of photos and report back on the job. I don’t have an agenda. If they do a crappy job, I’ll say and show it. If they do a great job I’ll say and show it.
Seems there’s a lot of speculation that they will be crap, but I’ll report back on Monday the facts.
If they do a crappy job, I’ll say and show it.
How will you even know?
True, you won't know for most of it.
Make sure you get to see the CEC Accredited Installer ID before the install @Tuftsdude @Bellpop
https://i0.wp.com/liveability.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013…
maybe spare some money to get independent inspection on the installation.
Surely Bellpop will measure the crimping force used to attach any lugs to wires, and the torque used to tighten any screws during the install, I think those are standard features of a mobile phone camera these days.
Has anyone actually worked out the cost savings on this?> I've been told the power companies may charge you more if you have solar>>???
How does it work for colourbond roofs?
I’ve got a coloyrbond roof. Not a problem apparently.
(QLD). We are on the AGL solar savers deal which gives us a feed-in of 20c per kwh. It basically means we don't have a power bill. It's even better in summer as you don't feel the pain of a high bill with running the AirCon.
I recon solar's a fantastic thing if you can outlay the upfront cost. It definitely free's up your cash flow.
These cheap solar deals pay for themselves within a year or two.
I can't really see the math ever working for a 1-2 yr payback period, even at 0% export…
Well, if I was paying $500 for a quarter for electricity and now no longer am. 2 years 8 quarters $4000 = math.
@Calmago: Nah you're right, 2 yr payback period works at a ~73% export or lower which is pretty typical (assuming $3300 system).
@minimum export, payback period is ~1.63 yrs (18kwh household, 21kwh solar output)
@cathole: You would export more than you use with a 5kw system. Just looking now. Sat 21st. 3.88kwh bought from the grid but 25.24kwh exported.
People that are still on the 44c tariff are laughing all the way to the bank.
Has anyone actually worked out the cost savings on this?> I've been told the power companies may charge you more if you have solar>>???
on average home with the correct system size, your ROI will be between 3 and 5 years.
The actual saving depends on a lot of factor, e.g. system size, the panel placement, your electricity usage pattern, your power plan, etc.
You're paying the same rate as before unless you change your power plan to get a higher FIT. Higher FIT plan usually means higher rate for the import rate.
All true.
Be careful of just going for a higher feed in tariff though. Most power companies jack up the price of the daily access fee and usage fee for high FIT.
It is worthwhile keeping track of your use and checking whether a lower FIT would save you more money after a year. Particularly if you are using alot of power at night and don't get much sun during the day.
Well, they can't be as bad as True Value Solar (RIP), actually never rest, pricks.
I got a quote ages ago, when all teh solar rebates came out, guy said my roof is way too small (tiny townhouse).
does anyone do cheap deals for a small number of panels? I obviously cannot fit 24 on my roof LOL. do those government rebates only cover systems of a certain size?
Less panels generate less STCs therefore the price can be higher than a bigger system.
The cheaper companies will commonly try to use lower wattage panels because they are cheaper to source and generate a bigger STC discount as more are therefore used to achieve same size system.
Ring around but I doubt any of the cheap mobs will touch you as you are not a cookie cutter solution and will require some actual time and effort to develop a solution for your requirements.
STCs are based on total panel wattage, not panel count…
Just curious, is that easy to get approval to install solar when you are living in townhouse? you need council approval and body corporate approval, right?
Was just Body Corp approval for my townhouse. No council approval needed.
I fit 7.82kW on my roof - 23 x Canadian Solar 340w CAN-CS3U-340P panels with SolarEdge inverter and optimizers.
I got them to use the longer 2000mm panels to get the max amount of wattage on my roof. Managed to get heaps more total wattage than could be achieved with 1600mm panels. I used local mob and gave them a proposed design and layout.
Definitely a tricky job compared to most.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=16IB36zi4sycSiB1-Q1y--Ywn8V…
Very interested to hear how the quality of the install is as the quotes I have received for 6.5kw systems are ridiculously high still.
Premium setup: 6.4kw, REC panels (20 X 320w), 5 kw frontius inverter is $9,550 AFTER rebate
Regular setup: 6.6kw, Trina panels (21 X 305w), 5kw soltara inverter is $8,660 AFTER rebate
Surely these guys are making an absolute mint on every sale (Gippsland solar)!
Fronius is an excellent but expensive inverter. SPN also offered one to me, but I think from memory it was over $1k, possibly 1.4k more. So for myself it didn't make financial sense.
But Fronius is an excellent company, so nothing against those who can afford.
Yes I know those who drive Rolls Royce look down on Toyota\Holden\Ford\Mazda\Honda drivers, but there is room for everyone.
Yeah but a saj inverter is like a great wall in that analogy
Someone at work has a son installing panels as an offsider to the sparky, he is getting $400 an install, they do two on a normal day and 3 on a big day (10hrs+) which works out at pretty good money for someone about 20 with no quals.
Someone else I know got a quote from them, their prices seem about 10-20% more than the Power Nation prices. If they are actually selling any at that price then it's crazy money.
How do you get 6.6kw with 21 x 305w panels?
Ha, nice. You don't… You get it with 22x305w, a type from switching back and forth from a pdf in emails using a phone.
I took the deal as is and am having the panels installed tomorrow in NSW. Inverter a week after that.
Happy to report back after that and can take photos tomorrow.
Thanks Bellpop.
Can you list out the specs of your system.
panels/quantity & inverter type.
Did a quote last week
21x 315W Risen panels
5KW Huawei single phase or Goodwe 3-phase
$3299
21x 315W Risen panels
Fronius Symo 6KW 3-phase inverter
$4,299