Solar System Quote Advice Brisbane

LDCole on 18/12/2020 - 22:00
Last edited 18/12/2020 - 22:53

Hi All,

I live in Brisbane and have tried to educate myself the best I can about installing a new solar system. I have used Solar Quotes which is mentioned a number of times on Ozbargain to obtain quotes from 3 "reputable" installers.

Each seem to prefer systems with slightly different inverter/ Panel configurations but I have landed on the following

10.36 kw system (largest allowable on a single phase)
Panels - 28 × 370W LONGi Solar Hi-MO4m - LR4-60HPH-370M
Inverter - 1 × Sungrow SG8K-D (Premium) · 8000 W

Installation includes a smart meter as well as the installation of a HWS timer (I currently have an electric system on a controlled load) so I can have the water heating during daylight hours.

All up the quote comes to $5800 inclusive of STC's

I did not want to get top of the line as the budget is fairly tight but I also did not want to just get the cheapest thing out there that used poor quality materials. The installation is on a single story home with Colorbond roof but does involve placing panels of 4 different roof fronts due to a complicated roof structure

Is anybody able to provide any guidance in terms of is this a decent price to pay for such a system or if if I should be looking at other components?

Thanks so much for your help

Home & Garden Solar Energy System

Comments

  • brad1-8tsi on 18/12/2020 - 22:58

    The price is good for what is minimum acceptable quality.

    We got a similar grade of system (different brands) and it's working well.

  • WreckTangle on 18/12/2020 - 23:28
    +2

    I thought this was a post about astronomy

  • Nugs on 19/12/2020 - 07:49

    Just curious, I wonder what temperature the water in HWS will be if aiming to shower in the morning?
    .

    • avoidfullprice on 19/12/2020 - 10:25

      @dsp26 probably can provide first hand experience based on his suggestion in a recent comment

    • Quantumcat on 19/12/2020 - 18:50

      Hot water systems generally heat just once a day and have good insulation so the heat loss over the day is negligible

      • Nugs on 19/12/2020 - 20:19

        we have off peak storage electric, BUT heats in the early AM so the water is at peak temp when we get up. Just curious whether it would be warm/hot in early AM if it had been run the day prior and lets say it is winter. I'm not saying it wont work, but just curious if that has been considered/debunked? I haven't' turned ours off to test as we would likely run out on the second day (we have run out of hot water maybe twice a year)
        .

        • Quantumcat on 19/12/2020 - 20:42

          I don't think it is anything to worry about. Most houses have a tempering gauge fitted which reduces the temperature of the water that can come out of the hot tap (to prevent burns). The water is much hotter inside the tank, would probably stay above the 50 degrees max that is allowed to come out of the tap for days. If you run out of hot water it is because the water used is being replaced with cold water not because the water in the tank has cooled down over time. FWIW my hot water tank tends to do a spike of reheating soon after I take a shower (I guess it detects the drop in hot water) so it is sitting there all day before I take another one. Hot water systems can be thought of like a battery (without a solar system most would like to heat them overnight storing that off-peak electricity)

  • avoidfullprice on 19/12/2020 - 10:29

    is this a decent price to pay for such a system

    What's the estimate energy production in the quote?

    What's your current consumption etc? Factor a bit more for daylight hot water heating if you set it to higher temp like 90C.

    What's the return of investment timeframe? How long you gonna get your money back?

    • kiwimex on 12/03/2021 - 23:53

      Do not set water temp to 90Deg this can cause the TPR valve to dump water. 65 Deg is recommended as set temp.

  • DCole on 19/12/2020 - 10:45
    +1

    Estimated annual energy production is 16,799 kWh
    Current energy consumption averages between 25-30kw/h per day
    Return on investment is approx. 2 years

    • avoidfullprice on 19/12/2020 - 16:55
      +1

      2 year ROI is pretty good IMO. Looks like gonna save you a fair bit within 10 years of installation as well.

    • LSGH on 01/09/2021 - 15:37

      how much of your 25-30kwh is consumed during sunlight hours?

  • CrocDundee on 29/12/2020 - 21:56
    +1

    The price is fair but I personally wouldn't get a Sungrow inverter. Your panels (LONGi) are great value for money. If you can afford it, I'd upgrade to a better quality inverter. I found this website and info great when I researched getting Solar - Best Solar Inverters 2020

    Good luck!

  • Isla Brown on 31/08/2021 - 20:10

    Also check whether your solar retailer can provide you with evidence that your new solar panels have been validated as genuine, and meet Australian Standards and have a warranty you can trust.

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