Does Anyone Actually Not Get a Bill with Solar Any More?

Opaquer on 13/07/2023 - 21:13
Last edited 13/07/2023 - 21:39

Hey everyone

So, we were finally in a position to get solar recently and know it's a long term investment. We heard of people who got it ages ago and how much money they were getting from energy companies back in the day, and were excited to get it (though we didn't get it just to completely eliminate our power bill). Of course, the days of 52c/kW are long gone, and prices have gone up a ton since then, and a whole lot of stuff has happened, but now that the panels are up and on the roof, I've been looking into energy plans and it seems like with all the various charges and fees and price rises, it seems like unless you go with a massive system you basically won't be able to have a $0 or less bill?

As I said, we wanted solar for other reasons so aren't regretting it, but it's just a shock to me that if my maths is right (which is probably isn't), you can't have a $0 or less bill these days.

As a random breakdown - let's assume all the power you use during the day comes from solar, plus you have leftover for export. If throughout the non-solar generating hours you use, say, 10kWh at an average of 27c/kWh (random average from the plans I've been looking at), that's already $2.70/day, and with a daily supply charge (again, randomly averaged data) of 125c/day, that's a total cost of $3.95/day. And if you have an uncapped FIT of 10c/kWh, you need to export ~39.5kWh/day just to break even, assuming there's no other random charges like daily solar charge, controlled load, daily demand limits and whatnot?

Have I just done something terribly wrong in my calculations/missed something super obvious? I also know that companies are only in it for the profit, so this could just be how life is these days? Of course there's things like batteries, and people on bigger FITs and more panels and whatnot, but just as a general rule does anyone still get huge savings from solar?

I've been staring at this spreadsheet I made for just about the past week and can't make heads or tales of anything anymore, so any help/advice/suggestions are appreciated - especially if you're in SEQ and know of a good energy company I can look into instead of staring at my spreadsheet :)

TL;DR: Do you have a solar system and don't have an energy bill any more?

Thanks in advanced!

Home & Garden Solar Energy System

Comments

          • chris666 on 21/08/2023 - 16:28

            @VQLD: Quarter last bill was $1600 with a 25% decrease in usage since this time last year

  • abear on 14/07/2023 - 14:57

    We are currently getting quotes for a 6kw system, currently with gas HWS and cooktop.
    The annual supply charge for both is about $600.
    It is misleading when some quotes just ask for your quarterly bills and then give you a short pay back period.
    It is a number juggling exercise with many variables to factor in

    • Opaquer on 14/07/2023 - 15:04

      That's the truth of it. There's so much to consider when trying to calculate it all

  • Member 0230 on 14/07/2023 - 15:42
    +1

    SE Melbourne. 7.5kw system + 10kwh battery = account in credit since time of install early last year. Zero bills. Electric HW + cooktop, gas heating.

    The battery rebate at the time was a big incentive.

    Hope your initial calculations are proven wrong, but in a good way for your pocket.

    • Opaquer on 14/07/2023 - 16:08

      I hope so too, also for my sake :P!

      Good to know about the battery though - definitely seems like something worth doing once it's a better value for us, that's for sure!

  • mattmel96 on 14/07/2023 - 16:09
    +1

    Sydney based.
    Installed 11.8kW of panels with 10kW Invertor. All panels North facing. Currently on FIT around 12c/kW with Powershop.

    Coming up on 3-yrs this Sep, and haven't paid a bill since about the Nov after install. Not overly frugal, in that if it is hot or cold, I will turn aircon on, but if no one is in a room, ensure that lights are off, etc.

    You can install up to 1/3 more panel capacity for Invertor so it maximises generation on the partly cloudy days and winter months.

  • ECE on 14/07/2023 - 16:20

    Yes, hybrid setup with net metering 💪🏿

  • Marty156 on 14/07/2023 - 19:05
    +4

    NO bill for past 10 years.
    REFUND of $2,254 cash over that time as well.
    Two people, retired for past 6 years.
    5 kW system installed in 2013.
    FIT has varied between 11 and 20 cents over the years.
    NO gas, use electric cooking and hot water.
    SE Qld.
    Ducted air con.

    Payback was under 4 years.
    How?
    Throw out gas bottles and continuous gas hot water system.
    Install 300 Ltr 3.6kW hot water system, with time clock to only come on between 11am and 4pm.
    Replaced around 30 odd 50W halogens with 10W LED lights.
    Tinting on West facing windows.
    Avg/day
    Total Days kWh kWh
    3,565 20,212 5.66 Bought
    59,520 16.69 Sold
    69,740 19.56 Generated
    Total Self use 10,220
    Refunded in cash $2,254 NO power bills

    Daily purchase of power is approximately 1/3 of power generated.
    Disclaimer:
    Since retiring, we receive approximately $1 per day (in 2022) towards power cost.

    It IS do-able, but need discipline on use of dishwasher/air con/type of light bulbs/number of fridges etc.

    • payless69 on 17/07/2023 - 05:47

      I got threatened with JAIL renovating my place with a tank only HW system!
      New houses here get built with ugly BBQ gas bottles outside as this supposed to save our planet.
      Nice that you got cash!
      I do not have the Patience to drive to Rockhampton to be acused af being committed to an act of dirt thru our marriage!

  • Irwin on 14/07/2023 - 20:09
    +2

    Hi. We sized our system based on approx 20kwh daily usage. 12 kw of panels and 25kw of batteries. We're grid connected and consider that our 'backup'. There's about 1-2 weeks (out of 52) where there is just not enough sun, or too much cloud and we barely generate 10kwh total during the day and are also using power the most (lights, heaters, computers, nas, etc). The middle of summer we generate way over 100kwh. On an average power outage day (we're in rural Vic so this is often) we can go the entire day and night, normal existence (no deliberate device turn offs) on solar and battery without grid. So 2 months ago I finally took delivery of my EV and this blows power usage sky high. I'm trying to maximise day solar charging but I'm at work 5 days a week and thus have to charge at night. System cost = $$$$ which I won't get back BUT I built the system for energy independence not cost. We're also with powershop which has a strange thing of accruing your credits but not applying them to your bill so you have to always pay for your import and daily grid connect fee then claim your credits as a refund payment. Weird.

  • kiitos on 14/07/2023 - 20:35
    +1

    I haven't really considered solar as my wife doesn't like the look of it, and we have shading from gum trees I in the afternoon. But with the examples above I'll really have to look properly.

  • noob999 on 14/07/2023 - 21:05
    +1

    The FIT system is rigged - well in SYD anyway
    The cost of power has gone up, but providers offering discounts lower than standard do not offer good constant FITs rate anymore.
    Many providers have a tiered FIT eg 12c for 1st 14kWh then 5c after that, or crappy 5c flat rate.
    One thing that annoys me the Gov energy comparison web site DOES NOT provide tired FIT rate during a comparison. You only find out when going to Energy company and reading the fine print on FIT fees.

    • Opaquer on 15/07/2023 - 10:53
      +1

      I agree, the FIT system seems not great these days. I also agree about the gov energy website - I hate it so much and it's just useless.

      Also, fun fact that I don't know if everyone does but one company I was looking at (Ovo) have a solar plan and a non solar plan. The solar plan has a higher FIT (though tiered, so 14c/kW for the first 11kW per day, then 7c/kW). The basic plan has a constant FIT of 7kW. You'd think that the Solar plan would be better if you have solar panels then, right?

      NOPE! The solar plan has a higher daily charge compared to the normal plan (145.530c vs 121.275c, so ~24.3c/day extra) PLUS a higher electricity rate (32.4320c/kWh vs 27.0270c/kWh, so roughly 5.4c/kWh more). It doesn't seem like much, but with my usage based on my calculations, the solar plan they're offering is actually MORE expensive. It's just all seems rigged to make people choose the solar plan without doing any research and finding better deals. Makes me want to not go with Ovo on principle

      • cashless on 16/07/2023 - 16:27
        +1

        For me, I also started off being concerned about FIT rates. Started off around 15c/kWh about 4 years back, now down around 7c/kWh.
        Once you get your head around the fact that you need to keep all the power you generate, you approach it slightly differently.
        For me that meant getting a battery to harness excess power generated. After all, I generated the power, why give it back to grid at a measly 7c/kWh?
        Now I hardly give anything back to the grid. In fact I’m annoyed when I do.
        Payback time for batteries is quite long (8 years in my case) but the satisfaction of keeping what you make is immeasurable

  • capslock janitor on 14/07/2023 - 23:28

    huh

  • OzzyOzbourne on 14/07/2023 - 23:37
    +1

    We had our solar fitted by a registered installer and signed off years ago. But the energy supplier wanted another engineering assessment to activate the feed in tariff even though it's already connected to the grid. Calculated it would take several years just to pay off this assessment, so instead we just try the use what we generate by using reverse cycle inverter aircon when it's sunny to heat and cool. I work from home so can run the dishwasher and dryer when it's sunny too

  • 7ekn00 on 15/07/2023 - 00:07
    +1

    No bill here, but completely off-grid anyway ;)

    Off-grid allows for bigger and cheaper solar setups (there are strict limits to system connected to the grid which hampers cost and performance)

  • Name on 15/07/2023 - 03:09
    +1

    We have 6kw solar but export around 1-2kw per day on average. Wife wfh full time and I part time. Pool and spa run during the day and we have solar hot water. We still have a bill. The saving from consuming from solar and not the grid last month was $66, keeping in mind it was winter.

  • oblivianz on 15/07/2023 - 07:29
    +1

    We sometimes don't get a bill and are in credit of $10-15 per month. We have a 6.6kw north-facing system, FiT of 13c. Although I'm expecting that to change with the newly hiked rates.

    • Opaquer on 15/07/2023 - 10:54

      Wow, that's a great rate! Who are you with out of curiosity?

      • oblivianz on 15/07/2023 - 11:11

        I'm with Powershop in NSW. But since July 1st, FiT is now 12c and the supply and usage charge has gone up about 30%. Intending to look for cheaper options once I exhaust all my credit with them.

        • Opaquer on 15/07/2023 - 11:14

          Ah, fair enough. I looked up Powershop here in QLD and they seem to be not nearly as good as down south - daily charge is high, FIT is only 5c and electricity usage is on the higher side, which is a shame

  • Makka on 15/07/2023 - 08:05

    We took up this offer in 2018
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/420706

    went with a LG battery (10kw0, We're on our second LG battery but since getting the system we have not had a power bill. currently have a $300 credit.

    • Opaquer on 15/07/2023 - 10:54

      That's such an amazing deal - if only they still offered stuff like that these days!

  • sathion on 15/07/2023 - 08:53
    +1

    I'm still getting a bill and we are generating and using it as much as possible during the day and still export quite a chunk. Households only got 2 adults 1 kid so we don't use much power to begin with. That said we only get 8c feed in.

  • tessel on 15/07/2023 - 09:08
    +1

    The game of life is rigged, bro.

    • Opaquer on 15/07/2023 - 10:55

      You can say that again!

  • congo on 15/07/2023 - 09:10

    I have 10kwh No battery.
    FIT is only 5% so it isn't much…

    Still pay over $1K per year :-(

  • Lucian on 15/07/2023 - 10:09
    +2

    Sounds like you're in QLD which previously offered a premium feed-in tariff for early adopters of 44c/kWh, which later dropped to 8c. This hasn't been available for a long time and even those still on that rate would lose it if someone else moved into the house. People on these schemes will also slowly roll off in the next few years. Some retailers will offer a retailer funded feed-in although this might be compensated for by having higher usage and daily supply charge or having the FiT capped after a certain amount eg. first 5kWh per day.

    https://www.energex.com.au/home/our-services/connections/res…

    My parents still get the 44c rate and don't receive a power bill but ultimately its good that this scheme has ended. It resulted in those that could afford the upfront cost to install the system being subsidised by those that couldn't and instead had to pay higher bills as a result. Installing solar is still worth it but the industry is moving towards batteries, including some trials that will allow you to feed back into the grid from your battery as well.

    As for the daily supply charges, ultimately you still need to be part of the network and that has underlying fixed costs such as maintaining poles and wires. You're still drawing on that network during the evening or when your usage exceed generation. Even if you are feeding into the network during the day, that is when it's least required. A large part of the infrastructure is built to cater to peak demand such as hot days when everyone is cranking aircon or in the evening when everyone is cooking, watching tv etc.

    I would still happily invest in solar but I would look at it as a way of mitigating the cost of running aircon or heater during the day and working from home rather than trying to make money or aim for a $0 bill.

    • Opaquer on 15/07/2023 - 10:57

      Yeah, I know a couple of people who were on the higher FIT from back in the day. One of them has a 2kW system and only just recently started getting a bill because of it!

      And I agree - we're definitely mitigating the aircon and other large things we have going on during the day (washing, dishwasher etc), so that's definitely all good there. And we knew we wouldn't be making money off it immediately, but it still kind of surprises me exactly how much the solar landscape has changed - especially when it seems like an almost guaranteed way to have a $0 bill in the day!

  • Drakesy on 15/07/2023 - 12:35
    +1

    Only time i've ever been in positive is during summer exporting 40kwh/day
    Every other time the supply charge has eaten into my generation credit, still will pay for itself after 4 years
    (export 10x my usage).

  • Brick50 on 15/07/2023 - 16:22
    +1

    My parents solar get 66c/kwh on PFIT
    They still get a credit note from their retailer each month. It has paid for the system multiple times over (Was $16k for 5kw back in the day) however that will unfortunately end next year.

  • Ok computer on 15/07/2023 - 19:29

    FiT = 0.12 $/kWh.
    I have to export 16 kWh a day to cover the supply charge. Got a sized system ratio of 13/9kW with 10 kWh battery. Covers the house except for super cloudy greydays. The system has exceeded expectations for a 100% electric large family house. Payback in 6-7 years.

  • luffyex2010 on 15/07/2023 - 19:33

    Sydney
    I have a 10kw+ lg panels and fronius 10kw inverter.

    Still paying bills like $300-400 quarterly.

    Quite disappointed with the panels/inverter.

    LG panels are getting less than 4kw in winter, did complain with the installer and they check with fronius coming back that the generation is normal comparing the 3 years.

    Overall I learned my lesson branded panels and inverter doesn't = better.

    I will never use these brands again.

    Funny thing we never use air conditioners inwinter at all.

    • Ok computer on 15/07/2023 - 19:40

      Regardless with no battery, you will be getting smashed during Peak tariff charges. 7-9am and 5-8pm.
      4 kW peak seems low, but I don't know the details so it's impossible to comment.

      • knasty on 15/07/2023 - 21:23

        Ive got 5.2kW of LG panels with Solaredge inverter in Sydney. 60% north and 40% west facing. I peak at around 2.9kW now and about 4.2kW in summer. That’s enough for me to be on time of use tariff and save a heap that way. Saving about $1,500p.a. compared with prior usage.

  • ThomasGold on 15/07/2023 - 21:01

    Just installed a 6.6kw system in Jan (which only practically gets 5kw) and my bills up until winter were in credit ($80 and $40 for last 2 bills). Winter bull just came in and I have to pay $50. So seems when sun is out for a long time it's good (I have a pool pump running 8/hrs a day). That said, by my calcs the cost/benefit solar system will still take 8yrs to break even providing they don't reduce the solar feedback tariff by too much

  • furyou on 15/07/2023 - 22:21

    I get a bill. FIT are so stupid low even when I export 5x what I import, and I pay a bill.
    solar was good at 22c FIT. Now I wonder if it's worth the $$$$$ at all.

  • Easyteas85 on 16/07/2023 - 06:05
    +1

    You are right. Only way now to get low or no bill is to have a battery system or be completely disconnected from grid. Good feed in tarrif days are long gone for any new installations. Even if you bought a property with a old grandfathered feed in rate even that would change once you take ownership of the property. What is even worse is you get basically nothing for feed in and yet they keep cranking up the bills for consumption.. seems fair right? Battery only really way I can see…

  • atris17 on 16/07/2023 - 07:52

    The key is to divert the excess solar power
    Lived in SEQ

    I install a larger 400L electric hot water tank and 10kw solar system
    To store all the excess supply solar energy in the form of Hot water at 70c
    The hot water tank is your natural battery
    Rather then selling it back to grid for 5c/kwh
    Used it up! A kWh now is like 31c/kwh

    Massive savings for my family of 5
    Google “ Paladin Solar Controller“ as a diverter from solar to hot water tank

    • VQLD on 21/08/2023 - 16:34

      4 people use in average 150L/day of hot water.
      What's the point to heat up 400L every day?
      Would be nice to use hot water for heating at night in winter but with decrease of solar power production in winter this is probably not doable..

  • kaleidoscope on 16/07/2023 - 08:22

    Do you have a solar system and don't have an energy bill any more?

    I do have solar (6kW system) and yes I get a bill. Current rates are pure $hit so. I used to get credit during summer/ fall months when it was 20c FIT, but not anymore.

    I did the math some time ago averaging for an year and solar system was saving around $50/60 monthly during solar loan (based on my usage). It’ll climb up to around $100 past that. Haven’r done math for new rates.

    ** savings were calculated considering based on

    total usage without solar = (generated solar - feed in) + retailer’s usage data

    savings = ( total usage w/o solar ) * rate - current bill’s total usage w/o daily charge - govt loan ($43.5/mo)

  • lunartemis on 16/07/2023 - 09:55

    Have had 5.4kw solar system for 3 years in Melbourne and during summer we were in credit and the daily average usage have been around 1kw per day during summer, 3-4kw during spring/autumn but winter is much higher at around 9kw (which is still much lower than average 3 people household).

  • MrFunSocks on 16/07/2023 - 10:26

    Not even close unfortunately. I get 10c per kWh sold back, which is barely enough to cover the daily charges simply for having the Solar and power connected. At my old house I had the 45c rate which was amazing, covered my power bill entirely almost every bill, but Solar is almost entirely pointless these days unless you spent 10s of thousands getting massive systems, at which time it’ll take you forever to get a return on investment anyway.

    I wouldn’t recommend anyone get Solar at this point, basically no point. Would only be good with battery storage, but the cost for them makes that also pointless.

  • yjun355 on 16/07/2023 - 10:32

    Is it worthwhile installing battery? How much does that cost?
    I guess as baremimum it will make your bill close to $0 ascyou can use it at night time

    • Opaquer on 16/07/2023 - 10:38

      I think for us they're still a little too expensive, but it would make the only difference charge we have be the daily supply charge. And if we can generate enough during the day to fill up the battery and export enough to cover the daily charge, we would have a $0 or better bill. That said, the payment return rate would be too long for us and the cost of a battery would be too much for us at this point too, even if we had no power bill for the foreseeable future

    • MrFunSocks on 16/07/2023 - 10:43

      For the cost of a battery system - generally at least $15k - at best you’ll basically pay the battery system off by the end of the 10 year warranty period, at which point the batteries will be completely shot and need to be replaced anyway.

      • yjun355 on 16/07/2023 - 11:09

        Thanks

  • Mrgreenz on 16/07/2023 - 11:17

    Not getting a bill is just an arbitary scale with 0 being the focal point. The far more important factor is the savings pre-vs-post installation.

    And constructing an ROI around that, and weighing that up vs your personal appetite.

    If you are more intrested in the environmental factors that it's a little bit different

    Personally I still get a bill, export tarrif = 2.5c untill 3 pm then 10c post 3pm

    Makes it very hard to offset the near $1 daily.

  • tephra on 16/07/2023 - 11:20

    In my old house with a 3kw system, on PFIT, we would get paid about $1,000 a year from our retailer. That was with storage electric HWS

    In my new house, with a 2kw system, again on PFIT we spend about $100 a month… That's with a solar gas boosted HWS…. But the panels are shaded a fair bit….

  • narbe on 16/07/2023 - 12:15

    Just starting my solar journey soon as building a new house and looking around for solar.

    I think the varying answers comes about from different roof orientations, areas, prices and old subsidies.

    If you join some ME electric group on FB, you'll see getting returns on insulation, sealing drafts, going induction(getting rid of gas) provides the highest returns on $ invested as they are passive, next comes solar, then windows.

    I've spent a few days crawling through solarquotes, and my plan of attack is to get the lowest quotes I can for 13.3kW system (i'm on 3phase) and then getting a price beat from a platinum installer. (Sitting around 8-9$k )

    A few things I've thought about ,

    Do I need 13.3? Probably not but future-proofing for EV and pool. (i'm on 3phase)

    Free hot water by getting a timer/catchpower or equivalent. (1/3 of most people power usage)

    When do I need battery? Bad return at the moment but reserving east-aspect for possibility, also as EVs become advance you may get bi-directional charging in the future meaning if the battery is big enough ie. long range you maybe able to double dip using your car as a battery. (Situating 13.3 on the N and west aspect first)

    Alot of people have already said it, but consumption is where you save the most. If you don't ever turn on the air-con or heating during the day then you wont "save" as much, so the catch22 is here the more frivolous your power use is the more saving you're getting during the day. If your a scrooge like me and you refuse to turn on air/heating you wont "save" as much.

    The other unpredictable element is power inflation.

    • Jono05 on 03/08/2023 - 17:28

      Also the thing is you usually need heating at night during winter even if it’s warm during the day but then it gets cold at night. This is where my main cost is in winter, plus washing drying kids clothes in the evening/ night during the week. This is where a battery would be useful if they were worth it.

  • JayM on 16/07/2023 - 19:52

    I had a 6.24kw solar and a battery installed in May last year and received a few electricity bills before I stopped receiving them altogether. As my house is full electricity and no gas, I found that the hot water system was heavily draining the battery overnight. I then had a hot water timer installed so that it only heated my tank between 10am-2pm each day and now my battery usually lasts the whole night from 100% and with the heater running. I love having the battery (LG 9.2kw/h).

    Some days this winter my battery has gotten nowhere near 100% (lowest i;ve seen is 20%) but the credits i've earned previously seems to cover it. I may have a $32 bill this time but i can never tell as it always says "DO NOT PAY" or some such.

  • Poor Ass on 16/07/2023 - 21:23

    Qld no bill

    Since 2011 - 5kw system been on 49c-62c FIT

    Get around average $300 refund every quarter

    • Jono05 on 03/08/2023 - 17:19

      No surprise with that type of FIT. Average FIT in Sydney is about 7c.

      • Poor Ass on 03/08/2023 - 18:47
        +1

        Ya sounds about right

        I get it until 2028 I think

        • Jono05 on 03/08/2023 - 20:21

          That’s a great deal. Lucky you.

  • nikey2k27 on 16/07/2023 - 21:38

    zero bill here but that me 5.5kw system program most stuff to run in day time.

  • Herbs on 16/07/2023 - 22:08

    Vic 5kw system, some panels face East, some North, no battery, 20c FIT.
    For the last 12 months we have had a net refund of $70 and $110 the year before.
    Would hate to lose that 20c FIT!
    Electricity price increase in August will negate any refund for the next 12 months (sad face)

  • payless69 on 17/07/2023 - 05:41

    PluckAchook now pays a million a year to a Husband Tosser AG
    Married people have to pay a surcharge to pay for this mess!

  • furyou on 17/07/2023 - 10:25

    My solar bill came in. 1mth $121

    I have a 10kw system, small house. When I had 22c FIT I would get $200 credit a month even winter like now.
    Now 7c FIT, higher every other rate.

    When I started, my stats say I benefited $200-400/mth with solar. Now i benefit $90-180.

    Basically the payoff has doubled.

    Is it worth getting solar at all nowadays? Higher daily charge, always the demon "causing high grid load". It's like asking if you should be a landlord.

    • try2bhelpful on 17/07/2023 - 13:02

      My view is I can run my air con in Summer feeling guilt free and not worrying about the bill. The best way to look at Solar is not what your bill is but what it would be without Solar. Also does generating the extra power improve your quality of life.

      • furyou on 17/07/2023 - 13:25

        Actually i don't. Because you might generate 3kw, your ac might use 5kw, and you are still paying out money that day.
        You export all morning, turn on ac for an hour or two mid afternoon, and you're in debt.
        Still have to watch everything carefully.

        • try2bhelpful on 17/07/2023 - 16:30

          You do have to watch the graphs but at the height of Summer you generate a lot of power.

          • furyou on 17/07/2023 - 16:52

            @try2bhelpful: I do indeed, but you have to watch for things like clouds Coming over for a moment, and then suddenly, you're using 5 kW instead of 2.

            • try2bhelpful on 18/07/2023 - 14:49

              @furyou: Don’t disagree but there will be days with almost no cloud as well. Can’t wait until he can get an EV that will double as my battery.

  • Jac33au on 18/07/2023 - 08:29

    It's more about how you use it than the feed in tarrif for new installs because it's so low. Timers and smart switches are a must and almost everything in my home is plugged into one. That's another $300 investment if you get em from aliexpress (I have for years now) and it's totally worth it, you also end up with a kind of smart home.

    Do all your energy heavy stuff between 10-1 and your bill will shrink to almost nothing. I average .20kwh hourly over night. The most expensive hour for me is 5-6pm. No sun and stove on.

    In June I used (paid for) 191kwh and exported 402kwh

  • 5secondrule on 24/07/2023 - 11:21

    It's possible but you need a certain set of circumstances. I'm running a 10kw system in SE Melbourne and usually have very low usage in general (5kw day, 4kw at night) and usually run a huge credit in summer that wipes any small bill I might get in winter.

    The only way to not get bills is to run big FIT credits that wipe out a bill. So either run a huge FIT credit with moderate night time usage or a big FIT credit and a small night time usage to cancel it out

    However the eternal search for 'no bill' isn't what you should focus on. The big benefit you are getting, which you should be looking at is all the money you are saving from using solar instead of importing from the grid. Tally that up and you'll feel so good about your decision that you won't waste time worrying about whether you got a bill or not.

  • Mahakaal on 25/07/2023 - 11:06
    +1

    @Opaquer My answer is yes i haven't paid a bill from last year even i m in credit for $500 plus.
    solar got installed last year in July 2022 around 6K
    jinko panels with growatt inverter 13 kw
    I m very happy with the performance of these products.
    I have attached the link of the spreadsheet please have a look i have mentioned each month bills and my electricity rates
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/287953/105354/img_8631…

  • mrmachine on 27/07/2023 - 11:10
    +1

    We've had Solar since 2019 and never paid a bill since. It's 7.25kW inverter and 9.92kW panels. Our last bill up to the middle of Winter we did use ($421) more than we earned ($388) but our account is still in credit ($172), and this is after I've had them refund about $1000 in excess credit over the years to my bank account.

    The previous bill we used $353 and earned $456. The bill before that was almost identical (off by $1) we used $354 and earned $456.

    I'm with Origin and I have had to actually leave (not threaten to leave) every year. Then they call me up and offer a good FIT to come back.

    My 12 months is nearly up, and it looks like the best plan I can find right now (Powershop) will cost me around $600 over 12 months. Last year it was about the same, but I had to move to Globird who had very high usage charges but also high and uncapped FIT which I estimate put me at $50 credit for the year.

    Hopefully Origin calls me up with a good offer to come back again! But even if they don't, considering the $1000 withdrawn it'll still be another year and a half effectively free.

    • Poor Ass on 03/08/2023 - 18:48

      What's your FIT?

      • mrmachine on 03/08/2023 - 20:00

        In 2020 it was 21c. 2021 was also 21c. 2022 was 14c. Now it's 19c. That 19c will end soon and the best uncapped FIT I can find is 12c from Powershop.

  • sim0an on 23/08/2023 - 19:52

    We've had our system for nearly 5 years.

    29 panels, 8.2kw inverter.

    On a 20c FIT, usage charge of ~20c and daily charge of $1.. we were always in credit, even if it was only by $20. We haven't had to pay a bill for ages.

    Gone are the days of 20c FITs (in QLD anyway)… We're currently on a 12c FIT.. Our last 3 bills? ~$400. We don't owe anything on our system anymore, but it certainly hasn't paid itself off.. and now it'll take years to recoup that money, and it's not going to get any better. Complete bloody waste.

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