Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Worked out some averages from my 1.8kW grid connect solar system. North facing no shade, 25deg tilt.
Peak production I have seen was 13kW in a day.
Love to log it daily but costs $200 for the rs232 card addon.

Average values are a lot lower than initial calculations, infact less that 50%. Will be making a note of the total kW from the inverter and comparing that over time to the export kW from the power meter to ensure they match.

I've got 3x 1.5kw systems coming. We are in zone 2 so we get a lot of sun. Will be interesting to see how they go.

Well smack me over the head. I can only blame a mental block. RE power is what the meter records going to the grid, and not the portion I use at the same time.

12kW used to be my average use which is why I did not think twice.

not realy sure if this is the right spot to ask this but im looking for info on how much a pv system will save, or info on how to work it out for myself

Cheers
pete
(off to google PV all night )

As a estimate this site is not too bad for getting idea how much you can produce from a given system. Was a lot closer than what a couple installers tried claiming.
http://www.energymatters.com.au/climate-data/

Ignore the average total on my pic, that was a stuff up. A1 use is what I am currently paying for. RE I get paid a credit for back.
I'm actually using an average of 15units a day.

Hi

Do you get paid or do they credit your bill? What is the rate for supplying to the grid?

As of August 1st you get 47c a unit that you feed into the grid before that it was only 17c.
Remember to be feeding in you have to be producing more power than using and its currently winter.

I just got a bill for last 59 days today, 102 units of RE power feed in = 1.7 average daily.
635 units used = 10.76 average daily.

If the tariff had been active the entire time I would have $47.94 credit against the $120.20 plus supply charges of $20 I used. So $92 but without a PV system the bill would have been roughly $200

If I roll that back to last summer I would have got a credit of roughly $138 against a $111 bill. Its still going to take a while to pay off but I'm happy.

I could have got a 2.5kW system for what I paid for a 1.8kW roughly 18 months ago from same supplier so the price is also dropping.

Over here in NSW every body is putting 100% back in to the grid and getting paid 60cents per KWH to do so, pays for its self in about 5 years, isn't that scheme available in WA?

Well i get bills around $600 to $800 per bill. I have a pool,reverse cycle aircon and 4 computers along with the normal electronic stuff.

No its not unfortunately would make a big difference. its only what excess you can generate. Also if you don't fill out the right forms you only get 7c!

Cheers privateer thats the sort of thing i was looking for

Cheers
pete

Anyone familiar with solar systems for off grid (remote area) systems. Who is best company in western australia?

http://www.sunwiseelectrics.com.au
Kwinana and Rockingham + Bunbury.

Can't say if they are the best but the Bunbury branch didn't muck me around and quotes are free.
I notice the off grid stuff not on their site anymore not sure if that means no longer doing it or what. Only reason I didn't install it myself was to get the rebates.

Shaker,
I would be looking at reducing your bill 1st. Offpeak power perhaps for the pool?
Insulation so not runing the aircon 24/7? I'm assuming you also have electric HWS to get usage that high so perhaps solar boosted?
You could spend ~20K on a 5kW system and unless I just converted your usage wrong would only get about a 30-35% reduction.

Yeah

I will get the off peak meter soon. I have Gas hot water,stove and hotplate.
I run business from home so i use a fair bit there. I am allowed to claim 20% back there.

My house is insulated and my aircon is a 6hp reverse cycle type. I have a 3 phase bore which in summer runs 3 hours a day(share with my neighbours).

Until recently i had 3 TV's. I got rid of 1 of the 50 inch plasma's that was just being used as a game screen.

Oh i also have a pool heater which uses blavk poly on the roof with a pump.
I have also come to the conclusion that the expenditure on solar is not worth it for me yet. Must work on reducing usage. ie have replaced my downlights with CFL's this month.

good info

Regards
matt