Electricity bill - WTF!!!!!!!!!!!

[AB]

Yes I know, another rant thread not even remotely close to anything about Patrols...lol

Seriously though....We just got our electricity bill for the quarter.....WTF!!!

We try our hardest to keep consumption down....Pretty much have 3 energy saving lights on at night, TV, computer, 1 x fridge and the wood heater going.

$650 bill just turned up....Exactly the same amount of KW from last year's bill at the same time which was $450.

Can't wait until summer time with the splitty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Electricity rates have gone up ridiculous!!!


I should of put a 5kw solar system on this house 5 years ago when the good grants were going around and it would of been paid off now....:furious::furious::furious::furious::furiou s::furious::furious::furious::furious::furious::fu rious::furious::furious::furious::furious::furious ::furious::furious::furious:

Rant complete, thanks for reading and good night!!!!

[MudRunnerTD]

Wow!!! You Lucky Bastard !!

When mine hit $1000 last year I had a Cow! Can't believe it. An outrage!

[Avo]

WA electricity has risen something like 70% in the last 4 yrs.

[Drewboyaus]

Check the bill AB, most of the utilities companies are stinging customers with fixed charges like connection fees etc.
It means the consumer often can't do anything to reduce their bills anyway. No government seems prepared to do anything about it either. A total effing rort.


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

[AB]

Check the bill AB, most of the utilities companies are stinging customers with fixed charges like connection fees etc.
It means the consumer often can't do anything to reduce their bills anyway. No government seems prepared to do anything about it either. A total effing rort.


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

It's funny you say that as there is a fixed rate called "Domestic Single Rate Standing Charge" of $95.....I don't even know what that is and I don't remember seeing that on any of the past bills either.

[megatexture]

Check your meter they might have just billed you for the average ,do you have a dog or something that would stop them getting access to your power box?

[AB]

Check your meter they might have just billed you for the average ,do you have a dog or something that would stop them getting access to your power box?

Nah It's all open for access....Has to walk past the awesomeness of the mighty GQ which might of frightened him due to It's awesomeness but I doubt it....lol

[megatexture]

Ah ok so you think its just the price mark up, I hate to think what the future brings at the rate things are going !

[AB]

Ah ok so you think its just the price mark up, I hate to think what the future brings at the rate things are going !

I remember signing up not long ago at 20 cents per KW and now It's up to 28.9 cents + that stupid fixed rate mentioned above.

Yeah mate, Living costs+expenses+homeloans+wages....Doesn't add up and going to get worse indeed!!!

Arrr, more ranting....lol

[93patrol]

You have to wonder what that means for the pensioners doing it tough they can barely afford food let alone their utilities. I give my nan $100 a fortnight just to have some spare cash floating about only because I can afford it this year cause my wife is now back full time working


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[Parksy]

I've been quite outraged by our last few bills also. Things that I've found, being with solar heating is that during winter, we don't have enough sun to heat the elements so we have to utilise the booster. This should only be used at night time and no hot water used while its on, otherwise it just constantly heats the tank when it's continuously replaced with fresh cold water. I've found anything related to heating, whether room or water to be the biggest users of electricity. So quick cold showers and no central heating for the win! :(

[oncedisturbed]

Ouchies on the power bill. Just started getting our rates through..........I have officially crapped bricks seeing them. 5k on shire rates alone (3 houses) and another 3k for water rates, total increase of roughly 2k over 18 months

[NP99]

I think now that solar rebates have finished, installation costs are cheaper.....was a scam like the pink bats!

[Winnie]

I think now that solar rebates have finished, installation costs are cheaper.....was a scam like the pink bats!

They had to have rebates to make them affordable. Kits are cheaper now than they were before and now the rebates have reduced. Remember AB, when you want to go solar call me?


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[NissanGQ4.2]

I can't complain, paid mine today $276 :):):)

Still looking at getting rid of the electric cook top and hot water system and going gas to help with the power bill.

We recently got solar panels, only got 8 panels 1.56kw, wish I went bigger now :( had the money 2 at the time but the sales guy said we really didn't need it, first time I've heard a sales guy knock back money!!!

[MudRunnerTD]

Should have jumped on Solar when th buy back was guaranteed 66c a kw for life!! Damn! Now it's like 8c and hardly worth it.

What's your buy back Doggy?

[AB]

Should have jumped on Solar when th buy back was guaranteed 66c a kw for life!! Damn! Now it's like 8c and hardly worth it.

What's your buy back Doggy?

Ok dumb question time...lol

With the buy back I assume its a case of credit added to your bill that you cant withdraw I assume?

[Winnie]

Should have jumped on Solar when th buy back was guaranteed 66c a kw for life!! Damn! Now it's like 8c and hardly worth it.

What's your buy back Doggy?

Not in terms of making money. But in saving money by wiping your power bill... Can't lose!


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[MudRunnerTD]

Ok dumb question time...lol

With the buy back I assume its a case of credit added to your bill that you cant withdraw I assume?

As I understand it, you have no ability to store on site so all that you generate is given to the grid at the buy back price! (66c for the smart lucky early customers) Then you buy what you need at the normal sell price (26c or so) means profit and zero electricity bills quickly.

Obviously you only generate during the day and what you use while generating will be free.

Also in the winter you generation is down and usage is up but all in all your on a winner if you signed up early.

Now though!! Powercore in my area have advised that because there are So Many solar panels if I want them I have to ask first, if there is too many in my zone then they don't want my generation and I get no buy back!!!

So the skeptic in me says the REAL CON is that the electricity companies are required by contract to buy back at 66c! They have been selling to us for 20c or so for some time?? The price has nearlly doubled! Why? Because the buy back is unsustainable! Someone has to pay for it! Not the Government or the Tax Payer! We paid the rebates to sign up for the smart ones and now pay the markup for ever! And, can't get in on the action for better than a "subsidized but back rate of like 8fn cents!

Rant over! $1000 electricity bills are here to stay and coming for all!

[NissanGQ4.2]

Ok dumb question time...lol

With the buy back I assume its a case of credit added to your bill that you cant withdraw I assume?

What ever I put back into the grid comes of the bill

Ours feeds us first and then anything not been used by us goes to the grid

[NissanGQ4.2]

Daz I believe you can store your own, but that cost more to install so most people don't do it

The guy I was talking with said the CSRIO are working on new battery's designed specifically for solar panel electricity storage, don't know how true this is as I haven't looked into it any further

[Clunk]

Daz I believe you can store your own, but that cost more to install so most people don't do it

The guy I was talking with said the CSRIO are working on new battery's designed specifically for solar panel electricity storage, don't know how true this is as I haven't looked into it any further

Pretty sure that no matter which state you live, if you're connected to the grid you are not allowed to store your own. This is something that my old man wanted to do as they have a small citrus growing property and it costs a fair chunk of coin to run the machinery...... From what he was told by the powers that be, tis a big no no.

MC app sucks big hairy ones!!!!!!!! Having to delete and reinstall everyday........

[NissanGQ4.2]

Pretty sure that no matter which state you live, if you're connected to the grid you are not allowed to store your own. This is something that my old man wanted to do as they have a small citrus growing property and it costs a fair chunk of coin to run the machinery...... From what he was told by the powers that be, tis a big no no.

MC app sucks big hairy ones!!!!!!!! Having to delete and reinstall everyday........

Yes from what I have heard you are correct It can't be done if your connected to the grid but why would you want to be connected to the grid if you had enough panels and battery storage to support yourself?

[Clunk]

Yes from what I have heard you are correct It can't be done if your connected to the grid but why would you want to be connected to the grid if you had enough panels and battery storage to support yourself?

I doubt if you get the choice Toddster..... Unfortunately

MC app sucks big hairy ones!!!!!!!! Having to delete and reinstall everyday........

[NissanGQ4.2]

I doubt if you get the choice Toddster..... Unfortunately

MC app sucks big hairy ones!!!!!!!! Having to delete and reinstall everyday........

As far as I know you can be cut from the grid and be self sufficient, but you still have to pay them sum sort of fee for having electricity going past you place......go figure

[BigRAWesty]

Same with water and septic.


Last year ours went up by 3x.. I had a heart attack.. we paid it off but then noticed a few bill later we were a few hundred in credit.. turns out they miss read it, then "miss calculated" and charged us.. no sorry letter or phone call.
Pisses me off..

trying to use MC crappa

[Stropp]

Yes you can get a stand alone system with battery storage and it is legal to have it but as was said you still have to pay the fee for it going passed your property, it is also quite expensive to get it set up initially. I got in early over here and get 46 cents per kwh but since the kids have moved back and the price hikes I am still paying the same amount as before.

[Avo]

Yes you can get a stand alone system with battery storage and it is legal to have it but as was said you still have to pay the fee for it going passed your property, it is also quite expensive to get it set up initially. I got in early over here and get 46 cents per kwh but since the kids have moved back and the price hikes I am still paying the same amount as before.

next time they leave Stropp change the locks man.
I am lucky my boss pays half the electricity,gives me a house and 200lt fuel a month.desiel or petrol.Gunna want to hang onto this job by the sounds of it.

[Clunk]

Yes you can get a stand alone system with battery storage and it is legal to have it but as was said you still have to pay the fee for it going passed your property, it is also quite expensive to get it set up initially. I got in early over here and get 46 cents per kwh but since the kids have moved back and the price hikes I am still paying the same amount as before.

Did you get that letter in the post stating that the cost is going up a few cents but to offset that, the buy back price is being increased as well........ Makes no friggin sense to me.

MC app sucks big hairy ones!!!!!!!! Having to delete and reinstall everyday........

[AB]

Yeah we don't have mains water in our area but still pay a fixed fee to Melbourne water each quarter for the drains on the dirt roads which is funny because they haven't really been touched since 1970...lol


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[megatexture]

Has any one toyed with the idea of setting up a stand alone power set up ? Cost outlay etc

[AB]

Has any one toyed with the idea of setting up a stand alone power set up ? Cost outlay etc

Ive thought about it a million times and always keep my eye out for any second hand set ups.

My friend is currently building his house next to a train line. The power company want 20k to bore under the train line to run power to his property so he has just installed dedicated solar. 5 kw system.

He has spent the last couple of years researching everything about solar, etc and I think all up he has spent around 20k for the stand alone system and once his house is built I'm going to see how it all goes.

The home is an eco friendly house which captures winter sun from carefully positioned windows to heat the dark concrete slab in parts of the house and so forth.

[Bloodyaussie]

You are depressing me Andy????

I am sick of the way we are just treated as a means to make someone rich!!!

[threedogs]

Think the term is "POLES and WIRES", you pay for their up keep and maintenance.
Same as water you pay for the local park and up keep of the meter,
water is something like 30 cents for 1000ltrs , now look what they charge you
maybe only $20 $30 for water and $300 for extras, that's go figure

[patrolmq]

[QUOTE=AB;396426]Yes I know, another rant thread not even remotely close to anything about Patrols...lol

Seriously though....We just got our electricity bill for the quarter.....WTF!!!

We try our hardest to keep consumption down....Pretty much have 3 energy saving lights on at night, TV, computer, 1 x fridge and the wood heater going.

$650 bill just turned up....Exactly the same amount of KW from last year's bill at the same time which was $450.

Can't wait until summer time with the splitty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Electricity rates have gone up ridiculous!!!

QUOTE]

what electric company are you with? Check what rates /kw they charge and their daily rates.

I'm in Melbourne too, so similar weather to you. Have a 4 bed house, 2 adults and 2 young kids, one is not at school so wife at home most of the day with her. Kids and wife leave all lights on all the time and TV switched on with no-one watching it. Gas hot air blown heating (motor uses a bit). Last bill was $85 for the month, so $255 for the quarter.

How many KW are you using each day? Mine's around 11KW. Get one of those plug in power meters and go around each socket in the hours to see what's taking so much. Also, if you have a smart meter, you can go on a website and get live information, hour by hour, daily, monthly of usage. In the summer I could see a jump in ours when the aircon went on, you can see exactly what's happening through the day.

BTW, split systems are around 6-10KW depending on their size and each one will chew through $1.80-$3.00 each hour it is on, so bear that in mind. 5 hours a day, adds up to $450pm!

[mudnut]

There was a business not far from my place that had its own wind turbine, and they had no connection to the grid. They were still visited by the meter readers, who were usually perplexed that the line went through the property, but not connected to the house. I'm not sure if they have to pay a "standing" fee.

[macca]

I am guilty of not reading all of this, have you all got the maximum discounts the suppliers offer. We are with Origin up here and get 16%, it only took a phone call.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Are you on a smart meter Andy???

Not sure what states were forced onto smart meters or even if they had a choice.

Stay away from smart meters if you don't have one, We have one now only due to the solar panels but we could stay on our old peak / off peak rates :)

[Clunk]

Are you on a smart meter Andy???

Not sure what states were forced onto smart meters or even if they had a choice.

Stay away from smart meters if you don't have one, We have one now only due to the solar panels but we could stay on our old peak / off peak rates :)

we also had a choice on whether to stay on our old tariff or change to their so called smart saver tariff.............. we stayed on the old tariff, costs 23c per unit, sel back to the grid at 47c per unit.

tha so called smart saver tariff had about 4 different charges per day depending on the time of day........... very cheap between 12am to 6am but damn expensive during the day, so pretty damn pointless when you need to run you aircon in the summer and heaters in the winter.

[NissanGQ4.2]

we also had a choice on whether to stay on our old tariff or change to their so called smart saver tariff.............. we stayed on the old tariff, costs 23c per unit, sel back to the grid at 47c per unit.

tha so called smart saver tariff had about 4 different charges per day depending on the time of day........... very cheap between 12am to 6am but damn expensive during the day, so pretty damn pointless when you need to run you aircon in the summer and heaters in the winter.

Lucky you, ours is only something like 6 cents for what we put back into the grid :(:(:( Wish I done it earlier on

[Clunk]

Lucky you, ours is only something like 6 cents for what we put back into the grid :(:(:( Wish I done it earlier on

we got in just in the nick of time......... wish we had of got a 5kw system though, would have been far better for our current needs

[mudski]

I got a 2Kw system and my by back price is locked in at .38c per K/w. Our last bill was still $250!!! I'm currently looking around for a bigger inverter so I can add more panels. I worked it out a while ago that for our usage I needed a 3.6Kw system just to cover our usage but at the time it was around 10K to do that.

[oncedisturbed]

I picked up 8 x 190w panels and a 4.5kw invertor installed for 2k awhile back. The same mob just sent us an "exclusive offer" to have 4 more of the panels installed for 2k.....WTF????

[mudski]

I will install the panels myself to my existing panels as they are just plug and play. The inverter I could do too but I will call my sparky mate to do this I reckon. But the buy back price now is hopeless. Unless you plan on getting a system big enough to cover your total usage, you will be wasting your time I think.
I remember when I had the system installed. They wanted me to get their solar hot water too. At the time Evac tubes were very new and very expensive. Down in Melbourne Evac tubes are far more superior to the traditional panel setup, because of our low sun angle, and everyone said it won't be any good. Glad I didn't go for it as a mate of mine got them on his new house and they are next to useless in the winter.

[Kast]

Apologies in advance to any utilities guys on the forum, but these snoozers are digging their own graves. Some years down the track when we're self sufficient what'll they do?

And all the intell says the prices are up because of 'gold plating' infrastructure that isn't needed but gives them top returns.

Seriously, we mightn't look like Einsteins but we're not idiots either (they're on other branded forums!).

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[NP99]

I doubt if you get the choice Toddster..... Unfortunately

MC app sucks big hairy ones!!!!!!!! Having to delete and reinstall everyday........

Don't pay your bill and get disconnected!

[NP99]

Apologies in advance to any utilities guys on the forum, but these snoozers are digging their own graves. Some years down the track when we're self sufficient what'll they do?

And all the intell says the prices are up because of 'gold plating' infrastructure that isn't needed but gives them top returns.

Seriously, we mightn't look like Einsteins but we're not idiots either (they're on other branded forums!).

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Mate, they won't allow us to be self sufficient. Many years back in Brisbane they outlawed water tanks, claiming they were a health hazard and inspectors entered your property, puncturing the tanks!!! How times change to suit the powers to be.

[Clunk]

I got a 2Kw system and my by back price is locked in at .38c per K/w. Our last bill was still $250!!! I'm currently looking around for a bigger inverter so I can add more panels. I worked it out a while ago that for our usage I needed a 3.6Kw system just to cover our usage but at the time it was around 10K to do that.

You best check and make sure it doesn't negate your buy back price of 36c........... I've heard it will but happy to be wrong.

MC app sucks big hairy ones!!!!!!!! Having to delete and reinstall everyday........

[Kast]

Too true. Puncture tanks one year. Pay you to put them in another. You've gotta love progress!

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[Drew]

What ever I put back into the grid comes of the bill

Ours feeds us first and then anything not been used by us goes to the grid

I swear ours puts onto the grid then we get hit. But then again I reckon they bill us for what we put on the grid as well. I dunno I feel very tender in a region that never sees the sun :(

Oh and pink batts scam... what scam ? No problems there gov'ner :)

[mudski]

The Pink batts thingo' wasn't a scam. I was just a poorly planned out idea, a good idea in my opinion that was only thought off and released within six months just so the government would get brownie points for it. Turns out people got killed and then too many people jumped on the band wagon and were using lower than third rate bats and saying they were the real deal. Heck we had some Curry munchers offering to remove all our 30 year old wool insulation on a 30 sq house for $150. I wouldn't do it myself for $1000!!!! I saw their bats they were using and told'em to eff off! Nothing wrong with Curry munchers too I love their food and I am related to a few, by marriage.

Who's your supplier Drew? How old is the system you have? Some suppliers actually can't work out what you have put back into the grid and guess.

[DX grunt]

Not sure if it was just for WA, but the power bills are going to go up because solar is so popular. About 20% of homes in WA are now solar powered.

Ya can't win!!!

[MudRunnerTD]

Not sure if it was just for WA, but the power bills are going to go up because solar is so popular. About 20% of homes in WA are now solar powered.

Ya can't win!!!


Exactly right Rossco! Everyone that got in early and are on a guaranteed buy back price of double the market value for life!! Someone has to pay for that and it's not the Tax Payer, it's the end user that does not have Solar!

So the incentive was to spend ALLOT of money to get hooked in, heaps did and everyone else will pay forever. At some point the excessive buy back pricing had to catch up with them and here we are. The Utility companies saying the cost of supply has now increased and they have to pass it on.... But ? But?

Who's bloody idea was it to provide an unsustainable buy back price of double the supply Retail Price?? How was that Ever going to Balance the books??? Just Dumb!

So now you have to ask permission in my area before installing Solar because the Grid simply does not want it, even if they did want it now the buy back is about 25% of the sell price so it's now a rip off and simply not worth the investment.

Oh we'll.

[AB]

So what would be the right move for non solar people.....Dedicated solar and get off the grid altogether?

[mudski]

So what would be the right move for non solar people.....Dedicated solar and get off the grid altogether?
Yup! But a very, very expensive option. Buying and maintaining batteries large enough to run your house is a killer. In my opinion, if you can't afford to off grid solar, try to get an on grid system that will supply enough power for your house so your bills are zero. Or close to it. Don't worry about the buy back price, only think about that if you are making more than you are using. Which 90percent of solar users aren't.
At your place AB it would be hard to run solar with so many tree's. We'd have to have a day at your place and clear out a section.
New solar tech is getting better, but currently if only a corner of one panel has shade on it, out of the 8 or so panels mounted, that whole panel is knocked out. I had to move my t.v antenna because the thin antenna wires went across two panels and they both were not working. The latest tech this doesn't happen, good for heavily tree'd area's. These cheap systems being offered won't be the newer tech though.

[Winnie]

AB you're better off staying on grid and making enough power to cover your usage... Then you'd only be paying supply fees but if you got a bigger system you could wipe those too.

Trying to use Motorculture

[mudnut]

Cut some trees down to save carbon emissions on making electricity. Haa Haa! That sounds like a plan! I know a bloke that downed a hundred year old gum so that his solar hot water got an extra half hour of sunlight.

[taslucas]

Cut some trees down to save carbon emissions on making electricity. Haa Haa! That sounds like a plan! I know a bloke that downed a hundred year old gum so that his solar hot water got an extra half hour of sunlight.

It's all about the dollars to some hey

FanTapstic!

[mudnut]

To be fair, he has planted hundreds of trees along his boundary fences. It just seems a bit ironic, that if the installer had put the panel a few feet further along the roof, there would have been no problem. My house has the roof line running north south, so we would have to build some sort of structure to support any sort of panels to get usable sunlight. It is not a cost feasible option for us.

[aceblueheeler1992]

$480 for 3 months, townsville, qld

[mudnut]

$480 for 3 months, townsville, qld

Ouch, that's gotta hurt.

[MudRunnerTD]

$480 for 3 months, townsville, qld

Wow!! Mine is Double that in Lara Victoria!! Seriously!

[taslucas]

Depends how much you use I suppose. I like to turn things off and I have a very small house so my bill is much less than my friends.

But you can all get farqued! Tassie had %100 clean hydro electricity that was priced ok BEFORE they connected that damn bass link. Now you Victorians steal all our power to up the percentage of renewable energy in your grid and WE PAY MORE!? WTF!!!!!!??????

[Winnie]

Depends how much you use I suppose. I like to turn things off and I have a very small house so my bill is much less than my friends.

But you can all get farqued! Tassie had %100 clean hydro electricity that was priced ok BEFORE they connected that damn bass link. Now you Victorians steal all our power to up the percentage of renewable energy in your grid and WE PAY MORE!? WTF!!!!!!??????

Back in your box where you belong. MY POWER NOW.

Trying to use Motorculture

[taslucas]

Back in your box where you belong. MY POWER NOW.

Trying to use Motorculture

You can have some if you come down and see where it comes from:-)

[Drew]

Wow!! Mine is Double that in Lara Victoria!! Seriously!

You're paying the tool allowance ;) :)

[patrolmq]

Has any one toyed with the idea of setting up a stand alone power set up ? Cost outlay etc

yes, I got half way there in the summer. I'm renting so can't do as much as I'd like, but with a large 4 bed house, wife and 2 kids, I managed to generate and store about half of my usage in the summer (and that includes split aircon usage, otherwise it would have been up to about 80%). Spent about $1k on the setup, did it myself. Powered all the house (including washing machine which also gets its hot water from a solar water heater) except for the kitchen (oven, micro, kettle) and split aircon. It's a removable system, that we can take with us if we move. Just an indication of what's possible, prices will continue to come down for solar, with efficiency going up as new tech is developed.

[patrolmq]

Depends how much you use I suppose. I like to turn things off and I have a very small house so my bill is much less than my friends.

But you can all get farqued! Tassie had %100 clean hydro electricity that was priced ok BEFORE they connected that damn bass link. Now you Victorians steal all our power to up the percentage of renewable energy in your grid and WE PAY MORE!? WTF!!!!!!??????

sorry about that, I'm with momentum who I believe at Tas based using renewable energy (so I get the carbon tax refunded). I'll ask them why the local Tasmanians now have to pay more.

Still not as bad as the UK, who sold all their power stations to the French who then subsidised their own citizens to bring their bills down whilst increasing the bills for the British. (sorry, it is as bad, but just on a more insignificant scale LOL!!)

[AB]

yes, I got half way there in the summer. I'm renting so can't do as much as I'd like, but with a large 4 bed house, wife and 2 kids, I managed to generate and store about half of my usage in the summer (and that includes split aircon usage, otherwise it would have been up to about 80%). Spent about $1k on the setup, did it myself. Powered all the house (including washing machine which also gets its hot water from a solar water heater) except for the kitchen (oven, micro, kettle) and split aircon. It's a removable system, that we can take with us if we move. Just an indication of what's possible, prices will continue to come down for solar, with efficiency going up as new tech is developed.

Hey mate, if you get a chance I would love to find out more...lol

[NP99]

Lets convert to LPG, rebate it, then up the pump price of LPG!

[Timmo]

Yeah Darwins going through the roof....................we have been putting 100.00 on our bill each pay and we still get a 800.00 bill for the 1/4

[krbrooking]

NOT HAPPY JAN!!!!!!! I just had a huge argument with my elec company as when/before we moved in we discussed with them and told them that the house had solar, the person then said oh that's good you will receive the rebate in your first bill, well received it the other day and $500+ and no rebate later was not happy. We have spent the last couple of weeks going back and forth between real estate and elec company and apparently we still need it to be connected and won't be receiving the rebate until it is connected and won't be getting back paid, on top of all that they tell us we have to pay the connection fee. Well that was the cherry on top I spat it and told them I will be changing companies, so we will see what they say when I ring to cancel. I will also be calling the real estate to see if the will be footing the connection fee.

[NissanGQ4.2]

You could always do this AB *L*

http://au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/latest/article/-/18049075/solar-panel-flare-up/

[MudRunnerTD]

You could always do this AB *L*

http://au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/latest/article/-/18049075/solar-panel-flare-up/

That is Outrageous!! Does not give a crap about anyone but himself. Can't believe Council can't act! I might build a bid Solar panel structure in the back yard and clad it, put a roller door in the front. Sit it high enough so it is not in the shadow of My House which will also allow me to install a Hoist under it!!

Awesome! Construction starts next week!

[mudnut]

That is Outrageous!! Does not give a crap about anyone but himself. Can't believe Council can't act! I might build a bid Solar panel structure in the back yard and clad it, put a roller door in the front. Sit it high enough so it is not in the shadow of My House which will also allow me to install a Hoist under it!!

Awesome! Construction starts next week!

Ha ha. Our place is unsuited to fit solar panels, but a shed made totally of solar panels would be great.

[NissanGQ4.2]

That is Outrageous!! Does not give a crap about anyone but himself. Can't believe Council can't act! I might build a bid Solar panel structure in the back yard and clad it, put a roller door in the front. Sit it high enough so it is not in the shadow of My House which will also allow me to install a Hoist under it!!

Awesome! Construction starts next week!

Yeh Daz I seen it on today tonight last night, was amazed that council had approved it ( and if they had not at least told him to take it down ) what an ugly view for his neighbours. Lucky I'm not his neighbour I would be taking pot shots at them with a slingshot

[Kast]

No.1 lesson. Councils are the dumbest sobs on the planet. No.2 lesson use that to your advantage. If you get stuck with no.2 threaten legal action. 95% them will run.

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2

[NissanGQ4.2]

Daz I believe you can store your own, but that cost more to install so most people don't do it

The guy I was talking with said the CSRIO are working on new battery's designed specifically for solar panel electricity storage, don't know how true this is as I haven't looked into it any further

First time I have seen battery storage advertised for domestic use, very pricey but would be worth it if you had the dosh: http://www.aussiesolar.com.au/tariff-management.html

[Parksy]

What does everyone think about solar hot water? The house I'm in at the moment has it, and during the cooler months it's rubbish. This forces me to switch on the booster to heat the water up. But apparently if you have solar hot water, you don't get off peak electricity charges at night, usually when we turn the booster on. So this means huge electricity bills. Personally, I think solar hot water is absolutely rubbish!

[NissanGQ4.2]

What does everyone think about solar hot water? The house I'm in at the moment has it, and during the cooler months it's rubbish. This forces me to switch on the booster to heat the water up. But apparently if you have solar hot water, you don't get off peak electricity charges at night, usually when we turn the booster on. So this means huge electricity bills. Personally, I think solar hot water is absolutely rubbish!

My dad not long ago had solar heating installed and swears by it, he has solar panels on the house as well and said he has paid very little for hot water mind you its only him and my mum there.

It probable also depends on the type of hot water system that is installed there.

[P4trol]

Depends where you live Parksey, I only have to push the button about twice a year. Mind you, in the summer we have hot water come out both taps.

If you are having decent hot days and it still isn't doing the job, it might need to be looked at.

At the very least, solar assist is worth it. It heats the water just a few degrees as it is able.

[Bush Ranger]

I think now that solar rebates have finished, installation costs are cheaper.....was a scam like the pink bats!
I`ve noticed the price for solar power set ups are way cheaper to what they were a few years back.

[FNQGU]

Yep, coming right down, especially for the basic grid feed type system that can be installed in a couple of hours. only drama with that setup is that there is no power when the grid goes down. I think if you are going to do it, and live anywhere near the cyclone belt, then you want the battery bank for backup power, and that is where a lot of the extra cost comes in.

Am definitely going down this path when we do some reno's on the house later this year though.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Yep, coming right down, especially for the basic grid feed type system that can be installed in a couple of hours. only drama with that setup is that there is no power when the grid goes down. I think if you are going to do it, and live anywhere near the cyclone belt, then you want the battery bank for backup power, and that is where a lot of the extra cost comes in.

Am definitely going down this path when we do some reno's on the house later this year though.

Your going 2 get a battery bank?

[threedogs]

I thought a battery bank would be if you were going to be self sufficient out in the sticks some where,
If we have a black out we use the 12v engel and any 12v lights I use for camp. Even have music via my camper if need be.
But electricity is way too high and any chance to eliminate it via a solar set up the sooner the better

[FNQGU]

Definitely want the battery bank option. It will still be grid-connected, but the batteries will be the backup system for power outages, instead of running around with extension leads and the camping generator, trying to save the contents of the freezer. A black out for a day or even two is manageable, but when it is out for a week or more, it is no longer fun.

[fourj]

If you want to run batteries as well as mains power you need to have two completely different wiring circuits in the house one for 240v and another for 12v. I'm pretty sure that here in Vic at least that's it's not legal to run two systems Safety wise l assume.
When we researched solar the general consensus was that solar boosted hot water was to dear to set up for to small a return, better value was to install natural gas hot water if gas is available. We installed 10k worth of solar panels on roof a bit over two years ago now, it will have payed itself off in about 3months time, however we still get 33cents per kWh that goes back into the grid. This is no longer available in Vic, you'll only get back 6-8cents per kWh now. In my opinion with such a little return for what you put in grid (remembering that they still charge you 33cents per kWh for what you use) your best bet is to install a system big enough to cover what you use during daylight hours, without putting excessive amounts back into the grid. That way it only costs to run at night.

[FNQGU]

Fourj, the batteries just store the energy, it runs via a nice big inverter, back to your switchboard, or a new switchboard, and you just use all your normal 240v appliances and circuits. Definitely not two different circuits for 12V and 240V.

[NissanGQ4.2]

I thought a battery bank would be if you were going to be self sufficient out in the sticks some where,
If we have a black out we use the 12v engel and any 12v lights I use for camp. Even have music via my camper if need be.
But electricity is way too high and any chance to eliminate it via a solar set up the sooner the better

Don't need 2 be out in the sticks John 2 benefit from battery banks, its just the initial setup that costs a bit.

Besides the benefit of having them in the case of a grid failure is is also gives you the ability to charge the batteries if low from the grid when its not peak charges, so then when it is peak charge time you use the batteries instead of the grid

[fourj]

Yeah Benk, l never thought about running an inverter. Good call.

[SonOf]

It is worth noting that some states are currently looking at denying customers FIT where they are grid connected and have a battery bank as well. This is allegedly because they believe that those of us with solar are one of the major reasons that power prices are increasing.

It is a pretty big over statement and working for a power company I can validate that point.

[FNQGU]

Why am I not surprised...

I think I just want to be as far away from any Gov't interference, bills, and BS as possible, so will invest in solar anyway, add to my water tanks, and do anything else I can. If I had the cash, I'd be buying a bush block and dropping off the grid altogether...

[SonOf]

If I had the cash, I'd be buying a bush block and dropping off the grid altogether...

That is our plan for the next place, 100% off the grid with solar, wind or mini hydro with tanks the lot.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Why am I not surprised...

I think I just want to be as far away from any Gov't interference, bills, and BS as possible, so will invest in solar anyway, add to my water tanks, and do anything else I can. If I had the cash, I'd be buying a bush block and dropping off the grid altogether...


That is our plan for the next place, 100% off the grid with solar, wind or mini hydro with tanks the lot.

No point in being of the grid if the block you purchase has power going past it as you still have 2 pay a service fee for not using it. Go figure

[SonOf]

No point in being of the grid if the block you purchase has power going past it as you still have 2 pay a service fee for not using it. Go figure

Depends on the state, if the assets are Govt owned yes but private, no.

[Coldcomfort]

It will all be fixed when we privatize all the power companies!! Oh wait..... they did that already: with all the promises of competition and cheaper power... Another monumental f!ck up from our low caliber ideologically driven corrupt politicians!!!

[epac252]

Is wind power an option in your part of the world?

[SonOf]

Is wind power an option in your part of the world?

Bet wind power would be great in Canberra, plenty of hot air flowing from that place

[Bush Ranger]

^^^ Hot air? I thought it was hot steam from the bull dung that gets spoken.

[FNQGU]

FYI - Just found out that there is a 'new' inverter type device that will allow those with a simple grid connect system, to receive power during blackout situations, as long as you still have sunlight.

eg. if you have only a grid connect system, then when Cyclone whatever comes through and knocks down the grid, normally you would also lose power because the power company doesn't want you feeding electricity into the grid when they are trying to fix it. This new inverter acts like a UPS in some ways, and as long as you have sun, it will allow you to run your house directly from the PV panels on your roof. It will also allow you to add batteries when you can afford them, or feel the need.

In Cairns, I was/am very keen to get a battery bank to cater for the cyclone situation, however the batteries cost another 10 grand on top of a typical 5kw solar system!! If I use one of these new devices, then I can a) get daytime power when the grid is down, and b) slowly add in batteries at a later date as the costs come down so I can at some point in the future give the grid the bird, and go my own way altogether.

[barnelly]

Hi Chuck here.
AHHHHHHHHH Blood suckers, Back inOctober I thought I did a good deal electricory .18 cents /kw & .22/KJ Gas great!!!!!
the next 1/4 it went back to the original charges?.
I rang and was told you need to negotiate each 1/4 WTF!!!

[NissanGQ4.2]

FYI - Just found out that there is a 'new' inverter type device that will allow those with a simple grid connect system, to receive power during blackout situations, as long as you still have sunlight.

eg. if you have only a grid connect system, then when Cyclone whatever comes through and knocks down the grid, normally you would also lose power because the power company doesn't want you feeding electricity into the grid when they are trying to fix it. This new inverter acts like a UPS in some ways, and as long as you have sun, it will allow you to run your house directly from the PV panels on your roof. It will also allow you to add batteries when you can afford them, or feel the need.

In Cairns, I was/am very keen to get a battery bank to cater for the cyclone situation, however the batteries cost another 10 grand on top of a typical 5kw solar system!! If I use one of these new devices, then I can a) get daytime power when the grid is down, and b) slowly add in batteries at a later date as the costs come down so I can at some point in the future give the grid the bird, and go my own way altogether.

Got any links to the new inverter Ben?

[FNQGU]

Sorry mate, bare with me on that. I am in the process of getting quotes as part of some reno's and Infinity Solar gave me the run down on it, saying it is only just coming out. I don't know the truth of that statement, but this product was certainly of interest to me so thought I'd post it.

I just looked up their website, but there was no link to it as yet.

I'll find out and post a link as soon as I get one.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Cheers mate, sounds very interesting

[Bob]

In the final throes of getting Solar Power 5KW
Our Power Bills total $2,000 pa and with Solar I hope to at least half that so Pay Back of system will be 6.5 Years.
Will post up further details when everything is finalized.
The Feed in Tarrif in Vic is now only 8c a KWH

[NissanGQ4.2]

In the final throes of getting Solar Power 5KW
Our Power Bills total $2,000 pa and with Solar I hope to at least half that so Pay Back of system will be 6.5 Years.
Will post up further details when everything is finalized.
The Feed in Tarrif in Vic is now only 8c a KWH

Yeh I only got 6c a KWH not much at all these days, got our bill yesterday :( $355.59 3 months compared to last one $264.46, Spewing I never went the 5KW considering we had the money 2 do it at the time, will have to look into the cost of upgrading.