Hi guys. 
I've got the glums today. I am convinced that Origin Energy are untouchable.
I've been in dispute with them for 18 months or so now (since my first, and then 2nd, accounts post solar installation were no shows). In October last year I gave it up as a bad joke and contacted the Ombudsman. I made the mistake of opting to have someone from Origin contact me rather than let the Omby deal with it. After 6 weeks Origin had succeeded in screwing my account up so badly it is now incomprehensible to all, and were no longer communicating with me.
So..... back on to the Omby, got them to take over. The last communication with the Omby was week before last and once again I was told I should get an answer 'next week'. I didn't chase them this time so I heard nothing.
Today I went to the solicitor in a last ditched attempt to keep my sanity. I didn't have high hopes but still disappointed that the best advice he could give was to contact the Ombudsman. When I advised him I had been an Omby case for close to 4 months he told me to contact them again and persist with the matter.
I have previously been in contact with the ACCC, Consumer Affairs, Dept. of Climate Change, the Vic. Minister for Energy, and others asking who is ultimately responsible for overseeing these incompetent energy retailers. The standard reply has been 'Not us! Go to the Ombudsman or change providers.'
I'm just about out of fight. I only pray that after my last meter reading (due last Friday) I am successfully transferred to Red Energy and that they don't stuff me around as badly. Preferably that they don't stuff me around at all - but that's a bit much to hope for at this point in proceedings.
Knowing that I'm far from being alone in my problems should be some consolation. But knowing that this is such a widespread problem that nobody is interested in resolving just bugs me all the more!
VIC Solar power system - is it beneficial?
(204 posts) (24 voices)-
ferylberyl
MemberPosted Monday 30 Jan 2012 @ 6:22:25 am from IP # -
sunbeam
MemberFB Thats a terrible tale of woe. It seems that in this state the top end of town is untouchable. Keep contacting the Ombudsman ( if only to shame them). Hopefully Red will give you some joy in the future. I think OldBill and Hamish05 are with Red. They may be able to give you some cheer.
It certainly makes me feel lucky with my charmed run with EnergyAustralia.By coincidence my Second solar bill came today. Nice result but same lack of basic information from EnergyAustralia. Three A4 pages and they can't manage to fit in one line with how many kWh I fed into the system.
All I get is "Solar Energy Buy Back - $366.62 Credit".
This is correct, as my readings show I fed in approximately 540 kWh over 95 days with my 1.48 kw system. I"m very happy with the result; but if you don't keep track of the readings every quarter how would you know if they are getting it right?
Total Electricity used 151.4 kWh = $27.61
Supply Charge = $68.96
Credit = $238.90According to my readings I produced 601kWh, consumed 61kWh on site and exported 90% of my generation. With everyone back to TAFE and work soon we should be able to aim for a slightly higher % unless the fans have to come on if it gets hot in Feb/March.
BTW, EA use my credit to pay my gas bill as well, So with my previous gas bill of around $70 as an indication, by the time I get my next bill I may have enough credit stored up not to have to pay a gas or electricity bill over winter or ever again for that matter.
Posted Monday 30 Jan 2012 @ 7:03:37 am from IP # -
oldbill
MemberFB
Keep at them, I know its hard and the service from the Ombudsman's office can be a little (a lot) slow
It may be worth it in the end. Lets hope Red Energy don't let you down.sunbeam
I stayed with TRU because after contacting their dispute resolution team
I have had the meter re program charge taken off my next bill and some extra credit as well
I have informed them that if I don't receive my next bill on time I will be movingI fail to see how privateising the electricity business we (the consumer) are any better off
The SEC as it was, generated, supplied and billed us, just one govt dept and still made a profit.I hate to think now how may companies are involved in getting the electricity to us
all depends on what part of the state were in I guess.
But lets not get me started on it.
my keyboard would run out of ink
Posted Monday 30 Jan 2012 @ 7:54:57 am from IP # -
hamish05
MemberMy full sympathies FB. I have read the Origin Billing file on another forum; it is a massive tale of woe, 21 pages of it!
I was anticipating that I may be caught up in a malaise similar to yours when contemplating our PV installation. The fact that I had installed SHW 12 months earlier, and had in the past had a faulty meter replaced; I had become very used to keeping daily meter readings.
Incidentally, I received an $800 electricity credit resulting from the faulty meter fiasco. My record keeping was compelling evidence of their meter being faulty.
I have a major distrust of all the Utilities and over time have won a number of arguments.
Unfortunately, all too often, the Electricity Billers just don’t seem to be able to handle the complexities of their business, and it is the consumer (their customers) that suffers as a result.
Having said that, I am unsure just how much influence the Wholesalers are having on the situation, which is at best appalling.
The Ombudsman’s office appears to me to be more interested in statistics to justify their existence, rather than resolving any of the problems that are reported to it.
Good luck FB, sounds like you will need lots of it.
Posted Monday 30 Jan 2012 @ 10:02:25 am from IP # -
sunbeam
MemberOldbill, That sort of talk gets me started. Not just the levels of made up competitors but I still fail to see how the system runs better for anyone other than the big boys. I lived in a couple of suburbs that created their own electricity supply departments. Everything got done quickly and properly. Kennett closed them down, sold it off and did what with the money? Now we have an infrastructure that has the bare minimum spent on it and our costs esp. supply charges are increased well above the cost of living increase.
PV was the only way forward I could see that would insulate me against future prices. Gas charges are going the same way as electricity.If only i could generate some more I would be tempted to go all electric and at least be done with one of the two power sources required here.
Posted Monday 30 Jan 2012 @ 10:09:30 am from IP # -
PeterReefman
MemberSorry to hear your story ferylberyl, and the community bulk solar purchase programs I've been involved with have had LOTs of similar stories - you're certainly not alone (as you know).
Of the 350 or so households we've managed to get everyone sorted. But it was such a moving target - our strategies for dealing with problems were forced to constantly evolve to match the situation. We were lucky in one respect, because of the relatively large size of our group we had a reasonably good working relationship with our distributor (Powercor), the Minister's office, and the DPI. We didn't use the Ombudsman much as they didn't seem to have the teeth to resolve anything and usually slowed things down (as you've seen).
Having said that, depending on the house, different groups (Powercor/Minister's Office/DPI) helped out. One "group" that was virtually never any help was the retailers themselves. I can't tell you how mind numbing it is to have to try to call retailers (my "record" for being on hold was 3 hours 10 minutes) on behalf of customers, and negotiate the authority to act on the household's behalf, before actually trying to resolve a problem (actually you probably DO know how bad that is).
But I'll assume two things. The first is that you have got a Victorian Premium Feed-in Tariff Contract (and I really hope you do), and the second is that you have an appropriately sized system for your electricity consumption (that is, at least 1.5kW if you use less than 15kWh per day; at least 3kW if you use about 15kWh to about 40kWh per day, and a full 5kW system if you use more than about 40kWh per day).
Assuming those things, the bottom line is absolutely the big picture. It's VERY important to understand this so I'll say it again. The bottom line is even though getting through the system has been almost criminally handled by almost all retailers and it's been absolute hell for many people (including you), the big picture is that in the months/years to come - right up until 2024, you WILL look back and still be happy you did it. It's still well worth being an early adopter and knowing that you're not only on a better and longer FiT than anyone that followed you, but that you helped play an essential part in developing a local solar market that made it possible for all those that did (and will) follow.
I know it's hard to take when you're still not even fully sorted out, but despite everything else you WILL get it sorted.
By the way, RED aren't any better than Origin... Sorry to say. Not any worse either, but like every single retailer - it's pot luck if a particular house has a particular good or bad experience with a particular retailer. I'm not saying you WON'T have a good experience with RED, but from my experience it's honestly about the same chance as with Origin (who do deserve to lose your business anyway!).
Hope that helps, and sincerely all the best.
PeterPosted Monday 30 Jan 2012 @ 11:42:09 am from IP # -
ferylberyl
MemberThanks for your support guys!
I was thinking this morning what a sad bunch of misfits we solar nuts are. Dare I say it's almost like an online cult? Not only are we obsessive about checking our invertor and meter readings, we must check the online forums for updates as well. Heaven forbid (or should that be Sol forbid?) we should miss taking down a meter reading or the latest instalment of the solar saga on the web. What has become of us?
Oops! I'm sounding rather gloomy again.Peter: I have a 1.5kw system and exported an average of 4.43kw's a day between July 2010 and July 2011, and imported an average 5.06kw's. I changed over to the PFIT in June 2011 after switching to solar hot water. (Yes, they did lose my PFIT application!)I'm definately happy with having made the switch to solar. Even with all the screw ups I'm staying ahead. I dream of the day when the meter gets read, an account shows up in the mail a week later, and it is correct.
It must be possible, surely??
Posted Monday 30 Jan 2012 @ 8:14:55 pm from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberFB, before we had solar, the bill was delivered by mail a week after the meter reading. Since installing solar, this has increased to 1-2 months. This delay makes it look like there is a manual process for solar customers. We've had one fictional bill, which was reviewed and corrected 2 weeks after a phone call to the retailer. It's easy to spot incorrect bills when the energy billed exceeds the import register on the meter.
Posted Tuesday 31 Jan 2012 @ 12:01:19 am from IP # -
PeterReefman
MemberWow FB, you're a PERFECT 1.5kW user. You should have an annual benefit of about $1k per year, even allowing for mortgage-level interest rates for financing the system, and a 4c increase in your kWh rate from goig over to a TOU account.
And yes - that is, of course, once it's all sorted.
Posted Tuesday 31 Jan 2012 @ 2:58:16 am from IP # -
oldbill
MemberWell done FB
In Melbs Nth subs my 1.48 system struggled to produce 4.78 Kwh
under mostly cloudy skies.
At least I didn't have to run the aircon, but babysitting meant the TV was on most of the day
and all i sent back was 1.9 Kwh and used for the 24 hours 7.1Kwh.
No wonder I can't seem to get in front
Posted Tuesday 31 Jan 2012 @ 9:43:23 am from IP # -
hamish05
MemberIt is 12 months today since my Solar PV was connected to the grid. Pleasingly, it has performed slightly better than predicted.
During this time we have also been able to gradually and prudently decrease our everyday electricity consumption which has complemented our decision to install PV. If and when “the cook” gets on board it will improve further!
A quick estimate indicates that Red Energy would owe me about $965 for the 12 months.
Some detail (for 365 days) 3.04 kW Suntech panels and SB3000TL inverter. Orientated 10 degrees North of West. Melbourne location.
10.6kWh / day PV generated
7.2kWh / day exported to the grid. (68%)
8.9kWh / day imported from the grid
Therefor we had an average house hold usage of 12.3kWh / dayFor comparison, our previous annual usages complete the picture. (Inc EHW).
2005 we used 33.8kWh/day at a total cost of $1703
2006 we used 48.7kWh/day at a total cost of $2432 (2 familys for 4 months)
2007 we used 28.5kWh/day at a total cost of $1466
2008 we used 28.5kWh/day at a total cost of $1649
2009 we used 30.2kWh/day at a total cost of $1858
2010 we used 22.2kWh/day at a total cost of $1691
The decreased usage in 2010 reflects the instillation of SHW. (Apricus x 250lt).I have captured our last 12 months SHW usage at $85.43. (2 people mainly)
113 boosts @ 7.2kWh at .105 cents, (time clock and thermostat controlled).Yep, I am extremely pleased. It’s nice to have some everyday costs headed in your direction.
Posted Friday 10 Feb 2012 @ 12:13:28 am from IP # -
ferylberyl
MemberHey all you sun lovers!
It might be good for power production but I sure would like to see some of the wet stuff out here in the sticks.
I haven't gone back over the threads but has anyone else managed to get interval data? It took about 5 months and 4 requests (there would have been more requests but I was held up by Ombudsman business) but I finally got it and actually got more than I expected. They even sent interval data for the time I had a co-gen meter?
This raised the question of if this information was available with the co-gen why did I need to change to a smart meter simply to get the PFIT? I posed this question to Powercor along with why we PFITers pay more for our consumption and got a detailed reply that told me diddly squat. Total avoidance of the issue as far as I could make out.
Then today when perusing the data from my last billing period I noticed an anomoly in the off peak.
During the day I have obvious usage times - when I get up and put the kettle on and burn my toast, lunch time and then the evenings staring at one screen or another - with usually a zero on all 30 minute intervals between these periods despite the fridge and freezer still cooking away all day.
But then come midnight until 7am all intervals are recording power usage (very little, but still regular usage)??
I usually hit the hay before 11pm, no electric clock or clock on the stove, everything but fridge and freezer turned off at the wall, no lights on all night, no off peak hot water and the back up for the solar water has a manual switch so only works when I turn it on. There is a pump on the HWS but I would presume it would use less power than the fridge and it should only kick in a couple of times on the coldest nights to stop the tubes freezing.
I have again enquired with Powercor but have not had a reply yet. I'm bamboozled as to what could be using power between midnight and 7am. I'm thinking that the meter must be dodgy but trying to get anyone to admit to that will be as big a drama as trying to get Origin to fix my billing errors! Hmmm.... and if the meter is dodgy then Origin will have to start rebilling all over again to correct the mistakes.
I don't think I could take it.
Any ideas or suggestion no matter how silly you think they are will be welcomed.Posted Friday 17 Feb 2012 @ 6:41:53 am from IP # -
hamish05
MemberI have also had a breakdown of my account (see P3 this thread).
I was reasonably happy with what I saw. However I was more concerned with the Tariff split than the amount of electricity used.
I actually read and record my meter twice daily, and have never had any reason to doubt its accuracy.
I regularly use 2.5 to 3.5 kWh over the about a 12 hr. night period, (this time of year) I have no prob. justifying that sort of usage here. (Disregarding SHW elect boost)
The Refrig, Dishwasher and TV are the main power users at night, and a couple of LED lights.
Other Items that also contribute (mainly in a standby mode) are,
Garage doors, House security system and outside security lights, Door chime, Microwave oven, Phones and answering machine, Clock radio, Electric oven and hood and Central heating and cooling units.Everything else thankfully is turned off at the switch.
I have read elsewhere that reverse cycle ACs and some PV inverters can consume lots of power when in standby.
Not sure if I've been helpful or just added further to your concern.
Posted Friday 17 Feb 2012 @ 10:05:51 am from IP # -
ferylberyl
MemberThanks Hamish.
I'm a little red faced at the moment. I'm a complete idiot!
The midnight to 7am usage will be the fridge, freezer and couple of other 24/7 power users (12v fan on composting toilet, pump and display on solar hot water).
I was thrown by them not showing up on the readout during the day due to power production being enough to cancel out the usage.
I'll crawl back into my hole now.Posted Friday 17 Feb 2012 @ 9:03:23 pm from IP # -
ferylberyl
MemberGood luck Bill!
I'd love to have one of the in home monitors. I signed up with Central Vic Solar City and then a couple of months later they started supplying monitors to new applicants. I tried to sweet talk the local assessor into getting me one without success. I was lucky I didn't sign up before I got my solar power though or I wouldn't have been able to switch away from Origin!
I am now an official Red customer and due to Origins arrogance have opted to switch my gas too.
After 10 weeks on my 2nd Ombudsman journey Origin have made me a supposedly generous 'Piss off' offer of $350 over my final bill credit. This is so they don't have to actually go back and reissue accounts and do what they are supposed to do. If they bothered to look at the figures(the numerous accounts that have been screwed up)they would realise that the offer is more realistically about $140. Considering I was informed by the Omby on 9/1 that Origin were giving me a $150 credit as a show of good will I'm not finding the offer very generous at all.
I have been given a week to think it over but my conciliator is away for that week so I can't ask any questions.
Posted Saturday 18 Feb 2012 @ 8:25:20 am from IP # -
oldbill
MemberFB
Good luck with Red Energy, from what some people I know that are with them have told me
They have had no problems with them.
As for the Origin offer. I would take the money and run
I am waiting for my next meter read, and if TRU don't issue me a bill in time I will be moving tooPosted Saturday 18 Feb 2012 @ 4:52:16 pm from IP # -
ferylberyl
MemberWell......
Origin were suddenly in a mad panic to get rid of me. I got the pay out offer on 15/2 with a week to decide whether or not to accept it, and on 17/2 origin issued the cheque! I made further enquiries with the Omby but was getting nowhere fast, so ended up agreeing to keep the cheque and be done with the whole sorry business.
My 2nd round with the Omby in an attempt to sort it out lasted 103 days! I put in a complaint with the Omby but that got nowhere either. They told me until Origin decided to cooperate there was nothing they could do. Fat lot of good they are!In other news.... it has rained! And whilst a week of damp, overcast days might not be good for power production, it's very welcome here in central Vic.. (Although the Carisbrook residents out the road are all in a tiz everytime they see a cloud in the sky after being washed away twice in six months last year.)
Posted Friday 2 Mar 2012 @ 1:31:05 am from IP # -
hamish05
MemberThat’s good. I guess there will be a number of people like me that will be interested in your evaluation.
I have finally got my inverter to talk to my computer and have found that to be a use-full step. It would seem that having the Electricity meter data available would be a further enhancement. I wonder if it will be displayed online or if in fact the two lots of information can be intergrated?
Posted Wednesday 7 Mar 2012 @ 9:47:59 pm from IP # -
oldbill
MemberHamish
I haven't got the hardware for my Inverter to talk with my computer.
So this trial as far as I can work out so far is just for energy monitoring,
and having the ability to remotely switch of appliances.
The results will be automatically sent to a web page, that I can access and I think sp-ausnet can as well.
Also can access the results and do the remote stuff through an app on iphone or android
Will be interesting to see just what I can and can't do with it, and how useful it will be.
I will keep you up to date on my thoughts when the stuff arrives, and I start to use itPosted Friday 9 Mar 2012 @ 9:26:12 pm from IP # -
hamish05
MemberI have just received my Electricity Account, 5 working days after the meter was read. Good onya Red Energy.
$557 Credit. Now that is a great result for the summer quarter.
Interestingly, even though the TOU tariff rates have increased since 1st Jan, my cost was still under 17 cents/kWh, which is almost the same as the previous quarter.
Best part will be the $1000 that will be deposited into my account in about 2 week’s time.
Posted Friday 16 Mar 2012 @ 4:38:57 am from IP #
Gotta smile about todays numbers!
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