Origin Solar PV Offer Too Good to be True? « Alternative Technology Assn Forums

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Origin Solar PV Offer Too Good to be True?

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Started 2 years ago by ievans
Latest reply from ievans

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ievans
Member

Hi everyone,

I've had several PV installation quotes, some good some bad, but all we're in the price range of $8000 - $9000 for a 1.5kW system. I was quoted $11000, but this was the only installer that would tackle our northern aspect, which is a small space requiring very efficient panels.

I've just noticed Origin (supplies our GreenPower) offer the following PV package:
1. $4990 for 8 sharp panels (188W, 1.328m x 0.994m) and Sharp (JH-1600E) inverter. 1.5kW
2. $9190 for 10 sharp panels (167W, 1.575m x 0.826m) and Fronius 15 inverter. 1.6 kW

I called up Origin and asked why is the price so cheap for option 1. They had no (real) answer other than it's a special offer (bulk buy maybe?) and that the RECs are automatically signed over to them. They said I'd likely lose 15% generation performance by installing on a westerly aspect (that sound right?) and offer a 2 year repayment plan.

Option 1 sounds too good to be true. I'd be interested in everyone's opinion.

Thanks,
Ian

Posted Sunday 21 Mar 2010 @ 10:52:11 pm from IP #
fozzy
Member

Hi Ian,

I looked at Origin and was interested in that deal. When I phoned they gave me a quote of $4490, a discount of $500 off their advertised price. She told me they can offer that price because they buy so many units. The inverter JH-1600E is at its limit with those panels so you won't be able to add any more panels later on unless you also add another inverter. I wasn't too worried about that. I didn't end up going with them because the panels won't quite fit on my roof, otherwise I was very interested. I'm now going to go with Eco-Kinetics at around $3000 for a 1.5 kW system.

Posted Sunday 21 Mar 2010 @ 11:01:43 pm from IP #
cool at home
Member

Be aware that Origin - and many other suppliers - don't do site inspections before you sign up, so you could easily be up for additional costs.

Also, I don't think those prices are that cheap... a lot of panels are coming down in price - Ingenero were offering 3.2kW for under $12K (Suntech panels and Sunnyboy Inverter), and I'm sure there are others with similar deals.

Shop around!

Posted Monday 22 Mar 2010 @ 1:54:51 am from IP #
ievans
Member

Thanks for your submissions Mr Cool and Mr Fozzy.

Anyone else who reads this thread, can you please submit other offers you've come across? Especially those offers where the product was installed and you were satisfied with the product and installation?

Thanks in advance.

Posted Monday 22 Mar 2010 @ 2:36:05 am from IP #
Russell Moore
Member

As stated on other threads, I paid $27,250 for a 5.04kw system from Todae Solar, with 28 Suntech 180w panels and a Fronius IG40 inverter, this was after surrendering 225 RECs to them at $30 each, of cause they are now selling at around $40!

The install went well, and they layed the panels out exactly as I wanted them, they even added some extra rails if I wanted to add more panels later. All well so far, but still only early days...3 weeks!

Posted Monday 22 Mar 2010 @ 3:08:41 am from IP #
Michael L.
Member

ievans, I just read your post and have copied inathe answer to another query, this may help you. Rezeko do an on-site inspection first., and I would certainly recommend them, if that is allowed on this forum. :-

I used Rezeko for my 1kw system and they are without doubt one of the best suppliers around, you can definitely trust them, and their installers. They do it cheaper because of their neighbourhood bulk buy system. My system has been running since June 09 and so far I have generated 1091 kw.
And Joyce, I believe Eco-Kinetics is actually a Rezeko brand name, but I'm only 99% sure on that.

I have just received my account from Origin for 93 days, 9 Nov 09 to 10 Feb 10.
I used from the grid 414 kw, including both peak and OP. My total feed in was 45kwh @ 23.5 cents and 195kwh @66 cents. With service charges and the first instalment of the "smart meter" rollout, I received $12.70 credit.
Average daily use was 4.5 kwh and average daily solar generation on a monthly basis was between 5 and 5.5. for the period.
This is for a North Western suburb of Melbourne.

Posted Tuesday 23 Mar 2010 @ 11:03:26 pm from IP #
fairsjk
Member

Eco Kinetics have nothing to do with Rezeko whatsoever apart from them both installing bulk systems to towns in Victoria.

Posted Wednesday 24 Mar 2010 @ 12:07:41 am from IP #
Spud100
Member

I have just signed up with an installer from Castle Hill. NSW
Signed up on on April 8th, install booked for April 27th.
16 x 185 w panels, i.e. 2.96 kW input to a Xantrex 2.8GT inverter.
$8,350.
This includes meter install.
If all goes to plan the meter will be connected the same day.
Lots of information on the Whirlpool forums including output info from a couple of installs.

Gerry

Posted Wednesday 14 Apr 2010 @ 12:22:18 am from IP #
Russell Moore
Member

Wow, that is a VERY good price!, and if they install as quoted that will be some kind of speed recoerd!

Posted Wednesday 14 Apr 2010 @ 1:50:24 am from IP #
norbert
Member

Russel,

You mentioned that you have a 5.04kw system and a Fronius IG40.
The IG 40 has a maximum output of 4100 watts.On a day of good solar radiation wouldn't you loose almost 1kw in output due to the inverter being undersized?

Posted Wednesday 14 Apr 2010 @ 9:01:53 am from IP #
Russell Moore
Member

norbert,

The maximum input for the IG40 is 5,500w, so far the maximum recorded output has been 4,629w. At 93% efficency the the maximum should be 4,686w, so I have been very close to that.

I doubt that Todae Solar would have suggested the IG40 if it was not suitable the application.

Posted Wednesday 14 Apr 2010 @ 10:37:54 am from IP #
Rob F
Member

Origin are now offering 1.5kW for $2990. Quite a drop in the last 2 years, and even the last 4 weeks!

June 2008 to June 2009 1kW $3975 (under old SHCP scheme)
June 2009 1kW $6990 1.5kW $8290 (under new Solar Credits)
September 2009 1kW $5990 1.5kW $7490 (Solar Credits)
December 2009 1.5kW $5990 (Solar Credits)
March 2010 1.5kW $4990 (Solar Credits)
April 2010 (Origin website) 1.5kW $2990 (Solar Credits)

Posted Saturday 24 Apr 2010 @ 10:58:55 pm from IP #
Buzzman
Member

Eco-Kinetics website advertises
1.5kW $1990
2.0kW $3990
3.0kW $8490
5.0kW $16,990

Own branded mono-crystalline panels; CEC-approved inverter.

Anyone know what they use?

Pricing is keen due to bulk buys, apparently....

Posted Sunday 25 Apr 2010 @ 5:16:32 am from IP #
Russell Moore
Member

I suppose as with a lot of things, you get what you pay for.

In the case of Eco-Kinetics you may be getting cheaper, untested (ie panels and inverters that have not been on the market for very long) components.

And as I found out, just because companies advertise cheap deals, it doesn't mean they can deliver on those promises....

Posted Sunday 25 Apr 2010 @ 7:27:12 am from IP #
BuiDoi
Member

Have you tried Aussie-Solar.

They have their own panels and inverter. I have two systems operating , and when I compare their performance to others that are dramatically more expensive, I find that mine are simply GOOD VALUE for money.

They have also been around for a few years, and they are most definitely here to stay, and not do a Midnight Flit.

You can get pretty firm prices from the Web-Site - Assuming you have no serious installation issues
.
.

Posted Sunday 25 Apr 2010 @ 9:54:12 am from IP #
Russell Moore
Member

Aussie Solar rejected my application for a firm price for a 5kw system, because to quote them in December last year, 'We are not doing systems as small as yours in your area'

My area being Western Sydney!, 5kw too small?

Web site quotes are not always what you can get. I sometimes think they are just there to get you 'in'.

Posted Sunday 25 Apr 2010 @ 10:51:49 am from IP #
Rob F
Member

to me choosing between $1990 (no brand) to $2990 (Origin/sharp) is a very easy decision *because* I expect the panels to last 25 years (so the upfront cost premium is just $40/year) and generate me electricity savings/income over 25 years (50% export net FiT @ 44c = ~$700/year until the FiT runs out - In Qld it's 20 years).

Posted Sunday 25 Apr 2010 @ 9:51:16 pm from IP #
Michael L.
Member

There is one mob in vic advertising 1kw for $1899, but my wife put the paper in the re-cycling so I can't get the name.

Posted Wednesday 28 Apr 2010 @ 7:13:52 am from IP #
scokim
Member

Buzzman, Eco-kinetics puts their own branding on the china-made panels.

wrt the Origin offer. My concern is their 1.5kw package, the inverter is already maxed out. So later on I can't put on more panels without upgrading the inverter.

Posted Thursday 29 Apr 2010 @ 3:15:26 am from IP #
Inspector
Member

This week I inspected my first Origin installation using Sharp inverter (blue-lit display) and panels, and the inverter had the red fault indicator on but still appeared to be working fine (approx 950W output early afternoon with clear skies). The customer reported it to the installer and he said the same thing I did.

Posted Thursday 29 Apr 2010 @ 7:13:07 am from IP #
munter
Member

so what did you think Inspector? Did it look like a good piece of kit (notwithstanding the error light)?

Posted Thursday 29 Apr 2010 @ 7:59:41 am from IP #
Anonymous
Unregistered

We have gone with Braemac for our 1.5kw system :1.5kw of panels with a Fronius IG30 inverter (we plan to double the system to 3kw after doing our extension..maybe in 3 years or so depending on finances). It will be installed on Friday...

State Solar are advertising cheap systems, my mother in law has a 1kw just installed, and she seems pleased with it so far..

Just a quick note, don't expect that the sales people will do their homework about compatibility between panels and inverters, or even if they know whether the panels need to be arranged in sequences of 3,4 or 5. Find out what your inverter will be, then log onto the inverter manufacturer's website to check the configuration requirements and compatibility with the proposed panels! I did this with my first quote (not Braemac), and was surprised to find that I needed one extra panel for the inverter I had chosen to work properly! Needless to say, I didn't go with that company as I had lost faith that they knew what they were doing.

Posted Thursday 29 Apr 2010 @ 8:08:05 am from IP #
ja33
Member

I signed up with Origin in Jan 2010.

They initially told me 6 to 8 weeks to install.

Well it is now May 2010 and I'm still waiting for them to install the system!

They were very quick to take my deposit though.

Very dissapointing experience all round.

Posted Saturday 1 May 2010 @ 10:23:28 pm from IP #
Rob F
Member

ja33,

If you signed up under the $4990 deal in January and are not yet installed, some people have managed to call Origin and negotiate the price down to the current $2990 price. See these whirlpool threads

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1377141&p=5
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1431542

Posted Sunday 2 May 2010 @ 6:50:07 am from IP #
Inspector
Member

Munter, the Sharp inverter looks abit cheesy like some props out of an old Dr Who episode, but apart from that it looks ok. Only time will tell if they'll last the distance (like any other relatively new inverter on the market - but in saying that, I don't know how common the Sharp inverters are). I did look but can't quite remember - I think it was made in China.

Posted Sunday 2 May 2010 @ 8:53:36 am from IP #
swanning_it
Member

I just telephoned Eco-Kinetics (for my B-I-L) and they have a special untill 25-5-10, 1.5kW with 2kW inverter for $1590 installed in SEQ.

Anyone know of any cheaper?

Posted Monday 17 May 2010 @ 11:47:34 pm from IP #
munter
Member

Lol - a cheesy looking inverter. I would have thought the manufacturers would know that their customers are looking for functionality and performance rather than dress-ups and stickers...

Posted Tuesday 18 May 2010 @ 1:05:47 am from IP #
rapido1
Member

I've been impressed with the Enviro-saver offer of a 1.5Kw unit fully installed for $4000. They're also currently offering 1 year interest-free on most of the expense, with a sensible 10% upfront (about $900).

They seem likely to use BP panels, according to the information I've seen, BP have been operating solar in Australia for over 30 years, making them probably the most experienced in this market - with SMA German inverters. They apparently convert the current at around 98% efficiency and all system components come with excellent warranties and the whole process is looked after from start to finish - so when they install the system it's sending energy back to the grid straight away - no messing with needing your energy provider or some other party to hook up your system to the grid as apparently happens quite a lot.. I reckon this is a big point.

The most important reason I'm going with Enviro-Saver is because of the extended on-site, panel efficiency and inverter warranties. As far as I can ascertain, if there is going to be a problem with your system it is most likely to appear AFTER the 1 year being offered by some companies, so the 5 years on-site I'll get with Enviro-Saver is well worth an extra $400!!!

Posted Wednesday 19 May 2010 @ 12:18:10 am from IP #
rhills
Member

Now, just to clarify, at what temperature is that 98% efficiency achieved? What is their efficiency at mean operating temperatures for different locations?

I believe that as most panels suffer efficiency degradation at temps above the usual rating temperature (25°C IIRC), we need to be a bit careful about broad generalisations like "98% efficient".

Cheers,
Rob Hills
Waikiki, Western Australia

Posted Wednesday 19 May 2010 @ 4:05:44 am from IP #
ghostgum
Member

I hope rapido1 was referring to the inverter, rather than the solar panels. My PV system has two inverters, both SMA, but different models. One inverter ran at 91.5% efficiency yesterday, and the other at 97%.

Posted Wednesday 19 May 2010 @ 5:24:25 am from IP #

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