A company called Beyond Building Energy is offering 1kW systems for $495. I'd like to know if anyone has dealt with them and has good or bad feedback?
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(42 posts) (23 voices)-
Sunshine
MemberA read of their FAQ's http://www.beyondbuildingenergy.com/faq.php#11 shows the inverter is locally made by Latronics, a reputable brand name.
However, the PV panels are made in China, by various manufacturers (none specified).
Choice magazine have some advice about PV panels. Of the panels made in China, they recommend Suntech.
http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=106422&catId=100285&tid=100008&p=5&title=Solar+panels%3a+counting+the+costPosted Tuesday 24 Feb 2009 @ 7:00:39 am from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberI'm curious about this quote from Sunshine
"However, the PV panels are made in China, by various manufacturers (none specified).
Choice magazine have some advice about PV panels. Of the panels made in China, they recommend Suntech."Choice didn't recommend Suntech at all. That was a reported quote from ATA. Choice specifically stated they HAVE NOT tested any panels and how could they, there are squillions out of China?
So here we go, how do you know you have a quality (at least standards compliant) product? I certainly wouldn't discount China, just because they're China. If they provide test certificates from a renowned testing laboritory, why wouldn't they be as good (or even better) than Australian, German or US produced panels?
It seems to me, that China is helping lower the panel cost to a point where PV is a real alternative. I certainly don't see that as a bad thing.
I'd love to hear other views (and even real world examples) of the perceived "China" problem.
Posted Saturday 16 Jan 2010 @ 1:40:55 am from IP # -
fairsjk
MemberMy wish is that we all could have 100% confidence in the Chinese panels, the only thing that will achieved that is if more of the forumites write in to tell us how they are going. Oh yeah the other thing is something that is not really going to help us now and that is time.
Posted Saturday 16 Jan 2010 @ 3:28:22 am from IP # -
greenvalue
MemberI know two households, I have visited for Home Sustainability Assessments, who both have dealt with Beyond. One had the installation done about a year ago, the other ordered in May 2009 and is still waiting, now promised an installation for March (so she hopes).
Beyond orders 40-foot containers with PVs in China. They collect orders until they can fill a container for a region, they then send off the order (production + shipping time), and then distribute the panels according to their overall plan to get a "solar community" together... So if you're in the right neighbourhood they seem to be a good choice, if you're in the "not so right" one you might be in for a looong wait.Posted Saturday 16 Jan 2010 @ 9:01:29 am from IP # -
broncofan
Member"Do the research before you buy"
My 1st impressions made my 'doggy' antenna rise up and after checking out the webb site and seeing some inconsistancy's the old antenna didn't go down (e.g. "... by mid 2009 there will be an office or 2 in Bris etc").
I guess that if we were to be truly truthful the main attraction for most of us with regards to solar power is 'saving money', lets not fool ourselves too much! There can be a sort of pharasitical pride with showing off to the world that we are such cool enviromentalists. Kinda snobishly like looking down on people out of the window of the new Prius hybrid car. Kinda silly... no offence, just examaning my own motives :))
I am sad to hear about the lady who has obviously been taken for a ride. As a builder I can tell you that the installer may not even go to her house for $495 let alone supply the materials to do the job, no matter what RECs were on offer.
If your going to purchase this sort of technology then do plenty of research, cross reference your findings, get all the facts, be opened eyed! Go to the Home Shows.
The technology is great, we should have gone this way 30 years ago...So when it comes to saving money lets not leave our senses behind. Only the Salvation Army offers a free lunch, so if you are rich enough to give away $500 then I would recommend the Salvos or another charity such as Red Cross.
If you want to save money then the best way I can see is buy good quality with an interest free loan period, if your system is bigger than what you need then the long term returns will outway the difference on saving money on what is likely to be a dangerous lemon.
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 5:34:37 am from IP # -
rsigmund
Member'dangerous lemons'
And what is not commonly understood, is that unless properly installed, PV systems can produce dangerous DC arcing (similar to AC arcing only more difficult to ameliorate). The DC arcing is a significant problem that is only to be made worse by cheap installations - buyer beware!
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 6:11:00 am from IP # -
Sunshine
Memberswanning_it,
I didn't say that Choice tested panels, I just said that the Choice article recommended Suntech panels out of the Chinese made panels. Yes, the article mentions that the quotation came from ATA..
I think the article also mentions a fire risk as well for poorly built panels.
Just because panels have certification or not, there will be still differences in quality, the certification is there to show that the panels pass a minimum standard.
It's like the ADR certification for cars in Australia. All cars must pass ADR certification in Australia, before they can be sold in Australia, but are all cars just as reliable and well built as each other?..No!
As with most things in life you usually get what you pay for.
I think only time will tell how durable the panels are from these new manufacturers..
I agree the chinese manufacturers are responsible for forcing prices down which is a good thing.
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 6:15:58 am from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberHi Sunshine,
I didn't say you did! What I said and say again to your last post, Choice HAS NOT recommended Suntech. They just quoted the ATA and clarified their stance by saying (quote) "CHOICE has not tested solar panels. You should ensure that any panel you consider has met Australian standards" (unquote).
I'm not trying to be antagonistic (that's not my intention at all) but it is clearly wrong to suggest choice has recommended Suntech, or indeed any panels, they did not in that article.
I'll also state I have no problem with Suntech, but the Choice recommendation is that consumers should ensure the panel(s) under their consideration should meet Australian Standards.
Now I may be corrected here, but I believe the only applicable Australian Standard is AS/NZS 5033 which is a PV installation standard. I believe 5033 calls upon the IEC raft for panel/module compliance. Specifically 61730 being for personal protection (ie: electrical safety, panel construction and testing) and either 61215 (crystalline) or 61646 (thin film) which both standardise the parameters defining aging of the modules (sunlight, warmth, cold, humidity, hail stress, wind stresses {suction and pressure} and snow).
So as I previously suggested, is it fair to assume that Chinese panels that are tested to comply with these standards, by a recognised testing laboratory, is as good or better than their more readily known counterparts? I'm leaning toward the yes camp!
I don't think the car analogy means much. I have a Ford (one would argue a very well known brand). It's now 5 years old, I've had it since new, it's always serviced by Ford and it's been a problem child it's whole life.........to the point I'm considering humane euthanasia for it, or me perhaps
I also don't believe the "dangerous lemon" tag is founded. Perhaps if no testing paperwork is available, a suspicious eye should be cast, but otherwise so far it would seem comments here are opinions rather than factual! It'll be interesting to see if anyone comes back and actually gives factual first hand accounts of problem panels (as opposed to faulty installation).
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 8:02:07 am from IP # -
Sunshine
Memberswanning_it,
I think you're missing my point about cars, it's very relevant.
Your assumption that panels sold in Australia must all pass certification, and hence "are as good or better than their more readily known counterparts", is clearly flawed.
Well my point is all cars sold in Australia must pass certification (same as panels), but they are not all as reliable as each other, between the makes and models.
I recently read all article which compared the reliability of 55 brands of cars sold in Australia, and the top 10 brands were all from Asia, so obviously ADR certification doesn't guarantee reliability, the same will apply for panel certification.So clearly, certification does not necessarily ensure long term reliability, certification means that it passes a certain ranges of tests.
I refer back to the Choice article again, which refers to avoiding dodgy imports.
http://www.choice.com.au/Reviews-and-Tests/Household/Energy-and-water/Solar/Solar-panels-counting-the-cost/Page/Avoiding%20dodgy%20imports.aspxIt seems some of the certification tests mentioned in the article appear to be done by the manufacturers themselves and not independently tested.
The article also mentions "electrocution or house fires", so the "dangerous lemon" tag is founded, and cannot be ruled out. If this hasn't already occurred to consumers, they wouldn't have mentioned it in the article.
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 9:29:18 am from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberNow that raises a whole range of issues!
Once again, the Choice article did not state there was any evidence of fire and electrocution. That was a quote from UNSW and the word used was "could" not "has"! I agree with that, it could.....but I haven't heard of it, yet! I think a far greater risk is with the installers, rather than with a correctly certified product.
Sunshine, I wish you'd read what I wrote, rather than what you think I wrote or meant! I'm not assuming "panels sold in Australia must all pass certification" at all. I was specifically referring to compliant panels and I specifically stated certification "by a recognised testing laboratory". I'm not talking about some dodgy back yard certificate.
Furthermore, appliances to Australia are all certified in a similar way....type approval. A sample product is tested "by a recognised testing laboratory" and application is made to one of the states that issue either an RCM or an appliance approval number, then the importer (usually) labels all of that type of appliance with that number. We all accept this (in fact many argue we're restricting trade by doing this) but it is generally accepted that appliances purchased in Australia are safe, tested and comply. Not necessarily...one has been tested, the rest are assumed to be equvilent! Panels however, are not prescribed articles and are not required to hold either an RCM or Appliance Approval number, I only raise the appliance methology as an example that the "type approval" process is alive and well in Australia and has been successfully operating for many, many years. What the UNSW spokesman also failed to point out in that Choice article, was that CE has different modules for certification including full independant testing "by a recognised testing laboratory", but I wasn't refering to CE certification either although the CE declaration of conformity is very useful to determine how testing was done and to which standards it was tested.
So should we reject ALL appliances/cars/products built in Asia? Mate, I think you'll be disappointed at the range of choice you'd be left with, but that's very much an individual option. If you wish to do that, by all means but I simply made the observation that there does not appear to be much substantiated evidence that there is a "China" problem when correct proceedure is followed. So far, most of it seems to be "Chinese whispers", if you'll excuse the pun!
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 11:36:27 am from IP # -
Sunshine
Memberswanning_it,
Do a google search on "solar panel fires" and you will see heaps of evidence that they catch fire.
What you wrote is bizarre..."So should we reject ALL appliances/cars/products built in Asia?"
If you read what I wrote, I mentioned that a survey showed Asian cars came up the most reliable.
But if a company has just started making panels for only several months, instead of 30-50 years, then I am not going to part with $20,000 and be the company's guinea pig, and be there long term tester..Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 8:26:09 pm from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberWell, I took your advice Sunshine and Googled both solar panel fires and solar panel electrocutions. I only searched Australian pages (there is not point looking at other countries as they have have different legislation and standards to us) and I only had time to look at the first two pages, but I found not one real example of either fire or electrocution as a result of a faulty or poorly constructed panels. In fact there was no evidence of either fire or electrocution as a result of poor installations either, which is a very good sign. That indeed says quite a lot.
Thank you for answering my concerns. You have your opinion and have purchased accordingly, but it still seems there is no evidence forthcoming to suggest consumers (in this case me) would be worse off by buying a Chinese product with independently verified standards compliance over purchasing expensive US, Australian, German etc branded panels.
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 10:04:36 pm from IP # -
franks
MemberPanels Catching fire is a Urban Myth and also the mystrous DC arcing is very over done, use a 2 pole DC rated breaker from the PV string rather than DIN mini breakers.
I have used DIN mini breakers in many DC applications(48v Telecomms power) yet to have a fire.
There is some mystrous special skill saying a system not installed by a BCSE/CEC person will catch fire.Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 10:16:07 pm from IP # -
Sunshine
MemberI searched on google on solar panel fires (not Australian only), and there we quite a few documented fires of solar panels.
Do you think companies make solar panels for the Australian market specifically?
Wrong. They are the same panel. So if a panel catches fire in the US, then I can't see why it can't catch fire here.Here are some of the articles I found..
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/mar/14/simi-solar-panel-fire-raises-safety-issue/
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article6597693.ece
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 10:21:18 pm from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberSunshine, I don't for one minute think solar panel suppliers build purely for the Australian market. The reason I look to Australian history for things like fire and electrocution is fairly simple....the fact we have different conditions and standards to a lot of other countries. For example, Australia has some of the highest electrical installation standards in the world. Australia has excellent training and licensing standards. Australia has environmental conditions that differs from many other "main" solar areas.
The links you provided, referred to only 1 panel fault, 1 installation fault (differing standards to ours) and 1 case which was not determined (but involved panels previously subject to a recall from one of the industries major players). The first case was classed as "very unusual" and was from a US panel, not Chinese. Manufacturing faults can happen with any man made product, hence the product warranty, but still it seems Australia, has not seen a panel fire or electrocution. I might say though, it'll happen, if it hasn't already, I was just trying to ascertain the "added" risk of looking to China rather than the mainstays! So far, as said before, there does not appear to be the groundswell of evidence against Chinese panels.
Posted Tuesday 19 Jan 2010 @ 11:24:44 pm from IP # -
rsigmund
Memberfranks
With regards to DC arcing.
Are you saying that 9 amps arcing will trip the 10Amp DC rated breaker?
Solar Panels short circuit current 9 Amps
DC rated 2 pole breaker 10Amps (so the inverter can draw the maximum)
Simulate a situation which causes an arc between solar +ve and -ve between solar and the breaker.
==========================
I have heard different stories on this one but am inclined to think that the arc will be sustained. The reason this sort of thing works in AC grid land is that the grid is not current limited.
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 1:42:00 am from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberI think franks was referring to the arc suppression of the breaker rather than a short circuit or insulation breakdown induced arc. Most DIN style minature circuit breakers have full rated "load break" capabilities to 65Vdc which is why they're suitable in typical DC ELV applications (communications, marine, RV etc). Above that, suitably rated DC breakers with larger arc arresting design are required to extinguish the DC arc on switching. AC of course is not as critical as it extingishes it's own arc twice a cycle.
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 1:54:26 am from IP # -
LanceTurner
Key MasterMy 2 cents here. A short in a solar array won't trip a breaker as the array can't produce more current than the breaker will be rated for. Breakers are fitted to solar arrays mainly as isolators, but they also act as a safety device should the mains become available on the DC buss, in which case a large current would flow and the breaker would trip.
All breakers or isolation switches used in solar arrays must be DC rated and rated for the maximum voltage the array can produce open circuit. If you are fitting breakers/switches not rated adequately then you need to fit better ones.
DC arcing is worse than AC arcing as it is self-sustaining. AC passes through a point of zero voltage and zero current 100 times a second so is much less likely to be a self-sustaining arc.
Having said that, solar panel faults that can potentially cause fires are very rare, there have been very few instances, considering the millions of solar panels in use globally. There are a far greater number of house fires caused by AC appliances and poor AC wiring done by both home handymen and electricians (I've seen some shocking work done by qualified tradies).
In general, so long as you use common sense (yes, I know it is not very common) then you will end up with a safe system. But, in everything there are some risks, it's impossible to say that any system could never fail in a dangerous manner as there is no way to foresee all possible scenarios.
Getting back to the subject of solar panels and their origins, you should realise that SunTech is the second largest manufacturer on the planet, First Solar is the largest I believe. Both make high quality panels. The low cost systems we are seeing now are actually closer to realistic prices. You have to realise that the manufacturing cost of PVs is down to around US$1 per watt nowadays, the retails prices we are seeing in Australia are way higher than in places like the US. Check out some of the prices over there, such as http://www.sunelec.com and you will see that it's common to find PV prices well under $3 a watt there, even for the best quality panels. Prices like these are starting to appear here through mobs like Oatley Electronics, Rockby Electronics, DJ Sharpe and Low Energy Developments, but I hate to say it but most of the industry here charges not what the panels should cost, but rather what the market will bear...
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 4:32:24 am from IP # -
This debate reminds me of my early childhood in the 60's, yes I can remember that far back. Inexpensive japanese cars and 4wd's began to appear on the market and all the farmers and local folk despised and rubbished them as cheap copies of 'quality british made' vehicles. Of course the new kid's on the block turned out to be not only cheaper , but much better quality with greater reliability than the incumbent brands. The rest is history of course. It is entirely understandable that those who have paid more, want to feel as though they have a better product, but it can be a false belief.
From my 30+ years experience in the solar industry I'm happy to bet that the 'cheap' chinese imports are going to equal or better the US or European models. Standards are usually set by international manufacturers and the goods are actually produced in the country with the cheapest labour force, ie China. The only profitable part of GM is now in China for example.
As for safety, over the years I have seen electrical cabling to be some of the most questionable workmanship. Look up in the roof of any commercial building a few years old. That said, protection systems seem to be good enough to prevent the majority of fires these days.
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 6:27:03 am from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberLance wrote:
"I hate to say it but most of the industry here charges not what the panels should cost, but rather what the market will bear..."Lance, that's exactly why I started to research the Chinese panels.
Think back...it wasn't so long ago that a 1kW installed array would cost in the region of $14 000. The federal $8k rebate combined exceptionally effectively with the Qld Gov't bulk buy, which for the first time in Australia (that I'm aware of) saw a 1kW system fully installed and feeding the grid for almost no cost to the consumer ($180 actually for a standard install).
Before long, that $14k of just a few short years ago, dropped by about 1/3 to figures around the $9400 mark. That was fabulous, solar was becoming affordable. Then I saw an invoice for the First Solar CdTe panels where the panel cost dropped further (quoted price around $350 for 175W). Wow, I thought. We're going to see some real downward movement in prices now! Wrong. There was no incentive for the suppliers/installers to drop further, pure capitalist profiteering crept in :-). Consumers were more than happy with "free" 1kW systems. Trouble is, they weren't free (they just cost the tax payer mainly) and there was no incentive for consumers to bargain lower. The prices, despite the ability to go lower, stagnated around that magical $8k rebate + $1.4K or so REC = about $9400.
So the Gov't scrapping of the $8k rebate has once more stimulated competition. Although I firmly disagree with the REC multiplier, it is certaining assisting to continue panel affordability. That, along with the green loan is meaning that consumers can get a 2kW system basically for free (conditional upon power usage and FIT of course), just over a longer period.
We are now starting to see some genuine panel prices (under AU$3/W landed) for independantly certified panels, but they're Chinese.......hence my curiosity at how many genuine problems have ATA forumsters experienced.
My interest is primarily for myself. I have a 1kW Conergy/Sunnyboy system and it's working well, despite a poor alignment. I wish to upgrade as much as I can afford. I'm not interested in the RECs and it looks like I can install an additional 4kW for AU$12k - AU$13k (Australian standards compliant panels and inverter from China).
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 6:47:05 am from IP # -
broncofan
MemberI am currently researching in regards to the installation of 5kW units into 4 established houses owned by a family of good friends of mine. Choice was one of the websites I looked at initially. I consider the information Choice has supplied to be good and fair as I am under the belief that it shares unbiased details.
These are my notes from my research:
*Do not buy cheaper import panels from China, most have only recently received permission.
*With regards to cheap Chinese import panels, proof has not yet been seen to how much energy they can produce. The production of energy is the issue!!
*Most good panels come from Europe and USA. Brand names include Schott Solar, Kaneka, BP Solar (Aust), Sharp, Kyocera, Uni-Solar, Suntech (from China and OK).
*Need proof that the installer is accredited to prevent electrecution and house fires.
*Need 25 years warranty (so obviously needs to be an establish known company)
***Need to find out and be shown "how much energy the system will produce each year versus the money spent"!
I would welcome proof that cheaper Chinese products fit the above criteria, if you have these firm details from legitimate testimonies then this is the proof we require...
Last year my girlfriend bought a marketted cheap vacuum cleaner that looked just like a Dyson, it turned out to be absolute rubbish! On the weekend we bought a Dyson and gave the other brand new one away...
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 8:44:31 am from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberBroncofan,
If you're looking at 20kW of solar, I'd suggest you spend some quality time in research.
My opinion was that Choice article was ho-hum, or perhaps very basic. There's better.If you want 25 year histories, you'll be limiting your options and quite possibly leading yourself astray as 25 year old panels are different to the offerings today (even by the same brands). That's fine if you wish to ignore newer technologies and advancements but I'd assume that's not the case.
If I can be so bold, your comments illustrate some shortcomings. I'll expand that:
1) Buying cheaper is not a crime....do your homework, it may save considerable funds
2) Energy production can be ascertained. Most testing is to stabilised outputs. Efficiencies are a misnomer but worthy of consideration dependant upon roof space.
3) Brand name dropping is fine, but remember there are lots of panel manufacturers.
4) A CEC accredited solar installer does not necessarily mean quality workmanship. A CEC accredited installer is however neccessary to claim REC entitlements.
5) Money saved calculations are very ambulatory....more a guide than actual fact!If you want hard and fast evidence of long term compliance, I don't believe you'll find it (unless you tie one eye behind your back). In this thread, I took the opposite line and asked for hard and fast evidence of long term (and even short term) non-compliance. Broncofan, the technology is changing. What was hard and fast 25 years ago is no longer. Panels are not the only components either. 25 years ago, maximum power point regulation was bulky, cumbersome, expensive and inefficient. Today they are considered "must have" in modern regulation and a vital part of the efficency loop in our grid tied and remote systems.
Good luck with your endeavours!
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 12:33:02 pm from IP # -
broncofan
MemberThanks for the feedback.
I am guessing that maybe it's still very early days in the boom of 'solar power technology' in Australia.
Of course I am cautious, getting caught with a great looking, powerless, cheap Chinese import, look-alike vacuum cleaner is one thing but getting caught with a roof of under-productive silicon panels is something I can do without.
To date I have no recommendations to give to my friends.
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 1:33:18 pm from IP # -
Russell Moore
Memberbroncofan, I am in the process of having a 4.9kw solar system installed. I signed up with a Sydney based firm mid December, and I am now waiting for installation......
Total cost will be just over $27,000 after surrendering the RECs to them (they were deemed to be $30 value for each REC X 225= $6750).
I am getting 28 Suntech 175w panels, and an SMA Sunnyboy 5000TL inverter, this was upgraded from a Fronius inverter for an extra $500.
Power output is dependant on where you are, and of cause how much sunlight you can get onto the panels,(by the way I am in Sydney) any type of shade will reduce your output many fold, and is to be avoided at all costs. I am aiming to get unshaded sun access from 8.30am to 3.30pm, this will mean trimming some trees in my case.
I will be having the panels fixed direct to a 16 degree sloped roof facing 8 degrees east of true north. The installer has claimed we can expect on average 22kwh a day, I am counting on 20kwh a day, and as we are in NSW we should be grossing about $12 a day,(60c x 20kwh) assuming all goes as planned.
We use on average 8.5kwh a day, which at the moment is charged to us at 17.75c a kwh by Integral Energy. So our energy costs will be 17.75c x 8.5kwh = $1.51 per day plus access charges of $45 a quarter.
Our yearly gross income could in theory be $12 x 365 = $4380 minus $731 in energy use and access charges = $3646, we will see.....IF all these calculations come true, hahaha!, we should be able to pay the system off in about 7.5 years.
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 9:59:25 pm from IP # -
PeterReefman
MemberSounds great Russell, and those calcs look more than reasonable, although perhaps allow a little more for service charges and your 'night time' energy costs as you'll find that your retailer will increase them. Mine went from $45 service and 17c to $60 and 23.5c respectively. Of course just because mine did doesn't mean yours will, but the increase isn't huge in the overall big picture and should be offset with your conservative daily production estimate, and also because literally EVERYONE finds that their energy use drops once they're producing it themselves.
Make sure you tell as many people as possible once you start raking in the money. It's AMAZING how many people will want and go do the same once they hear there's a buck in it!
Oh one other thing, you use about half the amount of energy of an average household, so save around $550 compared to an average 16kw/h family. When telling 'regular' people be sure to mention that part of why it works so well is because you have also take some simple steps to live more energy efficiently.
Cheers, and all the best
Posted Wednesday 20 Jan 2010 @ 10:22:46 pm from IP # -
Greg
MemberRussell, hate to add confusion and complication to Solar decisions (bad enough already) and yes here it comes but ... I was reading another forum last year (http://www.voiceofoz.com.au/viewforum.php?f=23)about solar panels and inverters. They suggest that you should really over-drive the inverter. The logic seems sound. Since the panel output is rated at a lower temperature than you experience in real life and since panel output decreases with temperature increase, adding more panels to make up this shortfall increases the efficiency of the system overall. quote "SB 1100 with 1200Watts of panels (overdriven) it will run very well". <http://www.voiceofoz.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=156&sid=1e296a0efac512fc4762b3728590da24>
I downloaded the Sunny Design program from SMA and the figures from a few trials seem to backup what is being said.Does anyone else have a view on this ? Or any experience in over driving an inverter ?
I'm looking at 3.5kw system in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and I would really like to get it right. I'm going for pole mounted system as the split level house design will cause too much shadowing on the panels if they were to be mounted on the roof.
Posted Monday 25 Jan 2010 @ 11:43:50 pm from IP # -
Buzzman
MemberHmmmm. If I recall, most pundits seem to agree that solar panels in Oz are about $3/W?
In Russell's case this is equivalent to 4.9kW = 4900W X $3 = $14700
Add $7100 for the Sunny boy 5000TL (RPC list price) $7100
Add, say $2K for install fittings, cable and brackets $2000
Add, say $2K for the sparkies/installers (2 dayts at $1K/day) $2000
TOTAL $25800
So if they are charging $27K, plus copping the $6750 for the RECS, then they must be making about $8K clear profit.
Nice business, if you can get it!
Posted Tuesday 26 Jan 2010 @ 11:47:24 am from IP #
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