The verdict is in. The Solar PV feed-in tariff was certainly worth all of the pain that I went through to sign up for it. Since the 21st of January, when our new meter was installed we have utilised the following;
Imported from the national grid (100% GreenPower) = 1242.7 kWh @ 24.88c per kWh = $309.18 debit.
Exported to the national grid (my solar PV) = 488.3 kWh @ 66c per kWh = $322.28 credit.
Not taking into account the network connection fee of about $50 for the quarter, that is a grand total profit or credit of $13.09! As the meter has been read today, I should receive the bill in the next week. Fingers crossed that my calculations are the same as the electricity retailers.
Not bad for the hottest Summer on record, and the longest warm spell of days over 20C ever in Melbourne. The air-conditioner got a workout for a fair bit of the billing period due to Kim’s MS as we tried to keep her cool and reduce the fatigue. Not very energy efficient, but that is just the way it is.
I am going to monitor our electricity usage weekly for this quarter so that I can determine whether we will remain in the black. This billing period is usually our best season for energy efficiency, due to cooler weather, and with mainly sunny days, there is a good chance that we will export a fair bit of electricity during the day.
Solar PV is definitely worth the investment if you can afford it. Now that most states in Australia have some sort of feed-in tariff, the payback period for your investment will be even shorter.
Awesome! I hope, someday, we’ll be able to set-up a solar system, although I don’t think we get as much sun here in Maine, USA, as you do ;).
Great! What is the system in Victoria? Will they actually send you a cheque, or keep it as a credit on future bills? We are in credit after our first bill under feed-in tariffs, but in NSW they don’t have to actually pay it to us until after 1 July.
My husband keeps track of how we are going each day as well. He has developed a fairly complex spreadsheet to do it. He made a pretty good guess at our position for the first bill, but now he has the actual calculations from that bill, he has modified the spreadsheet to be hopefully spot on.
no luck whatsoever over here in WA so far. Glad to see yours is up and running and doing what most of us who instal solar, hope for 🙂
I must ask you, when you have time (and health) about the mounting system you have yours on. We have a 1kw system that we want to upgrade but for a few reasons, can’t use the ‘best’ spots on the roof so second option is mounting as you have done yours. My husband is happy to design and build the mounts to whatever specs the company prescribes, but companies seem almost reluctant to use mounting systems?
Anyway, it’s been a while since I popped in so off to have a look around, and hope your health keeps positive (oscopies aren’t fun, but that was the best sleep I ever had while under the anaesthetic!)
Warm Regards
Kristy
@ Wendy
I hope you do as well. There can never be enough PV as far as I am concerned!
@ Toria
The Vic system is net export, which means that I don’t get paid for all the power I generate as you do in NSW. I get 66C per kWh and when the credits reach $50, I can ask for payment with no admin fee. Each retailer is a little different, and I chose Origin which had the best FiT deal. Oh BTW your hubby sounds just like me when it comes to measurements. I have a similar spreadsheet that does all the calcs for me!
@ Kristy
I hope the WA government wake up to themselves soon. After all a FiT was an election promise. The mounting kit was installed by Energy Matters, and I think they service WA. It is made from aluminium and very strong. Check out their website as I find them quite helpful.
Gav
Hi Gavin. Thanks for the recommendation, I have been checking them out and it’s something we’ll look at. Probably end up installing a second separate system due to roof space/shade issues ie one invertor won’t cut it.
Yes… waiting for the WA Govt to get it together.
Thanks again.
Kristy
Just wanted to update that we were told as of 1st July we can apply for the FiT 🙂 here in WA
http://www.clean.energy.wa.gov.au/pages/re_feed-in_tariff.asp
which will commence 1st Aug. woot woot!
WTG Kristy and all other patient Solar PV owners in WA. You have waited far too long in my opinion.
Gav