Simax 4.5Kw Home Solar System (Info please)

[cassgazz]

Wasn't sure to put this in the electrical thread or not. I did a search on here, and came back with absolutely nothing. Also searched google, and could not find anything recent.

We were approached by salesmen from Green Light Solar (based in Carrum Downs, Victoria) going around our area doing bulk installations of home solar systems. They have offered us a 4.5kW system, for $9,990 all fully switched on, 0% interest over 40 months. ($56 a week)

The panels they are using are SIMAX brand, 250W panels, with a module efficiency of up to 16%, and cell efficiency of up to 18.8%.

I had not heard of either company before, SIMAX or Green Light Solar. SIMAX is marketed as German panels, however it was explained to me that they are actually made in China. Has anyone had these systems installed, and if so, what are your opinions / thoughts.

Any other opinions and thoughts would be appreciated aswell.

Thanks,
Gary.

[xcvator]

I had a look at solar electricity a year ago, worked out that it just wasn't worth it under the current regime.  Pretty easy maths

you pay $9990 for the unit
you pay about 26/27c per kwh take out tarrif
you get paid about 8c  per kwh generated input tariff

In my house under current conditions roi was nearly 20 years 

[wazboz]

Gary,

You may get a few replies on Myswag from those in the know. We have a 4kw installed a few years ago and the best place for research would be here:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/143?g=371

Scroll to the bottom and search for Simax

Nothing much there for Green Light Solar particularly (just some old discussions). But this is the best forum to ask and get opinions, or even get info on people that have installed in your area before.

Over 90% of the panels would be made in China. Don't let that worry you though.


Cheers

Wazza.

[DrewXT]

At $10k for 4.5kw, you're being ripped blind... One of my mates can do 10kw for around the $10k...

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[WilSurf]

I would recommend to stay with the known names and brands.

[Bird]

SIMAX is marketed as German panels, however it was explained to me that they are actually made in China.

How does that work
Is it as honest as 'Australian Made'

[Mrs smith]

Mate you can do a lot better than that deal.
Here's an eg:
http://www.energymatters.com.au/specials/victoria-solar-power-special/

Go with a reputable company, all that mobs done is add the interest to the purchase price not to mention there selling mystery pie.
Up that way you've got Andrew from gippsland solar or try Dave from Coldflow these guys have been around for years. 

[speewa158]

l have 20 panels on the roof which is 4.5 Kw . l am exporting to the grid most of the day which puts me in credit all the time so havnt had to pay a power bill since it got turned on .
SWOMBO just walked & asked " Whats you doing "   told her  She saids  "Just do it  "
THE COST OF POWER IS GOING UP ALL THE TIME SO FREZE IT NOW  PM if you want more details 

[WilSurf]

Very happy with our 5.72kW system. It generated 36kW yesterday.

[Rumpig]

I had a look at solar electricity a year ago, worked out that it just wasn't worth it under the current regime.  Pretty easy maths

you pay $9990 for the unit
you pay about 26/27c per kwh take out tarrif
you get paid about 8c  per kwh generated input tariff

In my house under current conditions roi was nearly 20 years 

this above is what you need to consider if you haven't already done so...how much you get paid for your power you produce to see if it's viable. No point going on people saying they are always in credit if they are getting paid 5 X more as a feed in rate to what is currently on offer

[paceman]

l have 20 panels on the roof which is 4.5 Kw . l am exporting to the grid most of the day which puts me in credit all the time so havnt had to pay a power bill since it got turned on .
SWOMBO just walked & asked " Whats you doing "   told her  She saids  "Just do it  "
THE COST OF POWER IS GOING UP ALL THE TIME SO FREZE IT NOW  PM if you want more details 

i am assuming that you have a decent feed-in tariff?

until storage is cheaper, there's not much point to getting solar ATM...

[Bird]

this above is what you need to consider if you haven't already done so...how much you get paid for your power you produce to see if it's viable. No point going on people saying they are always in credit if they are getting paid 5 X more as a feed in rate to what is currently on offer

This is what has put me off doing it..

[cassgazz]

Thanks for all of the replies. I had solar coming out of my ears last night with all the research. My first thoughts were that they were quite expensive.

I thought that the way the feed in tariffs worked, was that you only got it, if you produce more power than what was used. Due to being all electric in our house, we use around 3900kWh per quarter. As the maximum sized system we can use is 4.5kW - due to SP Ausnet regulations, I don't think we'd ever get feed in tariffs.

How does that work
Is it as honest as 'Australian Made'

The way it was explained to me, the panels are German engineered, but made in China.

Mate you can do a lot better than that deal.
Here's an eg:
http://www.energymatters.com.au/specials/victoria-solar-power-special/

Go with a reputable company, all that mobs done is add the interest to the purchase price not to mention there selling mystery pie.
Up that way you've got Andrew from gippsland solar or try Dave from Coldflow these guys have been around for years. 

Thanks. I emailed Energy Matters for a quote. Just need to get some photos of the meter box & roof tomorrow. It seems as though they use Gippsland Solar, which is who we have also looked at previously - they just didn't do finance.

Even though we have decided not to go through Green Light Solar, due to the price, but mainly on principle - due the rubbish they were telling us, we are still strongly considering getting solar installed.
Will update with results once / if it goes ahead.

[briann532]

Sorry mate, you're being ripped big time.

I do a 10KW system in Sydney fully installed, all metering, everything included with really good quality gear for $7,000.

Tell them to keep walking.........

[Rumpig]

Sorry mate, you're being ripped big time.

I do a 10KW system in Sydney fully installed, all metering, everything included with really good quality gear for $7,000.

Tell them to keep walking.........

out of curiosity....what brand inverter and panels do you use?

[Mrs smith]

You will get the feed in tariff but it's probably only 8c per KWh, the idea is to use the power your producing and when it produced rather than export it back to the grid (which was all the go at 25c or higher) then buying it back cheaper at night. So you really need to use your peak power during the day, something not everyone can do and something you have to consider.
Don't discount Dave at Coldflow, I've got a few others here I was going threw that have pretty good gear at reasonable prices if it helps.   

[cassgazz]

Sorry mate, you're being ripped big time.

I do a 10KW system in Sydney fully installed, all metering, everything included with really good quality gear for $7,000.

Tell them to keep walking.........

Geez. I knew they were overpriced, but didn't realise how much. The best price I was able to find online was approx. $6.5k.

[cassgazz]

You will get the feed in tariff but it's probably only 8c per KWh, the idea is to use the power your producing and when it produced rather than export it back to the grid (which was all the go at 25c or higher) then buying it back cheaper at night. So you really need to use your peak power during the day, something not everyone can do and something you have to consider.
Don't discount Dave at Coldflow, I've got a few others here I was going threw that have pretty good gear at reasonable prices if it helps.   

Thanks. Have just sent him an email. Happy for you to send through a few more. PM me if you like.

[Swannie]

My BIL Is a solar company  rep. He worked out a price for me of around $6k for a 5KW system good panels and inverter installed and still told me to keep my  money its not worth it

Swannie

[Silvo]

out of curiosity....what brand inverter and panels do you use?

+1 ??

[WilSurf]

I am not doing it for the money. i want to do my little bit for the environment.

[jimquim]

A mate of mine who is an engineer in the alternate energy field told me a while ago that the energy required to produce a solar panel means that it takes at least 10 years just to break even in regards to energy produced. If you can follow what I mean...

Can anyone with some knowledge in this area confirm or deny this?

[HKB Electronics]

In Victoria out of a 3kWh system you'll only get around 5kWh a day in winter (if your lucky)
can get as low as .8Wh and the best you'll do in summer is around 20kWh at least that's
what my system puts out.

Those that live in Melbourne that say they haven't had an electric bill with a similar size system
since it was put in don't have electric off peak hot water or are doing something different.

If it's a new system you'll only get around 8 cents feed in, the system will only be of real benefit
if your home all day and use power and then the system will need to be as big enough as possible
to meet your usage. I think from memory most installers won't go bigger than 5kWh if you have single
phase as the electric companies won't let them.

Look at your power needs, if you use most of the power in the mornings and after noons them it might
be worth splitting the arrays and orienting for maximum efficiency at those times.

In Melbourne a new install might not be worth it, I still pay around $600 a year but as I stated do have
an off peak hot water system that's for three permanent residents, and one blow in.

[ondaboat]

I have an 8.3 kw system (2x4) that cost $12700 to install. During summer I get an average of 47.5 kw during winter i get an average of 12.8 kw. My summer bill went from $1246 to $2.65 my winter bill from $726 to $302 but autumn was $943 to credit $36. I believe it was a good investment. I guess it will work for some but not for others.

[Marschy]

I have an 8.3 kw system (2x4) that cost $12700 to install. During summer I get an average of 47.5 kw during winter i get an average of 12.8 kw. My summer bill went from $1246 to $2.65 my winter bill from $726 to $302 but autumn was $943 to credit $36. I believe it was a good investment. I guess it will work for some but not for others.

I got the 44c feed in tariff while it was on offer in Adelaide about 5 years ago. It's supposedly good for 18 years. Never looked back since. Frees up lots of cash at the end of each month that's for sure.