The climate change debate continues.

[onetrack]

Spacey is right to be cautious on these solar scammers. Unsolicited Solar System telemarketing is the bane of our country today. I would get at least 4 or 5 calls a week from Victorian and NSW numbers, and I immediately become suspicious, as I have little to do with Eastern States businesses today.

 

Every one of the calls I bothered to answer was a Solar System telemarketer, and the ones my phone bounced were marked as "Spam". Looking up the numbers on Reverse Australia nearly always sees people saying, "This number is telemarketers".

The number of calls I've received has increased since both Federal and State Labor have announced schemes for batteries (and the potential for an increased number of solar panels).

Nothing like free Govt money on offer to see the scammers, and get-rich-quick merchants, appear out of nowhere. The ACCC is looking into banning solar telemarketing.

 

https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/unsolicited-solar-sales-complaint-mb3157/

[octave]

We had a great experience with our solar installer. We did of course a lot of research as to which were the best installers in our area.   They came out and inspected the site and suggested a system.  Far from them trying to upsell they actually did the opposite. We were keen to also get a battery however the solar guy did the figures and told us that at that point in time a battery would not have been economically smart. He said he would be happy to install one if we really wanted them.   Since installation (6years) we have had 2 faults.  A micro inverter on one panel failed. This meant our power production was down by one panel.  This was fixed within a week under warranty. The other problem was a failure cons to the bet. This meant that our power to the grid was still working but we just couldn't monitor on our app.  This was also fixed under warranty.

The thing is you just have to do your research.

Solar company websites ask your address because at least here in Vic not all suburbs qualified for subsidies, it depends on the requirements of the local grid. 

The process was slightly complicated however the installer did most of the admin. The application for the various subsidies was a bit of a pain but worth it.

My advice to anyone wanting to get solar is like with any large purchase you just have to do your homework.

When a system is installed it has to be inspected by an independent inspector. Our inspector just had a quick look around and said this company always does good quality installations.

[octave]

14 hours ago, spacesailor said:

I did look into the on lines quotes , but stopped at " provide full address " .

I get lots of ' unsolicited phone calls & mail ' now , no reason. To invite more .

But thank you . octave .

spacesailor

 

My advice is if you are really serious about getting solar look for online reviews and choose a company with a good reputation. Then contact only that company  That is what we did and it turned out fine.  If you are not that serious then just forget it and move on. It sounds like your bills are not that high anyway.

[spacesailor]

" bills are not that high "

That's the problem! .

Electricity bills less than $ 250 don't get the government handout .

spacesailor

[octave]

31 minutes ago, spacesailor said:

" bills are not that high "

That's the problem! .

Electricity bills less than $ 250 don't get the government handout .

spacesailor

Are you sure about that. It may be worth rechecking, these subsidies change from time to time. If your bill is only just under this sum can't you just leave the oven on for a couple of hours a day? If your bill is that low then it is probably not worth getting solar anyway.   With your low power bills the solar may never pay for itself.  

Edited April 10 by octave

[octave]

By the way I can't find any reference to the $250 figure for solar rebates. 

When we got our solar there were 2 incentives. One was a state government interest free loan. Then there are STCs (small scale technology certificates. There may have been another rebate, I can't quite remember.   Anyway the point is if you are genuinely wanting to get solar then just find a reputable installer, give them a ring, explain you circumstance and they will soon let you know what subsidies you would qualify for.

[spacesailor]

" Don't worry about getting old " .

As I am 83 this year ( 6 months to go ) I doubt if there is any chance of ' panels ' repaying 

For themselves. 

With solar I would not worry about running the AC . Or my stick welder .

My take is/was cost of panels V interest of savings  .

$ 4000 from savings at 2% pa ( $80 interest ), saving $ 1,000 pa from electric bill.

spacesailor

[octave]

I would agree that you must consider the payback time.

If you can run your welder and AC and still have bills under $250 a quarter  I would suggest that solar is if no benefit to you.

[spacesailor]

Power, still costs $ 1000 pa .

Bank interest ( on the outlay ) of  $4000 is $ 80 .  ( 2% )

( St George retirement account is 0.14%  interest ) a pittance. 

There , you can see the dilemma of no rebates for having a lower electrify bill .

without the gas bill being taken into account. 

I tried to " $ 4000x0.14% = 5.6 " what is 5.6 ? .

spacesailor

 

 

 

[octave]

1 minute ago, spacesailor said:

There , you can see the dilemma of no rebates for having a lower electrify bill .

I honestly think this is not correct. I have been looking through the latest information on the "solar quotes" site and I can not find anything that would preclude you from getting it. As I say contact a reputable installer and ask. The rebate system can be a little complex but they will soon tell you if you qualify or not. 

[octave]

According to the interwebs.

 

Does my electricity bill have to be above a certain amount to qualify for solar rebates?

 

"your electricity bill amount doesn't determine eligibility for the Australian solar rebate, which is based on the size and type of the solar system installed, not your electricity consumption."

[spacesailor]

 

I filled in the questionnaire and will be expecting a phone call,  to answer all my questions. 

They said .( unless the wife answers ) .

What other than " silicone solar cell " panel , is there ? .

spacesailor

 

 

 

[octave]

Here is a site that can answer your questions

 

https://www.solarquotes.com.au/

[facthunter]

You have A lot of patience, octave.  Nev

[old man emu]

5 minutes ago, facthunter said:

You have A lot of patience, octave.  Nev

Aren't we here to help each other? At the moment Spacey has a situation where he needs helpful advice. Spacey keeps asking questions, so Octave keeps answering.

 

3 hours ago, spacesailor said:

As I am 83 this year ( 6 months to go ) I doubt if there is any chance of ' panels ' repaying

It's true that you might not see the final repayment, but consider that when you go, your kids will inhierit the house and a solar system already installed must surely add value if the property is sold.

[facthunter]

I don't really believe my comment needs Elaboration.  He has been like that on many occasions and I give him credit for it. Nev

[nomadpete]

Alternative Energy and a islanded microgrid.

 

Lord Howe Island put in a $12 million dollar solar + battery, 3 years ago. So far they saved 360,000 litres of imported diesel ($2.6 million). That makes it pay for itself in about 5 years.

 

https://arena.gov.au/assets/2024/09/Lord-Howe-Island-Hybrid-Renewable-Project-Public-KS-Report.pdf

[Jerry_Atrick]

I think this is an appropriate place to post this. A major power outage has swept across Spain and Portugal, knocking out transport, mobile networks, and other infrastructure.

 

 

I am thinking there could be nerfarious play.. another reason to go off grid...

 

(ps didn't link it as it is on the guardian's live feed and by the time you clicked on the link, it is probable thee would be something different showing)

 

Edited Monday at 01:13 PM by Jerry_Atrick

[spacesailor]

It made the " news today " .

spacesailor

[facthunter]

It's Majority "restored" Now. Linked AC current is "synchronous" or the Back EMF blows limiters designed to protect the Components. Sunspots can cause it.

[onetrack]

The climate deniers, Trumpists and even Australian conservative politicians have jumped on the disinformation bandwagon, all claiming that the blackout was caused by excessive power generation by renewable energy sources (mostly wind), causing massive grid instability, which resulted in the blackout.

 

The problem is, the disinformation about renewable energy is all BS, it is being promoted by one major climate denier, and his claims are being repeated ad infinitum across all the media.

No-one knows for sure what caused the blackout, it will take weeks to pin down the cause. No doubt it will be something that no-one thought about, when all these countries grids were interconnected.

 

https://reneweconomy.com.au/spains-blackout-has-already-triggered-a-firestorm-of-disinformation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spains-blackout-has-already-triggered-a-firestorm-of-disinformation

 

Edited 17 hours ago by onetrack

[nomadpete]

Grid stability (& instability) is a complex system. All grid operators put a lot of effort into prevdnting cascading shutdowns. And all grid operators have the ability to shut down generators to prevent over generation. No, I don't  believe it was caused by renewables.

 

The anti renewable lobby used to say renewables won't work. Now they are whingeing that renewables make too much electricity.

[old man emu]

I have only just noticed that a solar panel site has been created at the edge of my town. It is shielded from sight by the trees on the boundary of the paddock, and the dark colour of the panels camouflages them. I don't know who owns the site, or if it is just there to serve the town.

[facthunter]

You're Lucky.  Nev

[nomadpete]

OPEC used to have us over a barrel.

 

Solar panels + EV's sets us free from that racket.

 

Even though I  might never own an EV, I sm pleased.

 

Also pleased to note that some people are changing the terminology of 'climate change', to 'climate pollution". All forms of pollution need to be reduced.