I think what you are all missing here is feed in times and what you are actually consuming..I have had several people install 3kw solar systems, then a smart meter and they come in our door complaining in some instances their bills have actually doubled.and what can we do to help????.If you are not home while the power is being made then come home at night and run everything theres always going to be an issue.
Only way to reduce consumption of grid power is to spread your generation power over time..have a look at some of SMA Island inverters and backup batteries for systems to enable you to use power generated by your solar into the night..or do as we do and install wind with solar to try and get as close to 24/7 power generation..Also a factor you may not realise is that smart meters read peak power points and hold that peak power point for a longer duration than your old meters did, couple that with the meter actual reading times and solar presents a new issue when trying to save money..I have spoken with the person responsible for the actual sign off of the smart meter testing and its a can of worms..Either way get creative and think outside what the solar sharks want you to believe.But dont ask me we are far too busy...
Are solar panels worth it?
(123 posts) (31 voices)-
Posted Saturday 2 Nov 2013 @ 9:40:36 am from IP #
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Benny
Membermeself - I think most people here appreciate the feed in time issue and if you are on a low FIT then you need to try and use the power instead of exporting. Isn't the problem you are mentioning just that installers of PV are often changed to TOU tariff when the smart meter is installed ? Thats what has happened here in WA sometimes - and happened to me. I advise people considering PV to insist they can stay on a flat rate. We have no offpeak HW rates here in WA.
Posted Sunday 3 Nov 2013 @ 10:17:16 pm from IP # -
BuiDoi
Member""...Either way get creative and think outside what the solar sharks want you to believe....""
and that is why it can be better to install a 3kW system as 1.5East and 1.5West.
This is called "Virtual Tracking" in other groups.
What it means is that you produce a lesser but FLATTER output from dawn to dusk.Then - you have to work that power by setting the washing machine to come on during the day, and so too the dish washer..
Use that SLOW cooker and anything else that will use power at different times of the solar day..After that, you start to run into the need to store the power in batteries and use it at night..
It is practical (but costly) to set up a system that does supply power when you need it.
Mine, charges the batteries in the AM.
When full, the extra power is exported, and when I really need power, the batteries provide it.
It does mean that during a blackout, I have power to use, but at a significant cost..
It does mean that I can generate most of my own power, and can consider going OFF-GRID, or keep paying the service charges, and know that in bad weather, I can just use THEIR power...
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.Posted Wednesday 6 Nov 2013 @ 7:03:14 am from IP #