[Dazzler]

How did you manage that, I thought Trish didn't like the look of panels on the roof 

Trish is impressed with our power bill reduction and has got used to the look of the grey panels on our grey roof (I guess another 10 wont make it look much different)

Many of our neighbours have "bitten the bullet" and gone with panels too and some look quite ordinary with frames putting them at a different angle to the roof (Trish likes our set up better than those)

Good stuff Dazz.
I want to do this when we decide whether we are staying here or moving.
Our power bills are terrible.

I thought the incentive (rebates) for new installations had finished but see TrueValue Solar are still advertising deals. My nearest neighbours used them without an issue so far (even though there is a lot of negative feedback on the web)

Provided this inverter lasts ok, it is proving to be a very cost effective exercise 

[Doggie 1]

I think the main incentives have gone but the cost of the units are coming down to compensate.

[Phil №❶]

The important thing is what price can you get for your grid contribution. Will yours be affected Dazz. Look at your agreement Dazz, the buggers often require a new contract if you change any parameters, it would be a lower rebate. Same thing applies to selling, the new owner enters into a fresh agreement, at a much lower rate.

[Surferdude]

Still solar credits apply. Just reducing in value every year.

[Doggie 1]

Still solar credits apply. Just reducing in value every year.

And I believe that if pensioners get credits, it's deemed to be income and their pensions are reduced accordingly.
Daylight robbery.

[beerman]

My meter was read on the 28/12 and I'm waiting for my power bill.

Every day this week I have checked the letterbox looking for it, and it hasn't been there.

I'm actually looking forward to it....which is a nice change.

Hopefully it will come tomorrow, I'm like a kid at Christmas and don't think I will be able to wait out the weekend.

[Surferdude]

Still solar credits apply. Just reducing in value every year.

And I believe that if pensioners get credits, it's deemed to be income and their pensions are reduced accordingly.
Daylight robbery.

Not true Dave. There was some suggestion of doing that. It didn't happen.
According to the stuff I read recently.

[Doggie 1]

Still solar credits apply. Just reducing in value every year.

And I believe that if pensioners get credits, it's deemed to be income and their pensions are reduced accordingly.
Daylight robbery.

Not true Dave. There was some suggestion of doing that. It didn't happen.
According to the stuff I read recently.

Thanks Trev, I hope you're right.
I was told by someone I know who is on benefits but it doesn't mean they've got it right. 

[Dazzler]

Hi Beerman, Can you remind me what size system you have..

Phil,

Our feed-in tariff in Tassie is still one/one as far as I can tell 

[beerman]

I have a 1kw and recently put another 3kw on. so 4kw in total.

[Dazzler]

I have a 1kw and recently put another 3kw on. so 4kw in total.

Oh, OK so 20 x 200 watt panels?

We will have 20 x 190 Watt panels = 3.8Kw 

[beerman]

That's right.

I also have sun 

[Dazzler]

That's right.

I also have sun 

So do we .. and probably less pollution to block some of it (than you do) 

[beerman]

Did I hear that there was going to be some snow in your parts today??

[Surferdude]

Still solar credits apply. Just reducing in value every year.

And I believe that if pensioners get credits, it's deemed to be income and their pensions are reduced accordingly.
Daylight robbery.

Not true Dave. There was some suggestion of doing that. It didn't happen.
According to the stuff I read recently.

Thanks Trev, I hope you're right.
I was told by someone I know who is on benefits but it doesn't mean they've got it right. 

All the detail here Dave.

Renewable Energy News
MONDAY 17 MAY, 2010 | RSS Feed

Australian Solar Feed In Tariffs Exempt From Pension Income Test

 

by Energy Matters
Feed in tariffs pension income exempt
------
UPDATE 19 May: It appears while electricity account credits earned under feed in tariff programs will not be subject to pension income tests, credits paid out as cash, check or direct deposit will be. Further details here.
-------

Recently, some Australian pensioners with home solar power systems faced the prospect of having income earned from exporting electricity to the mains grid included in Centrelink income tests for the pension.
   
While for a person's pension to be affected by feed in tariff credits their total assessable income would  have needed to exceed $142 a fortnight for singles and $248 a fortnight for couples combined; reports from some media outlets failed to mention this and caused a great deal of general confusion for retirees with solar power systems.
   
According to Energy Matters co-founder, Max Sylvester; "It really was a nightmare for everyone - suddenly we were having retirees deciding against installing solar power systems based on rumours of all pensioners being affected. It was also certainly a hot topic in our solar power forums that generated a lot of angry comments and conjecture due to the nature of the original reports."
   
"The confusion aside, we also felt it unfair pensioners and other Centrelink clients who did exceed the caps under the income test to be financially penalised for playing their part in reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions and raised our concerns at the latest Clean Energy Council conference."
   
The uproar over the issue seems to have encouraged Centrelink to reconsider their policy. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin has announced that credits and income received under feed in tariff programs will not be treated as income under the pension income test.

[Doggie 1]

Excellent. 
Thanks for the facts.
Common sense prevails.

[Dazzler]

Did I hear that there was going to be some snow in your parts today??

None of my parts have been effected 

Next 6 days in Devonport 23, 23, 22, 22, 22, 21 (so not too chilly)

[Surferdude]

Excellent. 
Thanks for the facts.
Common sense prevails.

Basically, my reading of it says it isn't counted while a credit on your bill but when you get a cheque, it is. However, the amount involved is minimal and shouldn't impact on your pension.

[Dazzler]

Got the other 10 panels installed today. Looks quite good with 20 panels on the roof .. 

[Phil №❶]

Look more proportional to the roof size & generates 2x the juice.

[Doggie 1]

Very nice, Madman. 

I wish I had it and if we end up moving I will be looking to have solar installed.

[Dazzler]

It has really started to take off down here.. I'm getting asked about it all the time and you see vans with solar advertising zipping around all the time 

[rustynutz]

It doesn't look too bad, Daz....

[Dazzler]

It doesn't look too bad, Daz....

Cheers

[Dazzler]

Generated more than 28.5 KW hours with our system today.. Wish it did that every day of the year 

[Phil №❶]

Not too much being generated up north today.

[Dazzler]

Not too much being generated up north today.

I guess it will settle down soon enough

On a positive note Trev's panels would have had a good wash  (I'm going to get up on the roof and clean the original 10 soon) 

[Phil №❶]

I think I will too, soon.

What are you going to use, it is possible that the cleaner could end up in our tank water , so I'm thinking of using a vinegar / water mix only.

[Dazzler]

Good point Phil...

I was going to give them a light spray with a weak metho and water mix and then squeegee them off.

After your comment and I will try and catch the excess with some old towels or something.. 

Maybe just water and a squeegee 

[beerman]

After this week I know that,

My panels are clean, and well stuck down.....

Not much power though. Still the misses hasn't been smashing the air con. Swings and round a bouts