[beerman]

That it does,

I am considering a couple of things to maximise return.

The easy one is to get a timer for the beer fridge so that it is not drawing power during the day (ie 8a-4p)

The more difficult one is to get a couple of extra solar panels so that the power produced is closer to 3kw than 2.5. In the time I have had the system there have only been a couple of days where the system has gone 2.8kw, as I am limited by regulation and can't increase the system, I will have to look to maximise what I have.

[Phil №❶]

You also need to look at where the electricity is consumed. I have solar hot water but of course the initial outlay can be prohibitive. As well, we have inverter Air conditioner, fridge & washing machine and finally inverter cooking elements. There are great things developing in the lighting world,  Sydney street lighting is now LED. I have them in our lounge and they draw very little current. Educate your family to switch off power consumers and discourage hair dryers. My family partially accept the above suggestions and yet, we used less electricity than houses near us with only 1 occupant.

[Surferdude]

That it does,

I am considering a couple of things to maximise return.

The easy one is to get a timer for the beer fridge so that it is not drawing power during the day (ie 8a-4p)

The more difficult one is to get a couple of extra solar panels so that the power produced is closer to 3kw than 2.5. In the time I have had the system there have only been a couple of days where the system has gone 2.8kw, as I am limited by regulation and can't increase the system, I will have to look to maximise what I have.

The solar hot water is a big plus for us.
Threw away our beer fridge a couple of years ago. Now I just manage what goes in the main fridge as far as drinks go.
Our system is 2.5 kw too. Like yours it occasionaly sees 2.8 but we don't need to increase our output. The aircon is hooked up to off-peak along with the booster for the Solar H/W.
What legislation are you referring to?
Or do you mean that if you increase it they'll start your contract again and you'll lose the 44c FIT?
Which I believe is happening. 

[beerman]

Yes, the system is limited to the level I have now, any increase will lose the high feed in tariff.

I can't keep two 20l kegs in the main fridge, my wife said something about needing food.....

Tariff 33 isn't available to me because I need tariff 31 for the off peak hot water, I would love to give it the kick, but the return on solar hot water isn't there unless you are replacing a system in my opinion.

So I'll start with the beer fridge project and go from there.

[Dazzler]

I was toying with solar hot water (apparently your existing tank can be converted) but the problem is our house is large so we have 2 x 160 litre tanks (one at each end of the house)

Probably 80% of our use is from one of the tanks which services the Kitchen, Laundry and Ensuite though. I might see what the cost will be?

From what I have heard inverter hotwater system is more cost effective in Tasmania but I think that involves a new tank (so the initial cost would be higher?)

[Phil №❶]

Dazz, If you investigate solar hot water, for a location like Tasmania, I would definitely go for the "Evacuated Tube" solar collectors. These collectors are much more efficient in cloudy, cool locations.

http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-energy/solar-power/solar-hot-water/flat-vs-evacuated.php
These can sometimes be fitted to existing tanks too.

[beerman]

I have been looking at them, they look like the ducks nuts, Should ensure minimal boosting in a nice climate like QLD. Less boosting equals more money

[Phil №❶]

We went with flat panel, because we often get 40+ in summer and I couldn't find a unit that didn't require a small pump to circulate the water. However in TAS, I would definitely go that way. QLD gets more Sun than TAS and as you have solar cells, the small pump would hardly be noticeable IMO.

A thought about the beer fridge, have you considered refrigerating the liquid as it flows to the tap, rather than the 2 x 20 lts in total. That would enable a much smaller unit which would only run "on demand."

[Shambles]

If you guys are trying to piss us Brits off, with your solar this and solar that, you're doing a great job 

[Phil №❶]

We're heading into Winter soon and it will be your Summer, it will only rain every second day or so, why complain. 

It's Autumn, we had a beautiful sunny day 22 Deg c 

[eye30]

We're heading into Winter soon and it will be your Summer, it will only rain every second day or so, why complain.

our summer = rain every day

[Surferdude]

We're heading into Winter soon and it will be your Summer, it will only rain every second day or so, why complain.

our summer = rain every day

We're in a spell here where it pretty much only rains at night. Short, sharp showers just enough to keep topping up the water tank.
And kwh generating sunshine during the day. 

Oh. And the surf's pretty good, too.

[Dazzler]

Dazz, If you investigate solar hot water, for a location like Tasmania, I would definitely go for the "Evacuated Tube" solar collectors. These collectors are much more efficient in cloudy, cool locations.

http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-energy/solar-power/solar-hot-water/flat-vs-evacuated.php
These can sometimes be fitted to existing tanks too.

Thanks, I'll check it out (but just for the record Devonport is not that cloudy or cool) 

[Doggie 1]

We're heading into Winter soon and it will be your Summer, it will only rain every second day or so, why complain.

our summer = rain every day

We're in a spell here where it pretty much only rains at night. Short, sharp showers just enough to keep topping up the water tank.
And kwh generating sunshine during the day. 

Oh. And the surf's pretty good, too.

Plus we have these................

[Phil №❶]

26 Deg c tomorrow Fine & Sunny.    Oh & the day after too. 

[beerman]

A thought about the beer fridge, have you considered refrigerating the liquid as it flows to the tap, rather than the 2 x 20 lts in total. That would enable a much smaller unit which would only run "on demand."

Unfortunately to get the carbon dioxide into the beer, it needs to be cold.....

[Phil №❶]

I  C 

[Shambles]

Unfortunately to get the carbon dioxide into the beer, it needs to be cold.....

Serving warm beer never seems to bother the pub landlords in England

[rustynutz]

But we're civilised down here in the Colonies... 

[eye30]

Unfortunately to get the carbon dioxide into the beer, it needs to be cold.....

Serving warm beer never seems to bother the pub landlords in England

 

[The Gonz]

We had a knack for making enemies of publicans in the UK by asking whether their beer was cold.

[Dazzler]

One of my old school "mates" who is was a friend on facebook  used to work as an advisor for the labour Government .. we have been having a lively discussion on facebook....

[The Gonz]

Ah, politics!
Interesting view but odd in its lack of practicality.

[Phil №❶]

Sorry,but there's a big hole in his argument IMO.

More so in mainland states where some form of combustable energy has to be bought and consumed in order to generate electricity. If solar contribution reduces the requirement for fuel, then the electricity producer is able to channel some of that money back, to solar energy providers (us). Considering the up front outlay involved, this is a fair arrangement.

His argument is based on sour grapes from unfortunates who expect the government to compensate them because they are unable to participate in the scheme. Remember that they have not had to outlay any up front cash, but expect some sort of benefit.

This is not to say that energy companies may be charging these customers, but not because of solar contribution, that's just rubbish.

[Dazzler]

Don't be sorry Phil (I agree wholeheartedly)

[Phil №❶]

Sorry for your mate?? actually.

[Dazzler]

Fairy Nuff, thanks Phil 

[rustynutz]

http://au.linkedin.com/pub/rupert-hewison/30/b07/6a9

[Dazzler]

http://au.linkedin.com/pub/rupert-hewison/30/b07/6a9

Hard to Believe we used to go camping and fishing together when we were about 15 y/o 

[rustynutz]

So he's off the Xmas card list now, Daz?