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Gday peeps, i'mma PV engineer, specialized in designing solar photovoltaic systems. Recently designed a few 100kW systems for some commercial premises, currently at the stage of installation. We just racked up a deal with IGA so you'll most likely see lot of solar panels going on top of IGA shopping centres in the coming years. I'm in the NSW department but we also have branches in QLD and VIC. Not only commercial, but we also do residential so if you looking for something to save your energy bills, I can give you some good advice or even cut you some good deals. On my free time, i like to throw money at my GD i30, which makes my gf mad and jealous most of the time.
I used to work for Energex here in QLD (electricity distributor for SEQ) processing applications for PV installs. It's amazing how many dodgy installers were signing people up without actually applying to Energex for approval first. Quite a shock to the home owners when they've already had the system installed and we then tell them they're not allowed to connect it to the grid without contributing towards a transformer upgrade (some properties were putting in 30kW grid connected systems without getting approval to feed that much back in).
Quote from: s13_eisbaer on June 02, 2013, 23:57:53I used to work for Energex here in QLD (electricity distributor for SEQ) processing applications for PV installs. It's amazing how many dodgy installers were signing people up without actually applying to Energex for approval first. Quite a shock to the home owners when they've already had the system installed and we then tell them they're not allowed to connect it to the grid without contributing towards a transformer upgrade (some properties were putting in 30kW grid connected systems without getting approval to feed that much back in).I hadn't though much about equipment to cater for feed in, I just thought it went next door @ 240 v and was consumed locally. Can you provide more detail about what actually happens to the juice and what is done to handle it.
Quote from: Phil. on June 03, 2013, 00:13:06Quote from: s13_eisbaer on June 02, 2013, 23:57:53I used to work for Energex here in QLD (electricity distributor for SEQ) processing applications for PV installs. It's amazing how many dodgy installers were signing people up without actually applying to Energex for approval first. Quite a shock to the home owners when they've already had the system installed and we then tell them they're not allowed to connect it to the grid without contributing towards a transformer upgrade (some properties were putting in 30kW grid connected systems without getting approval to feed that much back in).I hadn't though much about equipment to cater for feed in, I just thought it went next door @ 240 v and was consumed locally. Can you provide more detail about what actually happens to the juice and what is done to handle it. I don't know too much about the technical side of things (I'm not a sparky ) but basically most of the transformers that are around (especially in older areas) weren't designed for additional power to be fed back into the grid as well. With the increase in power usage from things like air-conditioners, pool pumps etc, some of the transformers are quite close to capacity as it is. When a bunch of people in the street then start getting large solar PV systems and feeding extra electricity through the transformer it can cause issues. The transformer then has to be upgraded to a larger unit to handle the load.It's not an issue for smaller systems, but anything over 5kW needs to go off to the network engineers for approval. They check to see what the existing transformer can handle, and if it's close to the limit then Energex will upgrade it, with some contribution from the customer. In some cases that can be up to $30,000! That's why all the paperwork is legally required to be sent in for approval BEFORE the system is installed. A lot of rural properties were setting up solar farms to take advantage of the government rebates and make a heap of money.
Well, I was made redundant 3 months ago, but have got another job again - starting next week - as a project manager, this time in energy efficiency to improve the quality of a housing association's property portfolio.
Quote from: FeedTheHog on June 03, 2013, 19:47:05Well, I was made redundant 3 months ago, but have got another job again - starting next week - as a project manager, this time in energy efficiency to improve the quality of a housing association's property portfolio.Great news. Good luck with the job.
Howdy everyone! I currently work for a company called VroomVroomVroom - we run a bunch of car rental comparison websites (see http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au). I do Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and digital marketing stuff in general. We have websites in AU, NZ, US, UK and Canada (will be rolling out to other countries in the near future).In my spare time I run a few of my own websites, though I don't get to post as much as I'd like.Top 100 Experiences - things to see and do in AustraliaThrillmere - my personal blogLuke Chapman Photography - some of my photography, though I don't seem to get much time anymoreDigital Growth - planning to post about digital marketing for small businesses here (not much content yet)I also have a couple of other websites in the pipeline, though they're going to have to wait due to my current workload If anyone wants and photography or digital marketing/SEO advice, I'm happy to help
Very interesting! I must have a "Luke" when I have more time
Quote from: Dazzler on June 05, 2013, 22:25:20Very interesting! I must have a "Luke" when I have more time Oh dear... hahaha at least it wasn't a Star Wars joke.
On a less contentious note, I'll be in Canberra most of next week if anyone's interested. Flying, getting a hire car, staying in a hotel, sitting a course and giving a presentation to the EW fraternity. It's about my job and it's about where I am, so the title fits.
Elderly Women?
maybe thinking of a redhead....