Setting up a Grid Feed Solar System

A grid feed solar system is a simple solar system you can install on your house roof or on a pole in the front yard or on a shed to generate electricity to feed into your house or into the power grid that you are connected to (or both). Given that the Australian Government have just announced substantial rebates for this type of installation now is the time for you to go ahead and become a solar citizen. The Government rebates are very generous and will go a long way towards paying for what is normally a very expensive installation.

The Reason for Government Funding

Currently there is ample evidence around that the production of electricity is causing massive environmental problems that we are only just starting to see. Even in states like Tasmania where most electricity is generated from hydro-electric dams there are big problems including chronically low water levels, power being imported via a Bass Straight cable (Basslink) and a gas fired power station (Bell Bay) being used continuously just to meet demand. To substantially reduce the environmental impact of generating electricity massive amounts of money are needed. To “clean up” coal power alone will require billions. The net result of all of this is that electricity costs are projected to rise substantially over the next five years. Increased use and a growing housing industry are further burdening our current electrical distribution networks. This Government funding is a gift and an extremely generous one at that ...

The aim of the funding

If every second house in Australia fitted a simple solar system to the roof the effects would be profound! Greenhouse gasses would be substantially reduced, our reliance on coal as a power source would diminish, the Tasmanian Dams could refill and some politicians could shut up about outdated nuclear power as a rotten alternative when the biggest nuclear reactor in our universe (the sun) pumps out power for free. Get on with it folks, go grid feed!

How Grid feed Power Systems Work

Predominantly in this web site you will have read about stand alone power systems. A stand alone power system provides electricity where there is no grid power. A stand alone power system needs a storage system, typically this is a very large battery. A grid feed power system needs no battery and works as follows: You produce power during daylight hours and this power flows to all (if any) electrical appliances you are using at the time. If there is not sufficient power being generated from your solar installation for your electrical load the electrical shortfall will be supplied from the grid. If you are generating more power than you are using at the time then this power is supplied to the electricity grid via a selling meter.

The power you supply to your appliances is your solar power and is not metered by your electrical supplier although you can meter this yourself if required and the relevant metering equipment is installed. You are not charged for this electricity as you are generating it and it flows to your appliances separate from metered power. Any shortfall (if any) that is supplied from the grid to “assist” your solar generation will be metered by your existing household meter and you will be charged for this on your electrical bill.

What you get paid for this electricity is a matter between you (the supplier) and the electrical authority (the purchaser) to negotiate and is subject to change. A common deal is for this generated electricity to be credited against electricity you use when there is no sun (night time etc.). A current deal in some states only is to credit 2:1. That is, for every one unit of electricity you supply them they will credit you two units back. This is because electrical authorities like your renewable supply! Whatever deal you negotiate, it will be between you and your electrical supplier and this is one of the first steps you take when deciding on a grid feed power system.

If you consistently generate more electricity than you use from your grid feed system you will have an oversupply that you are entitled to sell (and get paid for). Once again this is a matter for your negotiations with the power company. Currently very little is paid cash wise for this power but this is also subject to change. Most grid feed power systems do not generate an excess of power in the long term in any event. The intent of a grid feed system is to generate your household needs from solar electricity. The actual sale of electricity for a financial return is subject to the wholesale supply rate (cash buy price) and the requirements (if any) of the purchaser.

A grid feed system has a distinct disadvantage to a stand alone power system. If your power goes off (blackout for example) your grid feed power system will also stop working until power from your supplier is restored. This is because grid feed power systems have no battery bank to store electricity. It is a mandatory requirement that your grid feed inverter stops generating in the event of a power blackout. Obviously feeding power down the line to a break could be dangerous to anyone working on the failed supply line.

A backup battery pack and associated equipment can be installed into a grid feed power system to supply power during a blackout. Obviously this will be at more expense.

What a Grid feed Power System Will Cost You

Let's assume you want a simple grid feed power system, say taking advantage of the entire Government rebate and involving as little of your own money as possible. It is this system that is a total bargain and what I recommend you install. It will instantly add more value to your house than your initial investment but will in all likelihood fall a bit short of generating your entire electricity needs.

Solar Array: 8 x Kyocera 130 watt panels at around say $1100.00 each. For this cost of $8800.00 you will get $8000.00 back by way of rebate. This rebate can be paid directly to your installer thus avoiding you the initial outlay.

Grid Interactive Inverter: A good choice would be that Australian made Latronics unit, well suited to the above array, $2000.00 will buy this beauty.

Panel Mounting: We are using a US made panel mounting system from Unirac, (info soon to be added to this web) say about $300.00 - $900.00 depending on where and how your panels will be attached ...

Labour and wiring: This may set you back another grand or more.

There you have it! For about $4000.00 - $5000.00 you get reduced electrical bills, 8 expensive and high quality solar panels that have a 20 year guarantee and a life expectancy in excess of 30 years, as well as a warm and fuzzy "I feel good" feeling within, generated by knowing that what you are doing is ethical and good for the planet!

Note: This is not a quote, we provide these individually depending on where you are in Australia, how much involvement you want to put into the installation (you can do it all if so inclined) and what your site is like.

What You Need To Know Before Installing Your Grid feed Solar System

First get your power bill and find out how much power you are using on your standard tariff (as opposed to hot water or heating tariff). Then consider the above system; in most parts of Australia it will produce 4 - 5 kWh per day. Then do some simple mathematics ... Sadly it wont exactly stack up ... You will probably find that you, like most of us, are using around 10 - 25 kWh of electricity per day. This is costing you about 22 - 32 cents per kWh (kWh = 1000 watts per hour or the equivalent of a 1000 watt appliance running for one hour). That's right! if your calculator is correct, your newly installed grid feed power system is generating about a dollars worth of power per day! Obviously your accountant will be dismayed! Whether the warm and fuzzy feeling inside, the increased value of your house and the gaining of eight grand from a government that seems to specialize in reaming money from your pocket in every way possible is enough persuasion is entirely up to you. Just know what you are doing before a solar panel salesman calls. If you are in this for a financial savings only then you will be very disappointed!

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