An Inconvenient Truth - Part Two

[The EnForcer]

For those of you who were not members when the first thread started, here's a link if you are interested in the discussion had.

http://twf.com.au/public-bar-11/an-i...ruth-6920.html

On a persaonal note, I have just recently decided to install a 1kw solar panel system on my house which will allow me to sell any of my unused power back to the grid for 90% of the purchase cost. The system is going to cost $12700 but with the $8000 government grant it only actually costs me $4700. The economics of the system are not fantastic based on present electrical unit cost, i.e averaging 12 years pay back. However, the grant adds signifanct capital value to your house and with the electrical power costs being unfrozen next year we are about to see a significant increase in our electricity bills. However this increase will reduce the payback time of a solar system.

If interested in solar power then get after it now as the government grant is limited.

I am using Solar Unlimited as my system supplier. I did research on this and these guys are cheap, i.e more than half of the cost of competitors, and they are in it for the right reasons.

http://www.solarunlimited.com.au/solarunlimited/

[Darren]

I've actually been looking into this recently!

[Thequeerone]

So have we - when does the grant run out ?
We were looking at XMAS/January - because of some other alterations that need to be done frist

Curious about the selling back to the grid bit - have you sold back - do you get a cheque or do you get a tiny bill - because of peak hour usage etc...

Do you need to modify your household electrics in any way i.e. surge suppressors etc..

[The EnForcer]

It's not a water heating system it generates power with an inverter which feeds through your power board. If you are not using the power then it feeds back through your incoming power line. If you generate more than you use, which is highly unlikely with a 1kw system, then you build credit with Synergy and can get a cheque back at the end of the year. The point is that you try to minimise your daytime power usage so that you sell power during daylight hours which reduces your overall bill.

BTW, you can install the 1kw system for only $3500 if you have a one story house and enough room on a suitable roof.

I'm not sure how much is left in the government grant, but the smart money is on using it sooner rather than later as it may well change now we have a new government.

[LarryNJ]

Now I know how Jess feels.

[MI5_Dog]

Now I know how Jess feels.

I was going to make a comment about why you're wearing her underwear but I thought it might be too low-brow so I decided not to mention it at all.

[LarryNJ]

[Happy]

umm wrong thread guys?????

TEF how much does your house use during the day without people there? ie your equipment on standby etc

[The EnForcer]

Not sure as we just had a new air con system installed, which we haven't had an electricity bill for. I believe the national average is 12 units per day but if you follow some basic rules you should easily use 8 or less. Remember we have kids and Julie is at home at present.....you should be looking to use less.

[Happy]

yeah.. I'm wondering if you can neutral your use for a house that is empty and shut-up during the day it would be pretty good...

[The EnForcer]

I would say in your position the decision is a no brainer.

[The InnFORCEr]

Earth Hour Day Saturday 29 March 2008

Just a reminder to switch of the lights for an hour on Saturday from 8pm - 9pm.

For more info, go to See the difference you can make - Earth Hour 2008

[goony]

for some reason i thought earth hour was last week... i was waiting for the lights to go out at subi after the footy match but nothing happened. hopefully people support it because we definately need to start doing something about this global warming situation

[BLR]

for some reason i thought earth hour was last week... i was waiting for the lights to go out at subi after the footy match but nothing happened. hopefully people support it because we definately need to start doing something about this global warming situation

The AFL refused to turn off thier lights for Earth Hour...there was a write up about it....

[force addict]

The AFL refused to turn off thier lights for Earth Hour

the AFL won't do anything for anyone unless it involves giving the AFL (gayFL) money