Browse Forums Building A New House Re: 1 kW PV Solar Power system - fully installed for $749 21Apr 13, 2009 10:32 am ohh just the read the link you posted earlier DarylC, didn't realise it was means tested yet.... just missed out.... * Are we there yet ? Demolition has come and gone ! yippeeee..hang on that was months ago !! come on Mr Builder, dig a hole at least Finaly ! Hole Dug ! well done darren 20/06/2010. Slab is down ! Framing is complete 20/10/2010 we are progressing like a snail on heat - excited and determined but very very slow Steveo Re: 1 kW PV Solar Power system - fully installed for $749 22Apr 13, 2009 12:56 pm What technology are you using? Where are your panels sourced from? Just want to warn those thinking about Solar PV. After exhaustive research, we recently had a 2kw system installed on our new roof. The research process was long and arduous and involved cutting through all of the sales bull&h*t! We went for the amorphous thin film technology solar panels because our research showed they are more efficient and use less silicon than polycrystalline and monocrystalline technology. Another warning - we were seriously considering going with a company who was rather cheap and who sourced their material from China. The components arrived in several shipments (over several months) and you paid an installment each time one arrived. Basically, you were out of pocket for several months, because you can't claim the rebate until the whole system is on your roof. I asked the question: "What happens if one part doesn't arrive?" I didn't get an answer, so we ran as fast as we could. Some advice when considering who to buy with - if the company cannot offer to claim the rebate on your behalf (ie you only pay a deposit until it is installed) they are not very financially stable and I would question their longevity in the industry. For those who asked how big a system you need to cover your bill - our 2kw system is covering the power bill on our 35sq home. (We also have upgraded insulation/double glazed windows on the north and west sides). Happy to answer any questions via PM, but unlike the gentleman who raised the thread, I will not name the provider I went with on this public forum. This is not an advertising website and my only aim is to encourage others to do their homework, albeit exhaustive, like we did. Did I mention I hate salespeople?! Building in remote, regional Vic We have roof, frame, walls, plumbing, electrical....but no bricks! Re: 1 kW PV Solar Power system - fully installed for $749 23Apr 13, 2009 1:46 pm Hi overthebuildingprocess I am sorry that you have had a bad experience in sourcing a reliable company to install your solar system. I'm also sorry that you have taken offence to my post in this forum but in my defence I will say that the vast majority of Australians are unaware of the rebate let alone our offer to install a system for $749. I understand that you are upset by a 'promotional' post in this forum but ask you to consider how much good we are doing. Naturally we expect to make a profit but we also hope to be responsible for removing over 5 million kg of CO2 out of the atmosphere every year. With respect to financial stability and deposit -> we charge no deposit whatsoever and our business is fully funded by private investors not banks. At the risk of assisting our competition (as it doesn't apply to us), I think your comments regarding deposit are a little unfair. A smaller scale operator with a target of 100 installations will have to carry a cost of something approaching $700,000 until the rebates come in. Charging a 10% deposit will mean they can help 10% more Australians get the benefits of solar power. Given the tone of your post, you will probably find this hard to believe, but my personal motivation for involvement is to see as many systems as possible installed - whether that is by us or our competition. The government has given Australians a window of opportunity to have a significant impact on our CO2 emmissions and I just can't bring myself to apologise for taking whatever means I can to let fellow Aussies know about this. Oh...and well done for installing a 2 kW system - you are a solar warrior! Re: 1 kW PV Solar Power system - fully installed for $749 24Apr 13, 2009 2:34 pm Steveo - Thought I would mention that the earnings are based on last financial year's earnings. I am also in the process of setting up a petition on our site to send to Mr Rudd, Garrett and Ms Wong asking that the rebate offer post June be revised. I will PM you once I have written the code and got it all up and going. Re: 1 kW PV Solar Power system - fully installed for $749 25Apr 13, 2009 2:54 pm DarylC Hi overthebuildingprocess I am sorry that you have had a bad experience in sourcing a reliable company to install your solar system. I'm also sorry that you have taken offence to my post in this forum but in my defence I will say that the vast majority of Australians are unaware of the rebate let alone our offer to install a system for $749. I understand that you are upset by a 'promotional' post in this forum but ask you to consider how much good we are doing. Naturally we expect to make a profit but we also hope to be responsible for removing over 5 million kg of CO2 out of the atmosphere every year. With respect to financial stability and deposit -> we charge no deposit whatsoever and our business is fully funded by private investors not banks. At the risk of assisting our competition (as it doesn't apply to us), I think your comments regarding deposit are a little unfair. A smaller scale operator with a target of 100 installations will have to carry a cost of something approaching $700,000 until the rebates come in. Charging a 10% deposit will mean they can help 10% more Australians get the benefits of solar power. Given the tone of your post, you will probably find this hard to believe, but my personal motivation for involvement is to see as many systems as possible installed - whether that is by us or our competition. The government has given Australians a window of opportunity to have a significant impact on our CO2 emmissions and I just can't bring myself to apologise for taking whatever means I can to let fellow Aussies know about this. Oh...and well done for installing a 2 kW system - you are a solar warrior! Hi Darryl Re: deposit - we were quite happy to pay a deposit. What I was referring to was the companies that require you to pay the full cost and then claim the rebate yourself. I understand what you say about smaller companies, but in reality, the PV industry is a big market and I would only consider going with a bigger company that I'm sure will be around at the end of the financial crisis and during my warranty period. If they can claim the rebate on your behalf, meaning you only have to pay the gap - I think that's peace of mind in their company sustainability and in addition, it means more people can access the technology. Most people can't afford the $13,000 + upfront, but they can generally afford the gap. Re the promotion of the rebate - I think that is the job of the Federal Government, and the PV providers, but perhaps through paid advertising. Re: your motivation. I think it's great that you are genuinely trying to make a difference (as are we), however, you must realise this is what every salesperson from every company is currently saying. At the end of the day, if there wasn't a money making opportunity in it, you may not be selling it yourself. Sorry, I'm a journalist - I was born skeptical! Building in remote, regional Vic We have roof, frame, walls, plumbing, electrical....but no bricks! Re: 1 kW PV Solar Power system - fully installed for $749 26Apr 13, 2009 3:28 pm Lol - you keep calling me a salesperson - I am actually an IT geek...I won't take offence to the salesperson comment thoough - I have worked in news and media and am not a big fan of news being treated as a commodity. I think as long as the people operating in this industry are up front and honest with their customers, they have every right to be proud of what they are doing...this has nothing to do with political views, but I have never felt so proud to be an Australian as I was the day Mr Rudd ratified Kyoto....don't want to start a debate about politics or global warming but that was a day when Lil ol' Australia changed the world - UK and US fell in line behind Australia's lead. I agree that the Govt should be doing a lot more to raise awareness of the rebate - there should be ads all over TV and a leaflets in every mail box (recycled non bleached paper of course) but given how long the rebate offer has been available for and how little they have done to promote it, I think everybody who is aware of the offer should be telling everybody they know about it. Everybody who has read this forum should raise the topic over BBQ's and you as a journo should do everything you can to raise awareness. 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