Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Apr 20, 2008 9:54 pm We were out Craigieburn way today and thought we'd drop in to see some displays while we were there.....of course!!!
Whilst visiting the H3nley display centre, we picked up some information that was quite interesting. H3nley are including Photovoltaic cells into every new home. They install 6 panels to the roof of the house. The panels are hard wired to a bio-directional meter and then back to the grid. You generate your own green power from the sun and this should(?) reduce your energy bill by up to 20% and save greenhouse gases. When you're away it will consistently generate more electricity than the house will use so the electricity should pay you back in power. But alas, it is too late for us, it is for all new homes. Cause we've already signed and commenced our build, we miss out... BUT, we're still going to call up tomorrow to see if we can get it as a variation, or at least find out how we can do it if we wanted to, after handover...... Anyone got them in their prospective homes? Or alternatively looking at getting them? I've been told they cost about $12K and the Govt gives a rebate of $8K. So it actually costs the builder the difference of about $4K. Nice to see that some builders are doing something more for the environment....now we need eaves and double glazing as standard and we'll really be making some progress!!! Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 2Apr 20, 2008 10:05 pm Sounds like a great idea but they could do a bit more....
I was watching a doco on SBS on this and they talked about what they do in Germany (the ABC picked it up on http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007 ... 994041.htm). The punchline is "at the heart of the scheme is a "feed-in tariff" giving anyone who generates power from solar PV, wind or hydro a guaranteed payment from the local power company. The power firms are obliged to buy solar electricity for 49 cents per kilowatt hour or nearly four times market rates." What this means is that if you generate back into the grid you get paid four times what it costs you to take power out of the grid - meaning your power bill can actually be a refund. The logic being that by encouraging people onto a distributed power system (self generation) they can defer the need for a new power station. Wouldn't Australia have a little bit more solar generation capacity than Germany? Now there's an idea for the 2020 Summit. OK....Sorry *P* I'll get off my soapbox...! mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 3Apr 20, 2008 10:08 pm Quote: What this means is that if you generate back into the grid you get paid four times what it costs you to take power out of the grid - meaning your power bill can actually be a refund. That sounds familiar, I either read it, or watched it. Paula Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 4Apr 20, 2008 10:14 pm Paula Quote: What this means is that if you generate back into the grid you get paid four times what it costs you to take power out of the grid - meaning your power bill can actually be a refund. That sounds familiar, I either read it, or watched it. Watched it...it was on TV recently....there was a bunch of loony, hippy, tree huggin', mung bean eating stuff as well, but this was interesting. The other thing the Germans did was all the sound barriers on ze autobahns were banks of photovoltaics rather than stupid patterned concrete/steel/timber/paper/material of the week things. They generated into the grid during the day and purchased power at night and therefore the freeway lighting was "neutral". .......kick me off the soapbox.... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 6Apr 20, 2008 10:49 pm I believe South Australia (and Canberra?) recently introudced feed in tarrifs that are twice the purchase cost of electricity.
Its nice of H3nley to provide a photovoltaic system, but it's would probably cost them nothing. You can pick up a 1kW system for about $12k, but for the volumes Henley is talking about they probably can purchase the system for $8k, which measn the governeent rebate fully covers the cost. So you offer the customer a 1kW photovolatic system and it cost the builder nothing. Surprised it's not more universal. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 8Apr 20, 2008 10:58 pm Yak_Chat Paula, SA is doing exactly this. 20 year agreement to buy back all PV power at 44 cents per KW. Steve They thinking of doing this elsewhere so I can throw away my soap box. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 9Apr 21, 2008 12:09 am Does anyone know what the embedded energy of photovoltaic cells is?
I heard somewhere that the energy required to produce them was more than the energy that they produce for you over their life time. Have no idea where I heard that ....... but if anyone knows otherwise, please let me know, as I was trying to convince DH that they would be a good idea if we have any money left over (not likely). Although in Tassie you get next to nothing for what you put back into the grid. 'chelle We have a hand-over date...15/10...but I won't hold my breath! http://people-in-glass-houses.blogspot.com/ Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 10Apr 21, 2008 12:20 am I have heard that there is quite a bit of energy used in the production of PV cells and also their housing.
Qld, SA and ACT are all offering feed-in-tariffs to some degree. If you're in Perth there is a company called Renewable Logic - http://www.renewablelogic.com.au. They are trying to do a bulk purchase of 1 kVa systems, 1500 for $1500. I think all builders should be made to include them on new homes, along with rainwater tanks, we'll be building middle of next year and plan to get both. Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 11May 01, 2008 1:38 am We have photovoltaic cells and a solar hw service being installed at ML. Delfin had an expensive home management system as part of their encumbrance which wasn't achieving what it was intended to (advances in wireless technology).
Theweek the home management system was removed we put through our house design for approval and swapped for PV power. DH believes it should reduce our power bills by about 20% and we will add more cells over time. Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 12May 01, 2008 8:40 am I got this from the ANU web site.
They invented Silver cells, and Origin Energy is commercialising them in Adelaide. The ANU publication indicates it takes 1.5 years for the SILVER cell, and 4.1 years for a standard PV cell's embodied energy to be earned back. Quote: The energy payback time of a Sliver and a conventional module is 1.5 and 4.1 years respectively. Frameless panels will have an energy payback time about 0.2 years less than for panels with aluminium frames. For those with a technically mind - more info here. http://solar.anu.edu.au/level_1/pubs/papers/2CV_3_35.pdf Steve Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 13May 01, 2008 10:21 am I've talked with Origin Energy - Sliver cells won't be available for retail sales for 10 yrs After 4 years - we're in! Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 14May 01, 2008 11:37 pm Yep, I've been through the plant several times and basically they recognise that they need volume sales, not lots of retails questions (ie how much etc etc for a small value sale) to make their money back.
So they are focusing on large installations, crack the norm, and then go retail. Steve Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 15May 02, 2008 2:53 pm I'm certainly keen for some sort of solar power system down the track.
You know it's kind of funny, in Qld we could opt to sign up for "green energy" from the power company, which was generated by greener methods, but of course it would have cost us a more! So yes the solar power, being fed back into the grid for a credit is a fine idea, it's certainly in the favor of power companies who can still dictate retail & buyback pricing! So personally my ideal set up is: Solar panels on the roof, going to a bank of batteries (like car batteries) which goes through an inverter (to convert it from 12v to 240v) and then feeds the house. So a big enough bank of batteries should store enough energy for requirements day and night (well in theory) and depending on usage & number of solar panels you could possibly even still have a surplus. Of course some kind of switch would be essential so you could still use grid power if you really needed to. I know of someone who has this kind of set up up in Coffs Harbour. But that's down the track, first thing we're going to do when the house is built is to get the Sparky to do some wiring so at least the fridge can be run by a gen set when the power goes down. Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 16May 16, 2008 5:29 pm An update from the Rudd budget - only families that earn less than $100,000 will now qualify for the $8000 rebate on home solar installations.
So the 1kW systems that were $5000 will go up to $13000 Apparently in Sydney a few solar installers have had cancellations of 60% of installations because of the price hike. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 17May 25, 2008 8:14 am stonecutter1309 An update from the Rudd budget - only families that earn less than $100,000 will now qualify for the $8000 rebate on home solar installations. So the 1kW systems that were $5000 will go up to $13000 Apparently in Sydney a few solar installers have had cancellations of 60% of installations because of the price hike. http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/pv/index.html hmmm, i think thats incorrect, only if you DID NOT apply for the rebate before. cheers Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 18May 25, 2008 9:56 am cyclone - I have read the entire link you provided:
Quote: The Solar Homes and Communities Plan ensures that rebates get to the households that need them most through the introduction of a means test, with households with an annual taxable income of less than $100,000 eligible for the rebates. Hence - if you ordered a system but the provider had not applied for the rebate - from 21 May you no longer get it. I cannot see where my post is incorrect. After 4 years - we're in! photo cells 19May 25, 2008 10:15 am Hi all
I am living in Canberra and building early 09 and the feed in tarif rates for the ACT will be 3.88 not a bad little return. The power company and yourself also sign a contract for 20 years to buy the electricity, so a good incentive also to purchase. Recently just moved to the ACT Canberra officially the sunniest city in Australia. Cheers Michael He wants a dream home theatre - she wants a dream kitchen! Re: Photovoltaic Cells Anyone? 20May 25, 2008 8:27 pm paddy - it's great that you get such a good feed in rate!
in NSW energy providers only have to pay the standard price - $1.44 I think (or maybe it's $1.15) After 4 years - we're in! Wish you all the best. Once you signed the contract, they will find millions excuses to charge you. And have seen their sites unfinished for a long time. 4 24828 As title suggests, looking at using the interlocking Pentablock stacked stone products to replace failing timber retaining… 0 17871 I am building in claymore NSW and this is shown in the building envelope plan. … 0 10035 |