Energy Matters Forums

[Stand-alone guy]

The Govt still offers subsidies on complete Solar systems for home owners
most of these systems comprise of components for Grid connect systems.
To some up: The Govt. subsidies you because 1/ You are using solar power 2/ Helping reduce carbon footprint
3/ Reducing output load from the Major Power suppliers.
Only your surplus is put back into grid, most homes don't have much surplus, but systems still help reduce your power bill.
Then I ask the question would the Govt subsidies my purchase of a Stand alone system?
because 1/ You are using solar power, 2/ Helping reduce carbon 3/ Reducing output load from power suppliers.
only difference is you don't have a surplus to return to the grid.

[Tracker]

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Isn't it strange that no one at EM has responded.. I can only assume that the answer is NO.

Rather typical indeed.. You get subsidies if you are grid connected and hence relieving the grid.. but, nothing if you are isolated, because you have no alternatives other than PAY for it yourself.

So, buy a stinking and poluting petrol generator and consume as much fossil fules as you like..
..
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[Stand-alone guy]

Hi, tracker, thanks for responding,
I just realized that I have walked into a paddock that contain brainwashed sheep, It is very hard to get support when you think outside the square.
I have just found something interesting, hence if the roadside power is ,more than a Kilometre from your boundary, or if costs to supply power to your property exceed $36,000, you are then entitled to a govt sub.
Yes I do have a Diesel generator, but will only use during construction, I don't like these smelly power sources running for too long, they generate 2 kinds of pollution.

[Gordon-Loomberah]

Isn't it strange that no one at EM has responded..

Not really, it's holiday time...

In any case, the off-grid rebate/subsidy etc info is just a few clicks away from the link at the top of this page!

Here is the direct link http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-energy/solar-power/stand-alone-power-systems/remote-power-rebates.php

[Tracker]

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Thanks, Gordon.. I thought that rattling the cage might awaken something.. but thought it might be someone else.. Does No One from EM , monitor the Forum, or do thye leave it ALL to you.?

if .....more than a Kilometre from your boundary, or if costs to supply power to your property exceed $36,000,

I do recall seeing that years ago, but things change so fast.. Assistance, any assistance, seems to be normally based on benefit to the Government.. ie. reduced generation, so I could easily and cynically imagine there might be NO HELP when you are backed into a courner.
Much the same as the rebates for Hot Water systems are reducing , now that you don't have a choice...
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[Gordon-Loomberah]

Tracker, I'm here to help, but I'm not from the government! It's my job to keep an eye on the forums and throw out spammers and trolls, and direct queries to the relevant EM people, I'm sure I've mentioned that before!

[TsaTsa2CV]

Hi stand-alone guy,
The 1km or $36,000 is correct. We received our subsidies of just over 17k for our 5.55kWh system that is working like a treat, 8 months ago. A lot of paperwork but then again it is also a lot of money I guess!
However, the amount you can expect is reducing over time so the sooner you act the more you will get back -v- the longer you waite the cheaper the PV solar panels get!

We have excess power for 3/4 of the year and touch and go in winter. Total cost would have been about the same to connect to grid as stand alone and electricity costs saved will be used for battery replacement hopefully not for some time. Batteries (1680Ah) charged to float 98% of the time every day and maximum discharge overnight 10 -20% should see them last a few years according to tables.

We will be using the surplus power for a Siddons heat pump HW system operating during the hottest part of the day after batteries have recharged and by baking bread in an electric oven during warmer seasons, wood fired bakers oven in winter. Water is pumped by Lorentz 24V to 35m head into 132,000lt Rhino tank and gravity feed to house. No pressure pumps needed!
It feels rather good reducing your carbon footprint, drinking a solar powered late and sprinklers going from water collected off roofs, pumped by the sun and keeping things green by gravity!

[Stand-alone guy]

Thanks for the info, its very interesting when you get feed back from what is actually going on, rather than mere opinions.I'm like most having an open mind and understanding others experiences.
What is a reasonable size battery bank? , My research has led me to obtain a system that is made up of 6V Deep Cycle cells, It is better if you can to use 2 x 6V @ 100a/hr batteries rather than 1 x 12v @ 200a/hr. The more plates in your system the longer lasting.
I suppose the calculations start with what will you be running in your house hold 240 A/C + 12 D/C. by converting everything in to watts and multiplying it by amount of time it will be running.
This should give a daily Watts /Amp usage. does that then mean you double it to get your bank set up, because you don't want to use any more than 50% of your stored power?
I am still curious.

[TsaTsa2CV]

A number of aspects come into play to size a system. What you are consuming is only one. What are you using to charge your batteries also depends on your location. You may live in a windy costal location to use wind.
Wind does not stop at sunset! You may live in a very sunny location or like us in a below average and often foggy location needing to cope with a few days of poor recharging and it also depends on the $$ available not having to live like cave men. The larger the system the more "normal" your lifestyle.
Upgrading along the way is the more expensive road as you seem to replace components that become obsolete.
If I had a chance to do it again I would have chosen 48V over the 24V system we have.

[70lethal]

Hi

to maximise rebate its best to get as many panels as possible.

With heaps of panels large battery banks are less important.

The multiplier is for the first 20kw.

Almost all designers suggested 2000ah batteries with 6kw of pv.

I went for 20kw of panels and 1000ah batteries and collected around $50000 in rebates

with panels so cheap at the moment and if you qualified for the rebate I would be jumping in before July as the multiplier reduces down to 2.