Energy Matters Forums

[vk4akp]

At the age of your father, and with panels that are only around 10years old why replace them?
They should be good for another 10 to 20 years if they were reasonable quality. Probably better things to spend money on.

There is two ratings for most solar inverters. A DC maximum power (connected solar panels) and the AC maximum output. Its common for the DC rating to be higher.
While different states had different rules here (WA) its always been based on the inverter AC output as far as I know. My system on last house was entered as 1700w but actually had 2000w of panels.

OK. So there are many reasons to replace the whole system.

- No warranty can be offered by the installer if just replacing the inverter because they can't guarantee the older system components installed by previous installer.
- Old system does not meet current wiring code etc so has to be redone anyhow.
- 99% of installers will *not* just replace the inverter.
- If a complete system is fitted we get a huge discount due to the government rebate.
- if just an inverter is fitted and later panels are needed we no longer qualify for the government rebate and pay much more.
- 10 Year complete cover on a new system vs nothing on just an inverter replacement.
- Transfering Dad's $$$'s into an assets (New solar) increases his pension payments
- Newer panels harvest more power and the feed in goes into the electricity account.
- Family intends on keeping the family home long term so is still of ongoing benifet regardless of dad's age.

I agree. We were always told in Qld it is based on the inverter only. And since I know of many varied installs with Panels from 5Kw - 6KW fitted under the 44cent scheme back then it tends to support this.

I now need to know if anything has changed. But the Gov department is useless in this regard.

7 of the 8 Companies said it is still based on only the inverter. Only 1 company so far has said different. But we need to be sure.
.-.-.

[vk4akp]

Hi Ken
Looks to me like you want to ask till you get someone to say yes you can, but no one will. The answer seems clear, you cannot put more panels on

Jaahn

No that's not the case at all.

See my previous post.

Unless something has changed, which I can't see it being the case because we have a legal binding contract till 2028, it has always been based on the inverter only in Queensland.

This is probably why you don't get a clear answer from the government and why their wording is so ambiguous.
They don't want people generating more power because of the 44 cent feed in benefits to them.
But as long as the same size (or in their words, similar size) inverter is fitted, all should be good.

.-.-.

[vk4akp]

Links to the Gov info on maintaining the 44 cent feed in contract.

https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/solar-bonus-scheme-44c

You will lose eligibility for the 44 cent feed-in tariff if you:
move house (as this will result in a new electricity account holder for the premises)
sell or let your house (if this results in a new electricity account holder for the premises)
increase your inverter capacity (i.e. the size)
close your electricity account
are disconnected (e.g. because you fail to pay a bill or breach a contract)
add extra capacity (i.e. panels) which exceeds the rated capacity of your system’s inverter
use alternative energy sources, (e.g. other generators or batteries) when the system receiving the 44 cent feed-in tariff is operating (unless alternative sources have separate connections to the network)
transfer your electricity account into any other name (other than your spouse)
add any other name to your electricity account (other than your spouse)
replace your inverter with a larger inverter.

https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1379678/solar-bonus-scheme.pdf

1.2.4 Changes proposed in 2018 On 15 February 2018, the Queensland Government introduced changes to clarify how customers currently receiving the Solar Bonus Scheme may install batteries and additional generation and remain eligible for the 44 cent per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) solar feed-in tariff. Under the changes, a customer will lose eligibility for the Solar Bonus Scheme 44c/kWh feed-in tariff if they:
 add generation capacity to their qualifying generator which exceeds the approved capacity of their system’s inverter (i.e. oversize)
 install a battery which can be used at the same time the customer’s qualifying generator is generating or is able to export electricity to the grid
or
 install an additional generation system which can be used at the same time as the customer’s qualifying generator is generating or is able to export electricity to the grid.
These changes are currently being considered by the Queensland Parliament. If passed, the changes will be backdated to commence from 15 February 2018 (being the date the changes were introduced into the Queensland Parliament).

[vk4akp]

OK. Finally got clarification via a Google search and finding a blog from another Solar Installer.

https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/ove ... ar-arrays/

Basically from February 2018 you can't expand your panel wattage any more then 5% of what it was previously.

So that puts us back to the problem that the installers are only interested in a complete re-fit

And there is no point in paying for new panels of the same capacity.

So back to searching for an installer that will replace the inverter only.

I estimate this should be no more then $2500 for the Fronius fitted.

Any installers willing to do this, please put your had up!

.-.-.

[davidg]

I estimate this should be no more then $2500 for the Fronius fitted.

I've not looked at the cost of the particular inverter and not in QLD so sorry, no can do. However there may some other requirements to install it "inverter" so it might cost more. #just saying.

[bpratt]

These new installs with rebates are all to do with a home that does not have a solar pv system already on it, or at least that's the impression that I have.

I am not sure a new system to replace an old system will get much the way in rebates, so therefore cost a lot more.


I must admit that I have not kept a close watch on these things, so my thinking might be wrong.

[davidg]

I am not sure a new system to replace an old system will get much the way in rebates, so therefore cost a lot more.

It gets the full PV rebate. The inverter as replacement gets not a cent in rebate. Its only panels in a system install that qualifies.

[bpratt]

Thanks for correcting me... didn't think it did, but glad that it does.

[davidg]

Thanks for correcting me... didn't think it did, but glad that it does.

It's a loop hole I think should be closed as, if the deeming period is lets say, 14 years for instance then there should not be an option. A do over rebate unless the original system has reached the period of deeming or the difference in capacity for an upgrade should all that's allowed, it's what I would have considered as core to how the rebates should work, but don't and why you get really crappy panels being installed that will never last the distance.