Solar PV

It would appear that we are investigating Solar energy.  I believe that our quartely electricty bill has nudged over the $1k mark.  Mind you there seem to be some inconsistencies that are not understood yet and my never be  understood.  Anyway quotes have been solicited and soem have come in.

So now the challenge is to make a decision.  We need to choose between the following options:-
a) Solar electricity.  (PV solar)
b) Solar hot water.
c) Both
d) Neither (this option included for completeness).
e) Gas - This option added after fear of being acused of bias by today tonight.

This blog posting will concentrate on PV solar (PhotoVoltaic).

So how do we decide between options?

• Technology of the solar panels?
• Types of inverter?
• Brand names?
• Warranty?
• Cost?

To get an idea of the costs, I have done up the following table.  Will be updated as quotes come in.  I was also kind of interested to know what it might cost to DIY.  There are two DIY columns and the detail is in the next table.

The first observation is that that DIY Jarcar is not going to be cheaper.  The $14k does not include all the mounting hardware or cables.

.	Company	System Size	Panel Type	Inverter	Price we pay

.	Modern Solar	3kw	16x190W Monocrystaline	Xantrex GT2.8	$15950
.	Resource Energy	3kw	monocrystaline	Solar Lord or Power One	$7390
.	Solar Shop		18x205W Polycrystaline	2xSMA SB1700	11070
.	DIY (Jaycar)		16 x 170W Monocrystaline	Xantrex GT2.8	14704.05
.	DIY (Electus)		16 x 170W Monocrystaline	Xantrex GT2.8	TBD
.	????	Wait for update

This is the detail of how I costed the Jaycar DIY option.  Prices came from their web site.  I will try to look up the Electus web site.  Electus is the Jaycar wholesaler and we (Syndetic) have an account with them.

.				Total Jaycar	14704.05
.	Item	Note	Qty Required	$EA Jaycar
.	Solar panel 175W ZM9099	Actually will need more than 16.	16	695	11120
.	Z bracket HS8708	need 2 at each end	4	17.9375	71.75
.	T bracket HS8712	need 2 between each panel	28	8.975	251.3
.	Y lead negative PS5112		15	17.7	265.5
.	Y lead positive		15	17.7	265.5
.	Mounting hardware				0
.					0
.	Inverter Xantrex GT2.8	http://www.solaronline.com.au/xantrex-gt2-8.html	1	2730	2730
.					0
.