I had hoped to present a straightforward comparison between the “before solar” and “after solar” scenarios, but it has proven to be more challenging than I initially anticipated.
To begin with, I switched from Momentum to Amber as my retailer. Added to the change, 1. I encountered complications with the configuration of the solar system 2. billing cycle changed from quarterly to monthly 3. I now have a monthly subscription fee of $15, and I receive credits for the electricity I export back into the grid.
Amber have been very good (patient) assisting in getting the set-up right.
Update: 16th December 2022
I’ll begin by explaining why this update took so long… it should have been in November 2022 but, we did not receive a bill from Momentum. Finally today, the bill from Momentum arrived with an apology.. It’s late because of an error at our end, and you don’t need to pay the amount that’s due all at once. A bit silly considering it’s $149.17.
Update: 18th March 2023
It turns out a combination of issues have resulted in the system not performing 100%. Frustratingly, the installer did not complete registration of the system with Jemena plus, the battery date/time needs rebooting and no-one seems to know how.
On top of this, in terms of data, Amber bills monthly (Momentum quarterly), which skews the figures. It’s worth noting that Amber charges differently to other retailers in Australia. Monthly, plus the kWh price changes hourly, so you are always paying the lowest wholesale rate at any given time, a monthly service fee ($15). In March 2023, we began being credited for power we exported to the grid (a whopping $1.32)
The data clearly shows is a drop in useage (power from the grid) but, an increase in the cost per kWh. We may yet be switching back to Momentum?
It also must be remembered, bills prior to solar are quarterly, after solar are monthly. The best comparison is the “average daily useage”
.. and then just to complicate matters further.. Amber (who have been very helpful) charge a monthly subscription fee. It provides a wealth of information, assistance and help for this fee. Plus there is also a Credit Card Payment Processing Fee (hits keep coming) of $1.01.
Update: 26th April March 2023
I finally received a solar export credit: Solar Exports 118 kWh 4.76 ¢/kWh = $5.60 <– better than nothing. In the figures below, I am going to incorporate the credit as this data is about solar costs and credits reduce the costs.
Update: 30th May 2023
Sorry everyone but I’ve decided to switch back to Momentum Energy. Why? because in winter we’ll be buying more electricity from the grid and the most econmical way is through a retailer with a fixed price. Unfortunately, Amber’s fluctuating wholesale rate is sometimes very high during high-demand periods, compounded by Victoria increasing power prices.
Billing should kick in during June 2023 but we will have the benefit of better comparison = quarterly with no subscription fee and an increased feedin tariff.
Preston Melbourne Victoria Australia – 18 solar panels + battery (13.3kWh)
| Bill Period | Useage Total (kW) | Average Daily | Bill $ | Cost per kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | 2204 | 24.775 | $598.59 | $0.27 |
| Aug 2021 | 3366 | 36.598 | $876.25 | $0.26 |
| Nov 2021 | 2227 | 24.212 | $638.03 | $0.28 |
| Feb 2022 | 2115 | 23.247 | $594.61 | $0.28 |
| May 2022 | 1769 | 19.662 | $498.17 | $0.28 |
| Solar Installed | 4/8/2022 | |||
| Aug 2022 | 1774 | 19.2891 | $504.12 | $0.28 |
| Nov 2022 - 23/10-22/11 | 303 | 1.04 | $149.17 | $0.49 |
| Dec 2022 - 23/11-22/12 | 36.9 | 1.229 | $37.07 | $1.00 |
| Jan 2023 - 23/12-22/01 | 110.3 | 3.569 | $53.53 | $0.48 |
| Feb 2023 - 23/01-22/02 | 54 | 1.74 | $29.72 | $0.83 |
| Mar 2023 - 23/02-22/03 | 90 | 3.21 | $49.45 | $0.54 |
| Apr 2023 - 23/03-22/04 | 100 | 3.22 | $52.14 | $0.52 |
| May 2023 - 23/04-22/05 | 186 | 6.206 | $63.61 | $0.34 |
| May 2023 - 23/05-25/05 | 42 | 13.99 | $15.55 | $0.31 |
Period 16/5/2022 – 4/8/2022 – no solar
Period 4/8/2022 – 15/8/2022 – with solar
Winter* (southern hemisphere) June, July, and August
* Less sunlight during winter months
QUESTIONS
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SOLAR OVERVIEW
It’s a hard life in the mountains, but someone has to do it!
Like so many things, sales makes it sound easy. It’s anything but.
Installation & Configuration (AllStar)
- Day One – a bunch of contractors (6) turn up, few speak English and setup doing things without explanation. They answer questions if you ask, but limited answers.
- Unpacking – two contractors spent the first day unpacking the solar panels and parts. All very well and good, except they left (without notice) leaving the 16 panels on the front lawn. In this area, they would have been gone by morning. My partner and I carried them down to our garage where they were securely stored overnight.
- Solar panels – seemlessly went up and fitted without fuss
- Battery – Commenced installation on day 3 on the west wall of house. I checked a few times, tried engaging to understand what was happening without much joy. Day 4, the actual battery arrived and the day was spent unpacking, wiring and configuring. Near the end of the day, I sensed something was NQR. It turns out they had installed the wrong battery (8kWh). The sparky admitted picking up the wrong unit from the warehouse. I was told no problem, they would gett the right battery (13.3kWh) and install it 3 days later. Battery and inverter installed.
- Configuration – a serious amount of qualified configuration of the system began.. battery, inverter, isolator, panels (battery side), panels (meter side). Nothing was explained but it took a good 2 days. A knock on the door said it was complete except for a final certification by a qualified engineer. When? soon!
- Certification – (ripleys) was performed on a Sunday. He alternated between the battery and meter, knocked on the door, said all done and left. I was later informed that the system required more work before it could be certified. No date/time was given. I emailed a few days later t discover the work had been done without my knowledge and the system was now certified.
- Blackout – this (strangely) came next.. sunny afternoon the power went out! Hold on, I have a full battery, why is the power out. 3 months later I finally discover from Jemena that the isolator (prevents power escaping to the grid) had not been correctly configured. Interestingly, during the 3 months I heard all kinds of stories including 1. its not possible (by law) in Victoria 2. system would have to be re-certified.
- Exports – I noticed that we were not being paid for the power we were exporting back into the grid. A combination of our system not being registered with Jemena and the battery not having a correct date/time stamp. After weeks of enquiries, it turns out Momentum had the registration but had not submitted it to Jemena. I’m unsure if Amber or Jemena got it from Momentum but we were suddenly informed it was now registered (whatever that means). First credit ($1.32) appeared on the March 2023 bill.
Considerations
- It’s widely known that solar panels have a life expectancy of 10 – 15 years. Batteries, a tad longer.. supposedly. It’s too early to know. Let me know your experiences with solar panels and batteries.
- Something I have deliberately avoided is to be a “know all” that tells everyone what they should be doing. The data speaks for itself, so does my experiences.