All things Solar (merged threads)

[wodahs]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Still see COPE trucks. Wasn't it called COPE sensitive at the time.

not in WA we use to do this and stuffs ranging from xray equip/cat scans to pianos to ... sensetive stuff
and ended up selling to cope , the then owner became the WA manager and his son a mate of mine is now running this depot i believe

think the companies name back then was chalange transport

[Citroënbender]

Being the solar thread…

For a dedicated, compliant residential enclosure to house a solar charge controller and changeover switch, do I need the “NSW standard” 600x600x250 box?

In cavity brickwork is HD conduit required for lead-ins? Or is the brick cavity itself considered sufficient for internal wiring?

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Being the solar thread…

For a dedicated, compliant residential enclosure to house a solar charge controller and changeover switch, do I need the “NSW standard” 600x600x250 box?

In cavity brickwork is HD conduit required for lead-ins? Or is the brick cavity itself considered sufficient for internal wiring?

In Tasmania it goes into the standard switchboard since the changeover switch needs access to the mains supply intercept to the house.

We use a standard generator changeover switch, pole 1 up, center off, pole two down.

Brick cavity should be fine if it is weather sealed...IMHO

I used an electrician even though it's a no brainer to install, suggest you do the same.

[Citroënbender]

I will use a sparky for the actual wiring (I’ve been warning him, the longer he avoids me the bigger the job gets ), but I’ll set the wall box and it’s neater, less rushed when I do it. Tas wall boxes are a different size to NSW, taller and a bit narrower. Ideally if a complying enclosure was 450-500 square by 250 it should suffice. I haven’t seen a dimensioned diagram of a solar charge controller and specific breakers for ≅15kW output.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I haven’t seen a dimensioned diagram of a solar charge controller and specific breakers for ≅15kW output.

That is a big charge controller 15kw?
what are you using?

[Citroënbender]

I haven’t spec’d anything yet.

It’s a slightly arbitrary number but the long game is to take power completely off-grid in a 75 year old suburban house, including a sizeable air-con (or as people say in Tasmania, heat pump). I want to be done in the roof before summer; all services plus insulation.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I haven’t spec’d anything yet.

It’s a slightly arbitrary number but the long game is to take power completely off-grid in a 75 year old suburban house, including a sizeable air-con (or as people say in Tasmania, heat pump). I want to be done in the roof before summer; all services plus insulation.

You will not find a charge controller with that spec.
I have done a few off grid setups, would you like a shopping list?

[BENT_8]

Bit of a thread mine but hows this for a rort...

Had a 6.6kw solar setup installed in mid Feb by the oxygen theives at Aus Energy.
The install itself left a lot to be desired, however, I've just been informed by my energy supplier that because Aus Energy are basically useless at their jobs, they didnt submit the notification to the energy supplier until a few days ago and so the $100 my system has fed back into the grid over the 4 weeks is void and as it'll be 2 more weeks until the process is completed at the suppliers end, so too will be that amount.

Now $150 isnt life changing but when you consider Im not getting paid for what ive fed into the grid whilst the supplier is able to onsell it, someone is making a tidy profit when you consider how often this scenario plays out.

[xisled]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Bit of a thread mine but hows this for a rort...

Had a 6.6kw solar setup installed in mid Feb by the oxygen theives at Aus Energy.
The install itself left a lot to be desired, however, I've just been informed by my energy supplier that because Aus Energy are basically useless at their jobs, they didnt submit the notification to the energy supplier until a few days ago and so the $100 my system has fed back into the grid over the 4 weeks is void and as it'll be 2 more weeks until the process is completed at the suppliers end, so too will be that amount.

Now $150 isnt life changing but when you consider Im not getting paid for what ive fed into the grid whilst the supplier is able to onsell it, someone is making a tidy profit when you consider how often this scenario plays out.

Some solar installers are good and some are bad.

One of the biggest problems that comes about is when the system is installed, an inspection is needed to be done. The lead time for these inspections are weeks. Dependant on state you live in.

Also depending which state you live in, there may be different requirements the solar installer needs to meet before submitting paperwork.

The paperwork can not be submitted to the retailer to configure/Exchange the meter until all paperwork has been sent to the retailer.

Some installers are better at explaining the process than others. But from date solar is installed to when your energy retailer has configured/Exchanged your meter (depending on your state) is usually around 4 to 6 weeks.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by xisled

Some solar installers are good and some are bad.

One of the biggest problems that comes about is when the system is installed, an inspection is needed to be done. The lead time for these inspections are weeks. Dependant on state you live in.

Also depending which state you live in, there may be different requirements the solar installer needs to meet before submitting paperwork.

The paperwork can not be submitted to the retailer to configure/Exchange the meter until all paperwork has been sent to the retailer.

Some installers are better at explaining the process than others. But from date solar is installed to when your energy retailer has configured/Exchanged your meter (depending on your state) is usually around 4 to 6 weeks.

Interesting, have had no mention of having it inspected.
Spoke to the solar supplier yesterday, they swear the paper work was forwarded to Origin within days, said Origin were the easiest to deal with and said it never takes more than 2 weeks and said id receive an explination yesterday afternoon, still waiting.

They also offered a $250 gift card for using them, said id have it via email within 3hrs from 11am yesterday, still waiting.

Origins app says 2-4 weeks to show solar feed in credits on my bill, the date they've given will be 6 weeks.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Interesting, have had no mention of having it inspected.
Spoke to the solar supplier yesterday, they swear the paper work was forwarded to Origin within days, said Origin were the easiest to deal with and said it never takes more than 2 weeks and said id receive an explination yesterday afternoon, still waiting.

They also offered a $250 gift card for using them, said id have it via email within 3hrs from 11am yesterday, still waiting.

Origins app says 2-4 weeks to show solar feed in credits on my bill, the date they've given will be 6 weeks.

Just to follow up on this.

Just now heard back from the installer, paper work was rechecked and had been forwarded to Origin within 3 days of install.
They then rang Origin to ask why the delay and why they suggested the installer delayed the paper work.
Apparently they were handballed to 4 different people, none of whom could give an answer and in the end refused to discuss it further.
They have escelated it to the next level and will keep me informed.

Now when you think about it, its the energy supplier reaping the fed solar energy which they are getting for free and are then onselling for 2 bites of the cherry and are the only party set to gain by creating delays.
If this is not an isolated case, they could be making quite a bit from it when you consider how many systems are installed every day, especially in SA where im told solar uptake is amongst the highest in the World.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Bit of a thread mine but hows this for a rort...

Had a 6.6kw solar setup installed in mid Feb by the oxygen theives at Aus Energy.
The install itself left a lot to be desired, however, I've just been informed by my energy supplier that because Aus Energy are basically useless at their jobs, they didnt submit the notification to the energy supplier until a few days ago and so the $100 my system has fed back into the grid over the 4 weeks is void and as it'll be 2 more weeks until the process is completed at the suppliers end, so too will be that amount.

Now $150 isnt life changing but when you consider Im not getting paid for what ive fed into the grid whilst the supplier is able to onsell it, someone is making a tidy profit when you consider how often this scenario plays out.

Once the paperwork from the installer is submitted then the installation needs to be inspected and passed by the electrical inspector, who then must forward compliance paperwork, as mentioned by xisled in his comment, now for the rest of the process, well that is in Origin ball court as to how quick they process their paperwork.
When I had my solar installed three years ago it took 4 weeks before it came online, then keep fingers crossed your system doe does not have issues that can interrupt feed into the grid, something I experienced intermittently for 6 months before it finally got sorted.

To be honest it is pittance what they pay these days and don't be surprised when your feed in tariffs change, by a stroke of pen any given any time, we are being raped by the energy retailers and governments

[andarm]

Re FiT - don't be surprised if the FiT drops to 0c/kWh in the not too distant future as, after all, it doesn't really make any sense for all electricity consumers (they are the ones paying the FiT in their bills) to be paying for energy fed into the grid when there are times of day where that energy is not needed and actually worthless.

[xisled]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Just to follow up on this.

Just now heard back from the installer, paper work was rechecked and had been forwarded to Origin within 3 days of install.
They then rang Origin to ask why the delay and why they suggested the installer delayed the paper work.
Apparently they were handballed to 4 different people, none of whom could give an answer and in the end refused to discuss it further.
They have escelated it to the next level and will keep me informed.

Now when you think about it, its the energy supplier reaping the fed solar energy which they are getting for free and are then onselling for 2 bites of the cherry and are the only party set to gain by creating delays.
If this is not an isolated case, they could be making quite a bit from it when you consider how many systems are installed every day, especially in SA where im told solar uptake is amongst the highest in the World.

Origin use a system called Kraken, I am pretty sure that the solar installer lodges the paperwork on the origin portal and the system auto generates all the required orders. So maybe something has fallen down in the process.

In saying that and this depends which state you live in but covers mosts states (excluding Victoria). Once the retailer has received the solar paperwork and everything is ready to go, they must arrange for a smart meter to be installed or the existing smart meter to be configured for solar within 15 business days. if the retailer does not get this done, they risk massives per delay. Its actually in the retailers best interest to get this stuff done.

Retailers have been fined for failing this.

But in saying that somthign has gone wrong.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by xisled

Origin use a system called Kraken, I am pretty sure that the solar installer lodges the paperwork on the origin portal and the system auto generates all the required orders. So maybe something has fallen down in the process.

In saying that and this depends which state you live in but covers mosts states (excluding Victoria). Once the retailer has received the solar paperwork and everything is ready to go, they must arrange for a smart meter to be installed or the existing smart meter to be configured for solar within 15 business days. if the retailer does not get this done, they risk massives per delay. Its actually in the retailers best interest to get this stuff done.

Retailers have been fined for failing this.

But in saying that somthign has gone wrong.

This is what I was told today by Aus Energy.
Everything has been done and submitted but Origin have dropped the ball.
I've since lodged a complaint with the Energy Ombudsman who has opened a case with Origin.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Itsme

Once the paperwork from the installer is submitted then the installation needs to be inspected and passed by the electrical inspector, who then must forward compliance paperwork, as mentioned by xisled in his comment, now for the rest of the process, well that is in Origin ball court as to how quick they process their paperwork.
When I had my solar installed three years ago it took 4 weeks before it came online, then keep fingers crossed your system doe does not have issues that can interrupt feed into the grid, something I experienced intermittently for 6 months before it finally got sorted.

To be honest it is pittance what they pay these days and don't be surprised when your feed in tariffs change, by a stroke of pen any given any time, we are being raped by the energy retailers and governments

I received my copy of the compliance certificate weeks ago (20/2) so its been approved.
I also recieved notification from Origin on 21/2 to say meter works for install solar has been requested.

So it looks like Origin have been in the know with all relevant paperwork for 22 days and apparently need another 14.

[xisled]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

This is what I was told today by Aus Energy.
Everything has been done and submitted but Origin have dropped the ball.
I've since lodged a complaint with the Energy Ombudsman who has opened a case with Origin.

Best thing you have done is lodge a case with Ombudsman.

They will get to the bottom of this, also they dont take kindly to retailers delaying these type of requests as the rules are very clear about timeframes.

[xisled]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I received my copy of the compliance certificate weeks ago (20/2) so its been approved.
I also recieved notification from Origin on 21/2 to say meter works for install solar has been requested.

So it looks like Origin have been in the know with all relevant paperwork for 22 days and apparently need another 14.

That is not really good enough on Origins side if they have had the paperwork since the 22nd. I have been involved in thousands of solar configs and meter exchanges and there is no valid reason why it is taking this long. They should have done it within the 15 business days from the 22nd at the latest.

Hopefully with the complaint to the Ombudsman you will get your answers and a positive resolution.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by xisled

That is not really good enough on Origins side if they have had the paperwork since the 22nd. I have been involved in thousands of solar configs and meter exchanges and there is no valid reason why it is taking this long. They should have done it within the 15 business days from the 22nd at the latest.

Hopefully with the complaint to the Ombudsman you will get your answers and a positive resolution.

Agreed, and bare in mind, the house itself is only 3 months old so we're not even talking meter exchange here as its already a smart meter providing up to date usage, its simply a reconfigure to recognise the grid feed so they cant really excuse it away.
And for them to email me on 21/2 to say they were planning meter work pretty much proves they've had the paperwork or how would they know I'd had solar installed to need meter work done.

When old mate at Origin blew me off and said bad luck thats how it is the Ombudsman was entering the frame and hopefully as a result they'll get fined.

[BENT_8]

Got a call from Origin's damage control dept. this arvo.

Apparently the paperwork lodged didnt have the date installed enetered correctly on the 21st so it was rejected.
I said "thats strange, if it was rejected why did you email me the same day to say meter work had been requested..."

"Lets not dwell on the why's" im told, "Im here to solve the problem and we take 100% responsibility for it."

"Ok, whats the plan?"

"We'll do the meter reconfig as per advised on 26/3."

"But what about my feed in credits?"

"We'll back date it to 14/2 when install was done."

"But your customer service rep said thats not possible."

I"t is because you already have a smart meter."

"But I told him that, he still said back dating cant be done because the meter cant differentiated between yield used and yield fed to grid, even though the app I have clearly shows yield used v yield fed to grid."

"He doesn't know" he said. "He's assuming you dont have a smart meter"

"Umm, yes he did, I told him the house is 3 months old"

"Lets not dwell on the why's, we'll see you on the 26th"