LED light bulbs much cheaper than solar systems.

[GASWAGON]

Just been to Middy's electrical supplies talking about solar power systems.... Basically the salesman has turned me off it because he says that if I am not home during the day using the power off the panels directly, then there is no savings to be had.... The only way to store the power made from the panels is using a battery pack but those presently cost around 20K.... Only business's can benefit from solar because they use the power being made through the whole day.

A much cheaper option is to change all the light bulbs in the house or at least the ones that are used the most to LED bulbs....I just bought a couple of large screw in types for $24 each and they last 30,000 hrs...

Much cheaper than blowing 8.5k on a solar system that wont really save me much!

[usernametaken]

I can't believe there's no popcorn eating smiley on this site!

[GASWAGON]

That's why I just dance!

[The Yeti]

I personaly am interested to see other peoples opinions on this (and the whos gone solar thread), I currently havent got any solar,but am looking to build a new house in the next 12 months and its somthing I'm sonsidering.

so I like reading all I can about this as well as the real life (non spec sheet) pros and cons of the systems and they're alternatives

[GASWAGON]

Well the salesman said to save the power you HAVE to have battery packs and they can cost 20k.....He also reckons that solar panels actually work more efficiently on overcast days than bright sunny days ....how the hell does that work?

[EgoFG]

Turn the A/C and the pool pump during the day

[Franco Cozzo]

I've got about 16 halogen globes changed to LED, the phillips 50W equivilent is the only one worth buying as the rest are crap, very dim.

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I've got about 16 halogen globes changed to LED, the phillips 50W equivilent is the only one worth buying as the rest are crap, very dim.

The ones I got from Middy's are 'Crompton lighting' 7.5 watt....They got cooling fins around the base of them too....Work quite well.

[ohzone]

Look at anything in your home running a motor or an element this is where the biggest savings can be easily had, for example and spare Beer fridge running during winter, a column or bar radiator left running while nobody is near it, pool timers not set correctly, exhaust fans left on, hot water system left on while away on holidays etc

[GASWAGON]

Here's an awesome site for anyone wanting to save a few dollars.....And read all the facts about LED's.... They can last for 80,000hrs!

http://www.ledified.com.au/

[AndyXR6T]

Led lights are definitely more efficient but you would have to have to light running for 3 years straight to notice a difference on your bill mate.

As mentioned above, anything that produces heat (hot water system, cook top, oven etc) is the cause for larger bills. When LEDs go down in price ($24 for a Compton light is an absolute rip off) then they will serve a purpose, but in the current market there are too many poor quality led globes being made that give out less light output and don't last anywhere near their alleged life span

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

Led lights are definitely more efficient but you would have to have to light running for 3 years straight to notice a difference on your bill mate.

As mentioned above, anything that produces heat (hot water system, cook top, oven etc) is the cause for larger bills. When LEDs go down in price ($24 for a Compton light is an absolute rip off) then they will serve a purpose, but in the current market there are too many poor quality led globes being made that give out less light output and don't last anywhere near their alleged life span

Ye I get ya.... Well i'm still not sure about solar then....8k is allotta doh?

[Lotte]

Yep, LED lightbulbs are cheaper than solar panels. They won't save you much though (they'll pay for themselves sure).

8k is a lot, and yeah you need to have a battery pack installed (or three depending on the packs), it was my impression this was standard (this is how we had to design them at uni when I did remote area power supply subjects, but that could have been because we were doing off the grid designs). It's all in the maths, what's your current cost, how long will the system last, and how much will you save.
When I buy I'll be looking for something with solar installed, and if it hasn't been, I'll be getting it installed as a priority.

[GASWAGON]

It all adds up and every bit counts..... Go LED's!

[zilo]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Just been to Middy's electrical supplies talking about solar power systems.... Basically the salesman has turned me off it because he says that if I am not home during the day using the power off the panels directly, then there is no savings to be had.... The only way to store the power made from the panels is using a battery pack but those presently cost around 20K.... Only business's can benefit from solar because they use the power being made through the whole day.

A much cheaper option is to change all the light bulbs in the house or at least the ones that are used the most to LED bulbs....I just bought a couple of large screw in types for $24 each and they last 30,000 hrs...

Much cheaper than blowing 8.5k on a solar system that wont really save me much!

Are you for real with this thread title matey?

I can get a 200w solar panel for $190.

For $8k I can get 8kw of panels making about 30-60kw a day depending on the season....without govt rebates.

You really should do some research before posting threads like this one.

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by zilo

Are you for real with this thread title matey?

I can get a 200w solar panel for $190.

For $8k I can get 8kw of panels making about 30-60kw a day depending on the season....without govt rebates.

You really should do some research before posting threads like this one.

Well, the salesman reckons if you are NOT at home during the day it is a waste of time and money.... You GOTTA have battery packs to store the energy???

[zilo]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Well, the salesman reckons if you are NOT at home during the day it is a waste of time and money.... You GOTTA have battery packs to store the energy???

mate...the peak rate lasts till 11pm....any excess power makes your meter run in reverse till you need it again.


The grid is your battery pack......kapeesh????

Power that panels generate offsets power from the time you get home till you go to bed.

I can't explain it any simpler than that.

But some life skills advice?...you need to stop making friends with Middys salesman who are intent on selling you overpriced bulbs and talking sh it.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by zilo

mate...the peak rate lasts till 11pm....any excess power makes your meter run in reverse till you need it again.


The grid is your battery pack......kapeesh????

Power that panels generate offsets power from the time you get home till you go to bed.

I can't explain it any simpler than that.

But some life skills advice?...you need to stop making friends with Middys salesman who are intent on selling you overpriced bulbs and talking sh it.

So are you saying the battery thing isn't necessary then? They look expensive that's for sure.

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

So are you saying the battery thing isn't necessary then? They look expensive that's for sure.

Only if you want to get off the grid entirely.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

So are you saying the battery thing isn't necessary then? They look expensive that's for sure.

Answer to your question is that if you are currently connected to the grid...


YOU DO NOT NEED ANY BATTERIES WHATSOEVER.

[AndyXR6T]

Originally Posted by zilo

But some life skills advice?...you need to stop making friends with Middys salesman who are intent on selling you overpriced bulbs and talking sh it.

Couldn't agree more. The amount of clueless knobs at electrical wholesalers and lighting shops is scary. These people don't know their products any better than a car salesmen tries to tell you how well he knows a used vechile.

If I were you I would take back to LED bulbs and buy some standard energy saving fluorescent globes. They will do the exact same thing for a fraction of the price and you will profit $20 per a globe

[ute83]

Originally Posted by zilo

Are you for real with this thread title matey?

I can get a 200w solar panel for $190.

For $8k I can get 8kw of panels making about 30-60kw a day depending on the season....without govt rebates.

You really should do some research before posting threads like this one.

You do realise that there is more to a solar system than just the panels.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by ute83

You do realise that there is more to a solar system than just the panels.

Is the Pope catholic?
Does a 1 legged duck swim in circles?

(I didn't want to confuse the lad, Middy's already did that bit)

[Road_Warrior]

Anyone able to provide more info about these battery systems?

[zilo]

Selectronics Pro systems.

Made in Australia......


http://www.selectronic.com.au/grid/

[hendrixhc]

The whole key to saving energy is to use as little as possible. If you switch to led lights or energy savers you will cut your bill by a nominal amount.

Solar will save you in 2 ways. 1) if you are using power while the system is generating you will be using less grid supplied power hence saving you. 2)If you are not using power while generating then you are exporting back to the grid reducing your billable total.

To make it worth while you would need a 2-3KW plus system to offset an average families usage.

battery banks only work via invertors to convert your dc voltage back to ac. You would need a significant bank to power a house for a nights usage. The solar cells would not be generating power to export to the grid but would be used to charge the cells.

You can only make money on solar so long as you have sun as well. I find with my system that it is inefficient on overcast days and hot days.

Was solar worth it? yes it has saved me a bit but no not really that much. I only have a 1.6KW system and only got it cause i had it installed for round $1950.

[xisled]

OK some things about LEDS.

Lighting in your home is about 10% of your power bill, you probally have around 15 to 20 globes in your house. So if you upgrade your lights to LED, you will be saving X amount on 10% of your bill. Which means nothing as you have just spent $24 each on a LED globe's. Probably save less than $5 a year as you have only got a couple of globes.

Now for the solar. Yes you get the most out of it by using your power during the day, but even if you are not home, solar can still save on your bill. You still have items running during the day when you aren’t home, such as a fridge/freezer, items on Standby etc. Also if you do not use power during the day and you put it back into the grid you will get a buy back. Even a buyback of 8 cents per Kwh will net you more money back than the LED Globes will save you.

[GASWAGON]

O.k well at least I only bought two globes then......Thanks for all the info guys because I wasn't sure about what to do with my power bills as they have gone up 50% in the last three years....I will DEFINATELY be looking at a 5-6kw solar system in a few months time when I get some money together.

[rog xc]

Originally Posted by EF_6

O.k well at least I only bought two globes then......Thanks for all the info guys because I wasn't sure about what to do with my power bills as they have gone up 50% in the last three years....I will DEFINATELY be looking at a 5-6kw solar system in a few months time when I get some money together.

Depending on where you live, you could also do wind power.. run in tandem with a solar setup.

[FGII-XR6]

wind power is the worst kind of alternative energy, apart from being noisy and annoying neighbours it only works when there is wind . the greenies rave about how good wind farms are but they can never be used to replace base load power stations.
In Sydney to show how "green " it was they put in wind power for the desalination plant, but where the demand for power is huge and constant the power supplied by the "offsetting wind power" is intermittent and unreliable meaning the desal plant still needs to rely on base load power. bearing in mind that base load generators are normally coal fired and can't be quickly turned on and off the wind power is hardly a good example of green energy. another con by the loony left

Originally Posted by rog xc

Depending on where you live, you could also do wind power.. run in tandem with a solar setup.