Christian & Alex, Dee Why
October 2022
Installer – SCE Solar (“Smooth”)
What was installed?
30 panels – 405 watt
REC PureR SolarEdge Optimizers and inverters
2 Tesla PowerWalls
iStore hot water
Daikin heating aircon
Miele induction in Aug 2023 – get off gas
Selection Process
Got several quotes via manufacturers’ links and three via SolarQuotes’s “Top Quality” option. We knew winter & shading would be a challenge: SCE’s calculations were the most conservative and the most detailed. They were also the only ones to go up my roof before quoting, and could fit all the equipment in a better location.
They had Tesla batteries in stock! And offered to piggyback 2 units — much better wall space.
Reason for Selection
We wanted to bet against inflation, and hand over cash to a local tradie, not a faceless coal & gas mining company. Mostly we needed to stop any more blackouts — and you can't use your solar in a blackout without a battery. We chose the highest-performing panels based on hailstone ratings + an annual performance drop < 0.25%.
Outcome
Alex was surprised, impressed how good this brand of panel turned out it looks!
Our goal was at least 100% self-consumption from July to May, but we were surprised that with wholesale electricity — automatic buy & sell from the app of our retailer, Amber Energy — our net cost is negative: $2-3 daily profit in summer (peak prices 7-8pm) and even more surprising, $1-2 every night in winter (peak prices 5-6pm).
What I would do differently
Sign up for AusGrid’s “two-way tariff” on day 1.
Get the 2023 Tesla price drops. On installation day, SCE offered to use spare solar panels to fill my last roof, facing slightly south. I will always need more solar in winter, and panels are the least expensive components in the system.
