This morning the solar kit arrived after numerous delays with Friday the driver refusing to help off load as he is a driver. I left someone to help off load and the driver said "where is the crew?" lol. This is what happens when you give staff job titles and why you end up needing double the staff.
I made sure the crew who are doing the solar installation were on had this morning to off load and check what is being delivered is what matches the invoice. I am clueless with this stuff and would rather those that knew were here to double check.
What was interesting to see is my handyman had another quote for more than what I paid but for way less kwh. Only 1 battery (5kwh) and a inverter (10kwh) offering half what my system offers. People are being ripped off and why I would rather let those that work with the solar be involved throughout the purchasing process. It looks like this system by the time it is installed will be close to 50% cheaper doing it this way. I am no climate change or thinking green person, but more about on a financial view point this is a must do.
I basically have 2 teams working on this later next week or this week for the simple reason I am including the person who signs of the certificate of compliance known as a COC. This way I know this will be installed correctly and at the same time be compliant. This may cost me an extra $500, but the installation should also be quicker.
The person who does the COC is the same guy who installed a friends solar system who has a factory totally off the grid. My friend said the work done was first class and highly recommended him so it was an easy decision knowing he knows what he is doing. My handy man has done a few solar conversions, but I had the worry that he may be learning on the job and this time he is more of a hired hand.
The panels were upgraded as the supplier found a few scratches on the 460w he was sending and they only had a bigger 560w panel in stock so I did score a little. In the end we have 24 560 w solar panels and 4 5.1 Kwh batteries which I may need one more. We have a 16 kwh inverter and again if I need another 8 Kwh I will just buy one and add to the system. I have been reassured we are over specced for what we require, but they do not know my family.
This is an investment that is worthwhile knowing that we will have no more load shedding which we have put up with for the last 10 years. last year was the worst we have ever experienced with literally every day having multiple power cuts between 2 and 8 hours. Cable theft is also an issue so even if the electricity becomes stable again there are no guarantees.
This is excluding the cost of electricity which is rising at an alarming rate and unbelievable to think the cost of this entire installation would be recovered within less than 36 months. There are discussions happening that electricity prices will rise next year between 35 and 40% which would mean this investment would be recovered in less than 30 months.