topic Re: Adding to existing solar panels in Solar, Batteries & Electrification

Adding to existing solar panels

Robyn8 — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 04:20:47 GMT

I have 8 solar panels - which is all I could afford at the time, and have a large 4 bedroom, 2 lounge room house. I am locked in to the 57 cent feed in tariff - can I add more solar panels without losing this rate? I was advised by an Alinta sales person that this tariff is a government set tariff NOT an AGL tariff, so AGL can not take this tariff off me. Alinta also advised they would match this tariff and it would not change if I added more panels.

Re: Adding to existing solar panels

jayden_AGL — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 22:42:05 GMT

Hi Robyn,

Welcome to the AGL Community!

It sounds like you're receiving the 44c Feed-in Tariff from the QLD government, and then receiving an additional amount on top of this from AGL. If you make any changes to your system, the QLD government will revoke this 44c rebate. This can be confirmed on Energex's website here:

"...If you increase the capacity of your inverter than that originally approved on your network connection contract, you will no longer be eligible for the 44 cent feed-in tariff under the conditions of the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme."

Please let me know if you have any further questions!

Kind regards,

Jayden

Re: Adding to existing solar panels

ZZ — Mon, 27 May 2019 08:28:20 GMT

I have read and re-read the following
* Energex webpage https://www.energex.com.au/home/our-services/connections/business/connect-solar/queensland-government-solar-bonus-scheme
* Qld DNRM document on Solar Bonus Scheme https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1379678/solar-bonus-scheme.pdf
* Qld government webpage https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/energy-water-home/solar/feed-in-tariffs/solar-bonus-scheme-44c

and they all say:
* keep the same solar panels OR ensure you replace any component with a like-for-like part
* keep the same solar system inverter for the solar panels (turns DC into AC) OR ensure you replace any component with a like-for-like part

And on the question of adding a battery:-

check with your electricity distributor before adding extra panels, systems or batteries – you can add solar panels to your system to increase your system size up to the size of your inverter (your system must comply with the relevant Australian Standards)
replace your inverter with one of the same, or smaller size
only use alternative sources of energy (e.g. other generators or batteries) when the system receiving the 44 cent feed-in tariff is not operating (i.e. at night or during blackouts), or arrange for a separate connection for additional generators or batteries.