Im pretty happy at the moment, got a 2.7kw system installed 3 months ago and just got our first full bill of 63 days, $12.90 
Yeah I am pretty happy, also that was during the one of the hottest summers in Perth so the A/C would be on from about 11am to 9pm if we were home, 3 ceiling fans running all day and night and usual appliances.
We by a unit at about 20c and push a unit back ito the grid at 47c, hope others can benifit from the sun.
One thing, try to get a system that meets half of your energy needs, I know the government has put a hold on the rebate at the moment but if it comes around again jump on the band wagon!
Stoked GT 
How long until you will break even?
Did you work out the costs benefits of paying off your mortgage faster? It's seems like such a massive initial outlay. I spend about $120 bi monthly but have no air con...it's Perth who needs air con really? it's not Port hedland. Maybe 3 nights this year I thought air con would be nice but I survived.
I meet all these people who think they are killing it with Solar panels, please correct me if I'm wrong. I haven't looked into it as I prefer my money in the bank or smashing my mortgage.
My first bill was a credit of $115, 2kw system, over 3 months over xmas with at least one visitor for 2 of the months.
Initial outlay $6g. Will pay for itself in less than 5.
No more bills for power, ambulance cover inc in QLD power bills.
I like the idea of not having ongoing bills.
I live in a unit and we are looking at getting a solar electric system set up for the strata. That way it will be fair for both owner occupiers and landlords. The system will be set up on the house power and will be credited as the house power powers a few lights a few minutes a day.
One real issue is the crappy feed in tariff now on offer in NSW. Its only 20 cents a KW. The other issue is the rising value of the Aussie dollar plus what should be the reduced cost of solar panels and equipment due to economies of scale plus competition. On the other hand from what I've read the RECs are going down in value soon so it probably all evens out in the end.
What is really fantastic though is having a little power station on the roof. I think its great. If I was living back on the farm I'd do this plus make/collect my own oil and run my diesel van on it. Self sufficiency is the way to go.
My parents have a 1.5 KW system with the 60 cent/KW feed in tariff and they get a credit with their power. My sister is getting a 2.5 KW system and will be worse off with the 20 cent/KW feed in tariff.
No worries mate,
Put it on the mortgage so no real impact over 25 years, with the cost of electricity going up our calculations came in at about 4 to 4.5 years, our bill is anywhere from $180 to $260 depending.
We live far from the coast and the sea breeze works when its on but otherwise a/c is on, we only put the a/c on when it gets to 29c in summer and that setting is at 26c.
Im not sure how people are killing it as you say, Im happy to just break even or pay a little and am very happy so far.I see your point though re paying off the mortgage but I have a mate who works at Synergy and the predictions for increase in cost of power are scary.
I will be honest, it is also a nice feeling knowing that we have reduced our carbon footprint a bit and I am hoping when my son gets older and when the environmental studies at school start he will appreciate what we are doing by example.
We dont run a/c at night only fans and we have a bloody big house with only 1 ac, we have gone old school and installed ceiling fans as they are cheaper and do a good enough job, no need for an ac in every roon of a house.
Cheers GT
Irony,
Captital gains tax applies to income generated but not credits?
Silly really!
How long do the panels last??
I heard that if you get 8 years out of them, you have done well.
Solar hot water systems are on roofs that are at least 25 years old and still work, it's the tank that fails before the panels do
I was told to expect a 10 to 15% degredation over 20 years, worst case.
I can deal with that.
GT
We got 1.1kw system installed few years back, cost us $2400 after rebates. Only get power bills in winter now,,, pretty cool. Will be selling soon and moving interstate so will go for a bigger system on east coast (panels should be cheaper once the rebates drop).
I havn't seen a brand of panel that isn't guarateed for 25yrs.
There will always be knockers, but who cares. I'm the one that doesn't have to pay a power bill again, even if I have to replace the whole system in 10yrs I will be miles ahead.
I might have to look into getting some panels. Don't know what the missus was doing last quater but my power bill went from $220 to $540
I did the sums on the quote received and based on a 20 cent feed in tariff and maximum possible electricity generation it will take about 5 years to pay off the 1.5 kw system and over 10 years to pay off the 3.4KW system.
Its not worth getting solar electric systems set up in NSW now. A term deposit probably gives a better return.
Individually we may feel blessed with generous feed in tariff.
As a nation?
Somebody has to pay this 40c, 55c or 65c per kw and that is only we, customers.
There is no magic here and solar power is still 3x expensive than any other energy.
BTW I have also 1.5kW system on my roof that cancel at least half of my bill, but I am aware at least of this Ponzi Schema.
If that will be so easy imagine whole country will switch to solar next day. Everybody will get paid 40c and suck back at 20c electric juice.
Who cover the remaining 20c ?
We have had a 1kw system installed for almost 2 years now at a cost of almost $2000 after the rebate etc.
For the same period in 2009 with NO solar panels (cooler summer I think) our average daily consumption was the same as this year - 16 units. The cost then was 12.67c per unit and is now 18.9319c - 50% increase. Our aircon fan did a lot of work this year due to not much in the way of cooling coastal breezes at night.
Our rebate this bill was almost $25 
(about 12% rebated) which isn't a huge saving but then that isn't allowing for the offset during daylight when we are using solar.
In our case it is marginal but when the government puts up most of the cost of the system it makes it worthwhile.
Moral of the story is do your research and go bigger if you can - although our house is quite big it is 2 story and the north facing roof area is quite small and somewhat shaded a lot of the time so we could only put a 1kw system in.
(about 12% rebated) which isn't a huge saving but then that isn't allowing for the offset during daylight when we are using solar.
Latest news in NSW is the price of electricity is going up around 13% or so from July of this year and will go up another 11% next year.
So the electricity companies will be making money out those installations that are not on the 60 cent feed in tariff. Bit of a laugh. You will be selling electricity for about 20 cents a KWH but buying it for more.
(about 12% rebated) which isn't a huge saving but then that isn't allowing for the offset during daylight when we are using solar.
The more that knock and don't do it the better, they can keep paying the 24c difference in my solar credit for longer..
I did see that qld have garranteed 44c solar credit for the next 25yrs or so.
Mine makes more power than we use (2kw system) so we should be in credit for a lot of years to come.
AA batteries are cheap
I bought a business 2 years ago that was spending $3200 per month in electricity.
Now it's spending 6g per month.
These installation's are being subsidized by the network charges on your bill. The electricity price is not the real increase, it the network charges. Much of this is to achieve our international green CO2 targets...
