As you know, Kangaroo Island Council, including the Mayor, has been actively supporting ZEN Home Energy Systems as a supplier of government-subsidised electricity-producing solar panels.
To the de facto detriment of other competing suppliers. So what to make of it price-wise?
March 2012: prices have definitely come down compared to winter 2011. But it looks like Zen… is still charging some sort of “brand name” premium (ca 25-35%) on its installations on Kangaroo Island. We’ve been provided with quotes which show the following:
Zen… price for 10 x 190 W panels with a 1.9kW inverter: $ 5157 fitted.
For the same price ($ 5270) True Value Solar installs 16 panels with a 3 kW inverter.
Neweden Energy would provide an equivalent installation to Zen…, but for $ 4000.
According to an observer of the market who prefers to stay anonymous:
According to http://solarquotes.com.au/ the price of monocrystaline panels is now down around $1 per watt. The govt rebates have changed a bit, and will reduce again in July 2012, and feed-in tariffs have reduced (depending on which State you live in), and this has helped put pressure on bringing prices down also.
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Winter 2011:
True Value Solar installed kit consisting of 10x 190W CEEG SST 190-72m panels + 2kW Growatt inverter: all-inclusive total of AU$ 5’619.- (real costs)
ZEN Home Energy Systems for an equivalent system in terms of output, quality and warranty: quote was AU$ 8’100 — 44% more expensive.
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So…
Caveat emptor — Let the buyer beware…
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For the Council public meetings of 2012.04.11 and 2012.03.14, Councillor Ken Liu has submitted two sets of Questions on Notice about the unusual public support of Kangaroo Island Council for one supplier, to the detriment of the competition:
Council and ZEN Home Energy Systems – Cr Liu’s QoN 2012.04.11
See also 2011.06.08 QoNs by Councillor Liu about Council promoting a private venture, and Council’s answers.