I have been grumbling about my huge mistake in getting solar panels five months ago since I realised in mid December that I would have to do all the Kafkasque legwork to get them added to my meter and count towards my bill (by Kafkasque, I am referring to Kafka’s novel The Trial, which is about an existentially absurd inquisitorial bureaucracy).
Overnight, AGL emailed me to confirm, in a roundabout way, that the meter has been reconfigured and that the panels are now generating power towards my account. Huzzah! Finally. Two cheers for my solar panels finally working!
The notice also told me that this meant my plan was being adjusted and would result in an additional estimated $921 per annum on my electricity bill unless I changed to a different plan related to the panels.
That alternative plan could save me an estimated $197 per annum over what I had before.
Hmmm… if I had left the $4700 in my bonus saver account with my bank, it would be earning 4.65% per annum, $218.55 (uncompounded).
So in effect, those solar panels are, in terms of opportunity cost, causing me to lose $21.55 per year.
Plus the capital itself has been badly invested, and is sitting on my roof as an added load (the girlfriend of a close friend had the roof of her much newer house cave in a while ago thanks to solar panels).
And I have had well over three months of aggravation in trying to sort things out with the cowboy installation company, the electricity supplier, and the electricity retailer.
To borrow from Paul Kelly’s anthemic song, I’ve done all the dumb things. But getting solar panels might be the dumbest decision I have made in a jolly long time.
Lost For Words! 