now no local SOLAR manufacturers

Hi Dio

Remember the Philips one well being first a design engineer then manager down there and after the Whitlam government did their 25% tariff reduction it slowly collapsed first by restricting model variations and slowly becoming unviable over some years.

11,000 employees went to 500.

Still everyone got cheaper tv sets and poorer performance that they never really noticed.

And the end result of BP's move will be less industry here and cheaper panels.

Yes Koshie, whilst I like the show it has to be said he's the most BIGOTTED, BIASED presenter I've ever seen, no its not a crime to support all things ozzie couldn't agree more, but when your wrong your wrong and he could NEVER admit that, he's an absolute twat,
sorry he gets right up my left nostril !!!
Dave

All that about tarrif reductions back in the 70's is history..dont dwell on it.
Howard's Gov't refused to acknowledge the potential for Solar.
So now we export our high grade silicon so we import the wafers at 100X price so a handfull of assemblers can put some panels together. Not a huge loss in the grand scheme of things so dont compare it with the Whitlam tarrif reductions. Its a policy issue of the intervening years and these are mainly John Howard's dig it up and ship it out approach.

This has nothing to do with the solar rebate - this is simply a manufacturer looking to build their product for the cheapest possible price. This company will still trade in Australia.

Garry

True, it doesn't have anything to do with the rebate. But cutting the solar rebate was still a stupid descision and gets up my nose too!!

Dave

My thoughts are that with no rebates, less consumers are buying solar equipment, therefore there's a smaller market for the manufacturer so they take action to keep their business profitable closing aussie operations...

MM

Sales for solar systems took a massive nose dive as soon as the Midnight Oiler dropped the bombshell

You are absolutely correct MH.

I was in retail for 10 years (boy I really miss it... NOT) and people would buy the cheapest stuff possible and then whinge if it broke.

Buy quality once, paying the appropriate price, and you will have it forever.

cheers

Cram,
You have to be joking don't you!!
Where is the panel you bought actually made ?

Compare these following relevant numbers to your purchase

80 Watt Specifications:
Max. Power: 80 Watt
Max. Power Voltage: 17.2 Volt
Max. Power current: 4.65 Amp

~$207 per Amp

This panel NOT made in Australia !
…………………………………………………..

80 Watt Specifications:
Max. Power: 80 Watt (Warranted minimum power 76 Watt)
Max. Power Voltage: 17.6 Volt
Max. Power Current: 4.55 Amp

~$154 per Amp

This panel is the BP Solar panel

Mainey . . .

The panel I purchased is not made in Australia. Ask Derek why he imports panels?

The figures you bandy around tell me diddly squat. What they may simply reflect is that the retailer is making more profit on what already is a cheaper item to produce.

It is a fact, if you bother to read factual information rather then listen to sensationalised TV that BP DOES NOT WANT TO MAKE PANELS IN AUSTRALIA.....

"The British energy group will shift its manufacturing operations offshore to lower costs."

http://business.smh.com.au/business/bp-shuts-sydney-solar-plant-20081118-69la.html

"Production of the solar panels will be shifted to "lowest cost manufacturing countries", BP Solar said. The company makes panels in India, China, the US and Spain."

"The company said lowering production costs would bring down the cost of solar power for consumers.

http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,24669280-31037,00.html

A 80watt BP Panel at Solar On Line is $735 with a quoted retail price on $902.

A 80watt panel at ABR is $695.00

Cram,
shows just how easy it is to change information on a website :))

Link to BP panel @ $699 or $154 per Watt

You say the numbers mean 'diddly squat' to you, I'm not sure if you refer to the price or the Solar panel performance numbers ?

Mainey . . .

I am not arguing with you about quality etc and I understand your point about keeping jobs local but from what I read and what I heard on the ABC radio BP does not seem interested in making panels in Australia.

At the end of the day its about their decision to make them in countries such as India. Whether the product remains the same will be up to them but what is certain is that they are after profit and will go whereever they can to get it.

The figures you gave don't seem to be much different in terms of output. Just for my information how did you work out the $$ price. What I can draw from your figures and your link is that if you shop around you can find the BP panel cheaper again highlighting the mark up that must be on the panels in the first instance.

As I said I have no argument with your sentiments but the way I hear it and read it BP is happy to walk out of manufacturing in this country. They won't be the first and unfortunately won't be the last.

For the record I purchased a 100 watt fold out panel. The reason I chose the one I did in comparison to a BP was that overall it was cheaper, in that I got leads, regulator etc with the panel. Also I trust Derek and was satisfied with his assurances of reliability etc of the panel he was selling.

Anyway an interesting topic and interesting replies as is always the case on Exploreoz!

Cram,
you ask: "Just for my information how did you work out the $$ price"

The present (10.30am WA time) price on the net is $1195 for the 100 Watt bi-fold panel system, it works out at $206 per Amp.

Funny how the 80 Watt I quoted yesterday worked out at similar price per Amp ($207)

Work it out-> $ / Amps = price per Amp

Mainey . . .

You can't really compare the 100watt out from the quoted price as it is not just the panel that price includes regulator cables, anderson plugs etc.

You can quote retail prices till the cows come home. That is the cost to us. What BP is interested is bottom line so unless you know the exact $$ cost of manufacture the figures give no indication of BP's agenda.

What your figures show is the mark up on these panels and the fact that they will be sold for an inflated price no matter what the cost of manufacturing is.

Damn right Jim
Academy awards: It's for people who are good at their job. Where is the red carpet for all the doctors ,nurses ,teachers, policemen,firemen the list goes on
Stuart

Personally, I am not a fan of David Koch, but to call him a " boring no talent fool" is totally unfounded: ..............

Koch founded Personal Investment magazine and My Business magazine, the largest-circulation small business magazine in Australia. He also provides business and financial commentary for several publications, including Pacific Magazines and AFR Investor. He was formerly associated with Palamedia, a media organisation devoted to business and financial news.

Koch was a director of the NSW Small Business Development Corporation for eight years after its inception in 1996. As a former business owner and operator and now director of Pinstripe Media Pty Ltd, David speaks regularly at corporate events about small business, finance and investment issues.

just a quick note
I wasn't having a go at 'kochie'
just passing on relevant information
but I'm sure you already know that :))

Mainey . . .

Fair call Shaker, but I was referring to his job as a TV presenter.

I find him to be an interminable bore. He thinks he some kind of of comedian. I reckon he's about as funny as a fart in an elevator. Perhaps he should stick to what he knows.

Cheers,

Jim.

Good advice Jim,

stick to making boxes for the back of cars,

give up on being a social commentator. Give your poison pen a rest.

Gotta get a new set top box then, abc2 is quite good, nearly worth the $70, scrapheap challenge was a good show too.

MC