Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

I was asked in a PM what progress I had made in installing solar power. In case anyone else is interested, I will answer this in the open forum.

The short answer is no progress was made. After extensive research I concluded generating electricity via solar power was not viable for me. Reasons, inter alia, were

1. Cost
2. Climatic Conditions

Cost
The kit is too expensive. In the West (UK, Europe & Aus.) government grants are available to offset the capital cost. Also, you can sell excess power back to the national grid. Not so in Indonesia.

Climatic Conditions
My land is on an east-facing ridge in the foothills of Agung. I have a few hundred large, mature trees. I get strong direct sun from 07.30 - 11.00 but it is lost in the tree canopy after 11.00.
Also, during the last rainy season my part of Bali had long periods (5+ days) of unbroken grey clouds due, probably, to the proximity to Mts Agung, Lempuyang & Seraya. I was told that, in such times, you merely switch off the a/c, don't use the washing machine etc.
I was also told that I should have a connection to PLN to back up any solar power system which, to my mind, rather negated the whole process. So, Tidak! - not for me.

For others in Bali, generating electricity via solar power MAY work

1. If you want to augment what you take from PLN
2. If you live in some barren and sunny place like the Bukit, untroubled by those silly things such as trees
3. If you want to make an eco-statement unrelated to economic rationale

The above should not be confused with the concept of solar-powered water heating, a different kettle of fish all together. This is eminently viable and is something I will be incorporating into my house design.

Finally, there was a discussion here a while ago about new connections to PLN. I have a some new info to contribute which I will add to the original post/topic.

Vincent, thanks for the info, much appreciated. I'm all for new energy technologies but in Bali it seems the premium is just too high. There does seem to be a lot going on around the world now in solar cell development and the cost is coming down.

It's no wonder that electricity is expensive in Indonesia since the majority is generated using oil and it looks like they are is planning on building nuclear reactors. What other choice do they have?

I mentioned in a previous string that it would be great if all the motorbikes ran on hydrogen. As Bert pointed out it's unlikely that Bali is in a position to be at the cutting edge.

Thanks Vincent, that was my q!

I'm in the planning stages of a very small development and my interest is two fold; using renewable non polluting power & getting off the grid for political reasons. Price and praticality will determine if I go that route.

My plans are for a system to serve multiple users, who by design will have low energy demands. So far it appears I will be able to spread the cost out a bit. Reliability is the bigger issue however, although there are top quality German products available in S'pore.

My political reasons, besides environmental, are simply due to frustration with PLN policy.

FYI - I had an R3/7,700 service installed this spring in Pererenan with no flat rate, monthly service @ 263.000 per and KWH @ 621 per. My option for more power was the before mentioned 33,000 (get real!) for 5+ juta per month

monthly service @ 263.000 per and KWH @ 621 per.

That seems incredibly cheap especially since it is generated using oil. In Melbourne, for example, the price per KWH in IDR is 1090. And that's generated using brown coal which is dug out of the ground and shovelled straight into a steam turbine system.

I agree Allen, however on the receipts it's plainly spelled out. In fact the rate for 4400 service where I live is 133.760 per month and just 560 per KWH. However it also says I've been averaging 700 - 800 KWH per month which strikes me as obscenely high for my demand but so far anyone questioned has answered with the classic blank stare .

Prior to my next project I will consult with a qualified local engineer - will report back............

A shop called Blitek in Jl Petitenget sells solar power kit etc. (Just after KDT & Hu’u, rhs if coming from Kuta).
PT SLATS and CV Bli Tek
Jl Petitenget 882, Oberoi, Badung, Bali 80361

perhaps start really small. Solar garden lights can be brought over from the west. Solar cellphone chargers,solar radio,solar mozzie repellants,solar fans ,solar flashlights (i have used all of these while in bali)The power goes out so often its handy to have.

There are even solar cooking units,great for the more isolated areas of bali. The solar water heaterbag,for those that want hotwater from the sun also great for verry remote areas. and of course solar portable generators..............