Here are the answers to the common questions we get asked about solar.
If you have any questions that are not covered in our FAQs or need expert advice, please get in touch by filling out our contact form or call 02 5633 9411.
What equipment do I need to go with my solar panels?
On grid solar systems help to supply your power and offset your electricity costs, however if the grid goes down and your home is in a black out, unless you have a battery and change-over system installed your solar panels won’t be able to give you any power either.
What size solar system should I buy?
As a general rule a 6.6kw system would be ample for electricity bills up to around $750/quarter; for $750 to $1200/quarter you would look for between 6.6kw and 10kw; for bills above $1200/quarter you would be looking at a 10kw to 12kw system.
The best return on your investment is if you can utilise your solar power yourself when it is being made, as this offsets the full price of electricity you would have otherwise had to purchase. If you’re not home to use the power your excess power will be sold to the grid at an agreed price from your electricity provider (OriginEenergy, AGL, Red Energy, etc.) This resale price is always less than what you buy your power for.
How much does it cost to get solar panels installed?
The cost for the system will vary depending on the installation and brands of equipment used.
For a mid-range system with a minimum 10 year life expectancy, you should expect to pay around $750/kilowatt, so for a 6.6kw system around $5,000.
Contact us with your requirements and we can email you a suggested layout and estimate of how much solar would save you on your home.
Are there government solar rebates available?
Yes! In order to promote the use of solar energy, the government does provide a rebate for the installation of house solar panels, and there are also interest-free loans available for solar battery installations.
Can I run my house on solar power alone?
The short answer is YES. However, power use is dynamic and not everybody has the same habits and patterns, so it is important to get some professional advice to ensure the design of the system is right for you and that your expectations are inline with how the system will perform. There are a number of components to an off grid system which need to be considered, including solar panel size and layout, battery capacity and chemistry, inverter sizes and solar charger types and ratings.
How long does it take to install a solar system?
The majority of residential solar panel installations take only one day to complete. From the time you confirm your system to the time it is installed, the procedure will usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
What are some points to keep in mind?
All solar systems will pay for themselves over time, and give you a return on your investment. The return will always be better if you can use the power yourself; have a look at a CATCH Power device for your hot water unit as a good cheap alternative option to a battery.
You may be limited on how much power you can send back to grid by the electricity network. In general, 5kws in urban areas and 3kws in rural areas is all that is allowed. So a 10kw system on a 3kw export limit is going to be a waste of money if you can’t utilise the power when you are making it during the day.
How do solar battery systems work?
Solar Battery systems are constantly charging and discharging whenever the sun is shining, which helps to maximise the self-consumption of your solar. Your battery system will continually monitor how much power your using in your house and do its best to minimise and power being used from the grid, it also still lets you sell your excess power to the grid. All while giving you the confidence of having power even when the grid goes down.
Can I add on a battery to my existing panels?
Yes! Talk to our solar technicians about your existing setup and we’ll provide the best option for your home.
How does the Tesla Powerwall Battery work?
What is a stand-alone solar system?
A stand-alone solar system, or off-grid solar system, is essentially its own power network separate from the grid. With a stand-alone solar system, you are your own self sufficient island. This type of system can be installed anywhere, from caravans, cars and campers to remote and rural properties, farms, permanent living or weekenders. You can make the choice to be off the grid no matter where you live, even in the middle of a city.
You can also choose to connect your ‘island’ to the grid if connection is available and on-sell your extra power to the grid.
What is needed for an off-grid solar system?
There is no one size fits all off-grid system, and the equipment will vary depending on your needs and budget. A very basic system will include a battery, a solar panel, an inverter and a charge controller. More complicated systems may also include multimode inverters, string inverters and wind or hydro generation. We also highly recommend all systems include a backup generator.
What is the cost of an off-grid solar system?
It is important to note that all off-grid systems are a limited power source, regardless of whether you spend $1000 or $100,000. If you don’t operate the system as it’s designed, it will stop delivering you power, so it’s important to get expert advice on what you need right from the start.
Call us today for more information on our off the grid solar system packages.
