Current Rebates Available

On the 1st of January this year, the NSW State Government introduced a state wide feed in tariff for all solar powered homes connected to the grid. This means all solar grid connect customers are now entitled to receive a premium rate of 60 cents for every single KWh their solar power system produces. We are excited to inform you that this will result in a substantial reduction in the initial payback period for a grid connect system. Rather than the former payback period of 25 years for a solar system, most customers will now recover their initial expenses within 5 years! This is very welcoming news for all NSW solar customers, the solar industry as a whole and of course the environment. Information on the new feed in tariff can be found  - HERE

In addition to this gross feed in tariff, the Federal Government already has in place the Solar Credits Scheme which entitles solar power custmers to a 5 x multiplyer for their RECs (renewable energy certificates) for up to 1.5KW installed. Information on this program can be viewed at the following link - HERE

Questions to Ask

For recommended questions to ask when obtaining a quote for a Grid Connect Power System please click on - HERE

Packages Available

For SUNTECH Small Grid Connect Systems Options Click HERE

For SUNTECH Large Grid Connect Systems Options Click HERE

For BP Grid Connect Systems Options Click HERE

General Information

HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK?
1. What is the difference between solar panels (power) and solar hot water?
Solar panels take light from the sun and make electricity. Solar hot water systems take heat from the sun and heat water. It is easy to remember:
* Heat from the sun heats the water.
* Light from the sun turns on the lights.

2. How do solar power systems work?
Solar power systems convert the energy from sunlight into direct current (d.c.) electricity. An inverter then converts this
direct current to alternating current (a.c.), to make it compatible with grid electricity. Solar power systems should be oriented to the North and tilted in order to generate as much electricity from the sun as possible.

3. Why use solar power?
*It is quiet, clean and reduces electricity bills. (Especially as electricity prices increase)
*It avoids the impacts of fossil fuel power stations such as greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.
* It can add value to your house, and make an interesting and unique architectural feature.

4. If I have solar panels, does that mean I will not have electricity when it is dark, cloudy or raining?
Solar panels do need light to produce electricity. However, the electricity can be stored in the cables on the street. Therefore, there will always be extra electricity if you need it.

5. Will my solar panels make power during blackouts/power surges?
If you have a grid-connected system your power will go out in a blackout, as your system inverter automatically disconnects the electricity supply to prevent electrocution. When this happens, you can not get your electricity back out of the cables, and you can not put any more in.

6. How reflective are solar panels?
Solar panels are designed to absorb as much light as possible to generate the maximum amount of electricity. Therefore the materials typically have no or low reflectivity.

INSTALLING A SYSTEM
7. How many solar panels do I need to run my house?
This depends on how much power you use. The average Australian home consumes about 7,400 kWh of electricity each year and this would need about 30 - 40 panels (which would take up a lot of roof space). However, most Australians can dramatically cut their energy use by being Energy Smart and would require a much smaller more affordable system.
Also, you do not need to install enough panels to power the whole house if you live on grid electricity. You could, for instance, buy as many panels as you can afford (and add on later), and buy Green Power for the rest.
A typical rooftop solar power system (1.2 kW) has an area of about 7.6 square metres (approximately 12 x 80 watt panels) and generates around 1,600 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. This is enough to power:
* 5 compact fluorescent light bulbs
* A 4-star 250L refrigerator, a 4-star top loading washing machine
* A stereo
* A medium sized television
Remember, you will always have your battery storage or the electricity grid there if you need extra electricity.

8. Do I need permission from the electricity supplier before I install solar panels?
Yes. Electricity suppliers are not obliged to connect your system to the grid. Before you purchase a grid-connected solar power system, make sure you check with your local electricity supplier about connection and metering arrangements.

9. Do I need home building insurance to install?
No, but Home and Contents insurance is a good idea if you have solar panels. As with all major household purchases, make sure that your solar power system is included.

10. What if my roof does not face north?
North-facing roofs are ideal for solar power. If your roof faces east/west, then the option of a ground mount array or a tracking system can be used (tracking systems increase the amount of power generated each day).

11. How long will the panels last?
Generally, systems last 30 years since the waterproof seals on the panels tend to deteriorate over time.

12. If I move home, can I take the solar panels with me?
You could take your solar power system down and re-install it at your new house provided the roof of the new house is suitable.
Or, you could include it in the selling price of your house.

COST
14. Is solar power more expensive that conventional electricity?
At the moment it is. The current market for solar power in NSW is small and therefore the price compared to coal-fired electricity is high. The average payback period for a grid connected system is approximately 5 years considering the feed in tariff. System pricing is available upon request.

16. Is it more expensive to fit an old house than buying a system for a new house?
The cost would be about the same if the roofs were the same shape. If you are building a new house you can make sure the roof is optimally shaped and oriented for solar power. If you are building a new house, the relative cost of the solar panels compared to the overall cost of the house will be small.

17. If I make more energy that I use, do I get money from my electricity retailer?
It depends on each electricity retailer. Some may offer a credit for energy excess energy you produce. Ask your energy retailer what is available.

MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY
18. Will solar panels damage my roof structure?
Your roof has been designed to carry a lot of weight and most roofs will hold panels without need for reinforcement. Solar panels can be heavy and are attached to the rafters of the house so that the load is ultimately borne by the roof structure not the roof material(e.g. tiles). A solar installer will design your solar power system to take account of the roof structure. Solar panels are placed over the top of any roof penetrations, and all penetrations can be waterproofed so the roof will not leak.

19. Are they easily maintained?
Yes. Solar panels are designed so that they need little maintenance. Dust typically reduces output by 5% but since solar panels are sloped, the rain keeps them clean. You will just need to hose them down after long periods of little rain.

20. Will my solar panels survive a hailstorm?
Yes. Solar panels are made of tough laminated glass and are generally indestructible. They are also sloped so hail slides off.

SOLAR POWER TECHNOLOGY
21. Do solar panels produce enough energy to recoup the energy it took to make them?
Yes. Modern solar panels will make approximately enough electricity in 4 years to cover the amount of energy that was used in manufacture.

22. What is the environmental cost of making solar panels?
Making solar cells from silicon does use some toxic chemicals. However these are all contained and re-used, unlike the air pollution created by burning coal. Disposal can also be controlled.

MORE INFORMATION
Contact Our Office: (02) 4578 8808.