Do you want your solar PV system to produce as much energy as possible? Increasing the array-to-inverter ratio, using a technique known as ‘maximising’, can help ensure you’re getting the most out of your system.

What is maximising?

Maximising is when you install a solar array that has the ability to generate more electricity than your inverter’s maximum output capacity. For example, you can pair a 6kW solar panel array with a 5kW inverter (assuming it is operating safely within the inverter's voltage parameters).

How does maximising work?

Firstly, it is important to understand how solar panels work during the course of a day and also over a 12-month period. It is very rare that you will achieve 3kW output from a 3kW solar array. This is because, in Australia, solar panels generally produce around 80% of their nominal output capacity in the middle of a summer day, and even less during a good day in other seasons. Remember too that this will reduce over the years as the panels degrade.

Along with seasonal differences that occur as a result of fewer daylight hours, your solar array’s output also depends on factors like:

• shade or dust on your panels
• humidity levels
• daily temperatures
• the pitch and orientation of your roof

Next, we need to look at how solar panels are actually rated. The system for determining a solar panel’s maximum output is measured using ‘Standard Test Conditions’. This involves directing 1000 watts per square metre of light at a perfectly perpendicular panel, in a temperature-controlled room ensuring a cell temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and free of loses from things like dust, cables and any degradation. As you can imagine, this is unlikely to occur in a residential setup unless you put some extremely expensive provisions in place. So, for this reason, the panels don’t produce their nominal output capacity in any real world scenario.

Maximise your inverter to increase your solar output

Solar panels generate DC electricity that your inverter turns into AC. Given the likelihood that a regular solar panel installation will only be producing around 50-80% of its maximum level, it makes sense to increase the capacity of your solar array to make up for the shortfall. (So, instead of connecting 5kW worth of panels to a 5kW inverter, we recommend you maximise it with 6kW worth of panels, to maximise the amount of energy your system can harness.)

Good quality inverters can accept more DC power than the maximum capacity of AC they are specified to output. Fronius will actually warrant up to double the DC capacity to AC maximum output, provided it’s done correctly. When maximised, they will increase the voltage and decrease the current of the DC electricity travelling from the solar array. This prevents the output from exceeding the maximum AC level the inverter was designed to handle. Remember as well, the inverter will allow slightly more power coming from the panels than its maximum AC output, which allows for conversion losses within the inverter.

Why is maximising beneficial?

As we’ve already touched on in a previous blog post, maximising your inverter is particularly beneficial, especially if you have panels on different roof orientations.

It is also handy if you have access to Time-Of-Use (TOU) tariffs, as you extend the number of hours your system is producing electricity to include periods when electricity is in high demand (such as later in the afternoon).

Financial benefits are probably greatest for new installs, as the price tag for panels continues to reduce and installation costs are offset by the increased productivity that comes with a larger solar array.

How can I maximise my inverter?

The first step in maximising your inverter is to contact a reputable solar company to inspect your specific needs. Every situation is different, so you need to seek advice from a qualified and experienced installer who can crunch the numbers and design a solar PV system that takes your details into account.

If you’d like to speak with a Solargain consultant about getting the most out of your inverter, you can reach us on 1300 73 93 55 or get in touch with us here.

Cell optimisers vs panel optimisers vs micro-inverters

Once upon a time, if you were installing solar panels on a home with an unusual roofline or shaded areas, you’d use micro-inverters to ensure your system was delivering as much energy as possible. Micro-inverters allow for panel level optimisation, which enables panels to be managed individually - ideal for these challenging installations. Even on roofs ideal for solar, the panel level optimisation in micro-inverters provide about 5% extra yield. However, now there are new and alternative technologies on the market that also enable panel level optimisation. These are power optimisers and cell optimisers.

When weighing up the best solar panel technology for your home, power optimisers and cell optimisers may be an option worth considering. They offer many of the benefits of micro-inverters and can have some other features in addition, including being more cost effective.

Here’s a quick overview of the differences between micro-inverters, panel optimisers and the exciting new revolutionary cell optimiser technology.

Micro-inverters

In a traditional solar PV system, solar panels on the roof convert the sun’s energy into DC electricity which is sent to a standalone solar inverter unit (often mounted on the garage wall). It converts the electricity into 240V AC power which can be exported onto the main grid or used to run appliances in the home.

In contrast, a small micro-inverter mounted on the back of each solar panel, converts the DC power into AC on the spot, making them safer to work with (as AC is considered safer than DC). This design means micro-inverters eliminate the need for a separate main inverter unit. They also do away with HD DC conduits between the panels and the inverter, reducing your installation costs. (These conduits are laboursome and therefore costly to install and are often visible, particularly in two-storey installations). Micro-inverters also enable you to utilise different roof orientations, as they’re not restricted by minimum and maximum string sizes like a traditional inverter.

Micro-inverter systems like the Enphase S Series, perform much better in shady conditions than traditional string inverters. The moment a single panel is shaded in a traditional set-up, the whole system’s productivity is reduced. Whereas, in a micro-inverter system, if one panel is shaded, the rest of the panels are not affected, meaning the unaffected ones will continue to produce electricity for your home.

The downside to this flexibility is the price tag. Micro-inverters are more expensive than traditional string inverter systems.

Panel Optimisers

Much like micro-inverters, panel optimisers are attached to the underside of individual solar panels. However, instead of converting DC power to AC, products such as the SolarEdge panel optimisers boost power output by ensuring each module is operating at its maximum power point (MPPT), regardless of shade or positioning.

While this technology works much differently to micro-inverters, it is similarly priced and achieves the design flexibility and superior shade management of micro-inverters. SolarEdge is a company that has been using this technology for a while, but now, companies manufacturing string inverters are allowing optimisers to be incorporated into their systems. SMA are an example of this, allowing the integration of Tigo optimisers into their string inverters.

These technologies are growing in popularity and, in some cases, more cost effective than micro-inverters. However, neither micro-inverters nor panel optimisers have achieved the benefits of panel level optimisation with the same cost effectiveness of our next technology – cell optimisers.

Cell Optimisers

Taking power optimisation to the next level, cell optimisers like the Jinko Maxim are solar panels with three Maxim chips embedded inside. Each solar panel is divided into three, meaning that partial shading or dust on one section of a panel, won’t affect the performance of other sections of the same panel (unlike panel optimisers).

Cell optimisers work by replacing the three bypass diode in the solar panels. Traditionally, these bypass diodes would allow a string of cells (20 of the 60 cells in a standard panel) to be bypassed in extreme shade or failure. While helping slightly, this doesn’t address the issue anywhere near as well like the other technologies mentioned in this article. By replacing the bypass diode with a Maxim chip, you have far fewer components compared with standard optimisers. Also, there’s three optimisers per panel, not one. This design makes them more reliable, higher performing and easier to install than other panel level optimiser technologies. In fact, cell optimisers are the least expensive of all three options we’ve discussed here.

Being inverter agnostic, Jinko Maxim cell optimisers can be retrofitted to existing systems making them readily accessible to everyone. Unlike some optimisers which only work with their own brand of inverter, Jinko Maxim cell optimisers are compatible with all brands. This is great if you have a preference for a particular brand of inverter or if you need to replace your inverter in the future. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your optimisers will work with whichever inverter you choose, regardless of the manufacturer.

Another benefit of Jinko Maxim cell optimisers is that they are suitable for partial deployment. For example, if only a few of your panels are affected by shade and if you don’t need to optimise the whole array, you can choose to install say, half Jinko Maxim panels (in the shade-affected areas) and half regular panels, saving you money along the way.

The only drawback with cell optimisers is the fact that they don’t support panel level monitoring. However, this only tends to affect people who want to compare individual panel output or measure losses due to shading.

And in breaking news…

We are happy to announce that Jinko Maxim Cell Optimisers have landed and are now available at Solargain! This solar panel has changed solar forever. Never before has a form of panel technology changed the way we think about solar installations quite like this. Shade management, multiple orientations, longer strings, better degradation handling – it’s all possible with Jinko Maxim Cell Optimisers. The best part is the price – it’s only fractionally more than our already competitive Jinko Eagle range.

Need more details?

If you’re interested in learning more about this exciting and revolutionary technology, get in touch with Solargain today by calling 1300 73 93 55 or by contacting us online.

Want to add more panels to your solar PV system? Here’s what you need to know.

On 9 October 2016, changes to AS4777.2:2015 (the Australian Standard for ‘Grid connection of energy systems via inverters - Inverter requirements’) took effect which are likely to influence your plans to upgrade your existing solar PV system.

What has changed?

Legislation regulating solar power installations (which is guided by AS4777.2:2015) now states that you will only be entitled to receive STC (small-scale technology certificate) discounts for new solar panels if you meet the following requirements:

• Your system needs to be installed in accordance with the new standards. Most installs prior to 2013, for example, won’t have the panels earthed, the DC cables are unlikely to be in conduit, and other standards won’t have been met.
• Your existing panels must have been tested for Fire Safety Class C. Check if your panels are on the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) approved list here.
• Your inverter must be on the CEC’s latest approved list, regardless of whether your inverter was CEC approved when you originally installed it. Check if your inverter is on the list here.

You can earn new STCs (small-scale technology certificates) by upgrading your system

The Clean Energy Council works closely with the organisations responsible for the safety and regulation of Australia's solar PV industry, including state electrical bodies, the Clean Energy Regulator (the Government body that regulates the solar industry) and Standards Australia (the organisation that sets the safety standards).

When the Australian standards were updated to improve the safety of solar PV installations across the country, the relevant laws (which determine how STCs are issued) were updated too.

The CEC isn’t responsible for updating the standards or for enforcing the legislation, it simply maintains the list of approved modules and inverters that meet Australian Standards.

What’s the best way to meet the new standards when upgrading my system?

The first thing you need to do is contact Solargain to arrange a health check of your existing system, regardless of when your system was originally installed. (You can book your health check here.) This will make sure your existing system is compliant before we start on your upgrades; otherwise, Solargain is legally obliged to rectify any non-compliance issues. (Although our experienced sales consultants can offer a lot of guidance on the best system for your needs, only an on-site visit from a Solargain technician can confirm whether your installation meets the new standards.)

While we understand that these regulations have made it difficult for customers wanting to upgrade, the current STC regulations allow new STCs to be created for customers who upgrade their systems with higher efficiency panels and inverters.

Solar panels are now approximately one tenth of the price they were five years ago, so Solargain can offer you a very competitive price when you decide to trade your old system in. By upgrading, you’ll get a chance to pick your size again, achieve better performance, a new warranty for your panels, inverter and workmanship, and have a new installation that meets the current standards.

When you trade your existing system in for a new one, we’ll happily remove and dispose of your old system free of charge. You can keep the original system if you like, although we’re required to decommission it and remove it from the roof. (In the case of particularly large systems, there may be an additional fee to remove it.)

Let us help

We understand how frustrating these changes are; however, we can help you make the most of the situation. Contact our customer service team on 1300 73 93 55 or fill in this quick form to upgrade today.

Are you still undecided about investing in solar PV panels for your home? If you’re put off by the cost involved, it’s time you had another look because solar panel prices are lower than ever before, meaning now is an excellent time to buy. The reason for this lies in China.

Background

In the first six months of 2016, China experienced a massive surge in the uptake of solar PV systems. In fact, the Chinese installed a whopping 20GW of new solar panels in that time. That’s triple the amount they installed in the first half of 2015.

What does 20GW of solar capacity equate to?

To put it into perspective:

• Australia currently has a total solar capacity of 5GW.
• Prior to this spike in the first half of 2016, China had a total solar capacity of 43GW.
• During the same period, the United States installed 4GW of solar panels, bringing their total solar capacity to 31GW.
• China has now overtaken the solar industry trailblazer, Germany, whose total solar capacity is just over 40GW, and slowing.

Why the massive increase in demand?

The boom in the Chinese market was driven by the fact that their residential feed-in tariff was scheduled to decrease from 30 June onwards. This prompted a rush among Chinese consumers to have their installation completed by that date.

In a scramble to keep up with China’s increased demand for solar panels, manufacturers built enormous factories, boosting production. With all of their attention focused on the Chinese market, manufacturers tended to overlook other markets around the world, meaning solar panel prices remained static for some time. Yet, once China’s feed-in tariffs dropped at the end of June, so too did their demand for solar panels. In fact, some data indicates that China’s appetite for solar panels has dropped by up to 80%!

What does this mean for us?

This is where Australian customers can benefit. This glut of excess solar panels has resulted in an oversupply issue, meaning prices are plummeting to lower than ever before. Australian customers can invest in great quality solar panels at incredibly attractive prices. It really is a buyer’s market.

Want to make sure you are securing the best of the bunch?

Having been in the solar industry for over 20 years, we are perfectly positioned to help you make the most of this situation. The experienced team at Solargain can help you secure the best possible price on your panels and can guide you to select a quality and reliable brand.

Give us a call on 1300 73 93 55 to find out more about how you can make the most of the current solar panel tidal wave today.

Overloading your system makes financial sense

As the cost of solar panels continues to decrease, so too has the cost of adding capacity to your solar PV system. By adding extra panels to your system when it is first installed, you are benefiting from increased production straight away and lower installation costs compared with adding the extra panels at a later date.

With panels facing multiple orientations, you can achieve even greater savings as your system is capable of producing more electricity over a longer period of time each day, pumping out power earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon compared with conventional set-ups. When you take into account time-of-use tariffs, you have the potential to save even more money as your system can produce more electricity at a time when it is most valuable.

With help from the experienced team from Solargain who’ll tailor a system to your requirements and will position your panels in the most productive location possible, you really can’t go wrong!

Adding 20% capacity equals the best bang for your buck

There are a whole swag of reasons why we recommend adding at least 20% more panel capacity to your system. If we use a 5kW inverter as an example and if we add 20% capacity, that’s another 1kW worth of panels. Here’s why this is such a great value system:

• The first 5kW worth of panels on a Q.PRO system with a Fronius Primo inverter is $6490, so $1298 per kW. If we add on another 20% (1kW), it’s only going to cost $800 more, which is nearly 40% less than each of the first 5kW. Such good value!
• Adding extra panels is not going to adversely affect a good quality inverter (like a Fronius or SMA). Fronius inverters are warranted to double the DC capacity (so the Primo 5 could handle up to 10kW if the Clean Energy Council would let us). Plus, as you’ll see in the first case study below, it’s never doing its rated work anyway.
• When you position your panels in an east/west orientation, you’re not going to get any clipping. Plus, having a nice array on the west will suit many families, as it is producing power later in the day when cooking appliances start up and kids come home from school.
• We really can’t recall many Solargain customers calling to say ‘we’ve put too many panels up, can you take some off’, however we’ve had plenty of people do the opposite, wishing they’d added extra panels at the start.
• Even if you feed all your extra power back onto the grid, at $800 for the extra kW, the payback of this kW is less than 7 years.

Proof this approach makes sense

The following case studies are real-world examples of how other Solargain customers are benefiting from this approach.

Case Study One – 5.3kW Q.PRO 265W system with 10 panels facing north and 10 panels facing west and a 5kW inverter.

This is a good example of overloading, but based on the data here, had these clients installed even more panels, their production would be even better.

Even in summer, you can clearly see that the inverter never reaches its maximum capacity. More panels could have been added and the inverter would have operated at maximum.

The western panels push the production out nice and late. Notice that, at 3pm in summer, it is still pumping out 4kW and, at 5pm, it’s pushing out 2.3kW. Great for families – but why not put on more!

By adding just one more kW, March production would have been perfect as it would have just touched 5kW without clipping and it would have produced till really late in the day.

Case Study Two – 6.36kW system with all panels facing north.

With a system this size, you’re always going to experience clipping in summer. However, had the clients considered adding even ten panels on the west, there would be next to no clipping outside of summer and more production later in the day.

Even in summer, the clipping would have been minimal and afternoon production would have been higher.

Case Study Three – 3.975kW system with eight panels facing east and 7 panels facing west with a 3kW inverter – PERFECTION!

This is a fantastic set up which has actually managed to achieve a 32% increase in capacity, yet because of the east/west orientation of the panels. Clipping has still been minimised and only occurs around the peak months (Nov, Dec and Jan).

Even if this system clipped for 60 days, 3 hours each for 300W (which is an extremely high assumption), that’s less than 60kWh per year, which is a tiny sacrifice, as the extra 900W capacity will generate over 1200kWh a year!

Look at how early this system starts producing – in summer, it’s awake at 6am pumping out 300W. Plus, it keeps working until late in the day, still producing 660W at 6pm.

Case Study Four – 6.36kW system with 11 panels facing north-east and 13 panels facing north-west.

The roof design on this house allowed us to make the best of ‘all’ worlds with north-east and north-west panel orientation. This set-up means the system can make an early start and late finish (although not quite as early and late as true east- and west-facing systems), while still only being 45 degrees off north. Had they chosen to favour the west a little more (say with 10 panels facing north-east and 14 panels facing north-west), they could have increased their production at a time when it’s needed most – later in the afternoon.

This is where Solargain’s design expertise really pays off

As you can tell from the examples we’ve provided above, every situation is different. This is why it pays to work with a company that treats every customer as an individual so you’ll have the peace of mind that your solar installation has been specifically tailored to your situation. Let us crunch the numbers to determine exactly what size system you need and the perfect position for your panels to achieve maximum productivity. To speak with one of our experienced solar designers, please call 1300 73 93 55 or contact us via our website.

You’ve already invested in a solar PV system for your home (or are thinking about doing so) and, now, you’re wondering how you can maximise your savings by adding battery storage into the mix. Read on to discover just how easy it is to retrofit batteries to your solar power system.

Battery storage is the way of the future

According to the Climate Council, Australia is expected to be one of the largest markets for battery storage due to:

• the high cost of electricity
• the large number of households with solar panels
• Australia’s excellent solar resources

As feed-in tariffs are phased out (meaning households receive less money for the solar electricity they put into the grid) and as electricity prices remain high, the Climate Council anticipates that solar PV systems with added battery storage will become the most economical solution to provide electricity.

As the price of battery storage falls and grid electricity remains expensive, they predict that, by 2018, going completely ‘off-grid’ (and relying solely on battery storage) could be cost-competitive with sourcing your electricity from the grid.

(Climate Council of Australia, 2015)

The benefits of battery storage

Regardless of whether you go completely ‘off grid’ or not, battery storage systems can almost double a household’s self-consumption of solar PV. For example, adding a 4kWh battery to a 5kWh solar system can increase the amount of self-generated solar electricity a household consumes from 30 to 60% (IRENA, 2015).

In short, a home battery system enables you to extract and store electricity from the grid at off-peak times (when it is cheapest) and use the power stored in your battery at peak times (when electricity from the grid is most expensive), significantly reducing your electricity costs

How do I add battery storage to my existing solar power system?

With most existing solar power systems, the best way to retrofit a battery system is with a battery inverter, a metering device and a suitable battery.

1. The battery inverter talks to the battery and converts AC power from the house into DC power for the battery and vice versa.
2. The metering device tells the battery inverter when power is going back to the grid and, hence, when to store power.
3. For help choosing the right battery for your home, visit the battery section of our website.

How can I ensure my system is ‘battery ready’?

Many solar companies promote the importance of having a system that is ‘battery ready’. However, at Solargain, we don’t get hung up on this concept, as adding battery storage to homes with (or even without) solar power systems is really very easy. The hard part about adding battery storage is choosing the right size and type of storage you need.

As mentioned earlier, the best way to determine what system you need is to install a device that monitors and records your consumption data, so you have a history of consumption to base your battery decision on when the time is right. Whether you choose the Enphase monitoring system that we touched on previously or a Fronius system, you’ll be well informed when it comes time to choose a battery.

So when it comes to being ‘battery ready’, we simply recommend you install:

• a device that records the consumption data in the home and
• a solar power system that produces enough energy to power your home all day. (You don’t have to install all the solar panels now, but if you plan to go battery down the track, you’re going to need a big enough solar power system to cover your load during the day and have enough spare power to charge the batteries.)

Should I choose a hybrid inverter?

Hybrid inverters are inverters that connect to solar panels and batteries at the same time. While they seem like a good idea now, there are a few things to consider before investing in this kind of system:

• They’re much more expensive than standard inverters; in most cases, at least $2,000 more.
• They’re very new, untested and lack basic functions. For example, most don’t even let you do backup power yet, which most people consider to be a standard feature of battery systems.
• They may not be compatible with the battery you want. For example, the Fronius Symo Hybrid inverter is not available with the LG Chem battery or the Redflow ZCell battery. The Sungrow Hybrid isn’t available with the Tesla Powerwall battery. If you choose a hybrid inverter now, there’s a good chance it won’t work with the battery you want down the track.

With these points in mind, be wary of solar companies pushing you towards a hybrid inverter. Solargain would only recommend you chose a hybrid inverter if you were purchasing your batteries at the same time as the installation. Otherwise, we recommend you wait and purchase a battery inverter once you’ve chosen the right batteries for your needs.

Do you still have battery-related questions you’d like us to answer?

Upgrading your solar PV system to include battery storage isn’t a process you need to wade through alone. You can rely on our team of solar power and battery technology experts to answer your questions and help you choose the best system for your household.

If you would like more information about retrofitting a battery to your solar power system, please give us a call on 1300 73 93 55 or contact us online today.

There are so many solar myths out there and, here, at Solargain, we hear them all the time. From misleading web pages to misinformed uncles (we all have one), the truth is that the wrong information leads to poor choices which can cost you big bucks.

Today, we set the record straight – separating solar facts from fiction!

Here are the most common ‘solar stories’ along with the facts which are usually forgotten.

Myth #1: “Solar PV panels are really expensive and unaffordable for most working Australians.”

Okay, let’s start by making it clear that, in Australia, working class families living in ‘mortgage belt’ suburbs, purchase and install more solar panels than any other demographic. The idea that solar panels are an upper-middle-class luxury is a complete myth.

There are plenty of reasons why more and more lower-earning households are choosing solar. The incentive to beat rising electricity costs is the most obvious, but what else?

The cost of producing and installing solar power systems continues to plummet. According to the Clean Energy Council, “the solar panels installed on rooftops today are more than 500 times cheaper to produce than the first solar cells of the mid-1950s.”

What’s even more astonishing is how much prices have dropped in recent times. Only a few years ago, setting up solar was two to three times more costly than it is now. A highly competitive market and enormous global demand continues to drive prices down.

In addition to this, a range of generous government incentives are still available, making solar power even more affordable. Initiatives such as Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) and Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) offer homeowners the potential to save thousands of dollars.

Solar power initiatives differ from state to state, so it pays to check which ones you qualify for.

Nationwide incentives

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)

Households across Australia that install a small scale renewable energy system (solar, wind or hydro) or eligible hot water system may be able to receive a benefit under this scheme to help with the purchase cost.

Sometimes referred to as a rebate program, installing an eligible system allows the creation of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), an electronic form of currency with a value that can be redeemed by selling or assigning them. Most households choose to assign their STCs to their installer for a discount on their system. Refer to the Australian Government website for more information about this scheme.

Electricity feed-in tariffs

Renewable energy feed-in tariffs are available in all eight of Australia’s states and territories. Eligible households and small businesses are paid for the excess electricity they generate from their small-scale solar (photovoltaic or PV) systems.

Western Australia

Between 1 July 2010 and 1 July 2011, Western Australian residents investing in solar were offered a 40c net tariff. This was followed by a 20c net tariff that was available only during July 2011. Both tariffs will continue to be paid until 1 July 2020. New customers can access Synergy's Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS) for a 7.1c tariff.

South Australia

Since around 2010 until 2013, South Australian residents had access to four different ‘Solar feed-in schemes’ which offered tariffs of 44c net and then 16c net. Existing customers on the 44c tariff will continue at this rate until 2028, while payments under the 16c tariff will cease at the end of September 2016. New customers now have access to tariffs ranging between 5c and 10c, depending on the retailer.

Victoria

Victoria’s Premium (PFit) tariff was open from 2009 to 2011 at 60c net. It will continue for existing customers until the end of 2026. The subsequent Transit (TFiT) tariff which ran throughout 2012 will wrap up at the end of 2016. New solar customers can tap into tariffs of 5c to 10c depending on the retailer.

New South Wales

The New South Wales ‘Solar Bonus Scheme’ operated from 2009 until 2011. The initial tariff was for 60c gross, followed by 20c in the subsequent tariff period. Both tariffs will continue to pay existing customers until the end of 2016. New systems can now qualify for between 5c and 10c credit, depending on their energy retailer.

ACT

Between 2009 and 2011 there were at least five different feed-in tariffs available to ACT residents. They ranged from 30.16c to 50.05c gross. These deals remain in place for existing customers for up to 20 years from the date the generator was installed. New customers must now negotiate their tariff which can vary from 6c to 12c net.

Queensland

Queensland’s ‘Solar Bonus Scheme’ delivered a tariff of 44c net between 2008 and 2012. This will continue to be paid out until 2028 for existing customers. New customers can access tariffs ranging between 6c and 10c depending on the retailer.

Unaffordable? We think not...

Myth #2: “The process of manufacturing and distributing solar PV panels offsets their green credibility.”

This may have been true in the old, ‘dirty’ days, but huge improvements in efficiency make this a big, fat myth today.

In fact, according to Andrew Moore of Murdoch University, his 2008 ‘Life cycle assessment (LCA) of a 1kWp photovoltaic system installed in Australia’ found most of the newest solar PV panels being installed in the sunniest parts of Australia (i.e. Perth) pay back their environmental impact in just 1.7 years! This covers manufacturing, transport and installation.

Moore’s study found that less efficient systems installed in states where it’s less sunny, still generally payback their debt in 2.3 years or less. When you consider that most good-quality solar PV panels will power homes for well over 20 years, these stats become even more impressive.

Green cred? Oh yeah!

Myth #3: “Solar panels and government incentives are responsible for our increasing electricity bills.”

Wrong! Actually, it’s infrastructure upgrades which are driving our power bills up at an alarming rate. Clean Energy Australia states that network costs account for up to 50% of our power bill. With an unprecedented increase in usage, particularly in ‘high-demand’ periods, a massive investment in network and equipment upgrades has been necessary to avoid blackouts. Obviously, it is the consumer who is footing the bill and a key reason why more Australians are choosing solar.

Myth #4: “Once I install solar power, I won’t need to make any more changes to enjoy the full benefit of the system.”

Solar panels are a brilliant investment to make if you want to save money and help the environment, no doubt about that. However, power bill and pollution reductions don’t start and end with the installation of a solar system alone.

A common misconception is that installing solar PV panels gives you free-rein to run your lights, TV, laptop and hairdryer all day with no consequence (what a shock people get when they open their first power bill).

If you really want to maximise your savings and cut your environmental impact, you should also take a good look at your appliances, usage habits, light bulbs, insulation and heating/cooling systems.

You will get the best results from your solar PV system when you adopt a total electricity-friendly attitude.

Myth #5: “Solar panels only work in summer.”

Actually, solar PV panels are not powered by the heat of the sun, rather they rely on sunlight. This means that you don’t have to worry if you live in an area where average temperatures are not overly high. In fact, extremely hot days will often hinder your solar panels' performance, not enhance it.

Your solar PV panels will still convert sunlight into electricity on cloudy days and do not require heat from the sun. Rather than worrying about the average temperature in your city, more focus is required on the placement of your panels. They need to be away from shade and pointing in the correct direction to maximise sunlight.

Myth #6: “Solargain isn’t the best solar power company in Australia.”

We don’t hear this one often and that’s because it’s simply not true! Okay, we’re being cheeky now, but seriously, no other competitor can match Solargain for quality products and absolute dedication to customer service.

Take a look around our website or contact us to find out for yourself.