Sunburst Energy

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a grid connect solar power system?

Grid connect systems, which are the most common in built up areas, supply solar electricity through an inverter directly to the household and to the electricity grid if the system is providing more energy than the house needs. When power is supplied to the mains grid, the home owner usually receives a credit or a payment for that electricity. This is called a feed in tariff. Grid connect systems, which are the most common in built up areas, supply solar electricity through an inverter directly to the household and to the electricity grid if the system is providing more energy than the house needs. When power is supplied to the mains grid, the home owner usually receives a credit or a payment for that electricity. This is called a feed in tariff.

What can affect the amount of solar energy received?

The strength of the solar energy (radiation) available depends on the time of year, the time of day, and the latitude of the generation point. The amount of energy that the system generates can change due to: the amount of dust and water vapour in the air, how much cloud cover, any shading of the solar panels, and the quality of the solar modules.

Does roof orientation really matter?

Most certainly. For example, a system with solar panels facing in a southerly direction will generate far less than one with a northerly aspect. However, east/west installations can be a good option depending on the installation scenario.

What is a grid connect solar power system?

Grid connect systems, which are the most common in built up areas, supply solar electricity through an inverter directly to the household and to the electricity grid if the system is providing more energy than the house needs. When power is supplied to the mains grid, the home owner usually receives a credit or a payment for that electricity. This is called a feed in tariff. Grid connect systems, which are the most common in built up areas, supply solar electricity through an inverter directly to the household and to the electricity grid if the system is providing more energy than the house needs. When power is supplied to the mains grid, the home owner usually receives a credit or a payment for that electricity. This is called a feed in tariff.

How much does a grid connect solar power setup cost?

Prices vary according to size and location – try our quick solar quote tool to determine the cost.

What is a feed in tariff and how much will I get paid?

A feed in tariff is whereby a grid connect system owner is paid for the electricity their system generates by a utility or government agency. There are two different types of tariffs, gross and net. A gross feed in tariff pays a premium on all electricity produced whereas a net feed in tariff only pays on surplus energy created by the system. In Australia, net feed in tariffs are predominant.

What size system will I need to run my home?

That entirely depends on your energy usage and your geographical location. A 1.5 kW system is currently the “entry point” for grid connect.It will cover between 16 and 25% of the energy consumption of a medium household. A 4-5 kW system will cover 100% of the energy consumption of a medium energy use household. Any size grid connect solar power system will reduce your yearly power consumption and your power bill. Naturally, the bigger the system, the bigger the benefit. To make the most of solar power, the key is to implement simple energy efficiency strategies. It is easy to conserve energy by using appropriate lighting and efficient appliances. Running high power appliances such as electric bar heaters, electric hot water systems and air conditioners etc. is really not economical. Instead of considering a very large solar system; you can also invest in energy efficient heaters, solar hot water and design features such as strategically placed vents or insulation to avoid heat entering the house in the first place. In summary – all your energy can be supplied by solar power and your budget and daily energy usage will determine the size of your solar power system.

Is my building suitable for a solar power system?

Several aspects will need to be evaluated to determine if your home is a good solar site, such as orientation, space available, shadows on the space available and your current electricity usage. The best site will be one with adequate north-facing roofs that have no shade. Variations on that will cut into the productivity of the system.

How long will my grid connect solar power system last?

The life of Solar modules that have been tested in the field showing small reductions in power output after 20 years, mostly because the glass surface becomes a bit dull and reflects more light. All our solar panels carry an output warranty of 25 years. There are solar panels delivering power in Australia today that were installed more that 30 years ago. The electronic components such as inverters, being the most sensitive, will last 10 -15 years.

What type of warranty comes with the system?

  • Solar Panels: minimum 10 year product warranty and 25 year performance guarantee
  • Mounting System: 10-year product warranty (manufacturer)
  • Inverter: 5 – 10 year warranty
  • Workmanship: 5 year warranty on workmanship (installer)

Should I choose monocrystalline, thin film or polycrystalline solar panels?

Between monocrystalline and polycrystalline there isn’t a lot of difference. However, a polycrystalline panel is slightly larger than the equivalent wattage in monocrystalline. Thin film panels are larger again. That extra space can take up valuable rooftop real estate in terms of adding extra panels at a later date. There are other issues to consider with thin film panels.

What can affect the costs of installing a grid connect system?

A base installation rate includes the grid connect system’s installation on a pitched metal roof facing north with appropriate surface area available. Additional costs may accrue for a flat or tiled roof or for any equipment upgrades and extended warranties.

What can affect the costs of installing a grid connect system?

A base installation rate includes the grid connect system’s installation on a pitched metal roof facing north with appropriate surface area available. Additional costs may accrue for a flat or tiled roof or for any equipment upgrades and extended warranties.

Can I insure my grid connect system?

Most insurers will allow you to include the system under your home and contents insurance, but please check with your insurance company first.

If my energy requirements increase, can I upgrade the system?

Yes. You can get additional solar panels at any time to increase generating capability but you might have to upgrade to a larger inverter. Alternatively you could purchase a larger inverter when installing the system initially and then plan to add some extra solar panels later.

What happens on cloudy days?

In a grid connect system, as you are still tied to the mains power supply, any deficit will come from the mains grid.

How reliable will my system be?

As the Energy Matters systems are designed to Australian Standards, the reliability of components and consistency of power supply will be more than adequate for the loads specified. Carbon emissions and climate change

What about the energy it takes to produce a solar power system?

Although solar electricity is pollution-free, PV systems require a certain amount of energy, which must be ‘reimbursed’ before they can be considered as renewable and clean. This is “embodied energy”. An assessment from the International Energy Agency concluded in mid 2006 that roof-top solar PV systems recover their energy content (from manufacturing and recycling) within 1.6 to 1.8 years in Australia. That figure has since seen improvement. What about the energy it takes to produce Once they have reimbursed their initial energy input, roof-top PV systems can avoid the emission of 40 tonnes of CO2. Thia depends on their location and on the local electricity mix available. Roof-top PV systems in Australia during their 30 year lifespan can expect to produce around 17 times the amount of energy needed for manufacture, installation and dismantling.

What does a typical home solar power system consist of?

The heart of a photovoltaic solar power system is the solar array. Made up of multiple panels (individually measuring roughly 1 by 1.5 meters), this array absorbs the energy of a specific range of available sunlight and converts this energy into electrical energy. The array mounts on a frame that allows the panels to be secure with minimal interference with the waterproofing and structure of the roof. Most importantly it provides the correct aspect and elevation for the array so as that the maximum amount of available sunlight in received and converted. A cable runs down from the array to the inverter. The inverter is a device that efficiently converts the widely fluctuating power from the solar array into a predictable and usable energy feed. A second cable connects the inverter to your house’s switchboard, which is in turn connects to the main power grid. This creates a continuous and dynamic system for the contribution of solar energy to your house. The inverter also acts as a simple data logger. An information screen on the inverter will display total energy production, daily energy production, and instantaneous power. These figures will fluctuate depending on the time of year, the cloud cover, and temperature, and will allow you to keep a record of your system’s performance. Solar power systems can also optionally include easy-to-use remote monitors, internet enabled data loggers, and even sensors to determine solar availability, panel temperature, air temperature, and wind speed. Ask your sales representative for more information.

Is there any maintenance?

With an grid connected system, there is very little maintenance. Electronic components should be maintenance free. Solar Experts Australia systems come with complete instructions for maintenance.

How does the home solar panel system work?

A home solar panel system is an electronic system that converts sunlight’s power into usable energy for your lights, appliances and devices. The solar panel system has the below components.

A. Solar panels

Solar panels are made of small photovoltaic cells that transform sunlight into electricity. Using the sun’s natural energy, your solar panels are converting solar radiation into electricity. You can still expect your solar panels to produce 10% to 25% of their usual output, Even when it’s cloudy.
But your electricity isn’t ready just yet as it’s in a DC Form. You’ll need an inverter to convert this energy into AC electricity so that we can utilise this energy to power our household items.

B. Inverter

The inverter is powered by the sun’s energy, converts the DC electricity produced by your solar panels, and turns it into AC electricity.
Inverters usually mounted on an exterior wall of your home or some cases, in the garage.

C. Racking

A racking system is a structure used to securely place solar panels on your roof. This structure is specially designed according to different roof structures and types to securely attach solar panels to the roof.
These racking materials are fully anodised and manufactured to survive in Australian harsh weather conditions.

D. Smart meter

When solar panels produce more than you require, the excess energy is sold to your electricity retailer, and your FIT credits will be credited to your quarterly electric bill. When your solar panels can produce less than what you need, your home will automatically pull the energy from the grid. Your smart meter records how much energy comes from and exported back to the grid.

Is my property suitable for solar panels?

Let’s check! Solar panel feasibility depends on where your home is located, the type of roof, the angle of your roof & if any objects are obstructing the sun’s rays to reach the solar panels?
Our experienced team of solar panel experts can help you determine if your home is a good fit for solar panels at the moment or not. They will be happy to do a custom analysis of your home with the solar design tool we use, and they’ll get a sense of your requirement.

How many solar panels do I need?

Each roof is different. When considering the number of solar panels your home needs, the best thing to consider the following questions:

It will be handy to use your electricity bill to determine your energy need.
It is essential to do a shade analysis and direction check to consider the solar panel placement. As it will help determine how big your system needs to be.
At Solar Secure, we have a specialised solar design tool to create customised solar panel placement plans that maximise energy production.
What does CEC Approved Solar Retailer Mean?

The Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) Approved Solar Retailer program is a voluntary solar energy industry program. It requires solar retailers to sign a code of conduct, committing to working with higher standards than legally needed, particularly during the sales process.
Dealing with a CEC Approved retailer means they follow industry best practices in sales, installing quality solar installations. Choosing a CEC Approved Solar Retailer gives homeowners and businesses peace of mind that the company they’re dealing with will provide all the correct information they need to make an informed decision.

Who will help me with the questions I have?

Solar Secure is committed to you with the perfect person to guide you through it, from initial solar panel design to consultation and installation to a lifetime of service.
Our solar expert’s team will work with you to design your solar panel system and find a solar payment option. Then a project coordinator will manage the rest of the process.
When your solar panels are installed and operational, our customer care team will be your go-to for any questions or concerns you have.

TALK TO OUR EXPERTS NOW

Get the best advice and suitable solutions for your solar panels needs and the solar installation process. Speak with our SUNBURST Energy experts NOW to get customised quote on solar panels installation.