Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS A SOLAR FEED-IN TARIFF (FIT)?

A feed-in-tariff is the amount an electricity retailer pays you for any electricity your solar PV system generates that you don’t use, and is instead fed back into the grid.

Alternatively, we can advise you on the benefits of installing power storage.

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I SAVE ON MY ENERGY BILL WITH SOLAR PANELS?

The amount of money your household will save on power bills by going solar is dependent on a number factors, including:

• Your energy consumption and the size of your solar power system – if you use more power than your system is capable of producing, your savings will be limited. This can be accounted for by choosing the right-sized system for your needs.
• Your feed-in tariff – this is the amount your electricity retailer pays you for any excess power your solar panels generate.
• Your usage patterns – solar panels can only generate electricity while the sun is shining. This means that households that use a lot of power during the day may attract greater savings than those that consume most of their power at night. However, you will still receive a feed-in tariff for any excess electricity you generate during the day or you can invest in a battery storage system.
• Where you live – some areas of Australia receive a lot more sunlight than others, so a solar PV system in Brisbane will usually generate more power than one in Hobart.
• Battery Energy Storage System – if you install a battery you can maximise your self consumption instead of exporting to the grid during the day, and importing from the grid at night time.

WHAT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES ARE AVAILABLE?

Under the small-scale renewable energy scheme, eligible small-scale Solar systems are entitled to a number of small-scale technology certificates (STCs).

The number of small-scale technology certificates that can be created per system is based on its geographical location, installation date, and the system size.

Solar PV systems up to 100 kilowatts are eligible for STCs. The amount of STCs created by a solar power system reduces proportionally each year until 2030 in which the solar power system will not create any STCs. Systems greater than 100kW are not eligible to create STCs, they create Large Generation Certificates which are for every megawatt hour of electricity generated and created at the end of a period that the energy was generated.

WHAT IS A SMALL-SCALE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE (STC)?

Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, eligible small-scale renewable energy systems are entitled to a number of small-scale technology certificates (STCs).

• generated by the small-scale solar panel, wind or hydro system
• displaced by the solar water heater or heat pump over the course of its lifetime of up to 10 years.

As a guide, one small-scale technology certificate is equal to one megawatt hour of eligible renewable electricity either generated or displaced by the system.

You can calculate the number of small-scale technology certificates a system may be eligible using the small generation unit calculator and solar water heater calculator.

To be eligible for STCs, your solar system must be installed by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY INSTALLER IS ACCREDITED?

You should ask to see your installer’s accreditation.

CAN I RECYCLE MY SOLAR PANELS?

Reclaim PV Recycling operates an Australian solar panel reclaiming scheme throughout Australia.

DO SOLAR PANELS WORK AT NIGHT OR DURING CLOUDY WEATHER?

Solar panels do not generate power at night. Once the sun goes down, your home or business will start to draw power from the main grid as usual or, should you install a battery storage system, from your batteries.

Solar panels still work on a cloudy day due to their excellent low light performance; however, they will not generate as much electricity as when the weather is clear and sunny.

WHAT TYPE OF WARRANTY IS SUPPLIED WITH THE SYSTEM?

Our solar panels come with a minimum 10 year product warranty. Both solar tiles and solar panels have a 25-year output warranty on the Solar Cells. Our inverters and battery storage solutions also have a 10 year warranty.

IS MY HOME 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, available space, shadowing on the available space and your current electricity usage. The best site will be one with adequate north-facing roof planes that have no shade.

CAN I UPGRADE THE SYSTEM TO INCLUDE BATTERY STORAGE IN THE FUTURE?

Yes. All our systems are battery ready so you may add batteries in the future.

DOES THE POWER I GENERATE GET USED IN MY PROPERTY FIRST OR SENT TO THE GRID FIRST?

The power from your solar system will be used to meet your energy needs first; any excess will feed into the grid. Check with your electricity retailer to see what feed in tariffs they are offering and be careful to shop around as not all electricity retailers offer the same. Whether this rises on the back of competition or continues to be reduced; only time will tell.

WHAT IS A BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM?

This is a system that can store solar generated energy that would ordinarily be exported to the grid when the household load is lower than the power generated by solar.

WHAT SIZE SYSTEM WILL I NEED TO RUN MY HOME?

That entirely depends on your energy usage and your geographical location, however any size grid connect solar power system will reduce your yearly consumption from the grid and your power bill.

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.

HOW LONG WILL MY GRID CONNECT SOLAR POWER SYSTEM LAST?

Solar modules have been tested in the field showing small reductions in power output over 25 years. Our solar panels carry an output warranty of 25 year and electronic components such as inverters and battery storage systems have a 10 year warranty, however typically each of these components will outlast their warranty.

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 provider first.

HOW MUCH OF A REDUCTION IN CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS WILL I ACHIEVE?

Using a comparison to a car, the average vehicle in Australia travels 20 000 km per annum, which is equivalent to 3.3 tons of carbon dioxide discharge annually. A 5kw grid connected system will prevent 3.3 tons of carbon dioxide being generated through coal fired power generation per year – so it’s the equivalent of taking a car off the road.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL HOME SOLAR SYSTEM CONSIST OF?

Solar Panels, Inverter (string or Micro), roof mounting equipment, DC and AC cable, Isolators and a label kit and in some cases may also include a storage system.

Solar systems may also be fitted with easy-to-use remote monitors, internet enabled data loggers, and even sensors to determine solar availability, panel temperature, air temperature, and wind speed.

HOW DOES ELECTRICITY GET STORED FOR USE AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN?

Grid connect solar systems direct excess electricity produced during the day back into the local electricity grid. You then receive a credit for any power that your system supplied to the grid. During the night when your system does not produce any electricity you draw your power from the grid and your electricity meter measures your consumption. Alternatively, you can install a power storage system and use this stored power during the night.

HOW MUCH ROOF SPACE IS NEEDED?

1.0 kW of solar needs approximately 4m2, so a 5kW system needs approximately 20m2