A Guide to Buying Solar Panels in 2021
If you’re sick of rising electricity prices and feeling like a slave to energy companies, then you’ve probably given solar energy more than a passing thought. We understand that the decision to go solar can be a tough one, especially without the right kind of research. It can also be a confusing one. That’s why we’ve gathered the following information to help you make an informed decision on what’s right for you!
Coming from solar industry experts ourselves, there has never been a better time to go solar. With electricity prices rising in recent years and decreasing solar costs, over 2 million Australian households are now enjoying clean, reliable energy – straight from the sun.
So what are the benefits of going solar?
For most people, the advantages of solar energy are obvious. In a global sense, harnessing the power of the sun’s rays to power our home is certainly better for the environment than other coal-generated forms of electricity.
From a financial perspective however, solar energy needs to be thought of as an investment. There’s certainly an upfront cost involved but the long-term benefits are clear. By using solar energy to power your home for all the sunlit hours of the day, you’re not drawing energy from the main grid and therefore, saving on your electricity bill.
On the other hand, if your home is producing excess energy, it gets sent back to the main grid and you receive a feed-in tariff from your energy company. The feed-in tariff pays you for excess electricity generated by your solar system which is not used in your home. This way you don’t have to worry about any excess energy your system produces because you will get back for it.
To sum up, You may not be completely wiping out your energy bill in the first few months, but you’ll certainly be reducing it considerably allowing the system to pay for itself over time.
How does on grid solar work?
On-grid solar means powering your home with solar energy for the hours in the day when the sun is shining. Without battery technology, an on-grid solar installation can only power your home while it is actually producing energy from the sun. Think of it like riding a bicycle on a flat stretch of road: while your legs are pedaling to produce energy, you keep on moving. If you stop producing that energy, you come to a stop.
Fortunately, unlike a bicycle with no backup system, your home is still connected to the main energy grid. So, at night time, or other times when your solar system isn’t producing energy, you can still power everything in your home. This is the energy consumption you’re still charged for by your energy provider. However, this sort of solar set up also comes with a feed-in tariff, which means your energy provider will actually pay you for the excess energy you produce and don’t use. This helps to off-set the cost of power you use when your solar system isn’t producing energy.
Let’s understand parts of a solar installation!
The most important component of any residential solar panel system is the array of panels up on your roof. During the daytime, your panels absorb the sunlight and convert it into clean electricity. Most people assume that it’s as simple as that, but don’t go forgetting the important role your inverter plays.
You see, to be used in the home, sunlight needs to be converted into the right type of electricity. An inverter takes direct current (aka DC) from the solar panels and turns it into alternating current (aka AC). This allows your solar energy to be used by the appliances in your home. The inverter usually sits on the exterior wall of your house or inside the garage.
Solar systems can be on-grid or off-grid. On-grid systems are connected to the electricity network. Off-grid means that your home produces and consumes electricity separate from the national network. If your solar energy system is connected to the grid, you can export your excess electricity to the grid and get rewarded for the contribution.
On the other hand, if your home is using more power than your panels can produce, you will draw power from the grid. That is why a smart meter is a necessary and important component. It measures how much electricity is exported and imported, so your energy retailer can provide an accurate quarterly bill.
You can also generate power during the day and save it for later or use it at night time. For this, you’ll need a battery. Recently, home batteries have become increasingly popular. With the advent of the Powerwall, energy storage has opened homeowners up to a world of possibilities when it comes to saving power. Visit our solar battery page to get a free consultation on https://onlineairandsolar.com.au/solar-battery-storage/ Visit our Tesla Powerwall page to buy the most advanced solar battery storage Tesla Solar and Powerwall Cost – Tesla Home Battery Installation (onlineairandsolar.com.au)
I. PANELS
Solar panels come in two forms – monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Both are perfectly fine for Australian conditions. The solar panels are installed, generally on your roof, and are used to capture the solar energy you’re going to use in your home.
Several factors influence the efficiency of your solar panels such as positioning, shadowing, dirt and dust. But what if it’s going to rain? Do solar panels work on a cloudy day? The answer is yes. However, with a large number of types and efficiencies of panels, it can be hard to decide what is best for your house. If you require any help with making this decision, do not hesitate to give us a call on 1800 289 665.
II. INVERTER
Most people’s interest stops at the quality of their solar panels, but a high-quality solar system requires more than a high output array.
The power that comes from your solar panel is known as a DC or direct current.
To make solar work for your home, you need an inverter that transforms direct current into a 240V alternating current (AC), which is usable in the home. Without the inverter, your solar system wouldn’t be able to power your home. Our in house solar experts will help you decide which inverter is best for you.
III. METER
If you choose to direct your excess energy back to the grid, you’ll need a meter.
Net metering, NEM, or Net Energy Metering is a process of buying and selling solar power between you and your electricity provider.
Using this system, if your solar panels produce more energy than you need, you can choose to feed the excess into the grid and receive a credit on your account.
And if you consume more power than your solar is capable of producing, you can use the electricity from the grid.
IV. SOLAR BATTERY STORAGE
To save your solar energy for later use, you will need to store it in a home battery. As little as five years ago, home batteries seemed like an unrealistic option for most homeowners. But today, thanks to reduced costs, better technology, and greater demand, batteries are more affordable than ever.
Basically, the battery makes the solar panel work for you 24/7, even at night, when the sun is no longer out. It will also provide energy during blackouts!
Online Air and Solar sells solar panels and battery storage systems for your home. We are also a certified Tesla installer. To buy the best and most efficient solar battery to save your energy for later use, please contact us on 1800 289 665 or email us at info@onlineairandsolar.com.au
How Do Rebates Work?
To find out more about how rebates work and how you can take advantage of government incentives, please visit our blog Solar Victoria Rebate Scheme – Solar Homes Program | Online Air & Solar (onlineairandsolar.com.au) to find an in-depth explanation of how rebates work.
How to Choose an Installer for your Solar?
Once you’ve decided it’s time to go solar, it’s time for choose the right installer.
Solar is an investment so it’s important to get your money’s worth. But not all solar companies are worth your attention. According to the ASIC liquidated companies register, over 520 businesses which include the word ‘solar’ in their company name have gone into liquidation—that is, they’ve gone under—since 2011.
- Are you dealing with a sales company or solar company? After the government announced that there would be solar rebates, the industry was flooded with solar companies looking to make a quick buck. So ask yourself: Are you dealing with a company that is only focused on taking your money and leaving the rest to outsourced installers? Make sure that your chosen installer is a solar company like Online Air and Solar before anything else. Buying from Online Air and Solar, means working with people who understand how solar works, but more importantly, who understand your needs as the homeowner.
- Who is going to install your system? Using subcontracted labour instead of having their own crew is dangerous and therefore, the result can be dangerous and the quality impossible to guarantee. At Online Air and Solar, all our in-house installers are thoroughly trained, have years of experience and are accredited by Clean Energy Council. All our technicians are licensed plumbers and A Grade electricians.
- How long is your warranty? Poorly designed solar systems may fail, while dangerously installed components may lead to the fires or structural damage to your house. A company such as Online Air and Solar that is confident on our own abilities and skills provides you with a 10 year workmanship warranty as well as guaranteed quality and services.
- Is your company 100% Australian owned and operated? With many solar companies outsourcing their operations to international firms, it is becoming harder for Australian families to find a company that understands their needs and requirements. Online Air and Solar is a 100% Australian owned and operated company. This means that all our staff members are located in Melbourne so we understand your solar needs and what’s best for your family.
Find a reliable and reputable solar installer. Online Air and Solar is one of the best solar energy companies in Melbourne, We understand that the safety of your house and family come first. Choose a knowledgeable and experienced team such as our Clean Energy Accredited in-house installers and licensed plumbers and electricians. If you want to request a call back with a price beat guarantee and free consultation, please fill out this form How can we help? (quotientapp.com)
