Solar Pannels
June 20, 2022

Want to make the most out of your solar panels? If yes, upgrading them is one of the best decisions you can make. For homeowners currently having a 3KW to 10KW capacity solar panels can switch to 15KW or 20KW solar systems to generate more clean energy and keep their property powered round the clock.

Moreover, with new technological changes introduced every year, replacing your old model panels with modern ones ensures a consistent supply of fresh and energy efficient renewable power. As solar panels usually have a lifespan of around 25 years, getting them upgraded before they exhibit a degradation in performance can maximise your solar returns to a great extent.

Here are some things to keep in mind while upgrading a solar panel system:

  • Write Down Or List All Your Requirements

The foremost thing to consider is finding out how many solar panels you may need on your rooftop. You can consult a solar installer for the right guidance as this decision impacts the power generation capacity, costs involved in upgrading panels and also influences the overall solar maintenance costs in the long run.

Depending on whether you are planning a residential or commercial solar installation, you can decide what capacity panels you need as most of them usually are 80% energy efficient and produce power only during the direct sunlight hours.

  • Don’t Forget To Upgrade Or Replace The Inverter

When you have decided on the capacity you want your existing system to upgrade with, don’t forget about the inverter, as they are usually sized based on your panels’ electricity output.

In comparison to power optimisers and string inverters, micro-inverters make an ideal choice. They are more convenient than standard inverters and can easily handle any power surge in capacity.

  • The Size & Cost Of A Solar System Is Limited

Unless sticking to a specific capacity solar system is obligatory in your region, choosing the size of panels you want to install is totally at your discretion. To help make an easy decision, you can schedule a ‘network analysis’ by a power grid company at a decided cost.

They’ll investigate your solar panel voltage and distortion to help determine the size and capacity you should opt for.

  • Consider Adding New Panels On The Ground

In case, you are planning an upgrade but have limited space on the roof, opt for adding ground based panels that are a lot more accessible compared to rooftop panels. Ground panels are the best choice if you have adequate land space but limited roof space.

So, these were some of the common things to consider when planning to upgrade a residential or commercial solar panel system. If you are looking for a trustworthy and best solar company to assist you, Online Air and solar has got your back. 

Solar Pannels
June 20, 2022

Investing in solar panels is an intelligent choice that can save you hundreds of dollars in years to come. Whether you have selected solar for playing your part in generating clean energy or just wanted to reduce your electricity bills, proper maintenance is a boon that can further improve the performance of a rooftop solar installation and make it work just like new.

Why Do Solar Panels Need Regular Cleaning?

Over time, the functioning of solar panels may degrade with the accumulation of dirt and debris that can really affect the efficiency of solar systems by up to 25 per cent. Also, rain and bad weather conditions can wash away the dirt and bird droppings directly onto the panels, which can make them hard to produce energy.

Though solar panel cleaning is not a tough job, it can be actually dangerous for naives to climb up the rooftop with wiring all around. The best solution is to call on a professional solar installer having prior expertise in installing and cleaning all types and sizes of solar systems.

Most Recommended Ways To Clean Solar Panels

  • Connect a water hose from ground level to clean the panels.
  • Use ground level water hose for rinsing the rooftop solar systems.
  • Try using isopropyl alcohol as an ideal method to clean stubborn stains.
  • Use soft bristled brushes and plastic mesh to scrub the dirty surface.

Expert Tips For Top Class DIY Solar Panel Cleaning

For homeowners who want to save money with do-it-yourself cleaning for solar panels, examine the panels carefully to stay on the safe side. Utilise quality equipment and chemical-free products to avoid any harm to the panels. Some easy yet effective cleaning tips include:

  1. Take a long extension pole with a special sponge pad attachment to clean your panels from the ground. Use a squeegee and a soft cloth to smoothly clean the panel glass without making any scratches.
  2. Combining a simple dish soap and warm water solution can also do the job. In case of oily residue accumulation, rubbing alcohol diluted in water is considered the best choice.
  3. The other option is to use a liquid cleaner that ensures a scratch-less cleaning and allows the water to evaporate quickly, thereby avoiding any water stains.
  4. Rinse the panels thoroughly with pure water, as hard water may leave streaks and spots on the panels that may ruin their appeal.

When To Bring In A Solar Cleaning Expert?

If you have a rooftop solar installation, hiring a solar cleaning expert to keep your panels in shape is the best choice. By having professionals by your side, there’s no need to worry about quality cleaning, safety, and compliance. Along with saving you with the inconvenience of having to ascend the roof, experts are always equipped with the best equipment to deliver reliable services.

At Online Air and Solar, our team of solar installers specialise in the installation, cleaning, and maintenance of solar panels of all types and sizes. If you are up with a solar cleaning project, feel free to contact us right away.

Solar
May 16, 2022

To cope with your rising energy needs, solar systems are available in various capacities, right from 5kW to 100kW and even more. Since solar panels generate electricity only when it’s sunny outside, you need to keep your usage minimum, or else will get electricity bills to pay.

By planning your routines, such as laundry, dishwashing, and ironing in the day time, you can save a bit of energy to be used at the night. The energy produced in the day either gets utilised to the full or transfers straight up to the local grid.

Surely, there will be days when there will be a cloudy sky or a rainy day with no sun. In such incidences, the extra electricity you need will be imported from the grid and you’ll be charged for it.

Some easy tips that can make your home more energy efficient throughout the year include:

  • Use One Major Appliance At A Time

High voltage appliances consume the most energy to perform their operation. As your system produces limited energy with solar, try limiting your use of such appliances to once a day. In this way, you’ll be able to save enough energy to keep your other electrical appliances, such as fans and lights running for longer.

In case, you remain at home during the day rather than just evenings and mornings, you can make use of solar energy in a much better way.

  • Keep A Track Of The Inverter Display

A solar inverter displays how much electricity is being generated and plays the role of converting the electricity generated by the panels into an Alternating Current that your household appliances can use to operate.

By keeping a track of the energy utilised by your appliances and comparing it with the figure displayed on the inverter screen, you can find out how much energy you are left with and can use it accordingly.

So, these two steps if considered can help you in getting the most out of solar energy produced by your rooftop solar. Always be conscious about how much energy you are using to save dollars on electricity bills.

Solar Pannels
May 16, 2022

In its state budget, the Andrews Government made an announcement regarding the extension of the Solar Homes program in Victoria and some updates done to it. The budget provides more than $42 million in funding to help households that are not in a good financial condition by installing solar panels and batteries.

Though most of the program remains the same, there are some amendments done to the battery subsidy.

What’s Changed & What’s Not Changed!

Solar Panels: As per the reports, the solar panel subsidy level remains the same and stays maintained at a $1,400 point-of-sale subsidy on every solar system purchase for this year.

Solar Victoria announced that 64,000 subsidies will be available for both owner occupied and rental households that are interested in going solar by installing solar PV systems in the financial year 2022-23.

Solar Battery: In the updated version of the Solar Homes program, solar batteries will witness a significant subsidy reduction. The current program provides a point of sale discount that goes maximum to $3,500, but the new one will drop the discount to a maximum of $2,950.

This reduction in rebate came after a slight drop in the market price of batteries. But there are other rebates too that you can apply for, bringing the total for 2022-23 to 5,200.

Ever since the inception of the Solar Homes program in 2018, more than 193,000 homes have received support for installing solar-powered systems, solar water heaters and solar batteries.

Stan Krpan, CEO of Solar Victoria, said the Solar Homes program has been continued to deliver energy benefits to the community. With this, we can power Victoria’s transition to a renewable and clean energy future.

Not only this, the program provides greater access to various subsidies and solar loans available for both households and businesses. Solar Homes program is expected to support up to 40 per cent target for renewable energy for Victoria by 2025, with household PVs generating up to 12.5 per cent of the total expectation.

Victoria currently leads the nation with an early investment in renewables and continues to drive down the energy bills and create thousands of new jobs in the solar sector.

If you want to get your residential or commercial solar panels installed under the Solar Homes Program, feel free to contact us for a consultation and no-obligation quote.

Solar Batteries
Solar
April 22, 2022

With residential and commercial solar installations gaining a good momentum, the demand for batteries has gone up significantly. This rise in popularity for battery storage is mainly due to the rebates offered by Solar Victoria and the ease of purchase across the country.

Also, there are many leading brands available to choose from, depending on your storage requirement and budget. The continuous decrease in solar battery prices with better efficiency outcomes is influencing the homeowners to make a purchase. 

Solar offers tremendous benefits, and so do the batteries. In the peak summer, when there is a shortage of grid electricity, battery storage plays the role of a saviour by storing the energy that can be utilised later in the shortage period. The solar industry in Australia is at its peak success, and now is the best time to invest in a battery system since the prices are set to rise in the near future.

It’s not only the solar industry that is booming, the electric vehicle industry is also rising each day. Along with solar batteries, the ones that use lithium technology are also favoured by all. To keep up with this upride, the battery prices are sure to skyrocket in the future.

To achieve its objective of net-zero emissions, the Australian Government is lending a helping hand by offering great battery incentives and rebates to reduce the financial burden on pocket.

As Australia has pleasant weather throughout the year with the sun shining bright every day, solar energy is the best thing to utilise and save dollars on electricity bills here.

Also, the batteries have never been so better as they are now and are continually improving their capacity and efficiency each passing day. If you want to prevent blackouts even during the rainy days or no sunny weather, batteries are the best bet to invest in. They are the most feasible option nowadays with long-term efficiency.

If you are planning to install solar batteries for your rooftop solar installation in Victoria, feel free to contact our solar installers at Online Air and Solar.

Solar Pannels
March 21, 2022

Solar panel systems play a great role in improving the value of a property. No matter, you own a residential or a commercial premise, solar energy is a profitable asset that always delivers a good return on investment by boosting the resale value of a property.

If you are wondering how solar panels can help enhance the value and beauty in the long run, here are some potential answers to your query.

  • Reduction in Overhead Cost

When it comes to business, there are many overhead costs that can make or break your profits. One such expense is the electric energy bills that pumps out hundreds of dollars from your pocket every month. By installing solar panels and generating your own electricity, businesses can see a significant downfall in their electricity expenses, thereby witnessing a reduction in overhead costs.

  • Lower Electricity Bills

As per the latest survey report, businesses in Australia are saving up to 31% of their energy costs by installing solar panels. If you are selling your commercial property, potential buyers can reap the benefits of powering the whole building with solar panels and save thousands of dollars on electricity throughout the year.

  • No Maintenance Required

Properties that are self-sufficient in producing their own energy are favoured by buyers when looking to invest in a business space. Solar panels are not only cost saving in terms of energy generation but also requires less maintenance. No matter, how severe the weather outside is, they tend to stay in shape for years to come without any costly maintenance.

  • No Grid Energy Dependence

Commercial properties having a solar installation enjoys energy independence. This means there’s no longer to depend on the grid for electricity supply. Buyers are more attracted towards buildings having a solar installation and capable of producing own energy.

So, these were the few reasons that compels potential buyers to invest in a commercial property having a solar installation. If you are looking for a reliable solar company to get quality solar panels installed on your residential or commercial property, talk to our solar installers at Online Air and Solar.

Solar
March 21, 2022

With residential solar panels becoming more popular every passing day, Australia is making record solar installations for households all over the world. For houses that need less power output, 5 kilowatt (5kW) solar systems are the best choice. They are highly preferred for good energy yields and a great return on investment.

  • Panels & Roof Space for A 5kW Solar System

When it comes to panels, a modern day 5kW solar system comprises of about 15-20 panels. These panels will need around 25-35 m2 of roof space. The space needed also depends on the wattage of the panels you are planning to install.

  • Costs Involved in Installing a 5kW Solar System

Because of the rising demand of solar in Australia, it is home to low cost solar PV systems in the world. The average cost of installing a 5kW solar panel system goes approximately to $1.03 per watt to $1.40 per watt.

  • Power Generation Output for a 5kW Solar System

The amount of power generated by a 5kW solar system depends on a number of factors, including:

  • Geographical location of the system
  • Orientation and tilt angle of the panel
  • Degree of shade cast on the panels
  • Operating temperature of the panels
  • Performance of all the components

Return on Investment for a 5kW Solar System

Investing in a 5kW solar panel system is one of the best choice a homeowner can make when it comes to going solar and producing their own energy. The financial returns from this installation is a bit harder to work out and depends on solar feed-in tariff available. This tariff includes the amount paid to the owner for each unit of solar power exported to the grid.

So, these are some important aspects of a 5kW solar power system project you need to keep in mind before investing dollars in installation. If you are planning to go solar, get in touch with our CEC accredited solar installers who can guide you about which capacity of system will meet your needs in the best possible way.

Solar
February 23, 2022

Solar power is given a clean and green energy status in Australia as it provides an array of environmental and public health benefits by reducing the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. If you are wondering how solar energy could benefit your as well as community health, here are some quick tips that will help you know:

  • Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions 

The climate change we are witnessing for the past many years is the result of atmospheric carbon dioxide that stays in the atmosphere for decades and radiate heat towards the earth, thereby giving a constant rise in temperature. Being responsible citizens, we can help diminish these threats by switching to solar energy.

  • Reduces Methane Emissions

Compared to carbon dioxide, methane lasts longer in the atmosphere and traps more heat and radiation. Its impact on the health and environment is 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. Both natural gas and petroleum exhibits methane into the atmosphere. By investing in solar energy, the levels of methane in the environment can be reduced.

  • Reduces Ground Pollution

When it comes to ground pollution, non-renewable energy sources are the main culprit. They damage the ground in several ways, including oil spills, harming ecosystem and polluting the layers of earth. Solar panels do not significantly contribute to ground pollution and are a safe bet for health and environment.

  • Reduces Air Pollution

With the rise in solar panel installations and renewable energy sources, the dependency on coal will decrease to a significant level. This in turn, will allow the reduction in air pollution by controlling the harmful gases and emissions into the atmosphere. 

  • Reduces Water Usage

Though hydropower is a type of electricity generated using water, it drastically decreases the amount of water on the planet day by day. Being reliant on rivers and water bodies, hydropower can disturb the ecosystem and limit access to water. Going solar can reduce the water dependency to a great extent.

So, these are some ways solar panels can help benefit the environment and health of the community. At Online Air & Solar, we specialise in installing solar panels and battery storage systems that can help you make the most out of renewable energy sources.

Solar Batteries
Electricity
February 18, 2022

Solar energy is one of the most economical sources of renewable energy that is provoking more and more Australians to invest in solar panels. With so many benefits offered, they are the best bet in the future. As per the latest report, Clean Energy Council says that Cheaper Home Batteries Bill would be a win for the grid as well as renewable energy as more households are willing to embrace the benefits of going solar.

Under Dr. Haines’s Cheaper Home Batteries Bill plan, home batteries would be brought into the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). It is an accepted policy that played a critical role in helping clean energy get the much needed status in Australia and has enjoyed bipartisan support.

The need for a battery program was highlighted by The Clean Energy Council’s Roadmap for a Renewable Energy Future that was released last week as part of the Federal Election policy recommendations.

Batteries are a good source of energy solar and have become more popular for the last few years, with more than 23,796 approximate Australian homes getting a battery installation in 2020. Though the costs of batteries are continuing to fall, the initial cost of installing a renewable energy system is high. This rise in upfront cost acted as a barrier for most households planning for a solar installation.

The current employment rate in the battery installation industry accounts for around 7 per cent of clean energy employment but is predicted to grow by 11 to 32 per cent by the end of 2035 as per the rebates and opportunities mentioned in government policies.

The CEC Chief Executive, Kane Thornton said, “Governments can help improve the growth and popularity of storage batteries by incentivising the battery solutions and driving innovation in the business models. This will surely influence more customers to invest in household battery systems.

The Clean Energy Council is focused on driving more investment in energy storage and enabling more households to opt for renewable energy generation than ever before.

If you want to play your part in the clean energy and zero emissions initiative, get your battery storage and solar panel systems installed by our CEC accredited solar installers at Online Air and Solar.

Solar
January 20, 2022

The demand for solar energy has soared over the years, topping the 100 gigawatts energy count. Solar energy accounts to more than 20% of total energy generation in Victoria. Harnessed through solar panels, there are a lot of factors that determine the solar output at your property. To make sure which panels will work the best to meet your needs, you should know everything about the efficiency and costs.

What Actually Is Solar Panel Output?

The amount of energy generated by solar panels is known as solar panel output. The ratings are generally based on the energy wattage they produce.

Energy consumption is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). Translating the solar panel power output from watts to kWh tells us what capacity of energy they can produce.

Factors To Consider Based On Solar Panel Output

  • Your Energy Usage

Almost every homeowner can give a brief idea of how much energy they consume per month by reviewing their electricity bills. By determining the approximate kWh that your residence uses annually, you can figure out which capacity of solar panels will work the right for you.

  • Your Environmental Footprint

Based on your residential usage, you can easily determine if you should reduce your footprint or just go off the grid. By calculating the upfront costs, you can choose rooftop solar panels or off the grid ones. The latter are comparatively costly.

  • Your Energy Efficiency

To reduce your energy dependency, you can consider investing in energy efficient appliances. This will decrease your energy usage and lower the number of solar panels needed, thereby minimizing the costs.

Is There Any Reduction In Solar Panel Output Over Time?

In most cases, solar panel output decreases over time with an annual drop of 0.5 percent. There are many reasons that contribute to this, including degradation, extreme weather conditions and soaring temperatures. Rooftop solar panels go through harsher conditions compared to the ground ones.

Though typical solar panels offer warranties that last for around 20-30 years, it’s better to maintain them every year to prevent efficiency reduction.

Now that you know what solar panel output is and the factors associated with it, it’s the best time to make up your mind about going solar. Online Air and Solar is a trusted solar panel installation company in Melbourne proudly assisting households and businesses in going solar.

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