Should I keep or sell my RECs/STCs? Why wouldn’t I sell them?

You don’t have to sell your RECs/STCs back to retailers. You may want to promote the growth of renewable energy sources by not selling them to a retailer, which will force them to get RECs/STCs from somewhere else. This will encourage further development and investment in renewable energy.

Are there also financial incentives for installing solar power?

Yes, from 2009 the Government has not only increased the amount of RECs available, but through its Renewable Remote Power Generation Program it also provides a rebate of up to 50% of the total purchase price for systems that meet the correct criteria. These criteria can be found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/pv/index.html

What is the advantage of installing a smaller, 1.5kW system, even though it does not produce all of the electricity that I need?

Installing a 1.5kW system is the best way to take advantage of the government rebates as the best rebate available is for this system. The larger the system, the higher the cost, but the amount of the government rebate only increases slightly with larger systems, so it may not be as economical to install a larger one.

What if I still want a larger system?

Bigger systems will gain a greater advantage from the government feed-in tariffs that are in place, so we recommend that you install the biggest system that fits within your price range.

How do I decide what size system is best for my home?

Everyone’s budget, energy efficiency and energy requirements are different. We will work with you to select the best solution by analyzing your power bills and discussing your budget.

How much money will I save with a 1.5kW solar system?

Based on the average consumption and production of your system, you can expect that, at current rates, your electricity bill will drop by around $250 per year, and that you will reduce the amount of CO2 released by 1.65 ton. Savings will be much greater as the cost of power continues to increase. If feed-in tariffs increase as proposed, the saving could be up to $180 per quarter on your bill.

Do solar panels stack up environmentally and recoup the energy expended in making them?

The average amount of energy that is expending in producing home solar panels will be recouped in under four years. This is great, as they have a life span of over 25 years.

Is it a problem if I do not have a north-facing roof?

You will receive excellent performance regardless of the direction your roof faces. North-facing panels will provide the greatest efficiency, but it is not an issue if your roof does not face that way.

Are solar panels covered by most home and contents insurers?

Yes, it is normal for this to be the case. Upon installation you need to ensure that any necessary adjustments are made to ensure that the sum you are insured for is enough to replace your home as well as your new solar system, if required.

Will I require permits from my council? What if I am in a heritage area?

These requirements vary. Please contact your local council to see if a planning permit is required in your locality.

How much is the feed-in tariff?

The government offers a feed-in tariff of 25c per kWh as a standard rate to most energy suppliers. Some retailers will offer premium rates that are greater than this. You should check the rate with your energy retailer.

How do you ensure that you give an accurate estimate of the system's production?

We ensure that this is accurate and base the estimated on the following simple formula:

Panel wattage x Number of panels x 5.1 (average daily sun hours in Melbourne) – 10% (variable) = average annual kWh per day

How does solar power work?

This is a three step process:

Using the solar panels on your rooftop (referred to as photovoltaic or PV modules), photons (from the sun) are converted into DC (direct current) electricity.
Your inverter then converts the DC electricity into AC (alternating current) electricity. This can now be used in your home.
Any AC power that is unused can be sold to your electricity retailer and put back into the grid.

How much solar energy can I expect to generate from my installation?

This depends on the size of your system, the quality of your installation and the weather conditions in your area. Different areas vary in the amount of sun that they receive on an average day – the more sun there is, the more energy you can expect to be produced. If you multiply the number of full effective sun hours by the size of your system you will have a good guide to the amount of electricity your installation will produce. Sun hours vary in Australia depending on the time of year and your location, but usual range is between four and seven hours.

Does my solar system still work at night?

No, solar systems require sunlight to produce power. At night you will need to purchase power from your electricity retailer.

What about on cloudy or overcast days? Will my solar system still function?

Yes, your solar system will function and still produce power on cloudy or overcast days, but it will do so at a de-rated amount. As a rough guide, on a light overcast day you can expect around 50% of the output that would be produced on a "full sun" day. Remember that you will have access to power regardless of the weather, as you are still connected to the main electricity grid.

What happens in the event of a blackout? Will my system still function?

Your solar system will shut itself down shortly after a blackout commences, and it will remain off until the blackout ends. The grid-connect system does not have energy storage capabilities such as batteries, and it is not a stand-alone system.

What is the meaning of the terms "grid connect" and "off grid"?

"Grid connect" describes the type of solar power system that all homes and businesses are connected to in metro areas. The term "grid connect" indicates that it is interconnected with the existing power grid provided by the power retailer in your area. Remote areas may use "off grid" systems, which are stand-alone systems that are not connected to the main power grid in this way.

How can I monitor my solar power consumption remotely?

There are many ways of doing this wirelessly and at minimal expense. An example of this would be the hand-held "cent-a-meter". This is a great way to visually track your solar electricity consumption.

Will I have enough space on my roof? What is needed?

A typical installation of a 1.5kW system needs about 12 square meters of space. The space required will depend on the wattage of the solar panel that you choose to install.

How long does installation take?

This can take between half a day and two days for a standard 1.5kW system, depending on your roof and the weather. Larger systems may take longer.

Why use solar power?

Solar energy is a leading source of renewable energy and offers many benefits. These include:

• Helping save the environment, by being environmentally-friendly, combatting climate change and building a better future for generations to come.

• Creating local green jobs.

• Being more energy efficient, saving water, being clean and never running out.

• Saving your bank balance. Being more economicalallows you to reap the benefits of never-ending energy savings. Also, you can act now to take advantage of generous government rebates and feed-in tariffs.

How long has photovoltaic technology been around?

Solar cells were first invented in the1880s. Today's modern panels came into use in about the 1950s and have been evolving ever since. They are now much improved, and are more efficient and cheaper to produce.

Will my retailer get my bills right, now that I am producing my own power?

Yes, your new smart meter will read both the energy produced by your solar system as well as the energy consumed from the normal power grid. You will pay for energy consumed off the power grid and will be credited via feed-in tariffs. Your retailer will bill you for the net amount of energy consumed or produced.

What is the difference between solar power and a solar hot water system?

Solar power and solar hot water systems work differently. A solar powered system uses photovoltaic cells to produce electricity. Solar hot water systems use black pipe tubes that use the heat from the sun to heat water.

How reliable are solar systems?

Solar systems are very reliable and can last for over 30 years. The current government rebates ensure that they comply to high Australian Standards. For maximum reliability, ensure that yours is installed by a reputable, fully trained professional.

Are solar panels reflective?

Solar panels are designed to absorb as much light as possible and, as such, they are not very reflective.

What does an inverter do?

An inverter is designed to convert the DC electricity produced by your solar panels into AC power so that it can be used by your home or sold back into the main grid. It is also used to shut down your solar systems in the event of a blackout.

How many solar panels do I need to run my house?

This depends on what your goals are and how much electricity you use. Any number of solar panels will dramatically reduce the amount of electricity you purchase from your energy retailer. If you can't afford to purchase enough panels to provide all of the electricity you consume, you can still purchase some of your electricity from your retailer.

Should I ask for permission from my electricity supplier prior to installing solar panels?

Yes, you should ask for permission. While most suppliers will connect your supply to the grid, they don't have to. We can assist you in making these enquiries, as well as in setting up the arrangements required for metering.

What if I move house? Should I take my system with me?

This depends on what you want to do and whether the roof of your new home is suitable for an installation. This is a personal choice. Some people choose to take their system with them, while others leave their system behind and use this to increase the value of their home.

How long will it take for a solar system pay itself back?

The current "payback period" for a solar system is current 10 to 15 years, although this is expected to dramatically shorten as electricity prices skyrocket. Another factor that is set to shorten this payback period is feed-in tariffs, which are set to rise. This means thata solar system is an excellent investment, and it has the added benefit of producing clean energy for you and your home.

Which is better cost wise: adding solar panels to a new home, or adding them to my existing home?

If both roofs are the same then the costs will be the same. When building a new home you can design your roof to be optimally shaped for a solar system, and you can build the cost of the panels into the construction of your home.

Will my roof be damaged by solar panels?

Most roofs can withstand the weight of solar panels without needing to be reinforced. Framing is attached to the rafters to ensure that the load is borne by the structure of the home, and not by the roofing materials. Your installation specialist will ensure that this is optimally designed for your home. You can also be assured that the installation will not cause leakage in your roof.

Do solar panels need maintenance, and is this easy to do?

Solar panels do require some minor maintenance, but they are designed to need very little. Dust is the main maintenance issueas this can reduce output by up to 5%, but most areas have regular rain which ensures that solar panels are kept free from too much dust. You may need to hose them down if you have had a long period of no rain. We also provide service and maintenance to ensure that your system's performance is kept at an optimum level.

Will solar panels survive extreme weather, such as hail storms?

Solar panels are extremely tough and it is very difficult to break them. Their angle also ensures that things like rain, hail and snow tend to slide off them, rather than striking them head-on.

Are solar systems safe?

Yes solar systems are very safe. We are accredited installers which means that our installations conform to the Australian Standards for Solar Electricity For Grid Connected Systems. A quality check is also performed by the Electrical Inspector after installation, and you will receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety with your installation.

What is the environment impact of producing solar panels?

Solar panels are made from silicon, and while their production does use some toxic chemicals this process is carefully managed. Rather than releasing any chemicals into the environment (like the air pollution created by burning coal), these are contained and re-used. When they are eventually discarded, this is also controlled. This means that the environmental impact of producing solar panels is as low as possible.

Are solar panels the most efficient source of renewable energy?

Solar panels are 15% less efficient than some other sources of renewable energy, such as wind farms or hydroelectricity generators. However, solar panels have the advantage of needing very little maintenance and lasting much longer without needing to be constantly upgraded.