Benefits of Off-Grid Solar System

Solar energy is a well-known energy source as most people appreciate it for its sustainability and cost. Solar energy is generated when sunlight strikes solar panels, which then turn solar power into usable electricity. Many people are switching to renewable energy to power up their homes for keeping their environments clean while spending less money on electricity. When consumers switching to solar power, they can choose between grid-tied or an off-grid solar system. Grid-tied is very common and much standard among solar system owners as the installation process connects your home with the rest of the city’s energy source. So they can depend on the power grid system. On the other hand, going off-grid solar system implies users are independent at providing power to their home. Compared to a grid-tied system, off-grid solar power depends on batteries to store the power controlled by the solar panels.

We’re going to discuss just why an off-grid solar system is beneficial. There are many advantages of going off-grid which many people may not recognize. Now let’s get started.

5 benefits of having an off-grid solar system

Avoiding Power Outages

Power outages occur without any warning. Losing electricity can be inconvenient and stressful also. Off-grid solar systems can help you stand out from the rest when power is out. You avoid any unpredictable power outages at home by these products. It happens because the off-grid solar system design enables us to convert light from the sun into usable energy for homes, so that, you can get a clean supply of energy running around your home. You won’t be tied to the city’s power source, which can make you frustrating about power interruptions due to freezing rain, sleet storms, or high winds that can damage power lines and equipment. Installing an off-grid solar system on your home makes it independent in terms of energy gathering. Batteries charged with solar energy can permit your home to work without having to stress about storms, rains, winds, cold snaps that can interrupt power by damaging power lines. The equipment of an off-grid system is standalone. Going off-grid is excellent for people getting ready for disasters that can result in long-term power outages, so that, they can survive with relative comfort.

Reducing Electricity Costs

Using the off-grid solar system reduces your dependency on finite resources like fossil fuels that increase in price as they deplete. It also eliminates the need to pay for electric bills.

Off-grid solar systems depend on the sun to produce energy for a household, so there are no monthly electric bills to pay. The inceptions of LED fixtures reduce the need for paying for maintenance that only requires changing the battery. One of the great incentives of going off-grid solar system is that you’ll be saving money in the long run.

Although the initial cost for an off-grid solar system is high – a user is paying for the types of equipment such as solar panels, inverters, batteries, wiring, etc, but the low monthly rates and low maintenance costs make up for it in the long run.

Easier Installation

The installation of grid-tied systems requires the professional’s service to connect it to the city’s electric grid. On the other hand, since the equipment associated with off-grid solar systems are not dependent on the grid; the installation process is easier than having to depend on complex infrastructure to function.

Many people decide to hire a professional in installing an off-grid solar system because of the seemingly complicated process. But installing an off-grid solar system only requires a homeowner to be knowledgeable of common equipment. The process is not as intricate, which could eliminate the need of hiring a professional.

Off-grid solar systems invest anyplace compared to the traditional grid power where lines constrict to using existing poles and infrastructure or completely costly trenching to put the energy where it’s necessary.

Alternative Power Source for Rural Areas

Electricity is one of the most significant problems of residents of rural and remote areas as these areas are prone to blackouts. They have less advanced infrastructure than urbanized places which results in difficulty in connecting to the main electrical grid. With such limited access to the grid anyway, an off-grid solar system would be perfect for rural households.

For people who live in a rural area, an off-grid solar system can make your home more independent from inconsistent city power. It is also normally cheaper so users can save money and don’t have to pay extra to connect to anything.

Keeping the Environment Clean and Green

One of the most important benefits of installing an off-grid solar energy system is that it is more environmentally-friendly than fossil fuel power. Most people are deciding to go solar because solar power is more green and clean for the environment than fossil fuel energy. Burning fossil fuels don’t just produce energy but drive the global warming crisis as well. Since it produces large quantities of carbon dioxide which traps heat in the atmosphere and it leads to climate change. Renewable energy lets everyone generate electricity without having to burn fossil fuels. So it reduces the carbon footprint and keeps the air clean. Off-grid technology helps to provide electricity reducing your consumption of fossil fuel. So the Off-grid solar system helps to minimize the negative impact on the environment.

We’ve discussed the advantages of the off-grid solar system. It is a popular choice among homeowners who are looking for ways to reduce their monthly electricity costs and contribute to making the world more sustainable. It’s affordable, efficient, and environment-friendly. That’s why many people are interested to go for off-grid solar systems.

How Net Metering Works

We all know that the solar industry has grown exponentially in the last decade. Many people want to use solar energy. There are many reasons to go solar. Solar power is an advanced form of renewable energy. It is the environment-friendly, economic, great return of investment. One of the most important solar systems is net metering. If you’re considering going with solar, it’s important to understand how Net Metering works and how it can be applied.

What is net metering?

Net metering is the billing system that allows for residential and commercial customers who generate excess electricity with their solar panel systems to sell the electricity and sending it back to the grid.

With the right size solar energy system, you can produce enough electricity to match your home’s electricity use for the entire year. The utility monitors the meter on your property to hold track of how much energy you use. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home needs, that excess power will be sent to the power grid. Your utility will then pay you for that power sent to the grid, usually in the form of energy credits on your utility bill. If you pull back more than you produce, you pay the utility for any extra usage.

In general, most homes will produce excess electricity in the summer months and will use more electricity from the grid in the winter. If you produce more power than you use in a given month, excess production is credited to your account and rolled over to future months. These credits can be “banked” for times of low production, which means credits you procure in summer can be utilized in winter session when the days are shorter and the weather is more terrible.

How net metering works

In general, solar energy systems produce more electricity in the afternoon, when many people aren’t home utilizing power. Home power use is commonly higher in the mornings and night time. Net metering helps you to track these high points and low points in your everyday electricity production and usage.

With net metering, excess electricity is fed into your electric utility’s grid when your solar system produces more than you need. At the point when this occurs, your meter really runs backward. When your system doesn’t produce enough electricity, you can draw it from your utility similarly as you did before you went solar. In this process, your system and the grid ensures that your excess production will still be utilized and your deficiencies will be met. The excess electricity your home produces covers the time when your solar system can’t produce enough electricity.

With net metering, the homeowner is only billed for the “net” energy used each month, i.e. the difference between the energy produced by the solar power system and the energy consumed by the house over the monthly billing period.

At the point when your solar system produces more electricity than you use through the span of a month, your service bill will get a credit dependent on the net number of kilowatt-hours you offered back to the network. If you produce less electricity than you use in a given month, you should purchase power from your utility to compensate for any shortfall. In these cases, you would pay for the power you use, less any excess electricity your solar panels generated.

The Benefits of Net Metering

Solar net metering has several benefits. It has various advantages from the financial to the environmental.

  • Depending upon the size of your solar system and the measure of solar energy you produce every month, you can incredibly reduce your monthly electric bills, and even benefit from it.
  • supports the development of renewable energy and energy savings at the level of households and firms,
  • extends the period of use of electricity from its own resources without needing self-storage,
  • to sell electricity to the grid it is not necessary to install an additional meter,
  • it’s administratively simple,
  • reduces the risk of investment,
  • requires little or no support from the government,
  • reduces the cost of the acquisition of self-sourced electricity

How long will it take to pay off my solar system with net metering?

Regions that offer full retail net metering will have shorter payback periods than territories that don’t offer net metering. On average, solar panel systems have a payback period in the range of four and nine years.

There are a number of factors that go into determining the payback period for your solar energy system, such as:

  • The size of your system
  • The amount of electricity your home consumes
  • The price of electricity in your area
  • The cost of installation
  • Applicable tax credits or rebates

Is net metering available in Australia?

Australia uses two types of metering when paying for solar energy. Net and Gross Metering. Net Metering is when electricity is consumed in the house and only unused electricity is exported into the grid. Gross Metering is when all the solar electricity generated is exported into the grid.

How often do you need to clean your solar panels?

Solar panels produce electricity only if the sun is shining directly on them. Any obstructions from dust, snow, or vegetation will cut into your production—or halt electricity generation altogether.

To get the most efficiency out of your solar panels and extend their life, it’s important to clean them regularly. Solar panel cleaning can be a chore, but it is well worth it if you want the benefits of solar energy. If you need to clean your Solar Panels by expert professionals, please contact us.

Why Do You Need to Clean Your Solar Panels?

Solar panels require very little regular maintenance. There are several reasons to clean your solar panels. For starters, cleaning your panels and ensuring they are kept in good working condition protects your warranty. The best brands that manufacture solar panels provide a range of warranties that guarantee you will have support and coverage in the unlikely event of an issue, such as hail or falling tree branches. These solar panel warranties are transferable to new homeowners, which is a good reason to clean your panels should you wish to sell your home in the future.

Generally, solar panels don’t need to be cleaned. They are very durable and should last around 20-25 years with no maintenance. If you live somewhere where there is a lot of smog, dust, or dirt, you may see a dip in your production over time that can be remedied by cleaning your panels and it will result in more power generation. If your panels are mounted on your roof, however, your best option is to hire a professional cleaning service rather than try to clean them yourself. Your installer will be able to recommend someone local to help you or be able to offer their services.

Note: the main reason it is not recommended to clean panels for yourself entirely depends upon how much experience you have working upon the medium to high rooftop areas, what safety equipment you have on hand to prevent a fall, how physically fit you are and how well do you want the panels cleaned. If any of the first three previous points were answered with “no”, it is not recommended for a homeowner to not attempt to clean their own panels upon the rooftop. As you will be risking your life or severe bodily harm. Keep reading as we will go into greater detail about this.

Keeping solar panels clean can also improve their efficiency. Some manufacturers and solar panel users report a jump in efficiency of 30 percent or more after cleaning. It’s a good idea to keep track of your energy output before and after your solar panels have been cleaned. Because that alone can showcase the benefits of maintaining your energy-saving investment.

Finally, cleaning your solar cells extends their life. Solar panel cleaning is a great chance to check your panels over and make sure they are in good condition. Keeping them clean also ensures they will last as long as possible—in some cases, 25 to 30 years.

How Do You Clean Your Solar Panels?

If you do decide your solar panels need to be cleaned, there are two main ways of doing it: hire a professional or do it yourself.

There are solar companies that will clean your solar panels for you and many people opt for this because they don’t want the stress and hassle of cleaning them on their own. Not to mention it can be a risky task getting up onto your roof to deal with your solar panels.

Hiring someone to clean your panels can be pricey but remember that any solar maintenance should be conducted by trained technicians.

If you were interested in doing it yourself, you need to do:

  • Follow the instructions in your solar panel manual to completely shut off the system before attempting any sort of cleaning
  • Check the solar panel manuals directions for cleaning. If there were no instructions provided when you purchased your panels or had them installed, check online or contact the solar system installer directly. It’s important to make sure there are no special instructions or warnings missed when cleaning the solar panels to avoid damaging or chipping of the panels.
  • Keep in mind the panels might be hot, so try to clean them first thing in the morning or later at night. Cooler days tend to keep your panels cooler. However, as they are attracting the sun, this isn’t always the case.
  • Using your garden hose to spray down the panels is the safer option. In some cases, this will be enough to get them clean, but sometimes you’ll need to do a more thorough with your cleaning efforts.
  • For personally cleaning solar panels upon the rooftop. Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water or a cleaning solution designed for solar panels. Use a soft cloth or sponge and wipe them down with the soap solution and then rinse the panels with a hose. Please do note that you must have a harness and rope attached to a solid anchor point upon the roof to avoid a fatal or damaging fall.

The actual cleaning process for solar panels can be easy but the biggest challenge most people encounter is related to getting to the panels. Be sure to use extreme caution if you have a high or slanted roof. There are 3M Extendable Wash Brushes available for cleaning if you’re concerned about climbing too high on your roof.

What are the benefits of having your solar panels cleaned by a professional as opposed to cleaning them yourself?

Solar panels that were cleaned professionally had a 12% higher output of electricity compared to those cleaned by rain. Tap water and chemicals can leave a residue on your panels that can inadvertently encourage dirt to accumulate. This is one of the reasons that having your panels cleaned professionally is a good idea. Using a de-ionised water system (as Lime Solar does) to give an effective spot free finish that is more resistant to becoming dirty will also give you a better result with a longer-lasting impact. De-ionised water systems are not generally worth the investment for individual homeowners who plan to use them only for window cleaning, but a good professional cleaner will have one as a matter of course.

Another part of having a trained professional do the job is that they can check other aspects that can affect the health and performance of your system. These include potential fire safety issues, cracks, hot spots and nests from uninvited guests like birds, rats and possums, etc. Detecting issues like crazing (ie. webs of small cracks) and delamination (i.e. peeling off of laminate layer) is also essential to ensure a system running well.

How Often Should I Clean My Solar Panels?

How often you should clean your panels depends on where you live and what your panels are exposed to. It’s a good idea to check them periodically, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned them.

At the least, you should do an annual cleaning of your solar panels. You can include solar panel cleaning as part of your springtime rooftop cleaning routine.

We at Solar Man Australia recommend that panels should be cleaned and inspected at a minimum once every six months. Cleaning at regular intervals prevents the buildup of residue and keeps your panels operating optimally at all times. This tends to result in a 3 to 5% increase in inefficiency.

If you live somewhere where there is a lot of smog, dust, or dirt, you may see a dip in your production over time that can be remedied by cleaning your panels. If your panels are mounted on your roof, however, your best option is to hire a professional cleaning service rather than try to clean them yourself.

Dust, leaves, snow and ice are the common solar blockers. In addition to cleaning your panels of film and dirt buildup, you’ll want to keep an eye on your panels if they are exposed to falling leaves and debris, or if it snows. It’s a good idea to clean your panels at the end of winter if you’ve been unable to clean them due to the colder temps. This washes away snow residue and leaves from the autumn.

One of the best ways to determine if your panels need cleaning is to keep an eye on your power. If you notice a decrease in efficiency it could mean your panels are in need of a cleaning. Not keeping your panels clean will cost you money in the long run and can put the lifespan of your panels at risk. Regular checks can also prevent cracks or fire risks from developing into something worse. Clean solar panels will return to their optimal efficiency and safety.

In this article, we have discussed how to clean your solar panel to increase solar panel efficiency and save your electric bill. Solar Penrith is a solar care company in Australia that takes care of the after-sale care needs of individuals and businesses with solar panels. It makes it easy for you to give your panels a regular once-over with a thorough visual check and professional clean that can be arranged through your installer or with us directly. If you any queries about cleaning your solar panel, you can contact us.

History of Solar (Evolution of Alternate Energy)

Though solar energy has found a dynamic and established role in today’s clean energy economy, there’s a long history behind photovoltaics (PV) that brought the concept of solar energy to fruition. With the way the cost of solar has plummeted in the past decade, it’s easy to forget that going solar had a completely different meaning even just 15 years ago. Let’s go back a few centuries to the origins of solar PV and explore the history of solar energy and silicon solar technology. Inventors have been advancing solar technology for more than a century and a half, and improvements in efficiency and aesthetics keep on coming.

Long before the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, generating awareness about the environment and support for environmental protection, scientists were making the first discoveries in solar energy. It all began with Edmond Becquerel, a young physicist working in France, who in 1839 observed and discovered the photovoltaic effect— a process that produces a voltage or electric current when exposed to light or radiant energy. A few decades later, French mathematician Augustin Mouchot was inspired by the physicist’s work. He began registering patents for solar-powered engines in the 1860s. From France to the U.S., inventors were inspired by the patents of the mathematician and filed for patents on solar-powered devices as early as 1888.

Take a light step back to 1883 when New York inventor Charles Fritts created the first solar cell by coating selenium with a thin layer of gold. Fritts reported that the selenium module produced a current “that is continuous, constant, and of considerable force.” This cell achieved an energy conversion rate of 1 to 2 percent. Most modern solar cells work at an efficiency of 15 to 20 percent. So, Fritts created what was a low impact solar cell, but still, it was the beginning of photovoltaic solar panel innovation in America. Named after Italian physicist, chemist and pioneer of electricity and power, Alessandro Volta, photovoltaic is the more technical term for turning light energy into electricity, and used interchangeably with the term photoelectric.

Only a few years later in 1888, inventor Edward Weston received two patents for solar cells – U.S. Patent 389,124 and U.S. Patent 389,425. For both patents, Weston proposed, “to transform radiant energy derived from the sun into electrical energy, or through electrical energy into mechanical energy.” Light energy is focused via a lens (f) onto the solar cell (a), “a thermopile (an electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy) composed of bars of dissimilar metals.” The light heats up the solar cell and causes electrons to be released and current to flow. In this instance, light creates heat, which creates electricity; this is the exact reverse of the way incandescent light bulb works, converting electricity to heat that then generates light.

That same year, a Russian scientist by the name of Aleksandr Stoletov created the first solar cell based on the photoelectric effect, which is when light falls on a material and electrons are released. This effect was first observed by a German physicist, Heinrich Hertz. In his research, Hertz discovered that more power was created by ultraviolet light than visible light. Today, solar cells use the photoelectric effect to convert sunlight into power. In 1894, American inventor Melvin Severy received patents 527,377 for an “Apparatus for mounting and operating thermopiles” and 527,379 for an “Apparatus for generating electricity by solar heat.” Both patents were essentially early solar cells based on the discovery of the photoelectric effect. The first generated “electricity by the action of solar heat upon a thermo-pile” and could produce a constant electric current during the daily and annual movements of the sun, which alleviated anyone from having to move the thermopile according to the sun’s movements. Severy’s second patent from 1889 was also meant for using the sun’s thermal energy to produce electricity for heat, light and power. The “thermos piles,” or solar cells as we call them today, were mounted on a standard to allow them to be controlled in the vertical direction as well as on a turntable, which enabled them to move in a horizontal plane. “By the combination of these two movements, the face of the pile can be maintained opposite the sun all times of the day and all seasons of the year,” reads the patent.

Almost a decade later, American inventor Harry Reagan received patents for thermal batteries, which are structures used to store and release thermal energy. The thermal battery was invented to collect and store heat by having a large mass that can heat and release energy. It does not store electricity but “heat,” however, systems today use this technology to generate electricity by conventional turbines. In 1897, Reagan was granted U.S. patent 588,177 for an “application of solar heat to thermo batteries.” In the claims of the patent, Reagan said his invention included “a novel construction of apparatus in which the sun’s rays are utilized for heating thermo-batteries, the object being to concentrate the sun’s rays to a focus and have one set of junctions of a thermo-battery at the focus of the rays, while suitable cooling devices are applied to the other junctions of said thermo-battery.” His invention was a means to collecting, storing and distributing solar heat as needed.

In 1913, William Coblentz, of Washington, D.C., received patent 1,077,219 for a “thermal generator,” which was a device that used light rays “to generate an electric current of such a capacity to do useful work.” He also meant for the invention to have cheap and strong construction. Although this patent was not for a solar panel, these thermal generators were invented to either convert heat directly into electricity or to transform that energy into power for heating and cooling.

By the 1950s, Bell Laboratories realized that semiconducting materials such as silicon were more efficient than selenium. They managed to create a solar cell that was 6 percent efficient. Inventors Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson (inducted to the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2008) were the brains behind the silicon solar cell at Bell Labs. While it was considered the first practical device for converting solar energy to electricity, it was still cost prohibitive for most people. Silicon solar cells are expensive to produce, and when you combine multiple cells to create a solar panel, it’s even more expensive for the public to purchase.

The year is 1956, and the first solar cells are available commercially. The cost however is far from the reach of everyday people. At $300 for a 1 watt solar cell, the expense was far beyond anyone’s means. 1956 started showing us the first solar cells used in toys and radios. These novelty items were the first item to have solar cells available to consumers.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s satellites in the USA’s and Soviet’s space program were powered by solar cells and in the late 1960s solar power was basically the standard for powering space bound satellites.

In the early 1970s a way to lower the cost of solar cells was discovered. This brought the price down from $100 per watt to around $20 per watt. This research was spearheaded by Exxon. Most off-shore oil rigs used the solar cells to power the waning lights on the top of the rigs.

The period from the 1970s to the 1990s saw quite a change in the usage of solar cells. They began showing up on railroad crossings, in remote places to power homes, Australia used solar cells in their microwave towers to expand their telecommunication capabilities. Even desert regions saw solar power bring water to the soil where line fed power was not an option!

Today we see solar cells in a wide variety of places. You may see solar-powered cars. There is even a solar-powered aircraft that has flown higher than any other aircraft with the exception of the Blackbird. With the cost of solar cells well within everyone’s budget, solar power has never looked so tempting.

Recently new technology has given us screen-printed solar cells, and a solar fabric that can be used to side a house, even solar shingles that install on our roofs. International markets have opened up and solar panel manufacturers are now playing a key role in the solar power industry.

Top 5 reasons to have solar panels at home or business

If you’ve ever wondered whether the benefits of solar energy can outweigh the costs, you’re not alone. Interest in this alternative, sustainable energy source has steadily increased since it was first introduced. In fact, the solar panel has found in Australia on the rooftops of residential and commercial buildings. According to the 2019 Energy Transition Index by the World Economic Forum, Australia ranked 43rd in the list of 115 countries. This report focuses on the rates at which the energy performance of the countries improve and their readiness to embrace sustainable energy. In the index, Australia, Canada, and South Korea were the only major economies that scored outside the top 25% of countries.

The renewable energy industry in Australia is on course to install more than 10 GW of new solar and wind power during 2018-19. In 2018, 2 million households in Australia installed rooftop solar panels. It means that one in every five households now have solar power to bring down their electricity bills.

If this rate of solar installations remains, the country will reach 50% renewable capacity in 2025.

According to the Australian Energy Market Operator, rooftop solar will generate 85% more power than the 2017-18 financial year.

On the other hand, solar farms will supply nearly 5,000MW of power, which is an increase from just a few hundred megawatts of power in 2017-18.

A report by Green Energy Markets states that in the first three months of 2019, a record number of solar capacity has been installed in residential and commercial buildings. It is an increase of 46% during the same period last year.

Maybe there’s something to this growing trend.

Top five reasons why you should consider solar panels at home or businesses

Savings on Electricity Bill

Factoring local weather, local net metering policy and your household energy consumption, you could save over 50% on your power bill by installing solar panels at home. Solar panel installation is a one-time investment that has a guaranteed life for a much longer time. A normal electricity connection that you get from the state government is chargeable on a monthly basis which amounts to much more than what one pays for a rooftop solar system at the time of installation. Besides that generally, electricity prices keep on fluctuating from time to time. So, it is difficult to calculate the expenditure on electricity for a certain period of time. However, when it comes to electricity generated by solar rooftops, you also fix your electricity costs and make your monthly bill more predictable. So you can easily maintain your expense forecasting and management capabilities.

Earn Tax Credit

There are many tax advantages to installing solar panels. You’d get government rebates and other financial incentives that help the solar system to make it more cost-effective. The federal government offers Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) to business entrepreneurs who invest in a solar panel system. The number of STCs you get depends on the measure of electricity the system creates or displaces, determined in megawatts every hour. Feed-in tariffs (FiTs) are also available for households or businesses. It means you’ll be paid for excess electricity generated by your solar PV systems which send back to the grid. Tax advantage differs by area, so ask for professional guidance. Net metering is another impressive advantage of having solar panels. Net metering is a term which refers to selling energy to conventional grid station in cases of excess production using solar panels. This way electricity bills are reduced by sending electricity back to the grid station.

Increase Your Home Value

The value of your home goes up high as soon as you get the rooftop solar panel system installed. Millions of Australian homeowners are interested in solar panel rooftops but haven’t taken the time to figure out what it takes to install them. This consumer reality and the undeniable benefits of having solar panels on a home complements recent studies that found property values increase after solar is installed. If you invest in solar panel rooftops, then you’ll get the increased resale value of your homes when you sell your home in the future.

Save the Environment

Solar power systems are very friendly to the environment and do not pollute it in any way, they do not have any by-product only electricity is produced. When solar electricity is used in place of energy generated by fossil fuels for meeting needs like lightening homes, office buildings, pumping of water, etc, it will reduce the amount of carbon monoxide, greenhouse gasses, and other pollution emitted into the air. The more electricity from solar panels is used the more it is beneficial for the environment to reduce impurities from our atmosphere.

Almost No Maintenance

It needs low maintenance due to that the moving parts used in the system are low. Solar panels are an extremely reliable source of power that should last 25 years or longer. Of course, not all panels are created equally regarding their reliability or efficiency. The least you’ve to do is to clean the panels occasionally to keep them free from dust so that you get the maximum power from the panels. If your PV system is complicated, then it needs a little bit of maintenance. But in general, it can be called these systems as ‘’ free-maintenance’’.

Solar Feed-in Tariffs in NSW, Australia

Solar feed-in tariffs (FIT) are the payment made to solar owners for the energy they generate and send back into the grid. Like a tiny power station, any extra energy generated through the solar panels that you don’t use can be sold back into the grid at the feed-in tariff rate. The retailer-provided solar FITs listed here do not include any bonus feed-in tariff that may be provided by state or territory governments.

Current solar feed-in tariffs in NSW are offered under what is called a Voluntary Retailer Contribution. This means New South Wales electricity retailers don’t have to pay anything for solar electricity exported to the grid, but most do make payment for the energy you export – and so they should, solar energy is valuable stuff!

The FiT is a rate that is set per kilowatt hour (kWh) and the amount paid varies between retailers.

The government has called on NSW energy retailers to offer solar customers feed-in tariffs that meet a benchmark set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). The benchmark range for the 2019/20 financial year is 8.5 to 10.4 cents per kilowatt-hour. You can read more about IPART’s Review of Solar feed-in tariffs 2018/19.

Any variation will by then move out through your meter into the grid and that is exported power, you will get paid for that electricity at the feed-in tariff rates(current). The Solar feed-in tariff is fixed by the state government.

You can use the NSW Energy Switch service to compare plans from all providers, including feed-in tariff offers. This is a free price comparison website run by the NSW Government.

If you receive your bill directly from your electricity provider and you meet the eligibility requirements, you can use the Energy Switch tool to compare your plan with other available plans. If you decide to switch providers, they will initiate the switching process for you.

When shopping around for an energy provider, it’s worth considering things like:

  • usage charges (i.e. consumption charges)
  • network charges
  • feed-in tariffs
  • Any other terms and conditions including ‘paid-on-time’ discounts or late payment fees.

NSW solar feed-in tariffs for households by electricity retailer (cents per kWh exported)

Retailer Min Solar FIT Max Solar FIT
1st Energy (FIT) 6.0c 6.0c
AGL (FIT) 10.2c 21.0c
Alinta Energy (FIT) 7.5c 7.5c
Amaysim (FIT) 0.0c 15.0c
Click Energy (FIT) 10.0c 14.0c
Commander (FIT) 11.6c 11.6c
CovaU Energy (FIT) 0.0c 8.5c
Diamond Energy (FIT) 0.0c 12.0c
Dodo (FIT) 11.6c 11.6c
Energy Australia (FIT) 10.5c 10.5c
Energy Locals (FIT) 11.0c 16.0c
GloBird Energy (FIT) 8.0c 8.0c
Kogan Energy (FIT) 6.7c 6.7c
Mojo Power (FIT) 10.0c 10.0c
Momentum Energy (FIT) 0.0c 7.0c
Origin Energy (FIT) 7.8c 21.0c
Powerdirect (FIT) 10.2c 10.2c
Powershop (FIT) 10.2c 10.2c
QEnergy (FIT) 8.0c 8.0c
Red Energy (FIT) 10.2c 11.1c
Simply Energy (FIT) 0.0c 8.0c
Sumo FIT 11.1c 11.1c

What is Solar PV?

Solar photovoltaic systems commonly referred to as solar PV systems, convert sunlight directly into electricity. This is different from the solar thermal collectors for solar water heaters. A solar PV system can help reduce carbon emissions and your electricity bill by producing sustainable electricity from the sun instead of burning fossil fuels.

Solar PV first appeared in niche markets in the 1950s and slowly became more mainstream as it was used in off-grid applications.

Most electricity is distributed through an electrical utility provider, the company that produces and/or distributes electricity to consumers. The electricity from a variety of sources is distributed along the electrical grid and can span hundreds of miles from the power plants to homes and businesses. This grid network is not always reliable due to overloading, severe weather, and maintenance or upgrades. Installing a PV power system allows you to create your own electricity to supply your entire home or business and can potentially eliminate the issues associated with large utility grids. The amount of electricity generated is dependent on several factors: the size and arrangement of the PV power system, the PV module type, the available sunlight, and the efficiency of the electrical components used to convert solar energy into electricity usable by your home or building.

Definition of Solar PV

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) is a technology that converts sunlight into direct current electricity by using semiconductors. When the sun hits the semiconductor within the PV cell, electrons are freed and form an electric current.

Solar PV technology is generally employed on a panel (hence solar panels). PV cells are typically found connected to each other and mounted on a frame called a module. Multiple modules can be wired together to form an array, which can be scaled up or down to produce the amount of power needed.

How Solar Panels are made?

PV cells can be made from various semiconductor materials. The most commonly used material today is silicon but other materials, such as the ones listed below, are being tested and used to increase the efficiency of converting sunlight to electricity.

Monocrystalline Silicon
Polycrystalline Silicon
Amorphous Silicon
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)
Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS)

Almost 90% of the world’s PV technologies, today, are based on some variation of silicon. Monocrystalline is referred to as single-crystalline, these solar panels consist of one crystalline structure, given them deep dark shading. Monocrystalline cells have the most noteworthy energy efficiency at around 15%-21%, which means they convert 15%-21% of the absorbed solar energy into electricity. It is considered the highest quality of the types of material.

A Polycrystalline cell is referred to as multi-crystalline cells. It has more silicon impurities than monocrystalline panels. This makes it less efficient, normally converting around 13-16% and more affordable.

Thin-film solar panels are made by placing a few thin layers of photovoltaic over one another to makes the module. There are a couple of various kinds of thin-film solar panels, and the way by which they differ from one another comes down to the material utilized for the PV layers. The sorts are as per the following:

  • Amorphous silicon
  • Cadmium telluride
  • Organic PV cells
  • Copper indium gallium selenide

These solar panels are considered the least expensive solar panels and these panels have very low energy efficiency.

The major difference between the technologies is the material used to generate electricity out of sunlight. Each type of material has different attributes, resulting in different applications and efficiencies. In general, the efficiency of solar PV technologies varies, ranging between 6-18% at the moment.

How PV Systems Work

Grid-connected PV System

The grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system is a common and cost-effective option to reduce electricity bills and emissions. It consists of PV modules, a grid-connect inverter, associated mounting hardware, and electrical cables and safety devices. You can generate your own renewable energy on site, and supplement your electricity needs from the local utility grid when the PV system is not supplying enough energy. You can also export excess electricity back to the utility company when the PV system is generating more electricity than you need. The way this exported electricity is metered and the rate of financial return varies by country, state and utility provider. The downside of this system configuration is that you are still connected to the grid. Depending on local regulations the system will automatically shut down if the grid becomes unavailable, meaning you will not produce any solar power during this time, and would still experience blackouts. You would also only use solar power during daylight hours with good solar irradiation, so at night and on cloudy days you would still draw power from the grid and pay an electricity bill.

Grid-connected PV System with Batteries

A grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system with batteries gives you the best of both worlds. The PV modules can be used to charge a battery bank during the day, and then provide this electricity to your home or business whenever it is needed (day or night). Maintaining a connection to the grid also allows for electricity to be supplied during periods of high use or when the weather is bad for extended periods. Depending on local regulations and government incentives, you may be able to export electricity from your battery bank at times when the utility provider needs it most, and attract a higher rate of return for that solar power. This system could also be configured to supply DC loads from the battery bank.

Off-grid PV System

The off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be extensively applied in remote locations, and other areas not covered by the main power grid. The PV modules generate electricity that is used to charge batteries during sunlight hours. This can then power DC loads directly or be provided to the AC load through the inverter. This system configuration provides independence from the utility grid however there are limitations on the days of autonomy and the size of the loads that can be supplied by batteries and inverters on their own.

For some applications where small amounts of electricity are required, like emergency call boxes and UPS systems, PV systems are often cost justified even when the grid is accessible. When applications require larger amounts of electricity and are located away from existing power lines, PV systems can in many cases offer the least expensive and most viable option.

Advantage of Solar PV

  • PV panels provide clean – green energy. During electricity generation with PV panels, there is no harmful greenhouse gas emissions thus solar PV is environmentally friendly.
  • Solar energy is the energy supplied by nature – it is thus free and abundant!
  • Solar energy can be made available almost anywhere there is sunlight
  • Solar energy is especially appropriate for smart energy networks with distributed power generation – DPG is indeed the next-generation power network structure!
  • Solar panels cost is currently on a fast reducing track and is expected to continue reducing for the next years – consequently, solar PV panels have indeed a highly promising future both for economical viability and environmental sustainability.
  • Photovoltaic panels, through the photoelectric phenomenon, produce electricity in a direct electricity generation way.
  • Operating and maintenance costs for PV panels are considered to be low, almost negligible, compared to the costs of other renewable energy systems.
  • PV panels have no mechanically moving parts, except in cases of sun-tracking mechanical bases; consequently, they have far fewer breakages or require less maintenance than other renewable energy systems (e.g. wind turbines).
  • PV panels are totally silent, producing no noise at all; consequently, they are a perfect solution for urban areas and for residential applications.
  • Because solar energy coincides with energy needs for cooling, PV panels can provide an effective solution to energy demand peaks – especially in hot summer months where energy demand is high.
  • Though solar energy panels’ prices have seen a drastic reduction in the past years, and are still falling, nonetheless, solar photovoltaic panels are one of the major renewable energy systems that are promoted through government subsidy funding (FITs, STCs, other tax credits, etc.); thus the financial incentive for PV panels make solar energy panels an attractive investment alternative.
  • Residential solar panels are easy to install on rooftops or on the ground without any interference to residential lifestyle.

In this article, we’ve discussed solar PV- Overview of solar PV, how solar PV is made, how solar PV works, its advantages, etc. If you want to protect the planet by cutting back on your dependence on nonrenewable energy and reduce your monthly electric bill, then get your free solar quote today!

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