How do you know you’re getting quality solar products?

Solar panels are increasingly being installed by homeowners to save electricity bills. It is a smart financial investment for many homeowners who are worried about rising electricity costs, and who want a system that both cuts their bills and generates green energy.

As you get offers from solar companies, many factors to consider – the equipment that you choose for your system, your financing options, and the installer that you select- all have an impact on your savings of solar system. This article will assist you to evaluate the different solar panels and inverters available so you can choose the best quality solar products for your home.

There are two main parts to the grid-connected solar energy system: the solar panels, which generate electricity from sunlight, and the inverter, which converts the electricity into a form that you can use in your home. Some also incorporate a monitoring system, which allows you to check how much power you’re generating and utilizing. Sustainable power source resources-solar panels and solar batteries are considerable, long-term investments. That’s why it’s important to know about the quality of solar products you’re getting. When you decide to go for a solar system, you take the time to understand, judge the longevity, and quality of solar equipment. Solar panel installation in Australia suddenly rises since the last few years. Nearly a quarter of Australian households have already made the move to solar. So, there is a lot of good-quality solar panel and battery available in Australia. But like any electrical system, sometimes unexpected errors arise and that’s why having an extensive guarantee is very important. So you need to know about solar and battery warranties, quality before buying the solar system.

How to choose your solar panels

  • Determine solar panel efficiency compared with the industry average of 16-18%
  • Check solar panel manufacturer warranties. The solar panel manufacturer provides average warranties of 10-25 years.
  • The cost of your solar PV system
  • Compare the cost to relative efficiency. Most solar panels provide an energy efficiency rating between 11 to 15 percent, which is the percentage of solar energy that is being converted into usable electricity. You need to check the best efficiency at the same value.

Why You Should Oversize Your Solar System?

If you’re looking into installing solar, one of the biggest questions is what size your solar panel system should be. It’s very common to install enough panels to cover as near 100 percent of your power needs as possible, as this is how you’ll maximize your savings. But is there any advantage to sizing your solar panel system to produce more power than you as of now need? For the vast majority, the response is no. But, there are certain circumstances in which it’s a good idea to install a larger system than you currently need.

What’s the meaning of “oversize” a solar panel system?

When somebody’s thinking about “oversizing” a solar panel system, it can mean two distinct things-

  • Installing more panels than they have to meet their power needs
  • Installing a solar panel system that has a higher power output rating than the solar inverter it’s connected to

Why you shouldn’t install more solar panels than you need?

Oversizing solar system won’t receive enormous benefits for most people, particularly in case you’re not using the extra electricity your system produces. Here are the top reasons why you shouldn’t include more panels than you need.

Utilities won’t pay you extra for your additional power

Most utility service providers offer net metering. With net metering, your service organization will credit your bill for any excess power generated from your solar system. But a larger solar system may mean more net metering credits for you. If you’re not utilizing the credits, it’ll either exist as a continuous credit on your bill or will expire after a certain period. The specific point of how long you’ll get the opportunity to keep net metering credits relies upon your service provider’s policy.

A misconception is that utilities will pay your cash for any excess power generated from your solar system. But the larger part of service organizations won’t pay individuals out for net metering credits. In the rare instance that your utility will buyout your additional net metering credits, the rate they will pay for them will be significantly lower than what you initially got for the net metering credit (which is ordinarily retail cost).

At last, the extra upfront cost of installing an oversized solar panel system won’t be worth it if you cannot take advantage of that extra electricity. The additional cost will extend your payback period for going solar.

Your solar panel system will upfront cost

A larger solar panel system is going more upfront cost. Because larger solar systems require more panels, a larger inverter, extra racking, and more work from your installer. The additional cost will rely upon what number of watts you’re including onto your solar panel system. But it generally isn’t worth it if you’re not using all the electricity being generated.

The Interconnection process is difficult

When you apply to connect your solar system to the grid, the utility service provider will audit your previous power utilization to check whether the system proposed is sized properly. Utilities the whole way across the country will frequently deny interconnection requests when the system proposed is larger than what your utilization history shows you need.

Some service providers will be stricter about giving permission to a large system than others and may make a special case in case you’re anticipating oversizing for a consistent explanation. Always check with an installer to see whether your utility allows oversizing, and if so how much.

The Interconnection process is difficult

If you install a larger system and paying more money, then you’ll be eligible for higher upfront incentives. Most tax credits and rebates are calculated as a percentage of your total expense or based on the size of your system. Some of the incentives also have a cap on the total amount you can claim. There are some performance-based incentives (PBIs) where your incentive amount is directly correlated to how much electricity you’re producing.

For example, in states with solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs), you will acquire more in SREC income with a larger system because you will generate more kWh. At that point, it turns into an issue of whether the additional SREC value is more than the extra upfront cost of more panels. For most of the current SREC markets, the answer is no.

The Interconnection process is difficult

When you are thinking about the installation of solar panels, you will go over the decision of how huge of a system you should buy. In this article, we will share with you the top reasons to oversize a solar panel system.

Oversizing a PV array also referred to as under-sizing a PV inverter, involves installing a PV array with a rated DC power which is larger than an inverter’s rated AC output power. It can be a valuable tool for system designers seeking to deliver a maximum amount of energy at the lowest possible specific cost.

An Oversized Solar Panel System Will Produce “Excess Power”

Solar panels rarely produce as much power as their capacity. It is possible to include additional panels with no power being lost. Also, the additional panel capacity helps the inverter to run at a higher efficiency which can almost make up for what is lost. At the point, when the total capacity of the solar panels is greater than that of the inverter the panels are said to be “oversized” or the inverter “overclocked”. Oversizing solar panels not only can save you the amount of money, but it also increases your energy generation when your grid operator limits the inverter size you can install. Under good weather conditions, solar panels are only producing energy when they have access to the sun’s rays. Oversized solar panel arrays will produce more DC power than their inverter turns into AC power and this outcome in the excess power being lost.

Lower the specific cost of energy delivered

By oversizing a PV array, a lower cost of energy can be delivered (lower $/kWh). Oversizing a PV array will increase the expense of PV modules and array racking for a system. Since this can be accomplished without necessarily expanding either the amount of rating of other balance of system components, the increased energy generation is accomplished with a lower $/kW introduced cost. This yields a lower specific cost of energy delivered by the system. An example comparison made using Sunny Design shows that by oversizing a PV array with a 5kW inverter, the yearly energy yield of a system can be increased by more than 28 percent for just an around 10 percent increase in the total cost of installation.

Reduce inverter costs

By oversizing a PV array; the DC energy output of that array can better match the rated AC power of an inverter. This implies that an inverter with a lower AC rating (and lower cost) can be utilized. This can diminish the relative cost of inverters compared to the complete system cost.

Achieve favorable energy output when installing inverters in limited space

Sometimes inverters need to be installed in specific locations, due to limitations from the owner or local electrical guidelines. This may mean it would not be possible to install the number of inverters at a site as would be wanted for a perfectly sized system. By oversizing PV arrays, it may be possible to accomplish nearly a similar yearly energy yield with fewer installed inverters. For example, utilizing Sunny Design, a 100kW PV array with three Sunny Tripower 25000TL inverters (i.e. 75kW of inverters) would produce around 2 percent less energy yearly compared to the same PV array with four Sunny Tripower 25000TL inverters (i.e. 100kW of inverters). This implies that there is just an almost 2 percent lower energy output for 25 percent fewer inverters.

Better match the inverter to the PV array, in the event an inverter needs to be replaced

If an inverter fails once it has exceeded its warranty period and it isn’t always possible to replace it with a similar model inverter. In such cases, an inverter of an alternate AC yield force may be bought and introduced. By introducing an inverter with a lower AC output power, the existing PV array could be better matched to the inverter’s capacity and the replacement cost to the system owner minimized.

Make the most of East-West PV arrays

PV arrays are installed to maximize energy output and as so are inclined towards the equator (south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere, north-facing in the Southern Hemisphere). Sometime the array plane available for installing PV modules with these ideal direction conditions may not be as great as other less ideal array planes. In situations where the area accessible for east and west-facing directions is greater, a PV array may be part of some east-facing strings and some west-facing strings. Since an east and west PV array will peak in output power at different times, it is possible to greatly oversize a PV array (example, install a DC input power equal to the inverter AC output power for each of the east and west PV arrays). Utilizing an inverter’s sizing ability in such a way can deliver greater energy output and a more level AC output every day.

There can be many reasons to install an oversized PV array. Given PV array rarely operates at their rated peak power, oversizing a PV array can utilize an inverter’s rated AC output and deliver a lower cost/watt system resulting in a lower specific cost of energy produced ($/kWh). It is significant for oversizing PV arrays that an inverter’s critical input limits are never exceeded. Sunny Design is the ideal tool to utilize when attempting to design a PV system with an oversized PV array. It is important to consistently conforming to local electrical guidelines and to utilize appropriately qualified system designers and installers.

Find out why more businesses are installing solar

Business owner tries to find various solutions for saving money and having a better budget management system for developing their business. One of the highest overhead costs facing you is the cost of electricity. Being dependent on the power grid means you’re dependent upon electric rate variances. Unexpected price increases may cause uncertainty of business, especially to your cash flow management. So going solar can be one of those solutions that help your business save on electricity bills. Investing in solar energy is not only a beneficial choice for your business but also a necessity for the earth to reduce carbon footprint and for having a greener world.

Rather than paying many dollars for the power grid sources, you can utilize solar energy. With photovoltaic (PV) panels installed at your office, the amount of expensive electricity your site requires from the utility grid is reduced.

Installing solar technology in your office will essentially reduce your business monthly electricity bills. At first, you should have some investment for the general procedure of setting the solar technology up, but it’s worth the money. But it’s turning out to be increasingly more affordable each year.

Solar PV panels generate electricity on-site, using clean and free sunshine, lowering your reliance on the grid. This allows your business to reduce its operating costs. Not only for saving electric bills, but solar energy is also a good investment for the environment. It will make you competitive among other businesses and earn you a good reputation.

More businesses are installing solar why?

There are various good reasons for choosing to go solar. But sometimes many business owners don’t realize this and stick to the traditional energy source. This happens due to the lack of information as many entrepreneurs think that solar energy is expensive or believes a few myths about solar power. Nowadays, especially during the last few years the costs for solar systems have greatly decreased and can be affordable for small businesses, even for startups. Now we will discuss the benefits of your business to go solar which helps you to make the right decision of solar power for your business.

We have made a list of the advantages of solar power for your business

Reduces Electricity bill – Many businesses make use of a few devices and types of equipment that consume a lot of electricity. So entrepreneurs must pay a large number of dollars for the electricity bill. This issue can be solved by installing solar. If you go solar, it will substantially reduce your energy costs helping you improve the budget of your company.

How Much Solar Do I Need?

Solar energy is an amazing renewable power source that provides enough solar power for your residential usage. It saves your electricity bill. Solar panel absorbs energy from the sun, transferring the energy through a solar inverter and converting it into electricity. The amount of energy that solar panels can absorb, and then produce electricity, is measured in kilowatts (kW). The amount of energy your home uses over a certain timeframe is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). To calculate how much solar panel you’ll need for your home, you need to know the following: how much kWh’s energy your home uses the climate and peak sunlight in your area, your roof’s usable surface area, and determine the amount of kWs and relative efficiency of your photovoltaic (PV) panels you’re considering. This information is needed to find the correct system size and number of solar panels to power your house.

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need To Power Your Home

Your home size does not determine the number of solar panels you need. To determine how many solar panels your solar energy system needs, you have to consult a professional solar installer and determine the following solar evaluation.

How much solar power will you need?

To determine your home’s average energy requirements, you must look at past electricity bills. You can calculate how many solar panels you need by multiplying the hourly energy requirement of your home by the peak sunlight hours for your area and dividing that by a panel’s wattage.

How much amount of energy your home uses?

Look at your electricity bill for average usage. Look for “Kilowatt Hour (or kWh) Used” for 30 days (1 month). If your bill doesn’t show kilowatt-hours used, look for beginning and ending meter readings and determine the monthly electric amount by subtracting the previous reading from the most recent one. If you want daily and hourly usage for your calculations and your bill doesn’t show a daily average, then you just divide the monthly or annual electricity bill by 30 or 365 days, respectively, and then divide again by 24 to determine your hourly average electricity usage. Your answer will be in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Your average daily energy usage is your target daily average to calculate your solar needs. That’s the number of kilowatt-hours you need your solar system to produce if you want to cover 100 percent of your energy needs. But it’s remembered that solar panels don’t operate at maximum efficiency at all times. Your system efficiency can temporarily reduce for weather conditions. So experts recommend adding a 25 percent buffer to your target daily average to ensure you can generate all the clean energy you need.

How Many Hours of Daily Sunlight Does Your Area Receive?

The peak sunlight hours for your particular location will have a direct impact on the energy you can expect your home solar system to produce. The “peak” sun hours vary from place to place. If you’re thinking about buying solar panels for your home, you are probably wondering whether or not you receive enough sunlight where you live. It’s not just the total amount of sunlight, but the ‘peak sun hours’ you get that is a primary criterion. Because solar panels produce electricity during all hours of the day, they work best when the sun’s rays shine directly on them. To calculate how many solar panels your solar energy system needs, we exactly determine how is the amount of direct sunlight affected by location and time of the year.

What affects solar panel output efficiency?

Not all solar panels are of the same quality. Solar panel efficiency means how well a panel can convert sunlight into energy. Solar panel efficiency depends on the quality of the panel. Not all solar panels are of the same quality. PV solar panels which are most commonly used in residential installations come in wattage ranging from about 150 watts to 370 watts per panel, depending on the panel size and efficiency and the cell technology.

The efficiency of a solar panel is measured through a simple method, the amount of electricity a solar panel can produce in watts divided by the amount of solar energy it absorbs from the sun. The standard testing conditions for solar panels assess how much electricity the panel can produce at a temperature of 25°C (77°F) with 1,000 watts of light per square meter hitting the device. That’s proportionate to a cool bright day with a solar panel tilted at 30° and facing south.

The most efficient solar cells made today which is more than 40 percent efficiency but those aren’t the solar cells or solar panels that you’re likely to have on your rooftop. Since they use exotic materials and usually end up powering satellites that need to maximize energy production in the smallest spaces, they’re incredibly expensive. The most efficient solar panels suitable for rooftops are now more than 20 percent efficient at converting sunlight into electricity.

Because of these wide variations in quality and efficiency, it’s difficult to make speculations about which solar panels are right for you or how many you’ll need for your home. The main point is that the more efficient the panels are, the more wattage they can produce, and the fewer you will need on your roof to get the same energy output. Conventional solar panels usually produce about 250 watts per panel, with varying levels of efficiency. In contrast, SunPower panels are known to be the most efficient solar panels on the market.

Topmost efficient solar panels amongst the 50 most commonly installed residential solar panels:

Sunpower X Series, REC Solar, LG Solar, Canadian Solar, Panasonic HIT panels, Upsolar, JinkoSolar, Solaria, ReneSolar, Recom, Trina Solar, etc.

If you determine the kW size of the solar panel system, you need to select amongst the topmost solar panel and its efficiency that will take up on your roof. If you have extra space to spare, it might make sense to buy lower efficiency panels since they are cheaper than higher efficiency and can produce the same amount of electricity.

What is the effect of solar panel size?

If you have a small or unusually shaped roof, solar panel size and numbers are significant considerations. With a large usable rooftop area, maybe you can sacrifice some efficiency and buy larger panels at a lower cost per panel to get your target energy as output. In any case, if your usable roof area is constrained, or if it’s partially shaded, being able to use fewer smaller high-efficiency panels may be the best way to make the most possible power over the long-term and also saving you more money. Typical residential solar panel dimensions today are around 65 inches by 39 inches, or 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet, with some variation amongst manufacturers. SunPower panels are 61.3 inches by 41.2 inches.

These measurements have remained more or less unchanged for decades, but the efficiency and output from that same footprint have changed significantly for the better. SunPower designs entire systems to have virtually no gaps between panels and uses invisible framing and mounting equipment to keep the rooftop footprint as tight, efficient, and attractive as possible. The discussed factors will give you an idea of the ideal number of panels for your electricity generation needs — or at least a realistic range. Apart from that, a professional installer needs to assess your roof architecture, angle to the sun, and other factors to see if and how you’d be able to arrange the right number of panels on your rooftop to accomplish your daily energy production goals. You ought to likewise consider net metering as you’re considering figuring out your ROI for your solar system.

How do I find the exact amount of solar panels I need for my home?

The most ideal approach to decide the specific measure of solar panels your home needs is by working with solar installers. They will have the option to accurately calculate the type and amount of solar panels that will work best for your home. Solar panels are an incredible method to decrease or offset your electricity bill and take other money-saving advantages like net metering and federal incentives.

Key takeaways

  • More efficient solar panels mean less solar panels are needed
  • High-efficiency panels are necessary when installing solar panels on a small roof
  • If you live in a sunnier state, less solar panels are needed to generate the electricity your home needs
  • In Australia, a typical home uses 20kWh per day, which equates to a 5kW system. Your solar system might have 20 x 250W panels, or 25 x 200W panels; in either case, it’s a 5000W (5kW) system and that’s the number that matters.

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

Newsletter

Signup for our Newsletter to get the latest news, tips, community updates and more into your inbox.