Nowadays, we all realize how much it is necessary to switch to clean, reliable renewable sources than to depend on non-renewable sources. The world has been adopting renewable sources at a rapid rate. The shift toward clean, reliable, affordable electricity in Australia is most visible in the rapid growth of solar panels placed on top of roofs of commercial, institutional, or residential buildings. According to solar power statistics in Australia, this form of renewable energy is a developing industry. Extremely high potential for solar energy produces in Australia through intense sunshine and other vast resources for its environmental benefit.
A record of 11.5 million solar panels has been installed nationally from rooftop panels and large-scale solar farms. The report shows that 2018 is predicted to produce over 13 million individual solar panels. More than 10,000 people were employed directly in the sale and installation of rooftop solar panels in Australia.
Government figures show that a record of 3.5 million rooftop solar panels was installed by businesses and homes in 2017 alone. They are now selling their excess energy back to the grid. Even more than triple the numbers of batteries were installed last year, than the year before. The clean energy regulator demonstrated that the average solar system size in Australia has increased by 200% due to decreasing prices and increasing technology.
Solar energy is a renewable source of energy. Solar rooftop is solar panels placed on top of roofs of commercial, institutional or residential buildings. They capture the light energy emitted by the sun and convert it into electrical energy. This set-up is well known as solar rooftop photo-voltaic system. A well-suited five-kilowatt solar (photovoltaic, or PV) system can generate the equivalent of two-thirds to three-quarters of a typical household’s electricity use.
The energy derived from the sunlight, it has a wide range of applications and one of which is Rooftop solar system. It is used to convert solar energy into electrical energy to cater residential and commercial needs. It is quite useful and economical as compared to traditional electricity connection. Individuals and businesses have been attracted not just to the environmental benefits of solar power, but also to the ability to generate their own power and to the fixed and competitive price of electricity that these systems provide.
Few advantages to use solar rooftops
Electricity bill reduction
One of the biggest advantage of installing rooftop solar system is that you can eliminate or significantly reduce your electric bill. Solar rooftops are very cost effective. It is a one-time investment which 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 too much more than what one pays for 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.
Environmental Effects
Solar rooftops are solar panels placed on top of roofs of commercial, institutional or residential buildings. They capture the light energy emitted by the sun and convert it into electrical energy. It produces a clean, Eco friendly form of energy. It does not produce any type of pollution or harmful gases. So it helps to decrease environmental issues like climate change, air pollution or any kind of health problems related to carbon emissions. No extra land is required to set up rooftops. With widespread usage, solar rooftops can help in minimizing global warming.
Smart Policies: Tax incentives and subsidies
There are many tax advantages to installing a solar rooftop system. You’d get government rebates and other financial incentives are keys to the success of rooftop solar and the clean electricity that these systems provide. Some effective policies are being used:
Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) –The federal government offers Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for residential and smaller commercial entrepreneurs who invest in solar rooftops system.
Feed-in tariffs– If you install a solar system, 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.
Net metering- Net metering is billing mechanism that give system owners credit on their utility bills for generating more electricity than they use, generally at the full retail electricity rates.
Increase your home value
Value of your home goes up high as soon as you get rooftop solar system installed. Every potential buyer would want to reduce long-term recurring costs like electricity and thus the home gets more appealing to them. 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 solar panels rooftops, then you’ll get the increased resale value of your homes when you sell your home in future.
Cost-Output comparison
As solar panel installations are increasing in number over residential and commercial roofs, the most talked about thing is the total energy costs incurred. It has been found out that savings in cooling costs amounted to sending 5 percent more solar energy to the grid than the system is actually producing for the building. So, to put it simply, the system works on 100% of its capacity which equals 105% of the traditional system and to top it all off, it demands more money and attention than the system.
Very low maintenance
Rooftop Solar System is a very low-cost maintenance system. It just requires proper cleaning of the system from time to time which is a very basic thing that it can demand. The lifespan is at least 25 years, which keeps you worry free for a much longer period of time. Connection stay put and everything holds tight. Basically, no major costs involved.
Through the installation of rooftop solar panels, we help ourselves, the environment, wildlife and our future generations by saving a lot of non-renewable energy. So, there will be no harm and only benefits of taking this step towards contributing to the economy on a personal level.