Questions

Prices for a solar system depend on a number of different circumstances as not every installation is the same. Factors such as single or multi story houses, tile or tin roofs, and the tilt of the frame determine how much a system will cost. Where there is shading different forms of solar technology are more appropriate than others altering cost. The best way to find out how much solar will cost you is for a free consultation/quote with 1Power Solar. It is important to do your homework shop around and do research on the products that have been suggested to you.

The amount of money your household will save on power bills by going solar is affected by a number of factors, including:

• Your energy consumption and the size of your solar power system – if you use more power than your system is capable of producing, your savings will be reduced. It is important to choose the right-sized system for your needs.
• Your feed-in tariff – this is the amount your electricity retailer pays you for any excess power your solar panels generate.
• Your usage patterns – solar panels can only generate electricity while the sun is shining. This means that households that use a lot of power during the day may attract greater savings than those that consume most of their power at night. However, you will still receive a feed- in tariff for any excess electricity you generate during the day.
• Where you live – some areas of Australia receive a lot more sunlight than others, so a solar system in Brisbane will usually generate more power than one in Hobart.

A Solar panel setup is an electrical system and can only be installed by an ‘A Class Electrician’ who holds CEC Installer Accreditation. When having the system installed always ask the tradesman to see their A Class Electricians License and CEC Accreditation License. You should also inquire if the system design company who gives you the proposal have a CEC Accreditation Designer License. If the company selling you a system does not hold these endorsements, then walk away.
Company’s holding these endorsements can be found on the CEC (Clean Energy Council) website.

The Australian solar industry is well regulated and safe. Solar panels and inverters sold in this country must comply with a range of standards that maximise safety and reliability. The Clean Energy Council maintains a list of currently approved modules and inverters.

The Clean Energy Council provides an accreditation scheme for solar installers to ensures that the people who design and install solar systems are across all the latest safety requirements. Accredited installers are qualified electricians who have undergone additional training and assessment in the installation of solar systems. Systems must be installed by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STCs).

The Clean Energy Council’s Approved Solar Retailer scheme also ensures that the Australian solar retail sector stays safe and reliable. Approved Solar Retailers must commit to responsible sales and marketing activities and solar industry best practice.

To keep your system running safely and effectively for many years, you will need to maintain it correctly. See our maintenance and warranties page for more details on inspecting, maintaining and upgrading your system.

Solar panels do not generate power at night. Once the sun goes down, your home or business will start to draw power from the main grid as usual. Solar panels will still work on cloudy days but will not generate as much electricity as when the weather is clear and sunny.

If your solar system is still under warranty, you should contact the retailer you purchased your system from to arrange repairs. If you bought from a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer, your solar system is covered under warranty for at least five years. If your system is out of warranty, you should contact your retailer or an accredited solar installer. However, you may be responsible for the cost of any repairs. For the general day to day performance and normal operations the system owner can physically check the inverter screen to see if it is in normal or fault conditions. In most cases systems installed today have remote monitoring platforms where the homeowner and installer can log into an app on their phone and have up to date data of their system. This can also send an alert to the system owner and installer if there is a fault or issue with the system.

The terms ‘Tier 1’, ‘Tier 2’, and ‘Tier 3’ are often heard with association to solar panel manufacturers as a way of distinguishing the wheat from the chaff in practice and how they can help you to make an informed decision about going solar.

‘Tier rankings’ are systems through which organisations – usually financial analysis & investment firms – classify the ‘bankability’ of particular solar panel products. They are generally intended for investors in medium to large-scale solar projects, but in Australia they are commonly referred to when sales people talk to residential solar customers.

Batteries are great for homeowners where their usage is mostly during the evenings. While the solar system is producing power and the house has no loads to the solar, energy gets sent to the grid. By having a battery, the solar panels energy is stored and then discharged to the house loads in the evening when the homeowners are home. This is pretty much just off setting the solar panel production for nighttime use.

In Victoria, all solar systems get inspected by an Electrical inspector. They will check to make sure the system has been installed to Australian standards. If there are any issues, they will notify the electrician and will only sign off once all issues are rectified. A certificate of electrical safety will be issued to the customer and energy safe Victoria once the electrician and inspector are both satisfied. The clean energy regulator also conducts random audits on installs.

With 1Power Solar a qualified electrician who visits to your home or office to look at the property to see if solar can be installed. They can easily determine if your switchboard is up to compliance to be able to have solar connected as they based upon their electrical knowledge. Also worth noting that a sales personnel does not have the qualification’s to be able to determine this as they are not a licensed electrician and are not even allowed to open the switchboard so they will not know the vital components to look for which can be a costly mistake.

In most cases yes, it all depends on how large your solar panel system is. If it is larger than average, and in winter daylight, the system may produce more than needed to be consumed, then yes. Usually you will see a zero bill and even a credit in summer seasons and a 30% reduced bill in the winter months.