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Types of Solar Panel Systems for Australian Homes
Solar energy has transformed how Australian homeowners power their lives. It has become a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to fossil fuel sources. With more clean energy solutions on the market today than ever before, how do you know which option works best for your home? This guide covers everything you need to know about solar power technologies. One of them could be your ticket towards sustainable living!
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Types of Solar Power Systems
The backbone of any solar solution is its system configuration, there are a wide range of components available, allowing for versatile system setups aimed at achieving a wide range of energy goals. A solar system's design determines how it will generate, store, distribute, and use energy around your home. Choosing the proper type of solar setup for your home is a critical step in the installation process and is largely dependent on your energy needs, lifestyle, and budget.
On-Grid Solar Systems
On-grid (or grid-tied) systems are the most common type of solar setup in Australia. Your solar panel system connects to the grid and draws power when your panels don’t produce enough. This interaction usually happens at night or on cloudy days.
Any excess energy your panels produce is then fed back into the grid, allowing you to earn credits on your electricity bill through feed-in tariffs and net metering.
Hybrid Solar Systems
Are you seeking energy independence but not ready to go completely off-grid? A hybrid solar system integrates battery storage into your setup, saving excess electricity for later use. All without sacrificing your grid connection, maintaining added energy security and flexibility.
This setup enables you to store extra energy and use it during power outages or low solar production. All while still being able to rely on the grid if needed.
Off-Grid Solar Systems
Off-grid systems are entirely independent of the electricity grid. These setups rely on solar panels, battery storage, and a backup generator to meet all your energy needs.
Off-grid systems are ideal for homes in remote areas or without access to a reliable grid. However, they can be costly due to their extensive battery and backup system needs. In order to effectively cover the needs of your home you will need an extensive panel array and a great deal of available storage capacity. Their energy supply is also highly dependent on the weather.
Types of Solar Panel
Advanced Solar Technologies
Solar technologies continue to improve to meet diverse energy needs. These advancements allow homeowners to enjoy better energy performance and expand installation options in order to cater to their homes' modern architecture.
Microinverter Systems
Microinverters can improve the performance of your solar panels by connecting to each panel individually, this is called panel level performance. Each panel works independently. If one underperforms due to shading or misalignment, the rest of the panels still function well.
Microinverters also offer better monitoring. It enables you to track the performance of each panel for quicker issue detection and maintenance.
Solar Roof Tiles
Solar roof tiles provide the same functionality as traditional panels while maintaining the architectural design of your home. Unlike regular panels, these solar tiles replace regular roofing materials.
They create this modern, polished look that many homeowners value. Although they do have a reduced efficiency rating compared with standard panel types, many still find the aesthetic benefits worth the slightly reduced performance. Solar roof tiles are ideal for homeowners looking for a more integrated and visually appealing solar panel system.
Solar on Flat Roofs
Flat-roof solar is specifically for homes or businesses with flat rooftops. These systems include adjustable mounts that allow you to tilt the panels toward the sun for optimal energy generation.
The flexibility ensures that even flat roofs can capture maximum sunlight all day. Flat-roof solar systems are also easy to maintain and can be customised to fit the available space efficiently. A well-designed system reduces the risk of roof damage.
Solar Heating Systems
Solar and clean energy solutions now extend beyond roof top power generation, more solar integrated solutions available allows for whole home setups, transforming how we heat and cool our households. Modern solar systems provide eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions for household heating and cooling needs.
Solar Hot Water Systems
Solar hot water systems are a renewable energy solution that uses solar to heat water. These systems typically use solar collectors on your roof and a storage tank to hold the heated water. They are a great way to significantly reduce energy bills, especially for households with high water usage.
Solar Heat Pump
Solar heat pumps combine solar power with air-source technology, creating an energy-efficient system for heating water. They work by extracting heat from the surrounding air, amplifying it, and using solar energy to power the process. They are effective year-round, especially in moderate climates.
Choosing between solar hot water and solar heat pumps depends on climate, household size, and your energy goals. Solar hot water systems shine in sunny areas with high water usage, while heat pumps excel in milder climates with consistent energy needs. This comparison will help you weigh the pros and cons to find the right solution for your home.
Need Help Deciding on the Right Solar Solution?
Your journey toward sustainable living can be daunting, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our solar experts are ready to answer your questions and simplify the process of selecting the best solar solution for your home. Contact 1KOMMA5° today for a personalised quote.
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Head over to the 1KOMMA5° blog for more helpful tips and other important guides on everything solar, from inverters, panels and batteries to how to make the most of your investment for years to come.
Download Our Free Solar Power Guide
Get all the right information before installing a solar power system for your home in NSW.
Learn about how you can reduce your power bills, government rebates, how to select the right system for you and of course how to get the most out of your solar.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Installing Solar Power
There are great government rebates/incentives still in place for eligible households. Basically, the larger the panel array, the more STCs your solar system generates as it is based on the expected output of the system over time.
When you buy a solar system, the purchase price is normally reduced by the value of the STCs created by your system. You simply fill out a form on the day of installation to confirm that the system has been installed, and that’s it. There is no additional paperwork that you need to do.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC’s) – previously known as Renewable Energy Certificates or RECS – are created when a Renewable Energy System such as a Solar PV system is installed.
The number of STC’s depends on the predicted amount of energy generated and hence the larger the system the greater the rebate. In essence, one STC is created for every megawatt-hour of production capacity of the system.
This is further multiplied by the number of years the system is likely to generate energy (for home solar systems, this is usually 15 years, although the life of the solar panels themselves is considerably more than that).
This incentive program is being phased out until 2030, so each year the number of certificates your system is eligible for reduces.
STC Price
The system for trading and pricing STCs for small systems is managed by the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
STCs are bought by Liable Parties (usually electricity retailers) and must be surrendered at the end of each quarter. As the number of STCs that are required to be surrendered is a fixed amount each year, but the number of STCs created is variable, the price paid for STCs also varies and is determined by supply and demand.
The Federal Government legislated in 2010 a fixed price for STCs by implementing a Clearing House system where STCs can be bought and sold for $40. However, there is no requirement for Liable Parties to purchase from the Clearing House, so they are likely to only do so if there is a shortage of STCs or the market price exceeds $40. There is currently a surplus of STCs in the market which means the market price of STC’s below $40
The Feed In Tariff is only something you need to worry about if you don’t have battery storage.
The price your chosen energy retailer pays for any excess electricity generated from your solar panels is recorded as a credit on your power bill.
In NSW, solar power is fed into your home as it is generated and your household will use it first before you draw power from the grid.
This means that for every kWh of solar power used in the home you are directly saving money you’d spend on your power bill. This reduction in your power bill is the main financial benefit of solar power.
Everything else will be bought up at an agreed rate by your electricity retailer.
At the moment, most feed-in tariffs are between 5 and 10 cents per kWh, with many being about 7 cents. They bounce up and down a lot, for example in previous years they have been up over 20 cents per kWh. Typically, they are always at least 5 cents per kWh.
Once you sign up for a 1KOMMA5° Installation, we immediately submit your grid application to the relevant energy distributor. For systems up to 5kWs, this is a formality. For larger systems it can take a few days or more. Once we receive approval, your installation will be managed by our installation coordinator, who will welcome you to 1KOMMA5° and book an installation date for you. This is generally booked within around two weeks and installation dates are available Monday to Friday, weather permitting.
We endeavour to have your system installed within 2-4 weeks unless you request us to hold for whatever reason. Due to our strict safety policy, we do not install solar systems when it rains. In the event of inclement weather, we will rebook your installation as soon as possible. We always work with your requests as we strongly recommend that someone be home on the day of installation.
Green Loans can be an affordable way to pay for your solar power system and is only available for approved products. As a Clean Energy Council Accredited installer, all our systems qualify.
Green Loans can be used to finance 1KOMMA5° systems from $1,000 to $30,000 over a 2-7 year term. Once you have received a referral from 1KOMMA5°, online approval usually occurs within 1-2 business days. Green Loans have a competitive fixed interest rate that is as low as 7.99% p.a.* | Comparison rate 9.21% p.a.^ Establishment fee of $299 added to the loan amount. $2.70 per week account keeping fee included in repayments.
To be eligible to apply you must:
Be over 18 years old and an Australian resident or citizen
Own or be purchasing a home
Be employed, self-employed, a self-funded retiree; or is receiving the Government Age Pension
Have an Australian driver’s license or Passport
Provide two most recent payslips or 90 days of bank statements
There are a number of good, competitive Green Loan providers – ask us about the options available.
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1KOMMA5° Blog
Need more information?
Head over to the 1KOMMA5° blog for more helpful tips and other important guides on everything solar, from inverters, panels and batteries to how to make the most of your investment for years to come.