A Manual to Residential Solar Power System Installation in Australia

As the solar energy market widens in Australia, with more and more people getting inclined to opt for this effective energy alternative that can insulate them against energy price fluctuations, it is essential to check your steps before taking a plunge.

Purchase Checklist:

• Assessing the current energy use and determining the capacity that will suit your need and affordability

• Checking whether the roof is shaded by a tree or any adjacent structure

• Consult with the local council for an approval to install solar panel for home.

• Chalk out whether you plan to store solar generated power for nighttime usage as well as, calculate the payback times of home storage battery.

• Check with more than one installer for the perfect quote for the system you select.

• On the event of being unable to afford the cost, you can opt for leasing or purchase agreements,

• It is mandatory to purchase a CEC accredited set up

What Kind of an Installation will Serve Your Purpose?

Now that you are aware of the nitty gritties it is time for you to gauge the requirement in your home. It is a foremost need to consider the roof space and orientation.

There are two considerations which have to be made before installation:

• Area available

• Price

• Rate of power supply required

If you opt for an high rated output, the approximate size of each solar panel can be about 1.6 square meters in area. But, with the increase in the nominal power rating, the requirement in the number of such panel reduces. For an instance, for a 1000W- four 250W panels can be used, covering up to 6 meters of roof space. Whereas, four higher rated sunpower panels takes similar area to produce more power.

As far as the prices are concerned, sunpower panels are more expensive, but as they are required less in number, the installation can be made quick. The area required too is considerably lesser. As mentioned earlier, it all depends on your affordability and dimensions of the roof.

Energy Incentives

Another important objective should be to cut down installation costs by fully utilizing the incentives being made available to motivate green energy usage.

The two broad divisions are small scale energy certificates (STCs)- previously termed as renewable energy certificates (RECs) and feed-in tariffs (FiTs). Under the Solar Credits Scheme rolled out by the government, installation of solar panels for home is marked by special monetary sanctions for STCs generated by photo voltaic installations. Pledging to use solar installations allows residents to cash in the certificates one can earn over 15 years down the line.

Talking about FiTs, it is the rate paid to you for contributing towards the grid connected panels that upscales the local network. A household with solar power installations is paid ofr the surplus electricity fed to the grid after satiating the domestic needs.

Mr. Jasbir Singh has been heading a proprietary solar energy company since the past decade. She has time and again offered simple tips to guide us through the sustainable solar energy initiative.