In most cases, we can make an effective system using the space available. However, it doesn’t hurt to set aside some space on the north-facing roof for at least 12 panels. A common panel these days tends to be 1.7 m x 1.0 m, so a little over 20m² for 12 panels will give you over 3 kW. However, if you want more panels and a larger system, you will need additional roof space. You’ll only lose approximately 15% of energy yield if panels are installed on the east or west (compared to north-facing panels), so we often incorporate these aspects too to make the most of the roof space you have available.

It’s often difficult to size a system on a new build as there’s no history of power usage. For this reason, we usually stick to common sizes like 3.5 kW and 6.5 kW. Note that for a single storey home, it’s just as easy to install after the build is complete. For two-storey installations we advise that you consult with us directly as it may be advantageous to complete some of the work during the build. Other things you can do to prepare include:

● Allowing for wall space in the garage or under eaves on a sun-free (south-facing) wall for the inverter. If this is on a cavity wall then a surface conduit can be avoided, making for a cleaner more aesthetic installation.
● If you’re smart wiring your home, consider a data point near your inverter to ensure the monitoring devices function without any drop outs. Alternatively, ensure the WiFi signal is strong near the proposed inverter location.
● Consider smart appliances which can be set to run at times when solar production is high. This will increase your self-consumption and the savings generated by your system, as it will help produce less excess and ensure that energy isn’t diverted to the grid or other ancillary systems.
● The best way to save on energy costs is to reduce your consumption, so take the opportunity to build a house that is well insulated and as energy efficient as possible – it will be worth it in the long-term.

STCs are Small-scale Technology Certificates. These certificates are a tradeable item and are created when you install a small-scale renewable energy system, such as solar power systems, solar hot water systems or heat pumps. These STCs fluctuate but are currently worth around $35 each, which equates to approximately $3,750 on a 6.5kW system in most areas. Almost all solar companies will quote you a price with the discount factored in, meaning you only have to pay the remaining amount after these reductions are factored in.

For hot water and heat pumps, the number of STCs is best determined by going to the REC registry website and putting in the details of the system, as they maintain the most up-to-date catalogue of information. For solar power, the following formula is used, which factors in system size, location and when it’s installed:

STCs = System Size (kW) x Zone Multiplier x Deeming Period

The system size is the total kW output of the system you’re installing. The zone multiplier is one of four values assigned to each postcode in Australia. This number is based on how conducive the postcode area is to solar production and includes the average solar radiation as well as other factors. The deeming period is the number of years the system will (on average) be operational, which is set by the Clean Energy Regulator (12 for installations in 2019, but reducing by one each calendar year). You can’t claim part of an STC, so round down at the end, as decimals are not allowed for.

A 6.5kW system will give you 107 STCs, while a 3.5 kW system is worth 58 – assuming both are installed in 2019 in a zone three area (Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide are all zone three). In 2020, the same systems will be worth 98 and 53 STCs respectively due to the yearly phase-out. If you were to install a system in zone four areas, such as Melbourne (VIC), Hobart (TAS) or Albany (WA), you would receive fewer STCs – this is because the same size system in these cities produce less energy comparatively due to climate conditions. Likewise, if you were to install in a zone two area like Darwin (NT), you would attract more STCs thanks to the higher than average energy production.

For more information on creating STCs including the zone ratings for each postcode, click here.

When it comes to how much you can save with solar, this will vary between households. Below are the factors which can impact your savings.
● System production – The more kWh of energy your solar PV system produces, the more you are likely to save. However, system production is not just determined by the system’s size. It also comes down to other factors such as the location of the installation, site conditions (eg. pitch, orientation, direction), and the quality of the components used in the solar installation etc.
● Energy prices – As energy prices increase, the worth of your kWh production will only grow. Your buyback (sell) rate is also a factor in this equation, as the more you can get for excess solar production, the greater your savings will be and overall return from solar.
● Self-consumption – When you produce solar power, you can either use it yourself first or sell this excess energy back to your energy retailer or the grid. The savings generated from self-consumption are usually greater than selling back to the grid, which is why many homeowners try to maximise their savings by using this method.

The cells on monocrystalline (mono) and polycrystalline (poly) panels are formed by creating a large silicon ingot, which is then sliced up into cells and laid out across a panel. The difference between the two is in the method used to create the initial silicon ingot. Mono cells use a process that consumes more energy and only grows in a circular form, but the result is silicon of higher purity (hence higher efficiency) and a more uniform, darker finish, something many homeowners find appealing.

Polycrystalline cells require less energy and can be moulded into a square shape, which reduces wasted silicon when they’re sliced into wafers. They aren’t quite as efficient as monocrystalline cells and generally have a dark blue, non-uniform appearance. When it comes to choosing the right panels for you, neither monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells are a clear indicator of quality. That being said, most mono panels are more efficient than their equivalent poly counterparts. While this is not the only factor to keep in mind when determining the quality and efficiency of panel, it is well worth keeping in mind when making your panel purchase decision.

Panel efficiency is the amount of sunlight the panel is able to convert to energy. When comparing panels, it’s useful to determine which will produce the most power in the same amount of space, with the same access to sunlight, as well as determine what panel you actually need. The two instances that should prompt you to buy a higher efficiency panel are:

1. Low roof space – panels with higher efficiency will make the most out of the space that is available. Consider future requirements too, as you may need to add a second system if your energy demands increase in the future.
2. Shaded roof areas – while greater efficiency doesn’t improve the performance of a shaded panel, it does allow you to get more production out of the non-shaded areas.

Many people will tell you that micro-inverters and optimisers are only required if you have shading or a complicated roof, but even in perfect conditions, they will still provide benefits to your system and its overall energy production.

Most standard string inverters optimise panels in one or two groups via their maximum power point tracker setup (MPPT). This setup has limitations. The panels must face the same way and be on the same pitch (some inverters provide relief here with parallel strings), shading is not managed well and you can’t monitor or control each panel individually.

With panel-level optimisation, each panel is individually managed. This means it can face any direction, be on any pitch and be isolated if it’s subject to any performance issues. The panels are also managed better over their lifespan, particularly as they can degrade at slightly different rates and pick up dirt unevenly – the individual management allows for adjustments when these situations occur. The performance benefits alone of panel-level optimisation are worth at least 5%, even on a shade-free, north-facing install.

In addition to the performance benefits, the production of each panel can be individually monitored, which is great for warranty claims, as well as identifying and isolating issues. Extra functionality, like panel level shutdown, is possible with certain systems. The complete design flexibility also allows you to get a small string of panels on an ideal roof, when a string inverter may not have been able to because of the small string size allowances. So even if you don’t “need” them, there are many good reasons to purchase a micro-inverter, as they will almost always increase your system’s monitorability and efficiency.

Yes, you could export power on one phase and consume power on another, but that isn’t how your meter will read and report what is occurring. More importantly, it’s not how you will be billed. Your meter is designed to look at all three phases on a net basis. So if you were sending 3kW back on phase one and consuming 1.5kW on each of the other two phases, it will return a net of 0kW rather than 3kW import and 3kW export. So there’s nothing to worry about from a billing/financial point of view if you have three-phase power.

The most popular alternative to storing energy in a battery is to store energy in the form of hot water. This involves using excess solar power to heat your water during the day, covering your hot water needs through the evening and early the following morning. This is a very cost-effective form of energy storage and is often a more efficient use of the energy than sending it to a battery or returning it to the grid. An increasingly popular battery alternative is the iStore. You can learn more about this heat pump or battery alternative here.

If you have an electric vehicle, you could also charge that during the day with your excess solar. You wouldn’t purchase an EV solely for this reason, as it’s currently very expensive and relies on your EV being parked at home during the day, which is impractical for many people.

As Australia is in the southern hemisphere, panels facing north have greater exposure to the sun year-round. North panels will have an even production curve, peaking in the middle of the day and producing a similar amount in the morning and afternoon (assuming a shade-free, clear day).

Over an entire year, east and west panels will produce approximately 15% less than a similarly installed north panel. This is loss is not evenly distributed over the year (greater in winter, negligible in summer). This loss is also greater on steeper pitched roofs and lowers on flatter roofs, as there will be less blockage from them to the sun during different hours of the day. The production curve for these panels is also skewed to the morning for east, and afternoon for the west. In summer, north, east and west will produce a similar amount of energy. However east-facing panels will start and finish earlier than north and west-facing panels will start and finish later. This later production can be handy for most families, so you see a lot of west panels. However, in winter, east and west losses increase to approximately 30% and the benefit of earlier production on the east and later production on west no longer applies.

Southern panels can be installed, but should only be as a last resort. On a low pitch roof, say 10 degrees, you’re only going to lose about 20% compared to panels installed at 30 degrees. This varies from city to city, so speak to a consultant first before going forward. The point here is that installing south-facing panels shouldn’t immediately be discarded, particularly given the low cost of panels.

Sound a little complicated? Don’t worry. All of Solargain’s quotes are custom designed for every individual roof. They factor in all variables including seasonality, pitch, orientation and present it in a simple monthly production graph. We can even do them online in a matter of hours, so get your quote today.

In most places in Australia, the pitch doesn’t make an enormous difference provided you’re between 10 and 35 degrees. While the ideal pitch is around 30 degrees in most cities, you would never recoup your money in extra production by purchasing tilt frames to increase your tilt from 10 degrees to 30 (you’d be much better off spending it on extra panels). So it’s recommended you stick to your roof pitch in most cases as the difference between these pitches efficiency is largely going to be negligible.

If your roof is quite flat, (5 degrees or less) you will begin to have issues with self-cleaning. When the panels are pitched, the rain drains off the panels and most of the dirt is washed off. However, if your panels are flat, the water dries and some dirt can remain on the panels. This is a big issue, as it can cause shading on parts of the panel which can reduce performance and lead to panel damage.

Many people underestimate the production differences across the seasons. In most cases, you’ll produce three times more in December compared to June – a massive difference, and something you should be mindful of when reviewing performance and savings over the year. This difference can be even greater for east and west-facing installations and most severe in south-facing ones.

Generally, most mechanical defects are covered during the warranty period as long as they are deemed a manufacturing fault. Most suppliers also guarantee 80% power production for the first 25 years of your solar power system’s life, so dropping below this will likely guarantee replacements.

It is important to understand that warranty terms and conditions vary from supplier to supplier. To determine the official warranty guidelines of our products, you can view the warranty booklets here. Read on for more information on the different kinds of warranties.

Workmanship warranty

This covers the labour component of the installation and is valid for 5 years on systems installed from January 01, 2015, onwards. Installations prior to 2015 had a 2-year workmanship warranty, which will now be invalid.

Product warranty

This relates to the products of the installation, such as the panels, inverter and accessories (including items such as Envoys and smart meters) with each having their own separate warranty periods. Note that some accessories are not covered under warranty, please see the manufacturer’s warranty documentation.

Performance warranty (panels)

The performance warranty relates to the panels and can range from 10 (older installations) to 25 years (current installations). The performance is based on the linear output expected for the age of the system. Please do not hesitate to call us on 1300 73 93 55 for all warranty queries and concerns.

The warranty period

Your warranty commences on the date of installation, it is important to keep the tax invoice as your proof of purchase as most manufacturers will request a copy.

It is also important to note that if a product is replaced under warranty, your warranty period is not extended, i.e it remains from the date of installation until the end of the original warranty period.

Change of ownership

In the event that you acquire a property that has a solar PV system installed, you will require a copy of the proof of purchase in order to lodge a warranty claim. Please note that some manufacturer’s do not allow for the transfer of warranty to the new homeowner.

Solar panels are designed to withstand harsh weather climates, from blistering heat to freezing cold, after all, it’s not like they’re brought inside when a storm rolls around. Our solar panels are also put through extreme hail tests, where they endure an onslaught of ice shards and balls travelling at over 80km/h in 11 different impact locations, to ensure no chance shot is going to break the panel.

So, it’s safe to say that they’re pretty tough, but if you’re still worried that the weather has compromised your solar PV panels, please don’t hesitate to contact us and arrange an inspection. We also recommend annual servicing to maintain optimal efficiency from your solar energy system.

Manufacturers have two options for replacement products under warranty and the customer has the right to choose which option they would prefer.
The customer or technician will remove the faulty inverter which will be returned to the manufacturer for repair and returned to the customer / technician to be installed.
The manufacturer will supply a refurbished, like for like model of similar age from their warranty stock pool as per the requirements of the ACCC. This option provides for a quicker turnaround time and reduced freight charges.
Major components such as boards and relays will be new. At present, given their recent entry into the Australian market, Huawei currently offer new products for old ones – however, this may change once they have sufficient stock for refurbished warranty pool.

If you’ve noticed a substantial change in your energy savings, there are a number of things you should check before you begin worrying about a fault with your solar power system.

Check how many kilowatts (kW) you’ve used in the past, compared with the present by using previous and current bills. The power generated by your solar PV panels and inverter won’t grow with your daily average consumption. Put simply, if you’ve been using more power than normal, you will pay more when your electricity bill arrives.

While you’ve got your electricity bills out, check the rate at which your utility is charging you for power. You may be paying more per quarter not because your solar energy system is working poorly, but because of the additional costs issued by your supplier.

Take a stroll around your property during the day and observe your solar PV panels. Check that neighbouring buildings, trees or other structures aren’t blocking sunlight from reaching the panels. Though your installer would have ensured a non-obstructed view of the sun at the time of installation, new factors may have emerged that are obstructing your panels from working properly. After all, trees grow.

Visit the common problems and solutions page for more information and advice.

Disturbance in the grid, generally caused by voltage spikes, can cause your inverter to automatically shut down in order to protect your property and system (and itself!). This can cause an error notice to display.

It’s recommended you monitor your system overnight, as generally, it will correct itself once it has detected that the disturbance has settled. You may also try restarting your system manually following our easy guide. If you’re not comfortable doing this, or your system continues to display an error message, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated after-sales service department on 02 8677 0256.

Yes – we recommend servicing once a year. Solar PV servicing is an easy, affordable and important part of ensuring that your solar power system remains safe and effective.

Our service technicians will perform a comprehensive ‘systems health check’ and a detailed clean of your unit. This is also a great time to bring up any questions or concerns you may have about your solar power system with the technician. Alternatively, you can call our service department on 02 8677 0256. To find out more or to book a service, click here.

In the event of a blackout, your solar power system will switch off and remain inactive until power returns. This is a mandatory safety feature of your solar energy system. It’s designed to protect those who may be working on the blacked-out grid system. If it didn’t turn off and continued to run, those working on the grid may be at risk of electrocution as your system will continue to send power back through the grid.

You must ensure all of the switches on your solar power system are set to ‘on’ when the grid returns to normal. If your switches are turned off, you will not generate any solar electricity.

This isn’t common but it can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

Your first bill after solar will include your meter upgrade cost, which can be anywhere between $60 and $600, depending on your network operator and the work involved. Note: you can get an accurate idea of what this will be prior to installing solar, so this needn’t be a surprise when it appears on your bill.
Your first bill may only be for a small portion of the time solar has been installed for. Compare the supply dates on your bill to the day your system was installed.
It could be that it’s a winter bill, and solar production was low (particularly east/west-facing systems).
You have a new device or devices, particularly air-conditioners, that are consuming a large amount of power.
Some people take solar as the “green light” to run appliances more regularly (or non-stop). While solar provides a buffer of energy before you need to pull from the grid, this isn’t infinite.
Power prices could have increased for your area.
Your solar power system may not be functioning properly. This can be checked by looking at your production and comparing it to your yield estimates on your quote.
An electrical appliance can be faulty (this is quite rare).
One or more of the items above is normally to blame for higher power bills after your solar energy system is installed. If you’re still unsure, it’s easy to check the production of your system and we’re happy to work through this with you. You can call our dedicated after-sales service department on 02 8677 0256.