Since power costs are rising, solar panels are high in demand. Many consumers, previously dependent on fossil fuel for their residential and commercial electricity, are now shifting to solar power. Cost-effective and eco-friendly power, solar rebates, and excellent Returns on Investments (ROIs) are the main factors for this shift. So, without further ado, let’s explore our ultimate guide to buying a perfect solar PV system.
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Solar Panels – Working Mechanism
Solar panels are made of silicon-like tough material with photovoltaic cells embedded inside sleek and shiny surfaces. When sunlight falls on the surfaces, it will generate electricity. Later, this electricity passes through an inverter that converts this direct current (DC) into alternative current (AC) which could be used directly, excess power sent back to the grid, or stored in solar batteries.
Different Types of Solar Panels
Usually, two types of solar panels are used frequently; mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline. The terms mono and poly describe different ways of manufacturing silicon cells in solar panels.
Monocrystalline solar panels are often considered more efficient and in black color. Polycrystalline (also known as multi-crystalline) solar panels are dark blue are expensive, more efficient, and temperature tolerant.
Other than its types, solar panels are ranked into three tiers. Tier 1 solar panels are produced with higher standards, i.e., they produce more power and are durable. However, they are expensive like 10% and 30% more expensive than Tier 2 and Tier 3 solar panels.
What Number of Solar Panels Will You Need?
Solar panels have different widths, lengths, and power outputs. The most significant aspect is the power output as a high power rating indicates more electricity production than less power rating panels. Also, solar users’ power consumption plays a big role in installing fewer or more solar panels.
However, if investment and space are not issues for solar consumers, they can invest in more solar panels. This approach will allow them to utilize their space and earn more through feed-in-tariffs, and cherry on top; their property value will also increase.
Go for Best Solar PV Sytem
Solar panel selection is crucial at the initial stage, and it includes various factors, some of the most significant ones include:
Clean Energy Council (CEC) Accredited Installers
It is essential to opt for CEC-accredited solar installers, because CEC is the apex boy of Australia’s clean energy sector, and it aims to enhance solar industry standards.
Imagine if a solar user invested a huge investment in solar panels and solar service providers installed them in a faulty manner, resulting in an inefficient solar PV system that is not secure and unreliable. No one wants such chaos with their investments! So, to avoid this, it is highly recommended to go for accredited solar installers.
Clean Energy Council under its accreditation program recognizes solar designers and installers who stick to the best industry standards and practices, including requisite technician training. Also, CEC-accredited solar installers assist in eligibility for federal rebates: STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates) scheme.
Check Solar Installers Reviews Online
Before making the final solar panel buying decision, solar users must check authentic websites for various solar brand reviews. Choice is a consumer advocacy group that publicizes reputed solar product reviews.
At this stage, it is necessary to check more than three or five websites to avoid any paid, scams, or biased reviews.
Payback Time
Payback time is the most crucial aspect for solar investors. The good thing is that solar panels offer excellent ROIs. And for a 5kW solar PV system, the payback time is around 5 years. So, solar panels not only offer solar consumers the best returns on investments but also reduce their power bills.
Warranty Coverage
When it comes to solar panels warranty, there are two kinds of it: one is a performance warranty and the other is a product warranty. The product warranty covers damages and is more important. These warranties span ten to twelve years.
However, some brands offer up to 40 years of product warranty. Performance warranties are up to 25 years but these are difficult to claim as high-end solar panels offer optimal performance for many years.
How Much Solar Panels Cost?
High-quality solar PV systems are expensive, fortunately, the Australian government is offering various rebates and solar loans to ease the consumer expense.
For an idea, the following are the prices inclusive of incentives and rebates, and if there are complex installation requirements, outlay may be higher:
- 5kW: $4000–8000
- 6kW: $5500–9000
- 10kW: $8000–13,000
Take Away
Since every user has their specific power requirements, it is essential to contemplate the following questions, before making a purchase:
- What is my monthly power consumption?
- How many panels will cater to this specific requirement?
- What is my budget
- Which brands are best under my budget?
- Roof space
- Am I eligible for solar rebates and incentives?
There might be more questions as per your requirements, so it is highly recommended to list down all your needs and consider solar brands accordingly. This approach will allow you to cover every aspect of your investment, and make your solar journey hassle-free and profitable.