Solar Power – FAQ’s

How do solar modules (panels) work?

Solar, photovoltaic, modules use a special kind of silicon to convert light energy (usually sunlight) into electricity. The electrical output of a solar module is directly affected by the intensity of the light – the brighter the light the greater the output.

Different Types of Solar Panel

At this point in time there are two basic types of solar module commercially available – thin film (or amorphous) solar modules and crystalline modules. Within the crystalline category there are two primary sub groups – multi (or poly) crystalline and mono (or single) crystalline modules.

Solar Panel and Inverter Brands

At Adelaide Solar Systems, we supply and install quality solar panels and inverters from the world’s leading manufacturers. All companies well known in the solar industry for their performance and reliability. Click here for further reading on our product manufacturers.

Effect of Shading

The performance of solar modules is significantly reduced when partially shaded. Potential shading is an important factor in determining the best type of system for a particular application. There are many solutions for a shaded roof, including installing optimisers or micro inverters on some or all of the affected modules which allow each solar module to perform at the maximum capacity for the conditions.

Roof Types?

Solar modules can be fitted to almost any roof type – Steel (galv/colorbond), tiles (terracotta, cement, aluminium). In addition solar modules may be installed on frames on the ground.

Aspect and Inclination

Ideally, the best arrangement for solar modules is north facing, inclined at an angle equal to the latitude of the location (nominally 33 degrees for Adelaide). In practical application, alignment within approx. 15° of north and an inclination of between 20° and 40° has only a small effect on output (less than 3%).

Locating photovoltaic modules directly on south, east or west facing roofs will reduce the maximum output for any given day. In some cases installing on a west or east roof may be the only option in which case some solar is better than none at all.

Solar Module Life

Life expectancy of solar modules varies enormously depending on the type and quality of the module.

We recommend the use of high quality modules (Sunpower or Trina) with a performance warranty of better than 30 years which have been sourced by branded manufacturers with over 20 years history manufacturing PV modules. and have a proven track record of quality.

What’s the best size system for me?

There are a number of factors which influence the ideal size of a system – household electricity consumption, available roof space, battery storage, EV chargers, and budget considerations. Where practical, we would recommend that you aim for a system size that meets somewhere between 50% and 100% of your household energy needs. With some planning and forethought systems can be designed to be expanded at a later date – so you can start with a smaller system and build it up over time if desired. In Adelaide every 1kW of solar power will provide approximately 1500-1800 kilowatt-hours of energy per year.

Operation, Cleaning and Maintenance

Once installed, solar electricity generating systems are generally fully automatic systems and require no day to day input from the owner of the system. Once a year the surface of the solar modules should be cleaned with water to remove any build up of dust or dirt.

Grid Shut-down / Battery Back-up Systems

A grid-connected solar system will shut down during a grid blackout. This is so that power generated by the solar system isn’t fed back into a potentially damaged or faulty grid. But if you want, or need to power on when the grid goes down we can custom design and install a system with battery back-up to meet your needs. Battery storage systems are also a great way to save money on your electricity bills.

Heat Pump Hot Water Systems

A Heat Pump hot water system is a cost effective and simple way to use more of your solar energy during the day instead of exporting the excess energy to the grid for little monetary value. In most situations it is far cheaper to run a Heat Pump HWS than a gas hot water system. We would recommend electrifying the entire home and save on the gas supply charge, if practical.

Electricity Meters

Installation of a grid connected solar energy system usually means changing the electricity meter installed at your home. If you have either the old ‘rotating wheel’ type or a ‘one-way’ digital meter, this will be changed to a smart ‘import-export’ meter which measures both the energy you consume from the grid and any energy your solar generating system exports to the grid (you should only have to pay for the net energy you import from the grid, plus the inescapable supply charge). Your solar retailer will arrange to install the new smart meter.

Solar Hot Water – FAQ’s

How much will a Solar water heater save me?

This will vary depending on which part of Australia you live in, your current hot water system and hot water usage patterns, and the model of Solar HWS you install and of course your current electricity/gas tariff.

What are the environmental benefits of a Solar water heater?

Water heating accounts for almost 30% of the average household’s energy usage. Getting your hot water free from the sun not only saves energy, it also saves the greenhouse gas emissions that would have been produced in the generation of that energy. By replacing an electric or gas water heater with a Solar HWS you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3.5 tonnes a year depending on the system and your situation. That’s the equivalent of taking a small car off the road. In fact solar water heaters are so good for the environment that SA & federal government incentives exist to make it easier to get into solar hot water.

What are Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)?

Each STC represents the equivalent of one megawatt hour of electricity generation from an accredited renewable energy source. For solar and heat pump water heaters each STC represents the displacement by solar energy of one megawatt hour of electricity generation.

The installation of a solar or heat pump water heater in your property may be eligible for the creation of STC’s & REPS. The financial benefit from assigning your right to create STC’s & REPS for your solar or heat pump water heater installation can be used to reduce the purchase price of your new system.

The number of STC’s/REPS which may be created varies with the model of solar or heat pump water heater and the region in which the unit is installed. The value of a STC is not fixed and varies from ‘time to time’.

How long does it take to pay for itself?

Financial payback will vary depending on your circumstances, but with the available incentives plus the ongoing energy savings you can begin to recoup your additional investment straight away when you remain connected to the same fuel tariff.

After you recover your initial investment, the savings are yours to spend on yourself and your family, year after year.

Which HWS is right for us?

The best unit for your needs will depend on the following key factors:

• The amount of available sun
• Is the area prone to frost?
• The water quality in your area
• How many people in the home & your typical hot water usage
• Do you produce excess solar energy

To choose the best water heater for your family, call Adelaide Solar Systems (81520314) who will help you pick the right unit for your current and future circumstances.

Does a Solar or Heat Pump HWS take long to install?

If your current hot water system breaks down Adelaide Solar Systems can have you back in hot water within 24 hours in most instances. Why do solar water heaters have boosters? All solar water heaters include gas or electric boosters to ensure you have hot water even during the colder, darker days of winter and on those rainy days we have from time to time.

Is there an alternative to putting the solar tank on the roof?

The revolutionary range of Split System Solar water heaters & Heat Pump hot water systems allows you to enjoy all the benefits of advanced solar and heat pump technology – without the tank on the roof.

The Solar split system locates the low profile collectors on your roof, with the tank installed at ground level. Alternatively you can choose the High efficiency heat pump units which are externally ground mounted adjacent a gully. The heat pump technology extracts heat from the surrounding air, there are no solar collectors at all. Heat Pumps are a perfect solution for households with loads of excess solar energy during the day.