Faced with the imminent danger that global warming poses, Australia has started to switch to environment-friendly alternative energy to power almost everything. One of the cleanest forms of renewable energy is solar energy which can be harnessed by solar panels.
An increasing number of households and businesses in the country are choosing to buy solar panels to fully replace their conventional power sources (i.e. fossil fuels).
Green Power: The Rise of Solar Panels
Green Power is a government program that encourages Aussies to replace their old energy sources with certified renewable energies such as solar panels. Formally launched more than two decades ago, the Green Power programme facilitates the installation of renewable energy generators and increases consumer awareness of the benefits of using green energy.
Households and businesses have the option to displace or replace their old energy source with renewable ones in percentages. For example, a household might choose to switch only 10% of their total energy consumption to green power. This is understandable, as the equipment required for a successful switch, like those solar panels for sale, can be costly.
When you buy solar panels to power either your household or business, you are helping the environment by reducing the country's carbon footprint by as much as 18 million tonnes. Whilst it is true that the initial outlay can be costly, buying and installing solar panels can help reduce your overall energy consumption and costs, which will be reflected on your monthly energy bill.
The Do's and Don'ts of Buying Solar Panels
Not all solar panels are created equal. For those who have yet to switch to solar energy, buying solar panels can be a daunting task.
Here is a basic consumer guide on how to choose the right solar panels for your home or business. Or, you can simply get in touch with our friendly team at Outbax. We would be more than happy to answer your questions and help you get started on your green energy journey.
DO buy the complete solar panel system.
Most consumers tend to focus so much on solar panels that they sometimes forget it is not the only thing they should be buying. A complete solar panel system is composed of panels, inverter, and mounting.
It is easy to understand why people zero in on panels. After all, the solar panels are the most visible component in the system. However, the two other components (the inverter and mounting) are also equally important. The solar panel system will not work efficiently without the two other parts.
An inverter automatically converts the direct current (DC) power collected by the panels into usable 240V AC electricity. A good converter is likely to be worn out first before the panels, as they continuously work, which is why you need to be cautious or wary when purchasing one.
There are two types of inverters: a micro-inverter and a string inverter. The difference between the two is that a string inverter is usually installed to convert energy collected by the whole solar panel system whilst a micro-inverter can only convert energy from a single solar panel.
The mounting, on the other hand, is where you securely attach the panels and roof supports. In absence of the mounting, the stability of the solar panel system would be compromised. It could also damage your roof.
DON'T be confused on choosing the type of solar panel.
Solar panels are made of either mono- or polycrystalline materials. Whilst both have a long list of pros and cons, it shouldn't be a cause of panic or confusion. Just know that either material is tough enough to last for more than 25 years even under the harshest of Australian weather provided. Of course, you need to buy quality brands that offer long warranty.
DO find out how much solar energy you need.
Consumers have the option to choose how much power they want to get from solar energy. This will help you decide how much power your solar panel needs and how much solar rebate you can get.
The solar rebate works like a discount, which is deducted from the total cost of installation. For example, buying and installing a 5kW solar system will give you a staggering $3,250 in rebates.
In addition, you would also be eligible to receive feed-in tariffs when you switch to solar energy. A feed-in tariff is the rate at which a consumer is paid for the solar electricity exported into the power grid.
This means that if you can consume the maximum amount of solar energy possible, you would be able to get a much higher feed-in tariff. You would probably appreciate this incentive during summer when your air conditioning unit is working overtime.
DON'T mix solar panels.
The most common and biggest mistake of amateur installers is to assume that mixing solar panels is okay. After all, with solar panels all looking the same (regardless of the brand), what's the worst that could happen?
Apparently, mixing solar panels can lead to a myriad of complications from performance degradation to permanent damage to your solar panel system. A solar panel system is a costly investment, so unintentionally damaging the panels by mixing them up can also spell disaster to your budget.
Solar panels, with the same current and voltage, should be purchased from the same manufacturer to make sure they are all compatible.
DO hire a professional to install your newly bought solar panel system.
Mounting and installing a solar panel system is not your average home renovation project. You also need to be knowledgeable on how to properly connect the panels with each other and the inverter for the system to work.
Despite some sellers claiming that you'll get the most savings in doing the installation by yourself, this is not recommended especially if you have no experience on electric system. A wrong wiring or connection can be costly, if not risky.
DON'T be rash in purchasing solar batteries.
In principle, purchasing a battery to store any excess solar juice is a good advice, but solar batteries can be expensive.
At Outbax, we stock a range of Lithium Batteries to suit your needs.
