Your solar system will stay with your house, so it is important to look at how many people could be living there along with your current usage, if plans change over the next 15 to 20 years.

There are several types of solar PV panels available - monocrystalline, polycrystalline, multi crystalline and thin film (also known as amorphous), etc. Originally, all panels were made from slices of silicon cut from a single large crystal. It is known as a monocrystalline panel. These are more efficient but more expensive than the other types. The second type named as multi or polycrystalline is manufactured from silicon which has been cast in blocks. They are cheaper to produce and cheaper to buy and have been improving efficiency to that of monocrystalline panels. The third type known as thin film panels(amorphous silicon) are less efficient than panels but at the same time have less production cost than the others as the silicon is spread in thin layers on a backing material or directly onto a glass plate. The most recent breakthrough in solar panels has involved panels made of a combination of crystalline and thin film technologies. These are high efficiency panels with minimum output loss but at a premium price. Roof -integrated solar panels are also available. Even within any of the above technologies performance between brands will vary.

Yes! The warranty period differs according to the brand but most solar panels have a warranty period of 25 years. The warranty period for inverter is up to 5-10 years.

Extreme heat is a one factor in Australia which can significantly affect the energy output of the solar system. There are also other factors like shaded areas, trees, roof ventilators or antennas which prevent the fall of sunlight on the panels due to which the flow of electricity gets blocked and also panels should be kept dust and dirt free.

Solar electricity is being used to provide electricity for houses all over the world, covering a wide range of conditions.. Now-a-days solar panels are manufactured in such a way, that they can tolerate a wide range of climatic conditions, including snow, frost, hail and high temperatures. Solar panels are put to test for tough conditions during the time of manufacturing.

Factors such as angle and panels, orientation, temperature, etc will need to be verified. Solar panels can tolerate a range of climatic conditions. Ideally, a solar site in Australia or Southern Hemisphere should be of north-facing roof or ground space that is not shaded during the day. Panels can also be mounted on roof areas facing west/east, but output will be lower.

As panel/inverter needs to deliver to site, if the site is far from central location/city there may be some delivery costs. And also if installers have to travel, there will be some more costs.

Flat roofs require a pitch frame to tilt the solar panels to provide best output. Very steep roofs will need safety rails while installing panels. This may slightly alter costs.

Yes. We provide the most comprehensive quotes including all known cost to provide your will.

There are currently two major forms of assistance given for solar power systems by the Australian government. These are Small scale Technology Certificates (STC’s) and Feed-in Tariff incentives. STC’s are a tradeable commodity attached to eligible installations of renewable energy systems (including solar panels, solar water heaters and heat pumps). Under the Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), when you install an eligible system, you may claim a set number of these STCs. A feed-in-tariff is a rate paid or credited to a system owner for electricity fed back into the power grid from a designated renewable electricity generation source.

Small-scale Technology Certificate(STC)/ Renewable Energy Certificate(REC) are certificates that are the only direct federal incentive issued, in order to discount the upfront cost of installing solar panels by making the purchase of electricity mandatory by the electricity retailers and other liable parties (large users of electricity) under the RET legislation. The RET seeks to ensure that approximately 20% of Australia’s electricity generation comes from renewable sources by 2020 .They are created and traded through the renewable energy market.

The value of STC’s change according to market conditions. So if the value of an STC increases you can retire your STCs and if the spot prices are low you can wait for the value to increase.

For PV systems the federal government funded financial incentives available are as follows: • Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) • Small scale Technology Certificates (STCCs) • Feed‐in tariffs (grid connections) Australian Government cash rebates are no longer available for solar panels. RECs are the only financial incentive offered by the government and are included in the cost of your system. The Number of RECs assigned to a solar system depends on the size and location of the system. A feed-in-tariff is a rate paid or credited to a system owner for electricity fed back into the power grid from a designated renewable electricity generation source. Electricity retailers are required to pay at least $0.60 per KWH produced by the solar panels installed before various date. If it is fed to the grid, which is at a premium compared what the electricity retailers sell their conventional electricity (typically $0.20 per KWH). This higher tariff is called the premium feed‐in tariff. Current feed-in tariffs now vary from zone + 8 cents/KWH.

Depending on solar zones a typical 1.5 KW PV system can get from 18 to 36 STCs. One STC per MWhr produced by solar panels over 15 years.

The Australian government has fixed the price of STCs at $40 but the actual value of an STC varies from day to day. STCs are traded on the STC market. As of October 15, 2013, one STCs can sell between $37 to $38.

Yes, STC can be held and traded. STCs mean Small Technology Certificate and it can be created when approved solar panels are installed. if we have solar panels. Firstly we should find a buyer and then, sell and transfer them in the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Registry.

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