What is solar?

Solar energy is energy generated by the conversion of heat or light which is radiated by the sun. Solar products use this free energy and convert it into usable sources of power or heat for you. Solar products are a clean, green, renewable and quiet source of power that last for many years. Contact us to learn more.

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What are the benefits of solar power?

A Solar Australia Solar Power system:

  • Reduces the amount of energy you need to purchase from your energy retailer
  • Provides clean, green, renewable and quiet energy generation
  • Protects you against future energy price increases
  • Increases the value of your property
  • Creates a healthy solar industry, benefiting our Australian economy through local employment
  • Reduces peak electricity demand and carbon footprint, providing a brighter future for generations to come

Contact Us for more information.

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Why should I choose Solar Australia?

  • Custom-designed solar solutions: We design each system to meet your individual needs
  • 10 years workmanship warranty: We offer industry-leading warranty terms
  • Expert installation team: Our installation crews are fully Clean Energy Council Accredited, have installed over 10,000 solar systems and come recommended by leading energy authorities
  • High quality Panels and equipment: We source only the best quality panels and equipment available on today’s market so you have the assurance of quality that comes with a Solar Australia installation
  • Well established and here to stay: We are a well-established, local company with a reputation built upon the best products and services
  • We offer the whole service: Advice, Design, Supply and Installation
  • Comprehensive site inspection to explain everything and assess your specific needs
  • Best quality products, ensuring long-term returns
  • Local, ongoing support for 10 years on all aspects of the job
  • 10-year Extended Warranty on our Inverters is complimentary on most jobs
  • NSW’s best and fully qualified installation crew, employed directly for Solar Australia
  • Leading minds in the solar industry to custom-design the best performing system to meet your needs
  • Solid reputation as a local company
  • Selling Tier 1 products only with a full-time employee operating from China for full Quality Control and reporting on each panel as they leave the assembly line

For an obligation-free onsite inspection, please Click Here.

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How much solar do I need for my home?

Solar is not an off-the-shelf product. Our friendly Site Inspectors will assess your family’s energy requirements and provide an obligation-free quotation on a customised PV system, designed to meet your specific needs. For your free Site Inspection, please Click Here.

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What is a solar power (Photovoltaic or PV) system?

A Photovoltaic (PV) system consists of an array of solar panels which are designed to convert the sun’s radiant light into electricity. These panels are connected to a solar power inverter which converts the electricity produced by the panels into usable power.

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How does solar work?

The sun’s rays hit the solar panels which create DC electricity. This electricity flows through the cabling into the solar power inverter, which converts the DC into AC electricity which can be used by common appliances. In a grid-connected solar PV system, this AC electricity flows into the bidirectional (net) meter at the property which then sends the power into the property as free electricity. If power is being consumed at that point in time then this free power supplements the supply to the property, reducing the amount of power being purchased. If the solar PV system produces more power than is required, then this excess power flows back out into the grid. Talk to our friendly staff for more information.

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What is the difference between solar hot water system and solar PV?

A solar hot water system uses the sun’s free energy to heat a premises hot water supply. The collectors used for this purpose are called Solar Thermal Panels. A Solar PV system uses the sun’s free energy to create electricity for the premises. The two are separate systems with different components. The collectors used for this purpose are called Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels. Talk to our friendly staff for more information.

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How does solar hot water work?

With a roof mounted solar collector, the sun’s radiant heat hits the solar hot water collector and heats the hot water collector. This heat is transferred into the liquid (potable water or glycol) to then be stored (potable water) or transfer the heat into your potable water supply for later use. Often a backup electrical element supplements this heating process during winter or periods of low solar irradiation and high hot water demand.

A Heat Pump solar hot water system operates similar to a household air conditioner or refrigerator (in reverse). Air is drawn into the heat pump with a fan and then through an evaporator which contains a special type of refrigerant. This refrigerant, R134a has a boiling point of -21oC, meaning that your heat pump will still function in extremely cold conditions. The refrigerant, now in gaseous form, is then compressed by the heat pump, which generates an incredible amount of heat. This heat is then transferred into the storage tank, heating your household’s water supply for later use. Since the heat has been extracted from the refrigerant, the cool liquid returns to the evaporator to start the process all over again.

To learn more about our range of solar hot water products, please talk to our friendly staff.

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How much energy will I save with solar hot water?

The amount of energy you will save varies; based on your location, water usage, and type of system you install. On average, an electric hot water system accounts for about 30% of your total household energy usage. Installing a solar hot water system will save you up to 80% of the energy used by your existing electric hot water unit. For an obligation-free onsite inspection, please Click Here.

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What are the different types of solar PV panels?

Solar Australia carries three types of solar panel: Amorphous Silicon Thin Film, Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline panels. We exercise stringent quality control standards to ensure you receive the highest quality panels. Every panel sold by Solar Australia tests with a power tolerance of -0/+3%, meaning that a 250W panel produces at least 250W. Other suppliers may carry panels with a -5/+5% power tolerance meaning that they would accept and sell you a panel which produces 238W, yet charge you for a 250W panel. At Solar Australia, we have built our reputation on supplying and installing premium grade products and offering you the correct product to suit your needs. For further information, please Contact Us.

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What are the benefits of solar hot water?

    • SAVE up to 80% on your water heating bills
    • REDUCE your household carbon emissions
    • INCREASE the value of your home or property and;
    • PRODUCE free hot water from the sun. To start benefitting, please Contact Us.

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What are the different types of solar hot water systems?

The main solar hot water technologies currently available in Australia are heat pump solar hot water, flat panel solar hot water and evacuated tube solar hot water. Contact Us to learn more.

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What are the benefits of evacuated tube solar hot water?

        • Evacuated tubes passively track the sun –the curved nature of the tube collector means that this system can function efficiently on east and west roof aspects, providing more flexibility with installation
        • 15 year warranty on major components
        • Lightweight and durable design – no heavy tanks or collectors on your roof
        • Excellent cold weather performance
        • Frost protected without the use of glycol
        • Low maintenance design Up to 80% energy savings when compared to electric storage hot water heating Contact Us to learn more.

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What are the benefits of heat pump solar hot water?

Heat Pumps:

            • Do not need direct sunlight to work efficiently – uses ambient thermal air temperature to heat your water
            • Are ground mounted with no materials on your roof
            • Can save up to 75% of your household hot water’s energy consumption when compared to electric storage hot water heating
            • Can come in a single-piece, all-in-one design for easy installation
            • Indoor installation available (for a room of air volume >13m3)
            • Active defrost function for colder climates

Contact us to learn more.

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Which is the correct solar hot water system for me?

Our qualified Site Inspectors will come to your property, assess your requirements and provide obligation-free advice on the correct system. To book your free site inspection, please Click Here.

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Do I still need grid power supply?

Your Solar PV array will supplement your grid power supply. This means that in a suburban residential setting, you will need grid supply for your non-daylight energy consumption as well as any usage in excess of your PV array’s supply. Your PV array will REDUCE the amount of energy drawn from the grid during solar hours. If you produce more energy from your PV array than your household requires, then the excess energy is fed back into the grid. Your Energy Retailer may pay you for this excess energy so please ask your supplier about their solar Feed-in Tariff. To talk in more detail with our friendly staff, please Contact Us.

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What happens with my Solar PV system at night?

At night time, your PV array will shut down and your inverter will go to sleep. During this time your household’s energy consumption will be drawn from the grid. In the morning when the sun hits the PV array, your inverter will wake up again and start producing clean, free energy for your home.

For further information, please Contact Us.

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What happens on cloudy days?

On cloudy days, your PV array will still produce free energy, albeit at a reduced efficiency due to the diffusing effect of the cloud cover. You can monitor your PV array’s production by accessing the display panel on your Solar PV Inverter. Solar Australia will provide you with an annualised daily estimate of solar production which takes into account normal periods of overcast weather and this Clean Energy Council accredited Design Summary will be provided to you upon installation. For further information, please Contact Us.

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What happens in a blackout?

When the grid supply voltage drops to zero (as in a blackout), your Solar PV Inverter’s safety function disables your Inverter so that it is safe for linesman to repair the fault. When the grid voltage returns to normal parameters your Solar PV Inverter re-activates so that you can start benefitting from free energy again.

A solution for customers in areas prone to blackouts is a grid-connected battery backup system which uses the solar panels to charge a bank of batteries for when the grid voltage drops to zero (blackout). Your power supply will then switch over to the batteries to run your household appliances, uninterrupted by power outages.

For more information on grid-connected battery backup solutions, please Contact Us.

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Where should the solar panels be located?

Solar Australia’s panels can be located on your roof or on the ground, depending on your individual requirements. We have solutions for any application; to obtain an obligation-free Site Inspection, please Click Here.

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Commercial: Do we need to worry about FiTs?

No. A correctly designed system will utilise a high percentage of generated power in-house.

For more information, please Contact Us.

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Commercial: Is it worthwhile doing?

It costs considerably less to generate your own solar power than to purchase it from the grid. Phone us today to speak with one of our friendly consultants about the any benefits of solar power for your business.

For more information, please Contact Us.

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