Solar Australia https://www.solaraus.com.au Mon, 26 Feb 2018 04:29:17 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4 https://www.solaraus.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-Sun-32x32.png Solar Australia https://www.solaraus.com.au 32 32 Is Solar Worth the Investment? https://www.solaraus.com.au/is-solar-worth-the-investment/ Wed, 14 Feb 2018 03:39:49 +0000 https://www.solaraus.com.au/?p=1245 7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid  1. Putting off buying solar because you are waiting for batteries to drop in price There is no double the cost of solar battery storage is going to decline in price. However, it makes no sense to wait to get solar. Every day you don't have solar is another day you

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7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid 

1. Putting off buying solar because you are waiting for batteries to drop in price

There is no double the cost of solar battery storage is going to decline in price. However, it makes no sense to wait to get solar.

Every day you don’t have solar is another day you do have to pay high electricity bills. A well designed solar system without battery storage can drastically reduce your power bills.

Waiting 2, 3 or 4 years for battery storage to become affordable means another 2, 3 or 4 years of high power bills.

One day, battery storage will make lots of sense – and when that day comes they can easily be added to any existing solar system. So don’t lose years of savings waiting for cheap battery storage to arrive.

2. Not getting multiple quotes

It’s absolutely critical to get multiple quotes wherever possible (and not just when it comes to solar!), as some unscrupulous installers are still going around charging people $20,000 for a $5,000 system.

By having multiple companies give you a breakdown on how much solar will cost you, you can gain a real understanding of whether solar is right for your budget, and whether or not you’re being ripped off (in either price or quality).

3. Being unaware of how the ‘rebate’ works or how to calculate paybacks from solar

Another big mistake that people make comes from their (mis)understanding of how the solar ‘rebate’ and feed-in tariffs (what you’re paid for sending excess solar energy back into the grid) work.

To summarise, the solar ‘rebate’ is a federal government financial incentive and the feed-in tariff is a state government financial incentive. The main misunderstanding about paybacks from a solar system comes from one of two beliefs:

#1: People think that having a decent-sized solar system means that not only will they never have to pay an electricity bill again, but they’ll also get a fat cheque in the mail every quarter from their electricity companies.

This will only happen if you were lucky enough to sign up to a gross feed-in tariff 4+ years ago. With net feed-in tariffs hovering around 6-8 cent per kWh in Australia, the days of a solar system being a license to print money are in the past. This doesn’t mean that you can’t significantly reduce your electricity bills with solar – my latest power bill was only $33 for a 6 person household.

#2: “The only benefits of solar are what your electricity company prints on your bill.” 

Most people don’t realise that the true benefits of a solar system are ‘invisible’ – that is, not written on your bill – and don’t understand that paybacks for solar systems are faster than what they initially seem.

4. Not knowing what protections you’re entitled to under Australian consumer law

This may come as a shock to some people, but you shouldn’t believe everything a salesperson says! If you have a slimy salesman telling you that you’ll need to pay some kind of ‘maintenance fee’ to keep your panels in warranty, show them the door.

Another tactic that dishonest salesmen use is to assure you that your solar systems will have a 25 year ‘performance warranty’, to make it seem like any problems that befall your system will be covered under this apparent 25 year warranty.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. It’s very easy for solar manufacturers to wriggle out of this ‘performance warranty’, by claiming that any defects in the panels fall under the ‘panel warranty’, which can only be 5 years in some cases.

In reality, there are actually four separate warranties that you get with your solar system – the ‘performance warranty’ being one of them. The other three are for your inverter, the panels themselves, and the workmanship. In terms of warranty, what you really want to look for is 1. 10 year warranty for your inverter; 2. 10 year warranty for your solar panels and 3. 5 year warranty for the workmanship. Remember to check that the warranty is backed by an Australian Entity.

5. Not asking the hard-hitting questions

With knowledge comes power, and if a shonky installer realises that you know solar, their ability to rip you off just took a nose dive and they know it. Always, always, always independently verify information, whenever possible. There are numerous resources available out there. If you are still unsure give us a call.

6. Not knowing what size system is right for your home

This one is easier to solve, because most reputable solar installers will sit you down and do a full analysis of your electricity usage habits before they provide you with a quote.

They will ask you what your financial goals are and how much you’re willing to spend in order to accomplish those goals – because it’s not as simple as purchasing a solar system size that matches your energy usage.

7. Thinking that because your roof doesn’t face the optimal direction or because there’s some shade on your roof, solar isn’t worth it

This couldn’t be further from the truth! Solar panel efficiencies have reached the point where, even if your panels aren’t facing north, you only lose 10-15% of your solar system production – which means that the system is still well worth the investment.

In fact, depending on the time of day you use your electricity, it may make more sense for your solar panels to face east or west (for morning or evening heavy electricity usage habits, respectively).

This article originally appeared in SolarQuotes and is republished here with permission.

 

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BYD ADL Partnership Transforms 4th London Bus Route to Pure Electric https://www.solaraus.com.au/byd-adl-partnership-transforms-london-bus-route-to-pure-electric/ Mon, 12 Feb 2018 01:27:55 +0000 https://www.solaraus.com.au/?p=1239 Another fleet of BYD ADL pure electric buses took over operation of a fourth London bus route. The new fleet consists of 11 of the 10.8m BYD ADL Enviro200EV single deckers, similar to others operated by Go-Ahead and now a familiar sight on London roads. The well proven zero emission vehicles entered service successfully and operate

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Another fleet of BYD ADL pure electric buses took over operation of a fourth London bus route. The new fleet consists of 11 of the 10.8m BYD ADL Enviro200EV single deckers, similar to others operated by Go-Ahead and now a familiar sight on London roads.

The well proven zero emission vehicles entered service successfully and operate from the Northumberland Park Garage in Tottenham, north London. The new buses marked the transfer of the route to Go-Ahead from CT Plus. BYD has supplied the depot with its own-designed and manufactured charging points.

The other three ADL BYD serviced London routes, all with Go-Ahead, are the 521 and 507 from Waterloo and the 360 from Camberwell. Other routes and operators will receive fleets of BYD ADL electric buses in the coming months following tender wins by the partnership.

“We are delighted to make another significant step in the electrification of London’s bus routes and to be in the vanguard of the transformation. At Go-Ahead we have developed considerable practical knowledge of electric bus operation, gained over six years, and are well positioned to contribute further to the improvement of the capital’s air quality”, said Richard Harrington, Go-Ahead Group’s Engineering Director.

“The smooth switch on of our electric buses to operate another intensive London route is a testament to the strength of our overall offering –not just the proven and reliable buses themselves but of the back up and support of our partners in planning and installing the necessary equipment to make electric bus operation successful from day one”, said Frank Thorpe, UK Country Manager for BYD UK, speaking on behalf of the ADL BYD partnership.

BYD sold over 14,000 electric buses globally in 2017 and, in partnership with ADL,single deck market leader in the UK, its fleets in London, Liverpool and Nottingham have already accumulated well over a million miles of emissions free operation on UK roads.

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Door-To-Door Solar Sales: Know Your Rights https://www.solaraus.com.au/door-to-door-solar-sales-know-your-rights-1/ Wed, 31 Jan 2018 06:09:52 +0000 https://www.solaraus.com.au/?p=1122 If you own an unshaded roof in Australia, filling your roof with solar is probably the best investment you can make. That sounds like a smarmy sales pitch, but the numbers are there for everyone to see. Yet over 75% of Australian roofs still don’t have panels. So how can the solar industry get the message out

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If you own an unshaded roof in Australia, filling your roof with solar is probably the best investment you can make. That sounds like a smarmy sales pitch, but the numbers are there for everyone to see. Yet over 75% of Australian roofs still don’t have panels.

So how can the solar industry get the message out to non-solar homeowners that they really need to at least run the numbers on getting panels installed? One way is by writing about it on blogs like this one, then promoting that content far and wide. A small percentage of readers will decide to get quotes and invite an installer or three to either come to their home, or quote them over the phone.

In the industry that’s known as ‘pull prospecting’. A potential customer is ‘pulled’ in by content they see online and then decides to take the next step and get quotes. The alternative is known as ‘push prospecting’. When a salesperson knocks on your door unexpectedly, and tries to ‘push’ you into buying solar.

Because most homeowners are at least considering solar, a persuasive salesperson who is selling solar can often have a lot of success simply walking the streets and knocking on doors of homes without solar. They come to your home uninvited and present information and deals that have been cleverly designed to sound hard to resist.

Not only are you under pressure from the surprise visit, but this deal is usually ‘only available right now’, and if you don’t already have solar panels on your roof the anxiety manifests as ‘fear of missing out’ as you begin to feel you might miss some great opportunity. These feelings set the cogs in your brain into overdrive thinking about all the money you’ve been promised you will save by installing some panels, and why on earth don’t you already have any – have you been hiding under a rock while everyone else is saving thousands on their bills?

If this happens to you, it is important to realise that this is all part of the selling strategy to bamboozle you to agree and sign up with them then and there without the benefit of other quotes to compare. Don’t be pressured in to signing anything.

Don’t get me wrong, solar panels are fantastic, and you should really consider installing them, just get quotes from reputable suppliers. I personally would avoid signing or agreeing to anything that a door-to-door salesperson has pitched to me, but let’s say I did. The contract/agreement would be an unsolicited consumer agreement or uninvited contract/agreement, as I have not asked for them to visit me and sell me something. Under the Australian Consumer Law, the unsolicited consumer agreement/contract must be accompanied by a cooling off period or notice that may terminate the agreement. Each State/Territory has the same 10 business day cooling off period. However, extended cooling off periods from 3 to 6 months can apply to violations made by the salesperson.

Let’s have a quick look at the rules door-to-door salespeople are expected to follow if they pay you an unsolicited visit:

  • Visit within the hours of 9am-6pm weekdays, 9am-5pm Saturdays, and prohibited on Sundays and public holidays.
  • Must be up front, and clearly explain the reason for their visit.
  • Provide identification/ identify themselves.
  • A salesperson must stipulate that upon request by you they are to leave your property, and leave immediately if you ask them to.
  • A breach of one or all of the above can result in an extended cooling off period.
  • If you are having doubts about a breach, check the table below for specific violations relevant to your State/Territory.

Specific Cooling Off Laws By State / Territory

 

Unsolicited Agreement Links

If you have been bamboozled by a door to door salesperson, then here are the direct links for for your state or territory so you can see what your rights are:

Note – unsolicited salespeople: If you ask the unsolicited door knocker for information or a quote and you at a later date contact that door-to-door salesperson to agree or sign a contract it no longer is an unsolicited or uninvited contract/agreement, as you are the one who has now made contact. Consequently, the cooling off period may no longer be applicable or a shorter time frame may apply, but check your State/Territory’s regulations.

Note – invited salespeople: Even if a salesperson comes to your home because you invited them these rules can still apply. For example, if you request quotes, and agree for company representatives to visit, unless you have agreed otherwise, you are inviting them to provide quotes, not to sell you a system there and then. So if you do sign up on the spot – then these cooling off periods, and other rules, also apply. If you sensibly take the quote to consider and compare it, accepting it at a later time, the rules above do not apply.

Always get more than one quote

Unless you know exactly what you want and how much it should cost, then buying from a random door knocker is a bad idea. Without comparing products, terms and conditions, and offers you could very well be buying a lemon. Ask for a copy of the specifications for you to peruse over at a later time, without them present. Use this information to obtain accurate comparisons to that particular product. Three quotes is a good idea. With unsolicited door knockers, you will most likely find there are better products out there at a better price, compared to their deal you have been so adeptly persuaded as being the bee’s knees.

If you are absolutely convinced that there are no better deals, then make sure you research the company who has come knocking on your door. Check the company registration at ASIC to see if they exist, read online product reviews and testimonies,  check their licences, memberships, and is there any other information that can be found on the company which authenticates them?

BEFORE signing any contract/agreement check the following, including, but not limited to:

  • Research the brand of panels, inverter, and battery storage; are they reputable? Shonky brands really do exist.
  • If the panels have a German sounding name, where are the products actually made? A door knocker’s favourite trick is selling ‘German’ panels which are anything but German.
  • Read the supplier’s policy on repairs. If they claim you have to bear any cost of claiming a warranty or have other tricky warranty caveats they may well be breaching Australian Consumer Law before they’ve even sold anything.
  • Make sure you understand if you are purchasing or leasing the solar panels.
  • Make sure they disclose any rebates included in the pricing.
  • Read the terms and conditions of the offer.
  • Read the warranties of the offer.
  • Is there a ‘cooling off period’ notification included in the contract/ agreement, which clearly provides the organisation’s name and contact information (not a post office box number).
  • How much is the deposit, and when is it required. No payments are to occur during the ‘cooling off period’.
  • What is the total price payable, and how is this calculated.
  • When is the installation date, and their policy if this date is not met. There are strict laws about supplying goods within the cooling off period, check your State/Territory’s specific laws.
  • Ask the company to guide you on how best to reduce your energy consumption, which could possibly reduce the size of your solar system requirements. Otherwise, ask how best to change your energy consumption behaviour to get the best results from your system. A company willing, and able to do this would be a good indication to me of the virtues instilled in the company.

REMEMBER – If you have signed an agreement and feel as though you signed under pressure, are not happy with how the salesperson behaved, have doubts about the contract/agreement or simply changed your mind then check the above table, read the appropriate link or ring your State/Territory’s Consumer Protection Agency for advice. After all, these laws are in place to protect you from high-pressured selling strategies.

I do want to finish by saying how important it is to allow yourself time to process an offer provided by a door-to-door salesperson. You have the right to obtain other quotes, regardless of the protest by the salesperson. You also have an opportunity to terminate a contract/agreement if you have been unfortunate enough to have signed under coercion or a convincing sales pitch. If I have scared you into thinking you will say yes even if your brain says no to door-to-door sales then familiarise yourself with your rights pertaining to door-to-door salespeople before they come a-knockin’. If all else fails, download a printable ‘Do Not Knock’ sign place it in a prominent location, and the sign will say NO for you!

This article originally appeared in SolarQuotes and is republished here with permission.

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How Much Are Your Christmas Lights Going To Cost You? https://www.solaraus.com.au/much-christmas-lights-going-cost/ Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:18:22 +0000 https://solar.craigmoylan.com/?p=824 You have the roof lights, the elaborate lawn display, a beautiful window display and the lights on the Christmas tree. Christmas lights is one way to get into the festive season but they can consume a decent amount of energy, adding to your electricity bill. To minimise the cost of Christmas lights there are a

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You have the roof lights, the elaborate lawn display, a beautiful window display and the lights on the Christmas tree.

Christmas lights is one way to get into the festive season but they can consume a decent amount of energy, adding to your electricity bill.

To minimise the cost of Christmas lights there are a number of factors to consider including the type and quality of lights; the amount of lights; and how long you have them turned on each evening.

We often forget to switch off the Christmas lights before going to bed and they sometime can be left on during the next day, adding to our power consumption.

In good news most modern Christmas lights are LEDS. They are a popular option as they use 90% less electricity than regular Christmas lights.On average LED Christmas lights will increase you power bill by $0.10 to $1.00 over the holiday period.

But keep in mind some LED lights will consume around 1.2W per 100 blubs, depending on whether you set your lights to twinkle or flash, they can use as much as double the power.

The incandescent Christmas lights you might remember from your childhood are still around but tend to use up more power. This can lead to a dramatic increase in your power bill over the Christmas period. Incandescent fairy lights are very popular, but they could cost your home over $17.00 per 1,000 blubs.

So, how can you reduce your power bill this Christmas?

  1. Make the switch to LED Christmas lights or Solar Christmas lights! Using the power from the natural energy created by the sun, solar powered Christmas lights are a great alternative; sustainable and cost effective.
  2. Fibre optic decorations are another option and energy efficient. In most cases, they use a single light bulb located at the base of the unit to light the entire decoration.
  3. Wait until dark to turn on your Christmas lights and remember to switch them off before going to bed or use a timer. Setting timers for your Christmas lights to automatically turn on when it gets dark and turn off during the middle of the night can save you a bundle in power consumption.

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Is Your Home Or Business Blackout Proof? https://www.solaraus.com.au/is-your-home-or-business-blackout-proof/ Fri, 17 Nov 2017 00:06:09 +0000 https://solar.craigmoylan.com/?p=819 Living in fear of a summer storm causing a blackout? Can’t afford your home or business to be without power during the busy summer months? This is something our team hears every day. It is a real threat when you live in an environment like Australia’s. The beautiful weather can turn nasty quickly, causing considerable loss

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Living in fear of a summer storm causing a blackout? Can’t afford your home or business to be without power during the busy summer months?

This is something our team hears every day. It is a real threat when you live in an environment like Australia’s. The beautiful weather can turn nasty quickly, causing considerable loss of electricity and disrupting your business.

With solar energy and battery storage we can make sure you home and business is blackout proof.

The Bureau of Meteorology has highlighted that between November and January 2017-18 most of Australia has a 50% chance of above average rainfall.[1] With the BOM predicting warmer than average daytime and night time temperatures, most of this rain is going to accompany storm activity.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has suggested that blackouts are going to be more common this summer. As a combination between storm activity and shortages in electricity occurs in the warmest months of the year.

As we saw in South Australia’s state-wide black out in September 2016, the cost of such a significant loss of electricity affects the economy, as well as substantial impact on local communities.

According to Eaton’s Blackout Tracker in 2016 blackouts across Australia affected 3 million people right across Australia. One of the most valuable investments you can make to protect your family and business from blackout is our solar battery storage.

When you install a solar battery, all the excess energy that your solar panels generates throughout a day are stored. By storing the sun’s energy throughout the day, you are able to tap into your battery when you need it most during peak times or when you do have a blackout. Click through to learn more about our solar battery storage.

What about hail??

There is always the risk that heavy winds and hail can cause damage to roof top solar panels. However, our roof top solar panels have been independently rated to withstand a minimum of 25mm hail stones travelling at approximately 90km/h as required.

In Australia, all solar panels must be tested for the impact of hail. All mono-crystalline and poly -crystalline modules must be able to withstand 25mm diameter ice balls travelling at 23m/s on 11 points across the module.

What if a storm shuts down our system?

Shut Down Instructions

 

Download your Inverter Shut Down and Reboot Procedure Here.

[1] http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/summary/ accessed 6/11

 

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Back to Basics: Solar 101 https://www.solaraus.com.au/back-to-basics-solar-101/ Thu, 26 Oct 2017 00:23:23 +0000 https://solar.craigmoylan.com/?p=92 Solar is a growing industry in Australia with new solar innovations announced every day. With so much information available, we thought it was high time to get back to basics. Here at Solar Australia, we are all about educating customers to ensure they get the right solar system. So let’s take a look at what makes up a

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Solar is a growing industry in Australia with new solar innovations announced every day. With so much information available, we thought it was high time to get back to basics. Here at Solar Australia, we are all about educating customers to ensure they get the right solar system. So let’s take a look at what makes up a solar energy system.


Solar Panels

The most obvious and well-known component of a solar system are solar panels, which are fitted to the roof of a a home or business to catch as much direct sunlight as possible.

Make sure your solar retailer is CEC (Clean Energy Council) accredited and supply Tier 1 panels. Solar panels absorb the sun’s rays to energise electrons and send DC power to the inverter.


Inverter

That brings us to another component in a solar energy system and this is the inverter.

Its job is to convert your solar DC power into 240V AC power for use in your home or business.

There are typically 3 kinds of inverters, at Solar Australia we offer advice on the best type of inverter for your premises.

  1. Micro Inverter: These are small boxes (about the size of a book) that are located on the back of or situated very close to a solar panel.
  2. String Inverter: This type is most commonly used in the home or workplace and is a large, suitcase-size box that’s often fixed to a wall in or outside the home away from direct sunlight.
  3. Central Inverter: This variety is much like a string inverter but is designed to be used in large industrial settings.

Switchboard Meter

You will need a new switchboard meter once you have solar energy to handle the importing and exporting of solar electricity to the grid. The meter accounts for energy consumed from the grid and calculates excess energy from your solar system transferred back to the grid.

Your electric utility company will install the switchboard meter for you.


Battery 

Whilst it’s an optional extra, the installation of a battery can really see residents and business owners make the most of their solar investment.

Why?

Because batteries offer you the chance to capture your excess solar energy during the day and store it for when you need it most, at night or during peak energy times.

Like all other elements in a solar system, batteries come in a range of sizes too. At Solar Australia, we can recommend the right battery for your individual needs. We stock a range of the well-known battery brands such as BYD, Tesla, Enphase and LG Chem.

For a simple infographic of how solar works Click Here

If you’re interesting in making the switch to solar, give us a call on 1300 000 SOLAR. Solar Australia can help you get the right system for your home or business. For a helpful guide Click Here

 

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Before You Sign A Solar Contract https://www.solaraus.com.au/before-you-sign-a-solar-contract/ Tue, 12 Sep 2017 01:44:49 +0000 https://solar.craigmoylan.com/?p=96 With electricity prices on the rise, there has never been a better time to switch to solar. When making the decision to switch to solar, there are a few things to consider: Ask your electricity supplier: will you be able to connect to the local network and get the feed-in tariff? what are the solar

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With electricity prices on the rise, there has never been a better time to switch to solar. When making the decision to switch to solar, there are a few things to consider:

Ask your electricity supplier:

  • will you be able to connect to the local network and get the feed-in tariff?
  • what are the solar feed-in tariffs and rates for peak and off-peak periods?
  • are there any extra fees for switching to solar or switching to another electricity company offering cheaper bills or a higher feed-in tariff?

Ask solar power providers:

  • what size system is needed to cover your energy bills and what is the total installation cost?
  • do any government rebates apply, how much would you get and what do you need to do to receive them?

Once you have signed on the dotted line, keep in mind any variations to the system design must be documented and signed off by you before installation. In addition to the standard conditions, ensure that the following points are also covered off in your contract:

  • there is a clear itemisation of the component costs and whether the total price includes small-scale technology certificates (STCs);
  • a design summary with a proposed system roof plan;
  • monthly system performance estimates;
  • a discussion about the expected efficiency losses due to shading or orientation;
  • full disclosure of all assumptions made in relation to systems and finance offerings;
  • warranties and guarantees, including installer workmanship;
  • all payment terms. Some suppliers may ask for a 10% deposit and the remaining balance on completion, or full payment upon installation. Others may offer progress payments and interest free packages. It’s important to talk with your supplier to ensure you know what payment terms applies to you;
  • service agreement and an agreed timeframe for installation, keep in mind some service agreements generally cover faulty works after install, but not general maintenance like cleaning as this is usually an additional cost.

If your contract covers off all of the above points, you may still be required to contact your electricity retailer and ask about any tariff changes that apply after solar is installed.

At Solar Australia we are here to help! Our team can assist you with your solar enquiries, talk you through any concerns you may have to ensure you make an informed decision and get the right solar system for your home or business.

Solar Australia works with both residential and commercial customers to provides a tailor solar solution that fits each customers’ needs. If you’re interested in making the switch to solar, we offer a free site inspection at your home or workplace. Click Here to Request a Free Site Inspection.

 

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Solar Hot Water Offers Plenty Of Energy Savings https://www.solaraus.com.au/solar-hot-water-offers-plenty-of-energy-savings/ Mon, 28 Aug 2017 02:13:36 +0000 https://solar.craigmoylan.com/?p=100 In Australia, an average household can use around 25% of its total energy on heating water. As electricity prices rise, a solar hot water system may be a great cost-saving option for many households. Here at Solar Australia, we offer both roof-mounted solar collectors and solar heat pumps. Roof-mounted solar collectors Homes with plenty of

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In Australia, an average household can use around 25% of its total energy on heating water.

As electricity prices rise, a solar hot water system may be a great cost-saving option for many households.

Here at Solar Australia, we offer both roof-mounted solar collectors and solar heat pumps.

Roof-mounted solar collectors

Homes with plenty of direct sunlight during the day would benefit from a roof-mounted solar collector.

This option sees the sun heat up the hot water collector which feeds directly into the home’s hot water appliances. Often a backup electrical element supplements this during high hot water demand or low sunlight periods.

Solar heat pumps

Not all of our customers can have solar hot water collectors on their roofs due to available space or shading, so a solar heat pump hot water system is a great solution.

This system operates similarly 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.

The refrigerant, now in gaseous form, is then compressed by the heat pump, which generates heat. This heat is then transferred into the storage tank, heating a 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.

Those without a solar hot water system can still save on their water heating costs with a few simple steps:

  • Turn off the hot tap on the washing machine so all loads use cold water;
  • consider placing a timer in the bathroom to encourage shorter showers;
  • switch off the home’s hot water system when on holidays;
  • reduce the home’s hot water system’s temperature to 60°c; and
  • insulate hot water pipes or the hot water system where possible and safe, ensuring it doesn’t impact upon warranties.

Those who install a solar hot water system at home could be eligible to receive renewable power incentives in the form of Small-scale Technology Certificates. An STC is a measure of renewable energy which can be traded for cash or a discount on the purchase price of a hot water system.

Interested in solar hot water for your home? Contact us and we can outline all available options as well as government rebates and incentives to ensure you get the right hot water system for your home.

 

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How Landlords And Tenants Can Share The Solar Benefits https://www.solaraus.com.au/how-landlords-and-tenants-can-share-the-solar-benefits/ Wed, 23 Aug 2017 02:15:24 +0000 https://solar.craigmoylan.com/?p=103 The number of people renting is rising. One-third of the Australian population is locked out of sharing the benefits of solar because landlords have little reason to install solar panels on a building that they rent out; tenants usually pay their own energy bills, so any savings would go direct to the them. However, it’s

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The number of people renting is rising. One-third of the Australian population is locked out of sharing the benefits of solar because landlords have little reason to install solar panels on a building that they rent out; tenants usually pay their own energy bills, so any savings would go direct to the them.

However, it’s now possible for both landlords and tenants to enjoy the money saving and environmental benefits that solar power offer!

Aussie technology company Matter has developed a platform to make it possible for tenants and landlords alike to benefit from solar. Matter essentially acts as a mini electricity retailer to their tenants.

The landlord pays to have the solar system installed, and then sell the energy to their tenants at a discounted rate. The landlord earns a margin and the tenants benefit from lower energy bills.

At an additional cost Matter also allows the landlord to measure how much solar electricity their property generates and how much it sends out into the grid for a Feed-in Tariff. The Feed-in Tariffs can go to the landlord or be shared with the tenants.

A bonus for landlords, installing solar on a rental property is a business expense which can be written off. This significantly improves a system’s return, but by how much will vary depending on circumstances. Landlords looking to install solar on their rental properties don’t have to limit themselves to using Matter or a similar service.

One alternative would be to simply install solar, give the tenant the full benefit of all the electricity generated, and make good on the investment through charging higher rent. A 2015 survey found 75 per cent of Aussie renters would pay additional rent to live in a home with solar panels installed. Forty per cent said they would pay an extra $10 a week.

Another option would be for landlords to have the electricity account in their name and provide electricity to the tenant at a discounted rate. Talk to your real estate agent. They may already offer this service.

Long term tenants who have lived at the same property and have a good relationship with their landlord, look into installing solar, and have the discussion with your landlord and work out what percentage of the cost would each party pay and how the solar benefits would be distributed and what happens if you were to move.

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BYD Supplying Batteries For Public Transport https://www.solaraus.com.au/byd-supplying-batteries-public-transport/ Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:21:52 +0000 https://solar.craigmoylan.com/?p=809 Here at Solar Australia, we know the benefits of adding a solar battery to a residential or commercial solar energy system. Over the past year, we’ve seen solar and battery technology more frequently used in public transport. Just recently, we shared on social media recently that Byron Bay is set to get a world-first solar-powered train. In

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Here at Solar Australia, we know the benefits of adding a solar battery to a residential or commercial solar energy system.

Over the past year, we’ve seen solar and battery technology more frequently used in public transport.

Just recently, we shared on social media recently that Byron Bay is set to get a world-first solar-powered train. In June, Brisbane Airport announced it would add 11 electric Carbridge Toro buses to its fleet which will all feature BYD batteries.

BYD has been a long-term partner of Solar Australia, supplying batteries for our residential and commercial customers.

Inside the buses, BYD’s 324kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack is split between the forward roof and rear engine compartment zones and gives the 70-seat bus a range of 500 kilometres, or up to 100 transfer journeys on a single charge.

Brisbane Airport’s Martin Ryan spoked about the fleet’s environmental credentials.

“The new fleet will be super quiet and environmentally clean, having reduced noise pollution and zero tail pipe emissions,” he said.

“In fact, swapping out our current fleet for electric buses will result in a reduction of 250 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to taking 100 cars off the road.”

The buses will be up and running in February 2018 and will be managed by Australian bus manufacturer and logistics group, Carbridge.

Carbridge is an Australian airport bus company with 45 years of experience, operating services at Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Singapore and Sydney airports.

Carbridge chief executive Luke Todd said the company’s Toro electric buses use kinetic power regeneration technology to produce charge as the buses decelerate.

“This advanced technology further reduces battery recharging frequency as power generation is created by the buses whilst in motion,” Mr Todd said.

Last year, BYD was involved in the introduction of the Electric Blu buses at Sydney Airport.

BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division general manager, Liu Xueliang said he and the team are happy to see more people in Australia supporting electric public transport.

Around 22.5 million passengers travelled through Brisbane Airport in 2016, making it the third busiest in Australia by passenger traffic. To read more about the range of BYD batteries Solar Australia offers Click Here.

 

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