Getting a quote for a solar power system is easy – but the cost depends on the quality of the hardware, the installer’s rates and rebates. Read on to understand how to make the best decision for your home.
South Australia has generous rebates through its Sustainability Incentive Scheme and one of the country’s best battery incentive schemes. The rate you get paid for excess energy is called the feed-in tariff. For more information about solar panel cost Adelaide, click here.
Panels
Several solar panel sizes can generate electricity in your home, with different prices and rebates for each. The amount of energy a system will save you will depend on how much sunlight it receives and the type of home you live in.
Different types of solar panels have other efficiencies in converting sunlight into electricity. Those with higher efficiency ratings will cost more than those with lower rates.
There are three main types of solar panels available – monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin film. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The best option will depend on the type of roof you have and your energy consumption habits. It will also depend on the temperature co-efficient rating of the panel, as it affects how well the board performs in hot conditions.
Inverters
A suitable inverter, such as the Solplanet Optimiser, will have an inbuilt DC isolator that selects the most productive operating voltage for your panels automatically. It also won’t require an external DC isolator that increases expense and maintenance. Using high-quality inverters is essential to maximise the financial returns of your solar system.
Installation
Installing solar panels on your roof will provide you with renewable energy and help reduce your electricity costs. The initial investment will pay for itself in less than three years, and you’ll save money over the lifetime of your system.
You can maximise the financial benefit of your rooftop solar installation by consuming the electricity it generates as it is produced. It minimises the amount of energy sent back into the grid and, therefore, makes each kilowatt-hour from your solar system worth more than a kWh purchased from the electricity grid.
Adelaide’s sunny climate and daylight savings make it a good location for maximising self-consumption of solar energy. However, shading from trees and building structures can affect many Adelaide homes. Using microinverters and DC optimisers can help minimise the loss of panel output due to shading.
Feed-in tariff
When your solar system produces more energy than you use, it gets fed back into the grid. It is called a feed-in tariff, or FIT.
The rate you are paid for feeding your excess electricity back into the grid is determined by the retail power provider you choose. You can check the FIT rates different retailers offer using our electricity plan comparison tool. For more information about solar panel cost Adelaide, click here.
There is no minimum FIT rate in South Australia, so it’s important to compare all available options to find the best deal for your household. You should also consider non-financial factors like the retailer’s focus on sustainability, customer service standards and commitment to keeping Australian staff. You can find these details in the retailer’s energy fact sheets, which are publicly available.
Maintenance
Installing solar panels in Adelaide can be a great way to save money on power bills. It also reduces your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. A well-designed system should generate enough electricity to meet most of your needs. It can even export excess energy to the grid and earn a feed-in tariff.
It’s essential to track your energy production closely and know when to seek professional maintenance. Any drop in output typically signals a problem that dirty or obstructed panels may cause.
Some solar panel manufacturers require that their customers have their panels cleaned regularly. It’s best to hire a licensed, experienced solar company for this task, as non-solar experts may cause damage. They may also void your warranty.