Do you know more than two million Australian households now have rooftop solar panels with a combined capacity exceeding 10 GW? Yes, solar energy in Australia is booming, and installations continue to rise. However, when it comes to solar panels, still some are sceptical as it is a significant investment and are much concerned about the solar panel efficiency. Well, if you are one among the Aussies worried about the efficiency of solar panels, this blog will help you understand better.

Are Solar Panels Worth Investing?

For those who are seeking cleaner energy sources, harnessing the power of the sun could be one of the best options. Of course, the prospect of cutting down energy bills through the latest developments in solar energy is a great idea. But the initial investment can make you think whether solar panels in Sydney is really worth investing? Well, to understand how you can be benefited from solar energy, the solar panel efficiency must be considered.

What You Need To Know About Solar Panel Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency is one of the significant factors you need to consider when shopping for solar panels. So, what is solar panel efficiency? Well, it is a measurement of solar panels’ ability to convert the sunlight into electricity that can be used. According to research, solar panels are roughly between 15% and 18% efficient. Yes, while 15% to 18% of the sunlight is converted into electricity, rest hits the solar panel and warm the surface. The higher the efficiency rating, the more sunlight the solar panel could convert into electricity. That said, there are a lot of factors that affect the solar panel efficiency.

What affects the solar panel efficiency?

Solar panel efficiency is affected by several factors, including the solar panel materials, solar panel age, and the type of solar panel.

The type of solar panel

Thermal and photovoltaic panels are the two types of solar panels. While thermal panels capture the sunlight and operate efficiently in warm climates, photovoltaic panels separate electrons with the energy from sunlight, and then the electricity is used to power the house. Photovoltaic panels are commonly used for residential solar.

Solar Panel Materials

Monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and multi-junction solar cells are the three major solar panel materials. Monocrystalline silicon is the more common and efficient material.

Reflection

If sunlight is reflected away from a solar panel, the efficiency of the solar panel will be reduced. That’s why the glass layer on top of the panel is important.

Average sun exposure, solar energy system design, solar plans, and regular maintenance are the other factors that influence the efficiency of your solar panels.

As you see, the solar panels you choose determine the solar panel efficiency, and it is indeed worth investing. Get help from the professionals while choosing the solar panel for your house.

If you are interested in solar panels, we got you covered. We offer the best solar panels that are sourced from the world’s leading solar panel manufacturers. Call us for more details.

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Know the Advantages of Rooftop Solar Panels

Are you thinking about going green? Installing solar panels on your rooftop is a great way to reduce energy expenses and save more power. Solar panels on the roof also reduces carbon emissions and minimise your dependence on fossil fuels. Below we’ve compiled a few benefits of installing these at home or for your business.

Who Can Access Solar Panels?

If you’re considering solar panel installation, you need to understand who is eligible for them. If you do not own your home, you won’t be able to make any changes to the property, and so you will not be able to install solar panels.

Additionally, some roof types do not allow for solar panel installation. To find out if your roof is viable for solar panel installation, you should contact a solar panel installation expert. They will check out your property and determine whether you can install solar panels and where the ideal placement for a solar panel is.

You should also consider the total cost of all the elements necessary for a solar system before installing it. You’ll need to cover the installation costs, which will be relatively minor. You’ll also need to cover the cost of the panels. 

What most people don’t know is that you’ll need to cover the cost of the solar inverter, which is responsible for converting the energy from the solar panels into usable electricity for your home. To determine whether solar panels are the right choice for you, it’s best to know the total cost before commencing.

Renewable

Solar power systems harness the sun’s power, and by installing them, you are reducing your carbon footprint and increasing renewable energy generation. The climate change crisis is still in full swing, and it can be difficult to make big changes to minimise your impact on the climate. Instead of waiting for big government changes, you can take matters into your own hands and switch to a renewable energy source.

Reduce Your Utility Bills and Combat Energy Prices

Recently, the world has been struck by a drastic increase in energy prices. When you’re reliant on the grid for your energy, you are forced to pay exorbitant energy prices when political conditions cause a price increase.

You can reduce your energy bills when you get solar power systems installed on your rooftop. The amount you will save depends on the size of the panel and your electric usage. Installing solar panels for the house helps you reduce your electric bills and grants your income for any surplus power you generate by supplying it to the grid. It’s termed as ‘feed-in-tariff’.

If you opt for an electric vehicle, you can charge it using energy generated by your solar panels. Solar panels provide more freedom, allowing you to avoid being affected by fluctuating energy prices.

Increase the Value of Your Property

Installing a solar power system on your rooftop increases the value of your property. For example, installing a solar panel of 5kW could add approximately $29,000 to the value of a house.

Low Maintenance

Generally, solar panels don’t require much maintenance, and all you have to do is keep them clean. In addition to the initial cost of installation, you can expect minimal spending on maintenance and repair work.

To clean your solar panels, you can invest in special tools that reach your rooftop. Cleaning them regularly will ensure that they operate at maximum capacity, and the more often you clean them, the less difficult the task will be.

Save You From Power Outages

When you rely on the electricity supplied by the power grid, you are susceptible to power outages experienced by the grid. If you have no power, this can get in the way of your job if you work remotely, and can lead to great inconvenience for your daily habits and routines.

However, a solar system for home has a battery system for power storage and use, so you will not lose power during a power outage. It will continue to supply power to your building’s electrical system for as long as the sun shines and your battery backups are functioning correctly.

Low Installation Cost

Unlike other systems, solar panels are incredibly affordable. Nowadays, the costs have been reduced by a whopping 23% comparative to the last five years. You can also now finance your solar panels with a loan, buy them outright with cash, and more.

Solar energy is a reliable power source; you can count on it for your residential or commercial use. Make sure to choose designs that adhere to any rebates or incentives you wish to use to help you make your panels more affordable.

Living In Remote Locations

If you’re interested in moving to a remote location and living ‘off the grid’, you can do so easily using solar panels and installations. With solar panels, you can access hot water with a solar water heater. The panels fitted on the top of the water heater provide the energy to heat the water. Your roof solar panels can provide your property with power, and you can live completely independently from society in your remote haven.

Access Government Rebates

Since the government is encouraging homeowners to adopt solar power in their homes, many government rebates are available to help with the cost of the panels. If you’re eligible for a rebate, you can receive a grant for your solar panels, which will make it easier to afford by reducing the upfront costs. So, opting for solar panels doesn’t mean you need to save for years and years.

So – Should You Invest In Solar Panels?

You should consider investing in solar panels if you can afford it, or if you can access a grant. The advantages of solar panels include saving money, gaining independence, and reducing your carbon footprint. Opting for solar panels is extremely beneficial in a world where energy prices are fluctuating so rapidly.

If you’ve decided that solar panels are the right decision for you, why not reach out to us at SolarPath? Our team of experts would love to give you a quote for solar panels and installation!

Due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, many countries have imposed strict lockdowns and other restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes travel restrictions, business closures, work-at-home options, and more. The virus has also made a great impact on the energy sector. According to the World Resources Institute, Global energy use is predicted to fall 6% over the course of 2020.

Climate scientists also have told the BBC that the Covid-19 pandemic is a “huge opportunity” to fast-track Australia’s shift towards green energy. Reports also add that the use of renewables is increasing in Australia year-on-year and in the last year, 24% of all electricity generated came from renewable sources.

A Nationwide analysis from live monitoring systems shows a 105% increase in Aussie household electricity in Q1 2020 as compared to 2019, a spike resulting from the lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. But, homes that have solar power systems are more likely to save money on their bills.

So, if you are thinking about choosing green energy for your residential or commercial property, here are a few reasons to go solar.

• Installing solar power systems helps you to generate your own energy and frees you from depending entirely on energy companies to brighten up your residential or commercial premises. When combined with high energy battery backups and storing of excess energy to use during emergencies, this makes your household more self-sufficient instead of relying entirely on energy from the grid.
• With solar rebates and other plans available, you can get flexible financing options that cover solar power systems prices and allow you to save money in the long run.
• When you install solar power systems, you can offset high energy usage and save more on utility bills.
• Solar panels are eco-friendly, harness the energy of the sun to power your home or business without contributing to local air pollution.
• Solar panels have a long life span of 40 years and can be recycled once they reach the end of their life.
• Solar energy is a true renewable energy source that can be harnessed in all areas of the world and is available every day.
• Solar energy can be used for diverse range of applications from electrical energy to heat energy.
• It requires less maintenance, as you only need to keep them relatively clean to maintain its maximum efficiency.
• Solar panels are silent and do not emit polluting gases.

The Bottom Line

Solar power is 100% clean and reduces your dependence on oil, coal and natural gas for electricity production. It also eliminates the emission of harmful gases that affect the quality of air, water & soil, which are responsible for global warming. So, now is the right time to go solar and we are here to help every step of the way.

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Australians have the luxury of living in a country where sunlight is in ample supply, so households can invest in solar technology to access renewable and free energy.

For solar power generation, Australia is one of the leading countries. To increase the generation of solar power further, the government is rolling out a solar rebate to help homes in the New South Wales area access solar power.

Are you interested in installing solar panels for your NSW home? Don’t miss out on this vital information! This blog post will discuss the solar rebate, how it can benefit you, and the steps to take to claim your solar rebate.

Australian Government Solar Rebate

The Australian government has set out a mission statement to reach net zero emissions by 2050. To help make this happen, they have issued a solar rebate to make solar panels more accessible to homeowners and motivate them to switch to a more renewable energy source.

Some Australians believe the Australian solar rebate is over, but this isn’t true. The Government has lowered the rebate amount slightly, but it will continue to run until 2030. Reduction in rebates is a normal part of the rebate plan and depends on the total energy output between the years the solar power system starts operating and the end of 2030.

But what does a solar rebate do? The terms and conditions of the solar rebate vary depending on which area you live in – different regions have varying levels of sunlight exposure. The government will offer more favourable terms to those living in areas with the most sun exposure, as their panels will produce more renewable energy. The government is offering interest-free loans to Australian homeowners to purchase and install solar panels in their homes.

New South Wales Solar Rebate 2022

In addition to the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, many other incentive options are available in different states and territories. The New South Wales’ Empowering Homes program provides loans up to $14,000 for solar battery systems and up to $9,000 for adding a solar battery to an existing solar PV system. This benefit is available for households with an income of $18,000 annually.

Another incentive program on trials in New South Wales is aimed at Solar for Low Income Households, and it offers 3-kW solar systems to 30,000 homes in specific areas of NSW. They will provide the upfront cost of installation for this many homes, which would entail a cost of $128 million in rebate loans. If there is significant interest in the scheme, the NSW government has stated that it may exceed this figure. This program is available to most people except for holders of a Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card.

What Criteria Do I Need To Meet For The Solar Rebate?

The solar rebate may not be accessible to everyone; for example, low-income households making less than $18,000 per year will be ineligible for the scheme. Here are some of the criteria to consider before applying for the solar rebate:

• STCs must be created 12 months after solar panel installation.
• The solar panels and installation must meet industry standards the state, territory, or municipal governing bodies set.
• The Solar Energy Council must approve the solar panels to ensure all parts perform at optimal capacity – ensuring you receive ROI on your investment.
• The maximum capacity of the solar panels must be 100kW, and the annual production of the solar panels must not exceed 250,000 kWh.
• The Solar Energy Council must accredit your solar contractor. Contact your local solar panel installer to enquire about accreditation.
• You must own the home in which you reside.
• You must meet the loan conditions laid out by the government.
• You must live in an eligible postcode.
• You must connect your home to the power grid if it isn’t already connected.

How To Claim A Solar Rebate?

To claim your solar rebate from the NSW government, you need to visit the NSW website and search for the solar rebate. There will be an ‘Apply Now’ button on the solar rebate page. To complete the registration and eligibility forms, you will need to prepare the following information:

• An electricity bill – this electricity bill provides evidence that you currently receive the low-income household rebate.
• A photo of your veterans’ card or pensioner concession card.

It might also be helpful to read up on the guidelines and FAQs provided by the NSW government before you begin the application process.

Depending on the program, the requirements for a solar rebate in Australia vary, and you must get approval for your solar system before beginning the installation process. You can find the installation and documentation requirements from the Australian Clean Energy Regulator to earn STCs. Depending on the STCs, you can choose between a registered agent or claim & sell on your own. However, when you select a registered agent, you can claim a large rebate upfront. When STCs are claimed and sold by the solar system owner, the financial benefit is spread between the year of installation and 2030.

How Do You Find A Solar Installed Accredited By The CEC?

To install solar panels in your home, you must find a solar installer accredited by the Clean Energy Council and purchase solar panels that the CEC approves. To find solar installers with this accreditation, you must seek out solar installation experts in your area. Before you ask the installer for a quote, ask if the CEC accredits them. If you intend to purchase solar panels from your installer, also ask them whether the CEC approves the solar panels they provide.

Once you have found solar installers in your area that are viable for the solar rebate program, you should receive quotes from all installers you are considering. You can compare pricing and opt for the installer with the most competitive price.

Are You Considering The Solar Rebate?

The solar rebate makes solar panels more accessible for low-income households in Australia, allowing them to install solar panels without the hefty upfront costs. If you’re considering using the solar rebate, speak to one of our experts here at SolarPath. They are always happy to answer any questions you might have!

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