Top Tips to go solar - Solar panel selection can be a thrilling experience, but don't be fooled by advertisements. You've made a wise investment in a solar system, and now it's time to get the most out of it. The following are some solar buying ideas to help you figure out what to look for when buying a system.
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Recommendations
Inquire of friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers who have solar PV systems installed. The finest solar-buying advice often comes from people in your area. They'll be able to share their experiences with you and possibly alert you to any issues they encountered.
Manufacturer’s warranty period
Take note of any warranties that the manufacturer provides. If the manufacturer is trustworthy and the panels have a long guarantee period (at least 25 years), you may anticipate your solar system to endure a long time, long sufficient to spend for itself and create interest. However, for a warranty to be honored, the maker must still be in business. So be wary of brands that haven't had much success in Australia.
Set Reasonable Price Expectations
You may encounter low-quality equipment and/or bad installation work if you spend far less than many other similar-size systems quoted. Quality equipment and installation are not cheap, and you often get what you pay for, as with all other purchases.
Check out the components and warranty durations, as well as the installation company. While large, well-established businesses can pass on significant cost savings due to their purchasing power, smaller businesses sometimes save expenses by cutting critical corners.
Turn Off Your Computer’s Standby Mode!
Much electrical equipment (kitchen appliances, televisions, computers, game consoles, and hi-fi systems) utilize electricity even when they are not in use. When you consider how many electrical devices are in a typical home, the standby consumption can quickly pile up. As a result, such devices should be physically disconnected from the circuit when not in use, utilizing switchable sockets.
Certifications For Solar Panels
This is true for all solar panel purchases, but especially for those that may be eligible for a government refund. The type of testing that solar panels have undergone is indicated by their certification. TUV IEC 61215, for example, certifies that the solar panels have been tested by an independent laboratory and meet the quoted requirements. Other sorts of certifications are frequently self-assessed. As a result, people rely on the corporation to be truthful in its statements.
Choose The Sort of Panels You Want
It used to be that if you only had a small amount of roof space, you had to invest in highly efficient (and expensive) mono-crystalline solar panels. With advancements in polycrystalline panel technology and other thin-film technologies, this is fast changing. Even if you have enough roof space, you should think about panel size vs. output. Filling your roof with inefficient panels will limit your capacity to add more panels in the future and will not maximize the space's electricity production.
Installation of Solar Panels
Examine to notice if the roof, ground mounting, or tracking system is engineer-certified for the place. If you reside in a cyclone-prone area, for example, check sure the mounting system and mounting brackets are cyclone-resistant. Wind-certified quality systems are available. After all, you don't want your system to go crazy in the middle of a storm. Some suppliers skimp on the mounting system, which is a critical component. Make certain you inquire about wind certification and warranty agreements, as well as obtain copies of pertinent paperwork.
The Efficiency of Solar Inverters
A power inverter is a unit that sits between your solar panels and your appliances, converting DC electricity from the panels to AC electricity that can be used in your home.
Not all solar inverters are designed equal, and inverter performance has an immediate influence on how long a method demands to pay for itself. Before you buy a system, check the efficiency of the inverters. The higher the inverter's efficiency, the better. During the conversion from DC to AC, less electricity will be wasted as heat. SMA, Sungrow, and Fronius are all industry leaders in solar inverters for grid-connected systems in Australia. Generic brands should be avoided.
Obtain a Few Solar Quotations
When making a large purchase, it's always a good idea to get a few solar quotes because prices vary greatly between providers. However, don't be tempted just by price, although lower-quality components can lower the system's initial cost. However, in terms of reliability and efficiency, they may end up costing you more in the long run.
Avoid High-Pressure Salespeople at All Costs
Unfortunately, high-pressure sales practices are typical in the solar industry. If you don't want to make a decision right away, simply ask the person to give you some time to think about the offer. It will still be a terrific offer tomorrow if it is as excellent as they claim. Decisions made under duress often turn out to be less favorable in the long run.
During The Day, Make Use of Your Appliances
This may seem like a no-brainer, but many individuals fail to take advantage of daylight hours. By using your high-use appliances during the day, such as the dishwasher, dryer, and washing machine, you are consuming power as it is generated. Make use of the time you have because it is free energy!
Bonus Tip: When loading the dishwasher in the evening, wait until the sun is shining before turning it on.
Clean Your Panels As Follows
Dirt, dust, and bird droppings can all obstruct your efforts to save money. Anything that blocks your solar panels diminishes your system's production, which reduces your savings on your electricity bill. Getting up on your roof and cleaning your solar panels can be difficult and risky, so let us handle it with the necessary tools and expertise.
Include A Battery
If you don't already have a battery, check your statement to see how many kWh you're exporting to evaluate if a battery is a good investment. If you're currently exporting about 12kWh per day into the grid, adding a battery will allow you to get the most out of your system by allowing you to use your solar electricity at night. You can also have complete blackout protection by adding a battery.