Can I add batteries to my solar PV system?
The general answer to this question is YES but typically you may need to upgrade your inverter or add in a new hybrid inverter to facilitate the battery connection – see our Hybrid Solar PV section and this will explain in more detail or simply call one of our trained staff on 1300 146 346 or email info@resourcefulenergy.com.au and we can discuss your transition to a hybrid solar PV system with batteries.
Do I need network approval before I connect solar PV?
Yes, you do. At Resourceful Energy we are very experienced at dealing with the local Electricity Network Utility companies, we will take care of this process on your behalf, simply ask us how.
Does the weather have an impact on how much power I generate?
The weather is one of the main variables for the performance of your system, on a clear blue-sky day your system will perform better than a cloudy or overcast day. At Resourceful Energy we will provide an estimate of what your system should generate on an annual average basis considering the size of your system and the orientation / roof pitch of your array.
How long does the solar PV Installation take?
A general Residential installation of solar PV up to 6.5kW can normally be completed within one day by a team of 2 installers. If you are looking at a Commercial installation of solar PV a typical 30kW system can take 3-4 days with a team of 3 or 4 installers These estimates may vary depending on the type of roof, cable run for the site, roof access etc.
How long will the system last for?
The system will last a long time provided you buy quality equipment and get it installed properly. The solar panels will typically have a 25-year power performance warranty and most of the tier 1 inverters come standard with a 5-year warranty and this is generally mirrored with the installation and workmanship warranty which is also 5 years from Resourceful Energy. In general, you should get through to 7-8 years before your inverter may fail like any other electrical device, at this stage you will need to buy a new inverter to continue operations.
How will I know if my new bill is correct or not?
At Resourceful Energy we will explain how to read your bill after solar and we will run through the numbers for your first few bills so that you can be assured that your solar is working as it should – simply call 1300 146 346 or email info@resourcefulenergy.com.au and send in your bill to us for explanation.
I am looking to get a quote on installing solar PV onto my house, how do I start?
Call our office on 1300 146 346 or email info@resourcefulenergy.com.au and talk to one of our trained sales staff – we can guide you through the process, explain how it works and then come out and meet you in person to complete a customised quote to suit.
If a black out were to occur, do the solar PV panels provide me electricity?
If you have a standard solar PV grid connect system, it needs the main grid voltage as a reference to operate so if the grid supply is isolated for any reason your solar system will shut down and this is a safety measure built into all inverters. If you have a solar PV system with batteries you may have an Emergency Power Supply (EPS) or Un-interruptible Power Supply (UPS) feature built into your hybrid inverter, in this case you may see a slight power outage then power should be restored from your stored energy supply. One of our trained sales staff at Resourceful Energy can explain the difference between these two systems – if you want to install batteries and get the peace of mind of back-up supply simply call us on 1300 146 346 or email info@resourcefulenergy.com.au.
Is it possible to upgrade my solar PV system if need be?
To answer this question, we need some more information; If you have enough spare capacity in your inverter an upgrade is possible (for example if you have a 3kW system connected to a 5kW inverter) and it is also possible to slightly oversize the solar PV array by approximately 25%-30% so you can install up to 6.5kW on a 5kW inverter. At Resourceful Energy we would be happy to investigate this for you to give you the facts for your situation – call 1300 146 346.
My friend has the 44c premium feed-in tariff from a few years back, but I missed out, is solar still worth considering or not?
Many people ask this question and the answer is YES – although the generous premium feed in tariffs were lucrative at the time, the payback times were still in the 4-5-year timeframe period. Today the payback times are around 3-4 years because the cost of the equipment has reduced in price over time – it is still a great investment to cover yourself against rising electricity prices.
What are the main components that we need for our solar power installation?
Solar Panels – these are the devices that are installed on your roof that change light energy from the sun into electrical DC power like the power in your car supplied by your DC battery. Solar Racking – this is the aluminium framework that is secured to your roof before the solar panels can be installed onto your roof. Inverter – this is the device that changes DC power from Solar Panels into AC power that everyone has at home supplied by the grid. Electrical wiring / Isolators / Circuit Breakers – this is the enabling equipment that our Electrical tradesman use to connect the solar panels to the inverter and to your switch board to get everything safe and ready to turn on. Electricity Meter – this is provided by your utility or your retailer but it is a device that can count the amount of energy that comes in from the grid and also count the amount of energy that you export back to the grid when you are generating more power than you are using.
What are the steps involved in the process of signing up for solar PV?
Firstly, together we decide what system makes sense for you and what equipment suits your budget and installation, then we design up a customised quote for you to approve. Once you accept our quotation, we proceed with your network application, we book in the installation date with you then we carry out the installation. Once the installation is completed, we exchange some paperwork, book in your meter change work and away you go, generating your own power – with Resourceful Energy we make it simple for you.
What is the biggest solar system that I can install on my roof?
There are three things that can dictate the answer to this question:
- Available and suitable roof space (typically you need approximately 6m2/kW of suitable unshaded roof space facing North, East or West – for example a 5kW system will need up to 30m2 of available roof space)
- Type of electricity connection that you have (in some cases you can get a higher connection approval if you have three phase power available instead of single phase at your house or business)
- Approval from the local electricity utility such as Energex, Ergon, Essential Energy (Your local utility will review the connection type and size you have as well as your historical energy use for commercial customers before determining the size they are happy for you to connect their network with
Typically, a residential customer can install up to 6.5kW of solar power with a 5kW single phase inverter and up to 18kW of solar power for larger houses that install a 15kW three phase inverter without any export restrictions. Commercial solar power installations follow a different set of rules, smaller commercial customers up to 30kW have different network approval paths to those larger commercial customers who may range from 40kW up to the 1000kW or 1MW range.
What size solar PV system do I need?
Several factors effect this decision, some may include:
- Client Budget
- Available and suitable roof space
- Plans you may have for the future (Family size living at your house, planning any renovations in the future?)
- Your electricity bill / offset requirements (how much do you want to reduce your power bills by?)
Generally, you can reduce your power bills by $80-$100 per quarter per kW of solar you have installed – for example a 5kW system could reduce your quarterly bill by $400-$500 per quarter depending on your self-use versus export ratio and assumes 16-18c export Feed in tariff offered by Origin / AGL for residential customers.
When the system is installed, will I still get an electricity bill?
Yes, unfortunately you will still get a bill after solar PV is installed but provided, we have done our job correctly, at least the bill will be much smaller.
Who will install my solar PV system?
Your Solar PV system will be installed by trained, experienced and qualified electricians that are accredited by Clean Energy Council of Australia.
Will the system overtime need maintenance?
The Solar PV system requires minimal maintenance, but we would recommend that your solar PV system is checked every two years to ensure that everything is working properly. Resourceful Energy do offer Maintenance services, see our Maintenance section on the website to book in a Solar PV health check-up for your system.
