Frequently Asked Solar Questions & Answers
How does a solar power system work?
What is PV?
What is an inverter?
Will our building be suitable for a solar system?
Where else can the solar panels be placed?
What will a Grid-connect system power?
Who installs the system?
How does the weather affect the system?
What maintenance is required?
What happens to the Grid-connect system during a blackout?
Can I expand the size of my Grid connect system at a later date?
What are the warranties?
Are solar panels covered within my insurance policy?
How does solar help the environment?
What are the environmental benefits of using renewable
What are the financial benefits?
Who will buy my excess energy?
What is a feed-in tariff?
How much will it cost to run?
How does a solar power system work?
When the front facing surface of PV solar panel(s) are exposed to sufficient levels of sunlight, i.e. solar radiation, a DC electric current is produced. For PV grid-connected power systems, this DC solar generated current is fed into an inverter and converts it to AC current. The AC current then powers AC loads connected directly to the PV system, while any surplus AC power is exported onto the main electricity grid.
In standalone PV system configuration, there is no electricity mains grid. If the system powers AC loads, then an inverter is used as well. Common to both AC and DC standalone PV systems is the battery bank which stores excess PV generated energy for later use such as at night time, or during extended periods of bad weather.
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What is PV?
PV is an abbreviation of the word photovoltaics (photo=light, voltaics=electricity), and refers to semiconductor-based technology that is used to convert light energy directly into electricity. There are no moving parts, no consumption of fuel, and is pollution free.
What is an inverter?
An inverter is an electrical device that converts DC current to AC current.
Will our building be suitable for a solar system?
It depends on several aspects that need to be evaluated to determine if your building is a good site for solar. These include: orientation, available space, shading effects. The best sites in the Southern Hemisphere will generally have a north-facing roofs perspective and free of shade. The opposite is true for the Northern Hemisphere sites.
Where else can the solar panels be placed?
Solar panels can be deployed just about anywhere it can receive direct and unimpeded sunlight all year round.
For best electrical performance, solar panels should be positioned at their optimum angle facing the equator. The optimum angle is generally determined by the degree latitude of the solar site. The north side of a roof in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa for the Northern Hemisphere.
Solar panels can also be mounted on pergolas, sheds and verandas, as long as they can support the panels safely, and where the panels can be angled toward the sun. The inverter(s) are generally installed close by to minimise electrical cable resistance losses.
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What will a Grid-connect system power?
Your Grid-connected system will directly feed into your home’s internal electrical grid, and hence all home appliances receive the PV system’s power. The amount of PV power delivered to the home appliances depends on the instantaneous power being produced by the PV solar panels at the time. If there is insufficient power from PV, then the electrical grid supplies the balance.
Who installs the system?
Registered installers that have grid-connect qualifications, accredited by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and are also licensed electrical contractors. To be eligible for the rebate, your system must be designed and installed by a BSCE grid-connect accredited designer and installer.
The installer must personally sign off on the installation report upon completion of your system. SilexSolar recommends only accredited installers be used to install the solar system.
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How does the weather affect the system?
Yes, weather conditions will affect the system. Every PV solar system’s energy output is subject to the instantaneous variations in solar radiation. On a cloudy day, the panels will produce electricity, however the production will not be as high as when the panels are in bright sunlight. The PV system’s long term performance varies seasonally. The situation can be further complicated if there is periodic shading caused by trees, buildings and other features which may interrupt the path of direct sunlight onto the panels.
What maintenance is required?
A grid connect system requires very little maintenance. The solar panels may from time to time need cleaning. Always observe all Occupational Health and Safety requirements such as working from heights, e.g. roof mounted systems. When solar panels are tilted 15 degrees or more, rain run-off can help keep them clean, however, local conditions will ultimately dictate the frequency and degree of cleaning.
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What happens to the Grid-connect system during a blackout?
For safety reasons, the grid connect inverter automatically shut itself off during a blackout, so as prevent back feeding the grid. The system switches off until mains electricity is restored.
Can I expand the size of my Grid connect system at a later date?
Yes, provided the existing inverter’s ratings specifications can accommodate the larger solar array, Also there are many other practical design considerations that need to be taken into consideration on a case by case basis.
What are the warranties?
Refer to specific warranty terms mentioned elsewhere on the website. In generalised terms however, SilexSolar offers a 5 year mechanical defects warranty, and a 25 year minimum power warranty. The full terms are as per current industry best practice.
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Are solar panels covered within my insurance policy?
SilexSolar can only recommend you contact your insurance provider to get the PV solar system added to your home policy.
How does solar help the environment?
Yes, solar helps the environment. For every 1MWh of PV solar energy produced by your system, this alleviates the need to burn fossil fuels which release approximately 830kg of CO2 green house gas equivalent.
What are the environmental benefits of using renewable energy?
The ultimate goal for renewable energy is to provide the world with a sustainable, affordable and clean source of electricity.
In the case of PV Solar energy, there is minimal pollution and positive impacts on the environment in various ways by:
- Reduces the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the environmental damage resulting from fossil fuel exploration and extraction.
- Renewables avoid and reduce green house gas emissions due to carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur oxides.
- Improves air quality and visibility due to decreased burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal and oil.
- Solar energy is silent, produces no waste or pollution, therefore limiting your impact on climate change and global warming.
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What are the financial benefits?
The price of energy is rising rapidly, and it’s inevitable that the future cost of conventional fossil fuelled energy is going to continue. Renewable energy provides a long-term solution to this global problem of escalating fuel prices.
PV systems can be located just about anywhere. Their great advantage is that they can not only be installed as large centralised power plants, just like conventional power stations, they can also be installed and distributed as micro generating power stations such as domestic systems on the roofs of houses all over the country and cities. This has the added economic benefit in that PV can be produced at the point of consumption.
With the assistance of government incentives that aim to stimulate growth in the PV industry and drive costs down to ultimately reach “grid-parity”, the affordability, i.e. economics of PV, based on initial investment and ongoing operational costs is being more attractive day by day.
Solar power increases the value of your home, and will save you money on your power bill.
A PV Solar system on your house (or even business), sends a clear message to your neighbours and the general community at large that you are concerned, but most importantly taking real action about your own social and environmental responsibilities.
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Who will buy my excess energy?
Your electricity retailer will purchase the surplus power produced from your solar power system. The policy environment for the generation and purchase of renewable energy both federally and state is currently evolving. Contact your electricity retailer for buy back rates.
What is a feed-in tariff?
A feed-in tariff is the rate (in cents per kWh) your electricity retailer is obliged to purchase electricity from your PV system. There are two types: Gross Feed-In-Tariff, and Net Feed-In-Tariff.
Gross Feed-In-Tariff is the most generous scheme, whereby the electricity retailer must pay the PV system owner (e.g. the householder) for the total i.e. Gross kWh of PV energy produced by the PV system.
A Net Feed-In-Tariff on the other hand is a far less generous incentive. The electricity retailer pays only for the PV generated electricity that is surplus, i.e. not consumed by the home owner, and hence the Net electricity exported to the grid. The precise nature of the Feed-In-tariff in your location may vary. However, there will be a wealth of information on internet web sites, In the first instance, contact your electricity provider, PV installer, and or Government department for up to date details.
How much will it cost to run?
There are no running costs.
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