Solar Power; FAQ.
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Frequently asked questions:
Eligibility
System sizing and design
- What size system do I need for my home?
- What are the warranty periods?
- Can I order a 1kW system but with a larger inverter for future expansion?
- What is the difference between the Inverters?
- My roof does not have a slope of between 10 and 50 degrees
- What is the additional cost for tiled roofs?
- What if the panels are damaged by a natural event such as hail?
Government incentives
Eligibility
Is my home suitable for solar power?
Here is a check list of the main features that qualify a building for our standard installation price.
- You own the roof on which you are installing the system (not a body corporate)
- Your house is single or double story with tin or colorbond roofing (tiled roofs will cost around an extra $300 per 1kW for the additional stainless steel brackets required)
- The roof is ideally North facing. (East and West is also viable but not ideal)
- The roof space has an angle of between 10 and 45 degrees
- The roof has 10 square meters of free space that is not shaded during the day (in any season) for each 1kw of capacity (6 panels) you plan to install. If unsure about this, we can assess year round shading for you.
Don't worry if your house does not meet all of the above criteria, it just means extra time on the job for the installer, and perhaps extra mounting hardware.
System sizing and design
What size system do I need for my home?
The minimum size system Ausenergy offer is 1kW (1000 watt) that has a potential output capacity of 1000 watts of DC (direct current) electricity. This DC output is sent directly to the inverter which converts the DC power into 240 volt AC (alternating current) power for use in your home, or export to the electrical grid. A 1kW capacity system will generate about 1470 kWh of electricity per year. That will automatically save you $300 at current prices (Country Energy NSW).
You will be able to see from your last electricity bill how many kWh you used in a quarterly billing period. There should also be a graph that indicates your last twelve months of usage. Every house is different and it may be quite a shock to see how large a solar power array you would need to completely meet your current electricity use.
The Wattson energy meter will monitor the amount of energy you use in your home and translate kW to kWh, CO² emmissions, and dollars in intervals from 5 minutes up to a month. Installing the Wattson energy monitoring system before you install your solar power system will enable us engage with you during the consultation period and choose the right system for you before your rebate application is approved and your final order placed. The Wattson will also help you to identify how to reduce the gap between your electricity use and the amount your solar power system produces.
What are the warranty periods?
Each of the manufactured components warranties have different conditions and range from 5 to 25 years. If there are any faults with any component of the installation within the first 12 months, Ausenergy will arrange for an exchange or repair at no cost. The manufacturer warranties for the components will be outlined on your system description and diagram document that will be provided with your quote and agreement.
If available, they are provided as PDF downloads within the Solar Power Equipment section of this website.
What is the difference between the Inverters?
See our Inverter comparo table for a simple comparison between the benefits of each inverter. Click through to the specific product pages for each Inverter's technical specifictions and data sheets.
My roof does not have a slope of between 10 and 50 degrees. Should I purchase Tilt legs to change the angle of the panels?
Tilt legs cost between an additional $300-400 per kW installed for the extra materials required to support panels that are not mounted flush with your roof surface. A guide to the change in performance from the optimum 30 degree tilt angle from horizontal is shown below.
| Example at Latitude of 30.3 South | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tilt Angle (deg) | Average Annual Insolation* (kWh psm) | Deviation in performance (% from optimum) |
| 0 | 5.13 | -10.1% |
| 10 | 5.43 | -4.1% |
| 20 | 5.6 | -0.9% |
| 25 | 5.64 | -0.2% |
| 30 | 5.65 | Optimum |
| 35 | 5.63 | -0.4% |
| 40 | 5.57 | -1.4% |
| 50 | 5.37 | -5.2% |
Tilts options will be site specific and system size specific, an appropriate solution will be discussed during your site visit.
What is the additional cost for tiled roofs?
Each kW installed on a tile roof requires additional brackets, costing approximately $300. The additional labour cost will depend on the number of tiles roofs of the total 50 participants and the negotiations with installer teams.
What if the panels are damaged by a natural event such as hail?
Sharp, Kyocera, Sunpower, Conergy and Trina solar panels are all rated to the equivalent force of 25mm diameter hail stones at 23m/s. The glass covering on solar power panels is very thick, and also tempered. Only very occasionally do we hear of hailstone damage, and those are rare cases where the hailstones are bigger than golf balls. PV panels are usually covered under your home insurance policy, Ausenergy recommends a quick call to your insurer and if needed, you can add your solar power system to your home policy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY3X4ea3MB8How much will I save?
- An entry level 1000 watt grid connected solar system will save the average household around 25% or around $300 a year on the power bill. Please go to our Feed In Tariff information page for further details, or email us at solar@ausenergy.com.au
Government incentives
Solar Credits & RECs
Please go to our Solar Credits information page
Green loans
Sorry, Green loans is no longer. Go to http://www.environment.gov.au/greenloans/ for more information.
Feed in Tariff
Please go to our Feed In Tariff information page
