Solar Panel Installation: benefits, maintenance, worth – Everything you need to know
Due to the rapid price hike of electricity in recent years, over two million homes in Australia have shifted to clean and reliable solar power systems.
Why?
Well, there are many good reasons. Besides saving themselves from the blow of a high electricity bill every month, people have grown conscious about ‘going green’ in energy and started utilizing the gift nature has given them. So if you’re also interested in joining the club, read on and enlighten yourself!
What are the benefits of a Solar power system?
The best technology has given us in the energy sector is the invention of solar power production because of its smooth and efficient system, cost-effectiveness and most importantly, its eco-friendliness.
Be it residential areas or industrial sectors, this alternative source of power production has proven so feasible that millions of people in Queensland have adopted it.
Here are some of the benefits people have acknowledged of solar energy systems:
Easy maintenance:
Solar panels, if installed expertly, can be very easily maintained. Without much care and preservation, they can serve you for decades.
Quite Economical:
Solar panels, due to their intricate technological form and installation, seem expensive, but surprisingly they’re very cost-effective in the long run. They save you from the trauma of high electricity bills every month.
It’s Ample:
While the sun rises and shines every day, your house will have electric power. It’s not limited, unlike other energy sources on the earth.
Environment friendly:
The “Go Green Movement” supporters are happy with it because there’s no by-product of it that can cause damage to the environment like other electrical energy sources.
No need for direct sunlight:
There’s a myth about solar panels that they need to be under direct sunlight to work, but the truth is that they function on cloudy days and in the winter too, when the sun is not that bright. They perform at maximum efficacy under direct sunlight but also work under the conditions mentioned above.
Queensland Solar Rebates:
You can not only cut short your electricity bills but also earn with solar energy. If your solar panels export extra unused energy to the shared energy grid, you will get rebates from your distributor in the form of concessions on your electricity bill.
Hurry up; the demand is getting higher in Queensland!
The “Clean Energy” report says that every one in three households in Queensland has installed a solar energy system, and the state has become the largest producer of solar energy in the country. So if everyone is enjoying the benefits of sunlight in Queensland, why are you still paying the bills?
Is there a need for any ‘council approval’ in Queensland for the solar system installation?
Since the solar energy system installation has been declared as a ‘self-assessable’ job under the 2006 Queensland legislation “Building Regulation,” there’s no need for council approval for installation, repair, or any kind of modification work in the solar panel system.
So this legislation removes any red tape from the procedure which may hinder the initialization, causing unnecessary time waste and money loss.
Is the Solar energy system right for you?
All research is done, and now you know the benefits of the solar energy system. But before making the decision, you need to know if the system is right for you. Start this by contemplating and asking yourself a few questions.
Is there any solid reason behind shifting to a Solar energy system?
You need to analyze your energy usage and the peak times you consume energy before making any investment in the solar panel system. By estimating your daily use, you’ll be able to know which size to purchase, and by understanding the peak time, you will know when to fully utilize the power your solar system is generating. A solar power system is best for your household if you consume more electricity during peak daylight. But if your energy consumption is minimal during the daytime and maximum at nighttime, you need to rethink the sizes before making a purchase.
Evaluate your consumption of electricity and know other ways to enjoy more benefits of solar energy:
If your energy usage during the daytime is not much, and you think investing in the solar panel system will be a waste of money, rethink the other ways you can get profits from this system, as other people are enjoying.
Run all your heavy appliances on the solar system during the daytime and export any extra power to the shared grid. You will get paid by your energy distributor in the form of rebates on your electricity bill. Rebates or feed-in tariffs differ from area to area and dealer to dealer, so it’s better to converse with your distributor in order to get the best deal available for you.
The next important thing which needs consideration is your rooftop.
Does your rooftop support the installation of solar panels?
The solar panel system is not a one-size-fits-all thing, and you need to examine the compatibility of your rooftop with the solar panel system. The angle, orientation, slope, and area available on your rooftop determine how much you will benefit from this system. Even the construction material of your roof has an impact on the performance of your solar panel system.
So in order to get the most benefit out of it, you need to consult a solar retailer who can analyze your roof and suggest the right size for your building.
How to find a professional solar installer?
Finding an expert in solar installation needs a little research, and the CEC (Clean Energy Council) advises choosing an installer who has been approved by them and has signed the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct.
To find one, you need to look for the best company offering professional installers in your area. Below are the professional qualities you need to look for in a company before hiring an installer from them.
They must have local setups, so they’re easy to approach at any time:
The company you choose must be local so they can be approached at will. Their local presence will also ensure that they know the climate of the area and changing course of the sun so they can set up the system according to the direction of the sunlight throughout the year. Besides this, you must ensure that the engineers who set up the battery and the carpenters who work on the frames have a practice of continuous negotiation with the installers so that the process runs smoothly without any complications.
Check whether the company is licensed under CEC:
To avoid the burden of financial loss in case of an accident, you need to make sure that the company you choose is licensed so that you will be compensated for the damage.
They must have highly skilled and knowledgeable installers:
Any solar panel company is known for its skilled professionals responsible for the system installation. So before purchasing a system in Queensland, you need to do a little research about the expertise of their installers. Reach out to them and ask if their installers are licensed and certified to execute the installation process.
DNA Queensland Electrical is a top-notch company that offers solar panel systems and certified installers in Queensland, Australia.
Check if they have a post-installation assistance:
For a reliable solar system company, the mere offer of a solar system installation is not enough. Their expertise must be evident in the complete package- post-installation assistance and 24/7 customer support. It must provide excellent maintenance services and repair deals along with installation packages.
Factors affecting the performance of Solar Power systems:
Lack of maintenance:
Solar power systems are known for their excellent performance even in unaccommodating conditions, but there are some factors that directly affect their performance. If they are not maintained and repaired on time, they can get permanently damaged. So it is better to get them checked from time to time.
Dirt and Dust layers:
Solar panels function because their surface catches the sunlight and transforms it into electrical energy. If there are layers of dust and dirt, the surface can get blocked, directly affecting the power production process. So cleaning their surface frequently is crucial to their performance and power generation.
High temperatures:
There should not be too high temperatures around solar panels; they must be placed at a point where both shade and sunlight swap from time to time.
Continuous shade:
If your solar panels remain under the shade of high buildings or trees, they may not generate as much power as expected.
Improper installation:
The wrong installation method can cause many problems in the future. Your system performance can decline, and it may permanently damage your panels. You must hire certified professionals for a smooth ride, so you won’t have to spend money on reinstallation and repair in the future.
