Questions – TAS Green Solar

What is the capacity of solar system will I need?

To size your solar panel system you need to work out how much electricity you use and when you use it. As a guide, a typical home uses 20kWh of energy a day. A 5kW solar system would meet most of the daytime power needs of such a home.

Is solar storage battery required for me?

A home storage battery lets you store the electricity generated by your solar panels to use at night or on a cloudy day. You may want to consider a system that includes battery storage; the Tesla Powerwall is the best-known solar battery but there are many other brands in the market. But generally, storage batteries don't make full economic sense yet for most homes.

What are the types of solar panel?

Almost all panels used in home solar systems are mono- or multi-crystalline. While there are technical differences between these types, don't put too much consideration into this; it's much more important to consider other aspects such as price, rated power output, and warranties.

How many solar panels will I need?

The power output of your whole solar system matters more than the size or number of panels. The higher each panel's nominal power rating (and actual power output), the fewer panels you'll need (or the more power you'll generate). If you have plenty of roof space, you might find it more economical to buy cheaper panels with lower efficiency and just use more of them. The panels are each about 1.6 square metres in area, but they vary in length, width and power output.

What is the payback period of my investment?

It takes anywhere from two to seven years for a solar system to pay for itself – after that is when you can start counting the savings. Payback times vary depending on size of solar system, your average electricity consumption and cost of whole system.

What are the installation standards and warranties?

If you want to be eligible for govt rebate, your system must be installed by a CEC-accredited installer. The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is Australia's peak body representing the clean energy sector. It accredits both installers and systems that meet certain standards.

Which direction should the solar panels face?

Solar panels in Australia work best when they're facing north, pointed directly at the sun, at an optimal angle and not blocked by trees or shading. Although solar panels are meant to sit on roofs in direct sunlight, they actually become less efficient as they get warmer, due to the physics of the photovoltaic effect. Panels should be installed in a way that allows air to circulate underneath to help keep them cooler.

How the solar panels are covered under warranty?

There are two warranties provided for solar panels: one for the product, another for its performance.

Product warranty is for the panel itself; it's the typical type of warranty that offers repair or replacement if there are any manufacturing faults. Most solar panel product warranties are for 10 years; some manufacturers offer 12, 15 or even 25 year product warranties. It's important to know the difference between the product and performance warranties; you'll see a 25-year performance warranty promoted more loudly than a 10-year product warranty, but the product warranty is the one that you're more likely to call on if there's any problem.

The performance warranty is a guarantee that that as long as the panel is functioning and undamaged, it will still produce at least 80% of its claimed power rating after 25 years. The warranty usually also promises that the panel will degrade in an orderly, linear fashion; that is, it will only lose a small and predictable amount of power output each year. Most solar panels have 25-year performance warranties, and most solar PV systems should last at least that long.

Contact Us

Quick Links

Our Services