As your local solar energy experts, we can help you to understand everything you need to help you make a decision on which solar or energy solution best suits you, your home or business.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Should I buy a system from a consultant energy expert, door to door sales rep or over the phone salesman?

Energy Expert Consultants, Sales Reps (Phone to face or over the phone) get paid on making a sale.

The cost for their time needs to go somewhere, and that is generally on top of the Solar System you will be purchasing. You will find that these representatives will attract your attention from promoting their "amazing" services and ability to get cheaper prices (i.e. We'll help you save, we're cheaper, we're the best, trust us...)

Fact is that the best system, best suited to your budget and best suited to your home will be from the local area solar installation companies. Why? They are accredited by National Government Bodies as they have completed a Trade Certification and Ample Training sessions from various bodies to study solar energy, engineering and Best Practice Processes.

Unless your sales rep has that accreditation or on the tools experience, they're only after your $$$$...

Local Versus out of area. Who should I choose?

Yes, most people would say that doing the right thing is to support local economy. Most people would say that but as soon as a carrot (In the form of a discount) is dangled people suddenly forget to shop local.

Shopping local is important for a number of reasons.

1- Your Local expert generally has a reputation and can provide you with old and new testimonials as well as case studies based on local work completed

2- Keep the money in your area to improve services in your area

3- The more your local businesses are supported, the more they can afford to buy and therefore the cheaper they become over time

4- Support - Your local experts are close to where you live and can come and fix "under warranty" or "out of Warranty" issues over the phone or at your place as they only a few minutes away from your home.

5- Your local experts have generally been around for some time and if you are not sure, just ask around quickly! Can't do that with someone from Sutherland, Sydney, Newcastle, Penrith, India, China, etc... So, if you local expert has been around for some time, he may be around for some more time to come.

Local is best. So, next time a so called Energy Expert tries to sell you a system so they can get paid their commission, make sure you ask them if the installers and support staff are local or out of area. If their prices are less than the local guy, give the local guy the opportunity to compare so that you know for sure that you are comparing apples for apples.

Why such price differences? Cheap System Vs Expensive System

Just like anything, you can buy your cheaper yet ok products or you can buy the top of the range luxury products. You pay for what you get in many cases.

Main differences:

Quality of parts & Components used
Warranty
inclusions
esthetics
Engineering
Quality of the installation /Installer
After Sales Service

A customer came to use recently with a quotation for $3,699 for a 5kW system (The market tends to be between $5,500 and $8,000 based on quality). The customer asked if we could match. We looked at this system and the specifications did not math their home, the system uses parts and accessories not even approve by Australian certification bodies but came with 20 years warranty on the inverter, 8 years more than the best available on the market.

Fact is that time and time again we visit homes of customers who have purchased such systems because they were cheap. Why do you think we visit those homes that purchased elsewhere and then they're calling us two three or four years later? We'll leave that with you to think about for a minute.

How do know what to buy and what size system I need.

Just like anything, you can buy your cheaper yet ok products or you can buy the top of the range luxury products. You pay for what you get in many cases.

When you first consider purchasing a system, you should consider when you use most of your electricity. You need to consider when you use your appliances and if you can use those appliances when the sun is shining (i.e. Washing machine - Best used when used during the day). It is better to use the energy you produce as opposed to paying in excess of 29c per killowatt.. Every killowatt used is a killowatt saved! Exported power you do not use durng the day is exported at a feed-in tarriff of only 8 to 18c... Makes more sense to use your own...

There are Power Analytics units available to be purchased that tell you exactly when you use your power. They'll make your job easy in calculating exactly your use and therefore what system you should purchase based on your lifestyle and not what the salesman tells you to buy!

How long does it take to get my system to pay for itself?

Solar Systems are an investment and that investment generally has a return (Return On Investment - ROI) Timeframe where the systems will start paying for itself.

The best way to work it out is to Choose the kWh you would ideally like to save off your electricity bill. (i.e. 15kW at $0.29 = $4.35 per day or $391.50 for a quarter or 90 day period and get your solar professional to design a well balanced system based on the savings you are trying to achieve.

Should I pay extra for "ultra-efficient" panels?

Not at all.. Unless you have very little roof space and trying to maximise your space usage to produce more energy! Essentially, the only reason you would purchase more expensive and ultra-efficient modules would be if you are trying to maximise your energy production OR because you are looking for a more aesthetically pleasing panels. Quality panels will generate similar outputs.. What is important is choosing a Solar Module that is backed by a reliable and quality focused manufacturer.

Why is the Clean Energy Council Accreditation so important?

Installers and manufacturers are certified so that you, the consumer is protected against poor quality workmanship and products. Clean Energy Certification ensures that you are dealing with qualified and trained professionals and you are receiving the best quality products available(www.solaraccreditation.com.au)

What ongoing maintenance will I need to do once I have a solar system?

Certified installers are required to undergo a routine maintenance check and anti-islanding safety tests at 5 year intervals. It is the responsibility of the owner of the system to organise their installer to come back out and conduct their security tests.

We strongly recommend that once a year, you give your panels a quick clean using soapy water and a light scrubbing brush to remove any unfriendly deposits (Dirt, Bird droppings, salt deposits, etc...) in order to maximise the efficiency of your panels. You can do that yourself or hire a Solar Maintenance professional.

If you purchased a "cheaper" system and not entirely sure of the quality of the components or workmanship, it is recommended that on the anniversary of your solar installation that you contact a Solar Professional to come and check your system for optimum production and safety (Check wiring, check fittings, check inverters, check cable ties, check cabling, etc...)

How do I know what s?

The Solar Difference

In you purchasing the equivalent of a 4Kw solar system means much more than just the saving you will make. Over the 25 years of the life of your system, you will mitigate greenhouse emission by:

petrol cars off the road for one year

acres of forest saved in one year

232

barrels of oil consumed

homes powered for an entire year

tonnes of CO2 emissions per year

These figures definitely will give you something to talk about.

Over the next 25 years, it is clear that the power you will save from using the grid will only improve over time

and will certainly mean even more to the future of our earth and your kids...