Australia. Solar System. Consumer Guide. Helping you make an informed decision on your home solar power system.

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1 Australia Solar System Consumer Guide Helping you make an informed decision on your home solar power system

2 Introducing Solar Power Australia is one of the richest continents/ countries endowed with the best in terms of beautiful sceneries, beaches and distinct weather conditions. Its weather is generally characterized by both hot and dry weather and high summer temperatures that make it convenient to use solar energy. Australians love life and with all the benefits that come with solar energy, there s no doubt they are more than happy to adopt grid connected solar power systems that will enhance their good lifestyles by curbing greenhouse gas emissions, saving on the ever rising energy costs as well as mitigating dangerous climate changes. It s also evident in the illustration below that Australia is blessed with a higher than normal world average level of solar radiation. According to data published by the Australian Clean Energy Regulator (ACER), 858,000 Australian homes had grid connected solar power systems installed as of October Amazingly, the government is steering plans to ensure that one millionth households are connected to the nation s grid by mid The solar industry s real birth took place in mid 2007 when the former photovoltaic rebate program (PVRP) doubled from $4,000 to $8,000. Since then, numerous changes have taken place including: The solar rebate moving from public funds (PVRP) to private through the introduction of Solar Credits in 2009 which meant certificates (STC s) created from installing home solar power systems were required under legislation to be purchased from liable entities such as energy retailers. Feed in Tariffs originally started at 60 cents net for Victorian homes feeding surplus electricity back onto the grid. This was gradually decreased in two different tranches to where it is today. Metering: was initially a nightmare in the first few Years as retailers and distributors fought to evolve their systems and processes for coping with paperwork and new operational procedures. Regulation on installers and installations: Both the Clean Energy Council and Electrical Services Victoria (ESV) have strengthened the requirements placed on installers the methods which solar power systems are installed. Sadly the EARLY days of the solar boom were a horrific time for many early adoptor customers who witnessed inferior hardware installation, dodgy installation practices and many iconic and small solar companies going out of business due to the many turbulent forces that controlled the industry. Fortunately, that is now in the past and the current industry players are like minded with a common goal to move forward successfully and sustainafully

3 Solar Rebate From 1st January 2013, all systems purchased will have Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC s) at the 1x multiple. As you would probably be aware, Australia is quite a large continent and therefore the amount of sunlight that lands on every square metre of landmass varies per State: the top section of Australia, for example, Darwin, receives the most with the least credits coming from areas like Tasmania. SRECS Vs LRECS The legislation allowed for the creation of two different classes of certificate; the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme or (SRES) and Large-scale Renewable Energy Scheme or (LRES). For all home and small business solar power systems, the (SRECS) category applies. System Size Region Rec Zone Qty STC s STC Price *as at 12/02/13 Value of Solar Credits 3kW Townsville 1 62 $30 $1860 3kW Alice Springs 2 72 $30 $2160 3kW Brisbane 2 62 $30 $1860 3kW Sydney 3 62 $30 $1860 3kW Canberra 3 62 $30 $1860 3kW Perth 3 62 $30 $1860 3kW Melbourne 4 53 $30 $1590 3kW Hobart 4 53 $30 $

4 Solar Rebate Cont. Am I eligible for STC s? The legislation for STC s is controlled by the clean energy regulator. For your home or small business to qualify, you must meet the following criteria: The photovoltaic solar system needs to be new and capable of generating electricity which means fully installed. The system must be installed at an eligible premise such as a shop, house, town house etc. It basically means a fixed, legal address. You won t be able to claim certificates for a few panels going on your campervan! How Do I Claim The Solar Rebate? In most cases you will assign your rebate entitlements to your chosen solar provider who will combine your STC s with many other solar customers. These are then submitted to aggregators who sell them onto liable entities such as energy retailers as part of their mandatory renewable energy target obligations. Current STC prices For up to date STC pricing, please chek out the top of the home page. The system must feature Clean Energy Approved solar panels and inverters. You only get one bite of the cherry so to speak meaning you are only entitled to the Solar Credits once so you re better off choosing the correct sized system the first time rather than upgrading later. The system needs to have been installed within 12 Months prior to the date of creating the certificates. In most cases this will be the task for your installer who will effectively credit you with the certificate value on your tax invoice

5 Feed in Tarif A feed in Tariff (FIT) simply refers to the amount paid to you for every unit of (kilowatt hour kwh) electricity you produce but don t consume and instead sell back to the grid. Victoria, like most states originally had higher net feed in tariffs that have come down over time. It s worth noting however that one of the factors that led to the lower FIT was the acute fall in panel prices globally. For instance, a 5kW system can now be installed for less than $10,000 and yet during the 60c FIT days, this size system would cost you between $20,000~$30,000. When analyzing the pay back period of your solar power system its important to consider what time of the day you consume the most electricity and tailor a system size to meet your specific needs. This will have provide you with the shortest payback period however you should still consider other factors such as the future cost of power as upsizing your system later can be a hassle. Your solar power investment will either be paid at the offset rate by using your own solar power or at the feed in tariff rate caused by exporting your solar energy back to the grid because its generation capacity is greater than the demand at that point in time. This means your investment is being paid typically between 8 cents 23 cents per kw/hr. Its advised that you discuss your energy needs with the solar installation providers to determine which size system is right for you

6 Below is a FIT schedule that shows the specific amount paid by each State Government and an additional amount paid by your electricity retailer and can be used up to 16c/kWh. Government Retailer Comments QLD 8c/kWh Up to 16c/kWh VIC 8c/kWh Up to 8c/kWh SA 16c/kWh 7.1c/kWh Valid for 2 years size up to 5kW Paid until end of up to 5kW Paid until 2016 up to 10kW TAS ACT 1 for 1, you ll get paid the same amount you pay per kwh 1 for 1, you ll get paid the same amount you pay per kwh for next 20 years NSW nil 8c/kWh WA nil 8c/kWh No FIT contribution from the state government Paid for 10 years from installation NT 1 for 1, you ll get paid the same amount you pay per kwh. Correct as at 28 November 2012 Retailers rates are shown in the schedule below: Retail Energy Provider Government FIT Retail FIT Total FIT Energy Australia - 8c 8c AGL - 7.7c 7.7c Origin - 6c 6c Red Energy - 6c 6c On June , The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) announced the new fair price for solar to be 7.7 to 12.9 cents per kwh in addition to the retailers contribution. No communication has been made on whether these changes will be effected and if adopted, then as part of the agreement, all customers who currently have solar will be paid

7 What questions should I ask my solar installer? Below is a compilation of frequently asked questions that any reliable solar installation company should answer in order to help solar prospects make informed decisions when buying from them. Choosing the right size system 1. What size system should I install to suit my needs? The size system to install basically depends on the kwh consumption, your budget, the number of panels your roof can accommodate, the duration you ll reside at your current residence and the size of your family. 3. How much is the Feed in Tariff in VIC and how much more do I receive from my electricity retailer? The above table best illustrates the FIT paid to a consumer by different retailers. Keep in mind that the VIC State government has at the moment scraped FIT payments and thus doesn t pay this incentive. 4. How long will it take me to pay off my system? This is determined by the size of system you ll choose to install, the direction the panels face, the percentage of that production that you ll consume and that which you ll export to the grid, the feed in tariff in VIC State and the initial amount paid for the system. 5. Do you have proven results that the system will have on my bill? Overall effects on the bill vary from one consumer to another as their usage capacity differs. In the same way, results of the system on your bill will depend on many factors as mentioned above. However, you can request your installer to give you his best estimate which you can use to compare with the rest of the dealers in the market. 2. To reduce my electricity bill or totally wipe it out, what size system do I need? This hugely depends on your budget since the more powerful the system, the higher the cost and the higher it will reduce or scrap your electricity bills. 6. Is shading going to affect my energy production? If that s the case, by how many kwh? Shading on any part of the system however small eventually affects the energy production. The lost solar energy will hugely depend on the size of the shade and the number of hours the shade lasts. The only measure to avoid shading may be to cut down trees

8 7. Is roof pitch an issue? Approximately 1% of production is lost for every 5 degree movement away from 25 degrees. This simply means that the difference between an average roof and the flat roof is 5% production. Most likely not worth the extra cost of installing tilt frames. 8. Can you design a dummy roof plan to show me where and how my panels will be placed? Most installation companies have dummy roof plans that are used to illustrate to each client what to expect once the panels are mounted. Of course no one ever wants the positioning of the panels to interfere with the property s design and appearance. All the ladies say o yeah! 9. What direction must the panels face for maximum energy production? North is preferred but sometimes it s impossible to place the panels in this direction due to shading and the availability of space on the roof. 10. Can the inverter take more panels In case I want to increase the system size in future? How many extra panels could I fit? Sometimes the inverter can accommodate more panels in future. The addition should be sooner than later in the case the size of the panel is not available in the future which could most likely cause compatibility issues

9 Choosing the right components 1. What type of panels and inverter will I receive? Are there 3rd party reviews or tests that can help me make an informed decision? You may try the renowned Whirlpool forum It has very honest reviews that have been written by players in this industry. You will also find reliable conversations from people who understand this form of energy or solar components and are glad to offer advice without reservation. Alternatively, we have setup a public forum on our site when you can seek out tips from other users or contribute if you feel you have any valuable information about anything solar. 2. Where are the components made? 90% of panels and inverters are made in Asia, the rest generally in Europe. Country of origin isn t a problem in itself. Who service the warranties if a panel or inverter fails is more important. 3. Do the solar panels have a negative or positive power tolerance? This depends on the quality of panels and high quality panels are known to have a positive power tolerance. For example, a 5% positive power tolerance means that a 100W panel will produce between 100W and 105W. A positive or negative (+/-) power tolerance denotes that the panel will produce between 95W and 105W. 5. In case panels are installed on different roof areas facing slightly different directions, can you use an inverter with an input for each different facing section? There s no question about it. It s a must, failure to which all panels including the most powerful ones will produce energy as little as the weakest panel. 6. What sort of maintenance does the system need? The basic maintenance routines involve cleaning the panels with soapy water once or twice a year depending on the amount of rainfall. A car cleaning hose will come in handy. When it comes to maintenance, be warned that some installation companies may make you sign up for an annual maintenance programme. Be sure to read in between the lines lest end up paying for it failure to which your warranty becomes. Some of these companies are dishonest and do this with the intention of reducing their future obligations; a move that violates consumer law. 7. Does the inverter have communication software? Some inverters come with communication software. Those could either be internal reporting to thehome owner usually via a wireless receiver device or in some cases back to your installer. 4. Are the panel and inverter manufacturers based in Australia and where are their offices? This information is very crucial especially if the installation company hasn t been around for at least 10 years. I m sure you don t to spend your resources calling manufacturers in America or China

10 Choosing the right installer 1. How long has your company been in this business? The solar industry is relatively new in VIC and very few companies are older than 3 years but ii s till prudent to pop the question. 2. Do you have a portfolio that shows how many systems you have installed? Experienced companies don t find it had availing its portfolio of past projects. Choose a company that has successfully worked on an array of projects involving solar installations in your area or state. 3. Do you have a physical office in Australia? Some companies work from home and that is one indication that they ll not be around for long or may not be available whenever you need them to service your warranties. 4. Do you have references in my area or State? Any committed company should effortlessly refer you to previous happy clients they installed for the system in your area or even state. 5. Will you take care of all the rebate paperwork so I just have to pay the difference? Usually, the installer handles rebate issues and all you need to do is pay the difference. Never assume, always ask the question. 6. What documentation should I expect to receive both before and after the installation? You ll receive a written quote that basically outlines all the components that go into making the system complete and the terms and conditions of the contract. If a company fails to give you this, think twice

11 Payback Periods With the scraping of the feed in tariff (FIT) by the VIC State government, many have perceived solar power in VIC as good as dead. Despite all this, with the reduced upfront federal assistance (RECs, STCs) for homeowners to buy solar systems, it s evident that solar energy is certainly the future of this rich State and it s here to stay. The decision to get a solar system in North South wales hugely depends on your electricity consumption and how much you spend on it. Considering that besides the installation costs solar energy is actually free and very economical as it produces enough green energy to power your household appliances as well as meet all your power needs, one may be considered nuts if he or she fails to embrace this kind of energy. The graphs below illustrate clearly the consumption patterns of three types of homes and a business. The first two graphs show usage patterns for families that don t use electricity during the day and by comparing your daily usage to this two, this would help you determine whether solar energy will be economical for you in VIC despite the fact that there s no feed-in tariff. Household 1: Less power consumption during day time, higher consumption at night. (Meaning all occupants are outside the house during the day.) Household 2: Even higher electricity usageduring the night. (meaning more occupants than household 1.) Household 3: Fewer occupants at home during the day but more at night. (shows stay-at-home parents, home office.)

12 Business Normally, occupants arrive in the morning and leave in the evening. Power consumption is steady throughout the daytime. For better understanding, we shall compare all these usage patterns to 1.5kW and 3.0kW solar systems. Assuming that numbers are approximate just the way the actual system output depends on different factors including system size and effectiveness (shading, orientation etc.) however the pattern will always be the same; a bell shaped curve. In the event that you ve overlaid any of the two graphs, the impact will be clearly seen as in the illustration below. The graph below shows a 3kw system (which is expected to produce about 12kWh daily on average, depending on which area you live) and a 1.5kw system shown in comparison with Household 1 s pattern of electricity use. Overlay of Household 1 electricity consumption against a 1.5kW solar system (yellow) and a 3.0kW solar system (purple). Net Metering by offsetting your power usage by consuming power from your solar system. From the above illustrations, it s clear that the more power you use, the less export to grid as you may end up consuming all power by yourself. This has a very positive effect in that you ll not spend any coin on paying for electricity from the grid. Many homes consume at least 40 kwh daily and if this is the case for you, then you are making the most of power generated from a 3kw system (around 12kWh/day) during the day. In case you always use this power, then you ve already discovered that the cost of electricity and the expected increase in energy prices will give you great value for your investment, most likely a payback time of eight years or thereabout considering that the average solar system s lifetime is 25 years +. So the longer you have the solar system, the more you ll reap in terms of higher returns on investment on your initial purchase price. Consider the long-term billing for your electricity usage in the long-term. Many electricity consumers have been so oblivious of this aspect and they rarely notice that the billing plan has two parts; pay lower price for the first location of power and a higher rate thereafter. For instance, may be billed 22c for the first 1300kwh, then a move to 25c above that next time. You need to realize that its only by going green with solar energy can you avoid such exorbitant rates and this will automatically boost the financial benefit for your home

13 Smart Meters & Grid Connection What is a smart meter? In former Years the spinning disc was the only meter used for measuring your energy usage. This is known as dumb metering because the meter only measures energy in one direction. If electricity from your solar system is fed back into the grid with a dumb meter the disc will spin in reverse. The amount of feed in units would therefore be unknown. Smart meters are the new tool for power companies to measuring power in both directions as well as the time the energy was measured which is typically in thirty (30) minute intervals. Early detection of power quality issues Improved monitoring of power disruptions to assist maintenance teams in restoring power. Future benefits include the ability to install an in-home display IHD (in conjunction with time of use tariffs) to help you better manage your electricity consumption. The main advantages of smart meters are: The ability to accurately bill in peak and off-peak time periods. The ability to measure electricity in both directions (bi directional). Improved accuracy of meter readings

14 Solar Panels There are three types of panels that are widely used in VIC state and these are: Mono Crystalline Solar Panels These have been in use for more than 50 years and are perfect in situations where a limited number of solar panels are used. Mono panels are known to be long lasting and slow to degradation, between 0.25% and 0.5% annually. Poly Crystalline Solar Panels They are more or less like mono crystalline panels. However, they are cheaper and less powerful as they require more panels to produce the same level of energy efficiently as that of the mono crystalline solar panels. Thin Film Solar Panels Unlike the mono crystalline solar panels, thin film solar panels have been in use for just a little over a decade. Contrary to their name, they are larger in size than the other two solar panels and prove to be more efficient when it s very hot. Usually, solar panels are installed on rooftops and in case this proves to be impossible because of factors like the poor roof position, there are other options that can save the situation. For instance, if there s availability of open space, a ground mounted system would be advisable in this case. If this option turns out not to be viable, solar awnings can be installed or solar panels can be incorporated into a carport design

15 Since the inception of solar electricity in Australia, millions of homeowners and businesses have found a refined way of doing things. The emergence of many installation companies has also given users a great deal in terms of provision of independent and unbiased information that helps users to make informed solar system installation decisions hassle free. Solar cells have been receiving much attention across VIC in the recent years. This source of energy is environmentally friendly and cheaper compared to electricity. The only shortcoming with solar energy generation is that it s unstable since the quantity of sunlight reaching the solar panel surface depends on weather, tilting, orientation, the mounting among other factors. To maximize your solar power generation efficiency, a flexible solar system that can be tilted and oriented to suit changes in the sun s rotation, earth s revolution and seasonal changes is necessary. Whether your solar panel is tilted or in a fixed direction due to the huge costs of changing orientation, the information below is very necessary for your knowledge. What angle and orientation are best in Australia? Read on. Tilting Australia as a continent/country enjoys a predominant sunshine experience. It sits in the Southern Hemisphere, and the sun comes to it from the North. The reason why proper tilting is crucial is because the sun is in different positions in the sky during the day and the angle or direction by which panels face up into the sky determine the amount of solar energy to be harvested. When you ve made up your mind to install a solar system, it is important to hire the services of a credited installer who can install the solar system in accordance with the Australian Clean Energy Council s Installation Guidelines. The solar panel s tilt on a flat roof is usually 0 and when the panels are facing a wall, the angle will be at a perfectly perpendicular angle of 90. Solar panels work best at a 90º angle when the light hits them directly. Tilting a panel to an angle below 20 or above 40 reduces efficiency far too much. The ideal angle is estimated at 32 and anywhere between 20 and 40 is considered optimal with 90% approximated efficiency. Please keep in mind that the Clean Energy Council of Australia recommends a minimum tilt of 10 degrees for self-cleaning. To get the most energy from your solar panels, the direction the panel points to the sun matters. Whether fixed or tilted, tilting is an important factor, although not as important as the orientation. Solar panels with tilts whether solar hot water or photovoltaic, can be adjusted seasonally. Panels with tilts basically track the sun s movement throughout the day thus receiving more energy than fixed panels; approximately more by 40% (in summer) and 10% (in winter). Depending on your location, your solar panels must be installed pointing towards the right direction so as to effectively capture the most solar energy to be transformed into electricity. The panels or collectors should face the true South in the Northern Hemisphere, or the true north in the Southern Hemisphere. For ultimate results, it s recommended that solar panels be tilted from the horizontal to a degree equal to the latitude where they are installed with a plus of 15 in the winter and a minus of 15 in the summer. Since the winter season has

16 the least sunshine, you should make the most of tilt rather than fixed panels. The panels should point directly to the sun at noon during winter. To help you calculate the most optimal angle, multiply your location s latitude by 0.9, and add 29 degrees. For instance, New York is situated at 40 degrees. Thus,40 X = 65 degrees tilt from horizontal. The table clearly shows that useful output can still be produced at different angles of elevation and orientation angles and in accordance to your location, your installer will certainly orient the modules to suit your needs irrespective of the position of your roof from the true north. Please note that the variation of solar module output with orientation and tilt angle for latitude 35 S as shown in the table above, any small deviation in the tilt can reduce the system s efficiency by as much as 15%. Investing in tilt frames ensures that your solar panels face in the right direction to maximize on the solar energy collected. It s therefore of key importance to install them so that they can point directly at the sun from 9 am to 3 pm during mid-winter. Orientation Orientation is more important than tilting. The most ideal orientation for solar panels in Australia true north or close to it since this is where the sun from the southern hemisphere comes from. Winter seasons that a negative impact on efficiency but this can be reduced through proper tilting of the solar panels. For instance, North Westerly and North Easterly positions will operate at a 90% efficiency of their expected outputs. Tilting angles to the West North West or East North East orientation reduces efficiency rapidly. A directly West or East facing panel usually operates at most 85% of expected output. The chart on the following page represents a 35 S latitude with the effect of elevation and orientation on module output expressed as a % of the maximum possible output. Mounting Normally, the ideal position to mount solar panel systems is on the roof. There are several reasons for this: The roof provides a wide-open space free from obstacles. The cabling and battery storage can be kept waterproofed if it is dropped beneath the panels. The panels are safer and unlikely to get damaged from incidental contact. There are those who go for ground-mounted array and this could be triggered by several reasons including inadequacy or lack of roofing space, aesthetic reasons especially when one lives in a magnificent house and remote power requirements. In such situations, one should always ensure that the solar panels have clear space around them for maximum sun exposure. The area should also be fenced off to safeguard the panels from damage or interference

17 Solar Inverters What is a solar inverter? Inverter basics The inverter is the center of your solar energy system and is responsible for converting the direct current (DC) electricity produced by your panels into the alternating current (AC) that flows through the grid to power your washing machine and electric razor. Standard inverters have a transformer within them that synchronizes the voltage with that of the grid and your appliances. On the other hand, transformer-less inverters use a computerized multi-step process and electronic components to convert DC to high frequency AC, back to DC, and ultimately to standard-frequency AC. TL inverters dominate the European market and work on the premise that in a grid-connected system, transformers are already in place in buildings or just a short way down the line. As such the individual transformer within the homescale inverter becomes redundant. Transpormerless vs transformer inverters explained, What s the difference? What s the best? Advantages of Transformerless Inverters As seen by the image above, efficiency levels of TL inverters are around 97%, and up to 2% from conventional inverters. This might not sound like much, but any increase in efficiency results in increased power supply, which can be quite significant when calculated over the life of the system. Additionally, without the transformer, the inverter becomes much lighter, more compact, and more affordable. TL inverters use electronic (rather than mechanical) switching, thus reducing the amount of heat and hum generated by the unit. Another advantage of TL inverters is that they have two maximum power point trackers which allow the inverter to treat your installation as two separate systems. This means that you can place some panels on a north-facing roof, for example, and more on a west-facing roof without worrying about lower irradiance on one side thus dragging the whole system down. In other words, the dual MPP tracker enables you to install more panels and generates more energy on a limited roof space. Safety Unlike their conventional counterparts, transformerless inverters lack electrical isolation between DC and AC circuits. This may raise safety concerns. However, safety mechanisms such as isolation resistance tests and residual current measurement can lower the risk of shock

18 In Australia, the installation of photovoltaic systems is regulated under AS 5033 and must comply with safety standards. It is important to note that TL inverters have been common in Europe for the last decade or two, even though they are relatively new to Australia. As technology evolves, it is imperative that the standards committee monitors concerns to provide for the public safety. Transformerless inverters may also create marginally stronger electromagnetic fields than transformer-based inverters. Nevertheless, EMF strength lies well below recommended limits and may be further minimized with advancing technology. As always, care should be taken around all electricity-generating systems and on rooftops. To sum up Transformer-based inverters are still very common in Australia. They are widely used, well-understood, and have a long track-record as a component of solar energy systems. Transformerless inverters are becoming more popular, particularly in home solar installations. Their greater efficiency, smaller size, and lower costs make them attractive to home-owners and solar engineers alike. Types of solar inverters Let s go through each type: a) Transformer type solar inverters Most current inverters available in Australia contain a transformer. As indicated above the transformer increases the voltage of the electricity produced by the solar panels to the same voltage as the main electricity grid (240 volts). Transformers are quite heavy but simple to make. Therefore, inverters with transformers are generally heavier and a little cheaper than equivalent transformerless inverters. They also tend to be marginally less efficient in converting the energy. Transformers can also create a humming noise and this can be a problem if the inverter is near where people want quiet space (e.g. bedrooms). b) Transformerless solar inverters Transformerless solar inverters are very common in Europe and are just entering the Australian Market. The lack of a transformer generally makes them lighter and slightly more efficient than equivalent inverters with transformers. They can generally react faster to changes in power and are a bit more sophisticated in how they behave. They are also less likely to create a humming sound although the trade-off is, they can make high frequency noise but only annoying if you are a dog! It is likely that transformerless grid connected inverters will replace transformer type grid connected inverters in Australia in the future. Mounting Systems There are very many innovative quality lighting brackets that present affordability, reliability and safety of lighting installations and maintenance. For better mounting systems, take time and search around for reliable, safe, fast and convenient light lifters that are easy to maintain

19 Ensure your chosen solar supplier complies with the following Not every dealer in the market is trustworthy and there are specific standards that every solar supplier should meet as listed below; Solar rebates There are so many rebates that come with switching to solar power. This may include upfront rebates and ongoing returns. Hire the services of an installing company that will make the switching process much easier without causing prolonged interference. How to compare plans Comparing plans of several installation companies will leave much informed when choosing the best service provider. You can have a plan comparison checklist and should help you do your research. Solar hot water It s one of the most power hungry units and you can actually cut on this cost by having a solar hot water work installed. This system uses the sun s energy to heat water just in the same way a bottle of water left in the sun gets the water inside hot. The benefits are numerous as highlighted above. Make sure the installation company of your choice guarantees you all these benefits. How solar power works The technology behind solar power may seem complex, but converting sunlight to electricity is as simple as a pie. A clean, healthy and safe energy system solar power can be utilized in your home with any excess units exported to the electricity grid. Double gains! Understanding electricity & gas plans Electricity and gas plans may sometimes sound a little like rocket science but many companies will ensure that you understand every step all the way. Make sure the company you choose is friendly and patient enough to help you understand all the procedures. Bills & payments You want to pay cash or via check, now or later, online or in person, in installments or with extra help? Whatever your choice, you have to get a company that will have your options conveniently covered. Solar power It s free, safe, and convenient and has high returns on your investment. Choose to go green and let the light shine on your household! Energy saving big ideas

20 Deciding on your Solar Installer Solar energy compared to electricity or gas is certainly a change for the better. And since solar system installation is a long-term investment, you should never compromise on the quality of installation services you receive from your solar installer. Remember, a poorly installed power system could be a disaster in waiting and by now you should be informed about what to look for when sourcing for a reliable installation company as already highlighted above