Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is solar power?
A: Click here to visit the About Solar page
Q: What are solar panels?
A: Solar (photovoltaic) cells are produced from thin wafers of silicon and joined together to form a solar panel.
Q: What is an inverter?
A: A grid connected inverter converts the electricity from your solar panels to mains power electricity. It also safely stops the solar system if there is a blackout on the powerlines.
Q: What are the benefits of solar power?
A: Click here to visit the Benefits page
Q: Why should I get solar power?
A:
Australia is one of the highest producers of green house gasses in the world and yet we are very slow in adopting renewable sources of energy that could reverse this trend like solar power. Germany, Japan and even the US have more readily embraced solar power and they get far less sun than we do in Australia. It’s really our responsibility to embrace this technology, as it is the cleanest most viable source of renewable energy available. And now SolarSwitch is endeavouring to make it affordable for every household. A 1kW system is equivalent to taking two cars of the road every year (that’s up to 1500kg of CO2 per year), and the more people that take this positive step the closer we’ll be to saving the environment.
Q: How do I organise a quote?
A: Click here for contact details
Q: How long does installation take?
A: Installation usually takes just one day depending on the difficulty of the site. Your electricity supplier is then called out to install a bi-directional meter.
Q: Why does my meter get changed over?
A: The meter needs to be a bi-directional meter so that your electricity retailer can read the amount of solar electricity produced and credit your account.
Q: How much money can I save?
A: Solar power can actually make you money! The amount of money you save on your electricity bill depends on the size of your system and your electricity usage. A 1kW system can generate a maximum of 1600kW of electricity per year. At 16cents per kW (average taken from a 2007 household electricity bill) that’s a saving of about $250 this year, but those savings will continue to escalate. If you assume that electricity costs will rise by 7% per year, then in 11 years you will have saved up to $4000 in electricity costs. That means if you buy a 1kW system through SolarSwitch your system will pay itself off within 11 years and then start making you money! Over 25 years (the warranty on the panels) your system will have saved you up to $17,000 on your electricity bill…that’s a net profit of $13,000 straight in your pocket! Even if you sell your house sooner solar power adds significant value to your home. It’s a great investment that saves money and the environment.
Q: How long is the warranty?
A:
The panels have a manufacturers warranty for 25 years.
Q: What happens when I go away on holidays?
A: When you are away, your solar energy system continues to make electricity which is fed into the grid. Your energy supplier buys it back from you.
Q: Does the solar system require batteries?
A: No. The system of panels and inverter connect directly to the electricity grid with no batteries required.
Q: Can I get a system that is bigger or smaller than 1 kW?
A: Yes. SolarSwitch can assess your needs and design a system that suits you. We simply advertise a 1kW system as it is the most cost effective way to get solar power connected while taking full advantage of the Federal Government rebate.
Q: How do I know if my roof is suitable for solar panels?
A: SolarSwitch can organise a representative to visit your home obligation free and assess the suitability of your roof. We will look at the area available, the direction and pitch of the roof to ascertain whether your home is suitable and if there would be any extra costs associated with installing a system on your particular roof.
Q: Can the panels get damaged in bad weather?
A: The panels have been tested for extreme weather like hail and are made from toughened materials to withstand such conditions.
Q: Who qualifies for the government rebate?
A: Australian owner occupied households are eligible for the rebate. $8 per watt is offered for a grid connected system up to 1000W (max $8,000). The rebate is limited to the first 14,000 homes from May 2007 and is subject to review. SolarSwitch can arrange all relevant forms and have the rebate paid directly to them as part of the payment. |
