The Price Of Everyday Products Is Rising – Save Money With These Powerful Solar Products

Many Australians are feeling the pinch right now, with everything from lettuce to petrol costing more each day. Coupled with interest rate rises and low wage growth, the average Aussie needs to find other ways to save money. When you think about it, reducing unnecessary costs is almost the same as giving yourself a pay rise.

There are so many ways to save money around the home. Some will have a small impact while others will be quite dramatic. So, it’s really your choice on how much you’d like to save. Every little bit adds up, and there are several money-saving ideas that won’t cramp your lifestyle.

 

One of the best places to start is with your power bill. Electricity and gas prices are skyrocketing right now, meaning cutting energy usage has never been more important. Rather than spending your time shopping around for better gas and electricity deals, these options can help now and in the future.

Solar Installations

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about solar energy, now might be the time to pick a side. It seems crazy that we pay so much for electricity when the sun provides us with more than enough free energy to power our homes. Installing rooftop solar is a great way to slash your energy bills. A basic on-grid solar power system can power your home all day, and you only need to pay for power at night.

Alternatively, you could invest a little more and get an off-grid solar solution with battery storage. This means all of the excess power your solar panels generate during the day can be stored and used at night. You’ll practically never have a power bill again.

Of course, the cost of installing solar can be prohibitive to some, so talk to your local solar retailer today. They can let you know how much you’ll save, and they can even give you information about government rebates and schemes to make solar panel installation cheaper.

Solar LED Skylights

If you’re not ready to make the full leap to solar power yet, that’s ok. There are other solar products you can take advantage of without committing to a full system installation. One of those options is an LED skylight.

Traditional skylights give you natural light in the home during the day, but they aren’t much use at night. A solar LED skylight with a small storage battery, however, gives you free light whenever you need it. It consists of a diffuser kit with LED lights installed on your ceiling, a solar panel and battery on the roof, and a cable connecting the two. Skylights installation is an easy and economical way to cut down your electricity costs.

Solar Hot Water

The other solar option you have is likely to make an even bigger impact than your skylights. Hot water is one of the biggest electricity costs we have in modern residential homes. So, what if you could heat all of your water for free rather than using gas or electricity?

Solar hot water tanks, as the name suggests, are heated by solar energy. Solar hot water heaters can be placed on the roof or on the ground, and are installed alongside a solar panel that delivers all the energy you need. Why pay exorbitant gas and electricity prices when you can get all the hot water you need thanks to the sun?

Solar Roof Ventilation

We often forget about ventilation in the energy-saving discussion. However, proper ventilation is crucial to keeping your costs down. Heat can get trapped in your roof cavity without proper ventilation, and this ultimately causes mould and moisture problems. It also means the heat finds a way into your home and air conditioners need to work harder.

Consider installing proper roof cavity ventilation such as a solar roof ventilator. A solar-powered roof ventilation fan like the MaxBreeze uses a small solar panel to drive a brushless, quiet DC electric motor and fan. The fan is thermostat controlled so the unit will start operating when the roof cavity reaches about 30°C.

It will help keep your home cool in summer without cranking the AC all day. And in winter on a cold, windy day it will not operate, keeping warmer air in your cavity, unlike a whirlybird.

Contact SolarBright Today

SolarBright can save you money in more ways than one. From LED skylights and solar-powered roof fans to solar and battery installations in  Sydney, we’ve got your back. If you’d like to make the switch to solar energy and stop wasting money on energy bills, contact our team today. We’ve got solutions for every home, every family and every budget.

4 Considerations For Choosing The Best Solar Battery

If you’ve considered making the switch to solar, you’ve probably wondered whether you need battery storage. It’s not essential to have a battery, however including one in your installation gives you a lot of added benefits.

 

Why Do You Need Solar Battery Storage?

In a typical grid connected solar system setup, there are two main components: the solar panels that generate solar energy, and the solar inverter that converts solar energy into electricity. The only problem is that the solar energy from your panels can only be used as it’s produced. So, if your solar panels generate more power than you need, the excess energy is typically sold back to the main grid.

Your electricity retailer will only offer you a feed-in tariff of around 5 to 10 cents a kWh for this power. It also means when the sun isn’t shining, like during the evenings, you still need the main electricity grid to power your home. This electricity will cost you about 35 cents a kWh.

With solar battery storage, you don’t need to worry about any of that. The excess solar energy you produce during the day is stored in a battery and used when the panels stop producing power. Solar battery storage will help you gain energy independence. Some battery systems can also be setup to provide backup power to the home when there is a blackout. This improves your energy security.

 

How To Find The Best Solar Battery

Choosing a solar battery comes down to your personal needs. Every house is different, with varying levels of energy usage. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to solar battery storage. Here are some of the things you should consider when choosing your solar battery.

 

1-Capacity

The capacity of a solar battery is probably the most important thing to measure. Battery storage is expressed in kWh, which is essentially power multiplied by time. As such, the capacity tells you how much power your battery can store, and how long it will last. This obviously depends on how much energy you use in your home.

Generally, if you’re unsure of the capacity requirements, it’s best to choose more rather than less. This gives you flexibility in case your energy consumption increases.

It is important to make sure solar system will be able to produce enough excess power to fill the battery each day.

 

2-Power Rating

The other key measurement is the power rating, which is expressed in kW. This rating tells you how much power can be drawn from the battery at any one time. If you have appliances that require a lot of electricity, you’ll want to be sure your solar battery can deliver the required output to keep everything in your home running smoothly.

 

3-Back Up Power In A Blackout

Another consideration is do you want backup power during a blackout? Many batteries can provide power your home if there is a power outage. The battery will need to be specially set up by the installer to do this. Often extra hardware may be needed.

Some batteries cannot charge from the solar if the grid is down. You will only be able to use the charge that is in the battery. Other systems will allow you to keep charging the battery from the solar until the power comes back.

4-Battery Life

You can measure a battery’s quality by its expected throughput and cycles. This refers to the number of times a battery can be charged and discharged. Throughput is also important here because it tells you how much electricity can be pumped through your battery in a lifetime. Generally, this will be reflected in the warranty.

A battery may offer a 10-year, 10,000 cycle warranty. This means the battery is warranted for 10 years or 10,000 cycles, which ever milestone is reached first.

SolarBright’s Solar Battery Options

Perhaps the most well-known solar battery option is the Tesla Powerwall 2, which is a 13.5kWh battery that is powerful enough for most modern residential homes.

4 Considerations For Choosing The Best Solar Battery

However, here at SolarBright we also offer the Sungrow Modular SBR Series batteries. These powerful units can be expanded in 3.2kWh modules from 9.6kWh to 25.6kWh. You can even join four fully stacked Sungrow batteries together for a whopping 100kWh capacity. Although that’s far more than most residential homes need, it does give you enormous flexibility.

 

Need More Information?

SolarBright is your local expert for solar installations and solar battery storage in NSW. You can book a free consultation today and one of our solar experts will visit your home. We can tell you how much money you could save with any of our amazing solar packages

Whether you want a full solar and battery storage solution or a standard solar panel installation, we’re the team you can count on. Contact us today and be part of the green revolution!

4 Key Benefits Of The SolarEdge Energy Hub

The SolarEdge Energy Hub is a revolutionary new system designed to future-proof your household and help you maximise your solar savings. This smart inverter not only boasts a world-leading 99% efficiency, but it’s also configured to connect with battery storage, EV chargers and other smart appliances and energy add-ons.

SolarEdge inverters are designed to work with small electrical devices called power optimisers. Optimisers were invented by SolarEdge, and one is fitted to each panel in a SolarEdge system. The optimisers allow each single panel to output to its maximum potential regardless of the output of the other panels. Optimisers overcome the limitations of traditional “string” inverter solar systems sold in Australia.

In standard solar systems that have a string inverter, the panels are connected in a string, and all the panels must face in the same direction. The inverter sees the string of panels as a single panel. If a single panel is affected by shad for example, and its output drops by 50%, the output of every panel in the string will fall by 50%.

The SolarEdge Energy Hub inverter and optimisers allow every panel to operate at maximum output increasing the system output compared to standard systems and increasing customer savings.

Here’s everything you need to know about the SolarEdge Energy Hub.

What Is The SolarEdge Energy Hub?

When it comes to solar inverter technology, SolarEdge leads the way. The new Energy Hub is the perfect inverter solution not just for now but also for the future. The problem that many people experience with solar energy is that it can be incredibly costly to upgrade your system – for example, adding battery storage usually requires a whole new inverter installation. The Energy Hub removes these complications because it’s pre-prepared for anything.

The system is designed to grow with you, so if you want to add a battery to store excess solar energy, you can. It’s even ready to handle multiple batteries and generator backup if you need it to. Impressively, the Energy Hub is also pre-configured to connect to an electric vehicle charging station.

 

Why Choose SolarEdge?

Not only is SolarEdge one of the leading solar inverter manufacturers in the world, but the release of the Energy Hub is possibly one of the biggest advancements in residential solar technology so far. Here are 4 key benefits of the SolarEdge Energy Hub.

Ready For Solar Battery Connection

As mentioned above, many people who install solar panels for the first time often choose on-grid solar. This means you can power your home during the day using solar energy, and in the evening (or when the sun isn’t giving you enough solar energy) you’re connected to the main grid. The alternative is installing solar battery storage, which means excess solar generated during the day can be used at night.

The cost of solar battery solutions is still prohibitive to many, but that may not be the case in the future. Many standard solar inverters aren’t equipped to work with battery storage, which means you need to buy a new inverter if you want to add battery storage. The SolarEdge Energy Hub inverter is already equipped to handle a solar battery, meaning fewer costs when you upgrade.

The new SolarEdge Energy Bank battery will soon be available in Australia (early April 2022) and will work seamlessly with the Energy Hub inverter.

99% Inverter Efficiency

Regardless of how many solar panels you install on your roof, if your inverter doesn’t have high efficiency, you won’t be maximising your solar savings. In simple terms, your inverter turns solar energy into the type of electricity that powers your home. However, for example, if it only has 80% efficiency, you lose 20% of the energy your solar panels produce.

The SolarEdge Energy Hub features a record-breaking 99% efficiency, which means you get as much benefit from your solar system as possible.

Be Ready For EV Charging

The electric vehicle (EV) sales are still low in Australia but are now growing. As we move away from fossil fuels, EVs are high on many people’s ‘to-buy’ list. However, even if you’ve got solar energy at home, most inverters aren’t equipped to feed solar energy directly into your EV charging station.

SolarEdge has changed all of that because it’s already pre-configured to connect to a Smart EV Charger. Not only will you have no fuel costs, but you can charge your car for free from the sun!

Advanced Energy Monitoring

Getting a visual of your energy consumption and savings is a great way to understand your usage even more. With this knowledge comes the ability to change your consumption habits and realise even more benefits from your solar energy system.

With the mySolarEdge app, you can track all of your energy data from usage to battery levels. You can even remotely control EV charging and other smart energy devices.

Want More Information On The SolarEdge Energy Hub?

Whether you’re going solar for the first time or you’d like to upgrade your system to something more future-proof, we can help. SolarBright are your local experts in SolarEdge technology, and we can ensure your solar system is ready for the future.

Visit our SolarEdge Smart Solar page or contact our friendly team today, and find out how we can help you maximise your energy savings.

Why Solar Power Is The Healthy Choice For Your Family

Many people are making the switch to solar energy because of the financial benefits. With solar energy being completely free, you can obviously slash your electricity bill with a solar panel installation. If you choose a solar system battery, you can virtually eradicate electricity bills altogether – and some solar batteries help protect your home from power outages.

We know that solar is a smart choice financially, but what about the other benefits? Switching to solar is a healthy choice for your family, and it’s something that everybody can benefit from in more ways than one. Let’s take a look at why solar is a great idea for your whole family.

 

Reduction In Energy Bills

The most obvious way that solar benefits your family is in the reduction of energy bills. Federal subsidies and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme have made it more affordable than ever to pay for your solar installation, meaning you start realising the cost savings even faster. For the monthly budget, a reduction in energy costs means there’s more money for the things you love.

Whether that means an extra date night for you and your significant other, or an opportunity to take the family on an extra weekend away, these savings benefit the whole family.

Less Stress In The Home

Electricity bills are more than just a monthly or quarterly annoyance. They can be a genuine source of stress, especially because many people are caught by surprise when the bill comes in. You can do your best to budget for it, but often the bill is higher than imagined causing “bill shock”. Expensive bills and other financial problems put a strain on relationships and can make the home an unhappy place for everybody.

With solar energy, not only do you reduce those bills, but you can also get more accurate information regarding your energy usage, making it easier to predict your bills in advance.

A Valuable Way To Teach Kids About Energy Use

When you’ve got a solar system, you can learn to maximise its potential by being smart with energy use. This includes things like programming high-energy appliances like dishwashers and washing machines to run during the day, at staggered times, while the sun is shining and the energy is free. Once you’ve learned this, you can also teach the kids.

Children these days are learning more and more about energy use, the environment, carbon emissions and how reliance on fossil fuels can impact the planet. So, you can teach them about the benefits of solar in the home. It’s also a great way to teach them about money and the importance of doing what you can to reduce energy bills.

A Changing Attitude Passed Down To Your Kids

When many of us grew up, solar energy was like something out of a science fiction movie. Or, for younger readers, it was around, but not many people had it installed at their homes. Now, we’re making a significant shift towards renewable energy as a society. By being part of that and having an attitude of doing what we can to reduce carbon emissions, our children can develop this same attitude. It’s a great thing for them and beneficial for the environment.

Look After The Planet For Your Children’s Future

On top of helping to shape the way the next generation thinks about renewable energy, we can make a positive difference to the environment right now. While our children’s generation will undoubtedly be the ones who push the green revolution even further, that doesn’t mean we should wait. Switching to solar energy now is a fast way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and start reversing some of the damage we’ve done to the planet.

Whether you’re a passionate environmentalist or just take a passing interest in decreasing your carbon footprint, solar is good for your family. Reduce your energy bills now and set your kids up for a better future – teach them the importance of renewables from an early age.

For more information on how a solar panel installation can benefit your family, contact the team at SolarBright today.

How To Purchase A Reliable Solar System

At times, investment into solar energy can be intimidating and stressful with a vast number of retailers and components to choose from. In this blog we pass on some tips to help you choose the right solar retailer.

It can be very difficult to determine what products and company will provide the most reliable solution for you. Ensuring that you are backed by a reputable retailer with quality components will ensure that your system will last its lifetime.

Australia had a record-breaking year in 2020 with the amount of solar installed and we are on track to break that record again in 2021. It is estimated that one in four Australian homes now have solar and that trend is likely to increase.

With the significant amount of solar that has been installed, it has been a worrying trend so see many consumers being exposed to predatory behaviour. Customers  are being pressured into buying systems with faulty components and/or poor workmanship.

Often when these issues turn into problems and the system failures increase, many solar intallers have no choice but to close shop and begin trading under a new name (known as ‘Phoenixing’). According to a report from the Consumer Action Law Centre, “close to 700 solar companies have gone out of business since 2011, leaving about 650,000 Australians with no recourse if their systems fail.” View this media report on the subject.

Here are key points to bear in mind out when navigating through the information when considering solar.

Being Backed By A Reputable Solar Retailer

Approved Clean Energy Council Retailer

To prevent this from happening to you, there are steps you can take to ensure you are being protected when purchasing solar panel. The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is a not-for-profit organisation that works with the leading renewable energy and energy storage businesses in Australia.

They implement accreditation requirements such as the APPROVED SOLAR RETAILER program to raise the standards within the solar industry. Approved solar retailers are committed to complying with the program’s Code of Conduct which are rules and standards that go above the current government requirements.

Going with a CEC Approved Retailer will protect you from:

  • Unethical sales tactics
  • Poor installation quality
  • Unreliable warranty support

Be on the lookout for the logo below and make sure that your system is only installed through a CEC Approved Solar Retailer.

You can search for Approved Solar Retailers on the Clean Energy Council website.

Choose a Retailer with a Physical Australian Address and Facility

For a more personalised service that is tailored around your specific needs it is recommended to use a solar provider that has an Australian presence and proper facility rather than working out of a call centre. Employing hard working Australians means they are more willing to meet you face-to-face and design a customisable solution for your needs.

Choose suppliers that have invested in their operation and have a proper facility with a showroom. This means they are more likely to be around in the long run to service any warranty issue or provide system upgrades in the future.

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Choose a Solar Retailer that has an established facility with a showroom.

Avoid installers operating from pretty websites or running their businesses out of a van simply because they lack the required resources to provide proper after sale service. These installers do offer low price tags because their business model is not built on long term strategy and likely their customers will need to pay someone else to rectify their defects when they are gone.

You may see on their website that they seem to have physical addresses in the CBD areas of the capital cities. Many times, these are a just a serviced office address – which can be leased for as little as $49 per month. Ask them if you can visit their office and meet the salesperson and see what they say!

These companies do this to reduce costs as their only value proposition is selling at a cheap price. If they will not send a consultant to inspect your home and discuss your specific solar requirements, what chance do you stand of them sending a technician if there is a problem? Read our blog on the dangers of cheap solar.

Avoid Door-to-Door or Telephone Sales Solar Companies

By far some of the worst cases of price gouging and unethical practises that we have witnessed are associated with companies that sell solar door to door and over the phone. They often promise “easy” weekly payments that can double the price.

In the case below the customer had signed with a door-to-door sale person. The customer then brought the contract into SolarBright for us to look over. We discovered that the customer had purchased a standard 6kW system with T1 panels valued at $4,000 for $13,000. These companies’ prey on consumer ignorance.

Luckily, they were within the 14-day cooling off period under NSW consumer protection and we were able to help them cancel the contract, and then saved them $9,000 on their new solar system.

Solar Rip Off: charging $13,000 for a $4000 system.

Choose Quality Products And Quality Workmanship

Having a solar power system installed is  a long-term investment. With society transitioning to smart homes, electric vehicles, and solar battery storage. It is  recommended to choose high quality solar components that can endure the harsh Australian conditions giving you the peace of mind that it will still be performing and saving you money in the long run.

Since our beginnings in 2008, the team at SolarBright have developed strong partnerships and accreditations with industry leading brands. This allows usto provide you with the highest quality products and services in the market.

These manufacturers have conducted substantial research and development, extensive testing, and quality control to offer the highest quality products, warranties and support available. Extremely high standards set on customer service and workmanship has led to SolarBright being considered as one of the most established and experienced solar companies in the country.

If you have any questions about solar or want a customised solar proposal please contact Solarbright today.

The Risks Of Cheap Solar

In this blog we look the risks of cheap solar and how some solar installers can offer solar at cheap prices.  We give advice on choosing a reputable solar panel supplier.

Updated Sep 2023

Most people will have seen the ads in their social feeds or on the internet for cheap 6.6kW solar systems priced for $3,200 or less. LIMITED OFFER or SALE ENDS SOON shout the banners, often featuring ex Aussie cricket captains.

Then you will see ads for other 6.6kW systems that are hundreds of dollars more. We often get asked by our customers “Why is some solar so cheap?” The answer is in the shortcuts taken with the quality of the components and installation.

The Risks Of Cheap Solar – The Harsh Truth

Cheap: of little account; of small value; mean; shoddy.

Australians seem addicted to cheap solar. The truth with solar is you get what you pay for. In the long term cheap solar costs you more. Consider this:

  • Over 700 solar companies have gone out of business since 2011 leaving tens of thousands of customers as “solar orphans” with worthless warranties and useless systems.
  • At least 1 in 5 installed systems were found by the Australian National Audit Office to be “sub-standard” and failed to meet industry standards.
  • The same audit found 2% of systems were “dangerous.”
  • The cheap installers hide behind solar panel and inverter “brands” and some behind Aussie ex-cricketers.
  • The shortcuts taken with the installations are a shortcut to property danger.

 

Watch This Channel 9 Report on Poor Quality Solar

Don’t put your home in danger with cheap solar.

How Do They Get Solar To A Cheap Price?

Most people believe that the major cost of a 6.6kW solar system is in the solar panels and inverter – the hardware.

Wrong.

The biggest single cost is the installation – the man on the roof and the quality of the installation components and workmanship.

To get to the cheap price they use cheap components and unlicensed, unskilled labour including backpackers. Unskilled labour is cheap.

The installation by the unskilled workers is then signed off by a remote, licensed installer who does not conduct an on-site inspection of the quality of the job or to see if it even meets regulations. There were cases uncovered by the Clean Energy Council where a cheap solar company installer was signing off on up to 10 solar systems a day!

The cheap solar companies are in a race to the bottom on pricing, and Australian families and businesses are the biggest losers.

In the last few months of 2020 there was a jump in the number of fires caused by poorly installed solar. The NSW Department of Fair Trading spot checked 100 solar businesses and fined 20 of them for failing to meet industry standards.

Kevin Anderson, the Minister for Better Regulation at that time, said there were unscrupulous operators “Who are selling less than the best quality products, not installing it properly and causing fires.”

As these cheap systems begin to age, they become more of a risk as the issues with poor installation and poor quality components come to the fore. The danger is real.

Do you want a backpacker or a licensed installer to install your solar system?

Cheap Solar Installation = Compromised Safety

One of the biggest risks of cheap solar is what corners are cut in the installation?

Every week we are taking down these cheap solar systems, some only three or four years old. The customers have been stuck with a worthless system that is not working and have no choice except to buy a new, quality solar power system.

They have bought cheap once and now have to pay again.

With these systems we remove, the poor quality of the workmanship we see is astounding. We see systems that:

  • Fail to meet Clean Energy Council regulations.
  • Have “Solar Snakes” – conduit with the high voltage DC cables inside – running across the roof.
  • High voltage DC cables lying directly across the roof.
  • Untied and unbundled high voltage cable laying beneath the panels.
  • Inferior poor quality DC isolation switches are used and not installed to regulation, posing the risk of failure and fire.

How To Choose Your Solar Retailer

Avoid the risks of cheap solar an do not become “solar orphan” left with a faulty system and worthless warranties. Do some research and choose your solar supplier wisely. Ask the following questions:

  • Are they a reputable retailer with over 15 years history that can back up the long-term warranties?
  • Are they a NETCC Approved Seller? This is different to a CEC Accredited Installer which is mandatory for installers.
  • Do they have credentials from the top industry companies such as Tesla?
  • On installs do they just use labourers and backpackers with an accredited installer to sign off later?
  • Do they have a showroom and a physical address, or just a pretty website?
  • Also check the address – some companies hire mailing addresses in serviced offices in CBD areas so they can put several state capital addresses on their website.
  • When you request a quote does a person come out to inspect and provide a free consultation? If not, would you expect them to come if there was an issue?

Choose a solar retailer has that has the history, resources and credentials to help you now and in the future.