Year: 2021

Is Solar For Business A No Brainer?

Posted on by solarbright

Have you considered solar panels for your business? Businesses across the country are realising the massive potential of solar energy to save money, reduce operating costs and put more profits back into the business. In this article, we’ll discuss the main reasons that businesses are now making the smart choice and installing solar energy.

Strong Savings On Business Energy Costs

Firstly, and probably most importantly, from a business perspective, solar energy provides considerable financial savings. All businesses want to reduce operating expenses and put more cash back on their balance sheet – one of the best ways to do this is by lowering your energy costs.

We’ve helped plenty of businesses save money by installing solar, and most of them end up slashing their energy costs in half. Some generate even more savings than that, such as Dentro Joinery who reduced their energy costs from $30,000 per year down to $12,000.

How much you can save varies for each business and depends on your power usage patterns, power costs and the size of the system that can be installed on the roof space.

When we propose a solar solution for a business, we use advanced software to map out the potential new system. This shows us just how much solar energy you could generate per year. The design software considers the solar panel selected, the solar irradiance at the site, panel orientation and panel tilt. We also analyse your existing energy costs and usage, giving us a full breakdown of how much you could expect to save annually the projected return on investment.

Specialised Software is Used to Design Each System and Estimate Power Production.

Most Business Energy Use Is During Daylight Hours

Solar energy is free while the sun shines. The solar works in conjunction with the main grid power. During the day the solar system can power the business or cover a proportion of the power requirements depending on the size of the solar power system.

Because most businesses work during hours when the sun is shining, solar energy offsets far more of their electricity expenses than it would in a residential home where the families are often elsewhere during the day.

So, unless you do most of your business at night, the savings you’ll generate from solar energy are likely to be immense.

Business Solar Systems Pay For Themselves

There is, of course, a setup cost associated with installing a commercial solar system on your business premises. You can pay for it outright or take a 5-year finance option. Many choose the finance option because it allows them to spread the expense more evenly, making it a cash-flow friendly decision.

Many businesses find that their energy savings more than cover the cost of repayments for those first 5 years. So, essentially, the system pays for itself and can be cash flow positive from day 1. In addition, once you’ve paid the finance for the system, the savings are all yours. Considering the general lifespan of solar panels is between 20-25 years, that means you could end up with free electricity for another 20 years after paying for your system.

For Each Business Solar System We Calculate Estimated Cash Flow and Your ROI.

Solar For Business Reduces Your Emissions

Many businesses these days are looking for ways to reduce their carbon emissions and work with a more sustainable business model. If being environmentally conscious is part of your corporate governance plan, then it’s worth considering going solar. You’ll reduce your emissions and we can even tell you by how much.

Consumers Love Environmentally Friendly Businesses

Of course, being environmentally conscious isn’t just about doing the right thing. There’s a commercial benefit to your business too. Consumers are becoming more informed about the companies they support, particularly in terms of their sustainability practices. So, by going solar, you have the potential to attract more customers who are willing to support you rather than your competitors who haven’t made the shift to renewable energy.

Which Businesses Benefit The Most From Solar?

Most businesses can benefit from installing solar energy. It especially benefits those industries with the highest energy requirements are most likely to reap the best rewards. Here at SolarBright, we’ve personally helped countless businesses slash their energy bills, including the following industries:

  • Agricultural businesses
  • Car Dealers Child Care Centres Churches
  • Clubs and pubs
  • Commercial office space providers
  • Engineering shops
  • Joineries
  • Frozen food wholesalers
  • Manufacturers
  • Restaurants
  • Schools
  • Service Stations
  • Warehouse and logistics facilities

The fact is, aside from the setup costs, solar energy is free. Once your system is paid for, you’re getting free energy from the sun, which means it helps insulate you from rising power costs. Basically, if you’re a business that uses power during the day, you’re going to benefit from installing solar.

Talk To The Experts In Commercial Solar Power Systems Today

When you’re considering solar energy systems for your business, there’s only one name you need to remember. SolarBright are your experts in planning and designing commercial solar systems to save you money. We’ve got a proven track record of excellent service, and we only sell products that are tried and tested to perform well in Australian conditions.

There’s never been a better time to install solar, so if you want to future-proof your business against rising energy prices, contact the experts at SolarBright and book a COVID safe no obligation business solar consultation today.

7 Tips On Choosing The Best Solar For Sydney & NSW

Posted on by solarbright

Many of us when we explore if we should get solar for our home or business do not really know where to start with our research. Sydney and the NSW coastal areas and the NSW regional areas offer some of the toughest environments for solar systems, not only in Australia, but the world. We offer 7 tips to help you choose the best solar system that will stand up to this environment.

A few years ago, a particular popular solar panel which was the most installed brand in 2015 and 2016. The panel had a manufacturing fault in the way the backing sheets were laminated. This resulted in water getting into the panels and creating corrosion, making the panel fail. Guess where they failed first in the world? Yes – in Australia and especially in Sydney along the coastline.

We have a combination of environmental factors that can out solar panels and inverters under stress. Our region has a much higher salt content in the air as we are often close to the coast (within 15 km), Also during parts of the year we have a higher humidity than many other parts of the world.

Combined with our regular rainfall and strong winds, this creates a unique exposure to the elements for inverters and panels alike. This is why cheap solar can disappoint in Sydney and NSW. To help you navigate your path through the solar purchasing journey, here are 7 important tips to help you on the way.

Tip #1 – Only Quality Systems Will Last In The Harsh Australian Environment

Given the tough environment locally, it is recommended to only use quality panels, inverter solutions and racking to put the solar system together. Select great equipment to get the best long-term savings. A PV system is only as good as its weakest link.

Please do not discount the importance of quality installation work. For example, if we use a top-quality panel and a great inverter, that whole system can still perform poorly if an undersized electrical cable has been chosen to run the solar back to the switchboard.

Or if someone tried save a few dollars on the racking and mounting brackets and use a few less roof mounting brackets. Some installers to have the attitude of “The mounting brackets are under the panels, so no one will notice if we put in a few less. This will save us time and money”.

Tip #2: Use An Experienced Installation Company.

A solar energy system for your home is a long-term investment. If installed properly it will increase the value of your home, while also providing you with free renewable electricity during the day. If the solar system install not done correctly, it will cause innumerable holdups, and added cost.

The choice of which solar installer to use is probably even more important than the choice of which brand of solar module to purchase. That’s why you must always work with a CEC-certified solar installer. The Clean Energy Council certified or accredited installers in Australia (CEC). The CEC ensures that the installers have received the necessary training and meet the design and implementation standards.

SolarBright has many CEC approved installers, and we have been installing solar PV and solar hot water systems for more than a decade. In that period, we have installed close to 10,000 systems on homes in the wider Sydney region, from Gosford to Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and Bondi – as well as in regional NSW, as far away as Tamworth and Port Macquarie. This long-term approach also ensure we can support your solar system with good after sales support.

Tip #3: Choose The Right Installation Company To Ensure Solid After Sales Support

If you’re looking to purchase solar for your home, you can feel a little overwhelmed. It’s difficult to know how to choose between a cold caller, a door-to-door salesperson, or somebody trying to offer you a massive discount if you purchase their product on the spot.

Check they have the right resources to offer solid post sales support. Do they operate out of company owned premises? Or just a fancy CBD address with an overseas call centre? Some solar installation companies that appear to be large national businesses operate like this. The only person you will ever see is the man in the van that turns up on installation day.

Installers searching to do a cheap job frequently fail to visit your home prior to the installation. When considering solar ask them to send out a consultant to meet with you and conduct a site inspection. In this inspection they need to consider roof tilt, switchboard, shading, and electrical grid connection. Steer clear If they so no and say we can do it all over the phone and via email.

If they will not meet with you before purchase, how will they send someone out if there is an issue with the system? These types of solar companies are called Solar SALES companies. Their focus is on the sale now, not the service in the future.

Lower priced systems means that the installer has not got the funds to put aside sufficient resources for after sales service. This means that if your system breaks down after a relatively short period, you may find it difficult to get the initial installation company to get back and fix what went wrong.

Yes of course, the system is less expensive initially, but you’ll save less money over the long term, as you will dismantle such a solar system, earlier than a quality solution.

Going with a well-established business like SolarBright increases your chances of receiving continuous support and allows you to speak with a real person if you need to file a warranty claim.

Tip #4: Avoid Installers Using Unlicensed Subcontractors

Sadly, there are several individuals and businesses out there that are willing to sell you cheap solar power systems. They cut corners to achieve the cheap price. What you want is a quality installation which will give you a solid long lasting energy solution.

To be able to sell very cheap some solar companies employ sub-contractors who then use workers with little electrical qualifications, because such employees are cheap. This lack of knowledge is then reflected in the quality of the installation.

At SolarBright we only use inhouse staff or sub-contractors that have worked with us for many years. They specialise in solar and have all the appropriate licences and qualifications.

Tip #5: Make Sure To Get A Good Monitoring Solution

To be able to check the performance of the system, ensure that that inverter in your system comes with a monitoring system. This important as it allows you to check everything is functioning properly.

It will also allow you to compare past performance with current performance and will send alerts if there are any issues with your system. If you add an optional energy meter to the solar system you will be able to track your power consumption and export as well

SolarBright PV systems come with monitoring solutions to allow you to observe the critical information to determine the overall solar and solar battery system performance.

Tip #6: Think Ahead For Batteries, EV Charging And Smart Appliances

Simply switching out previous home equipment for relatively new “clever” systems and technologies can be an excellent way of opening your residence to innovation, enabling you save some cash on utility services while also gaining access to new aspects of convenience, safety and reliability.

When most people think of intelligent homes today, they think of internet-connected products like heating systems and home entertainment. Many people, nevertheless, are unaware that new tech innovations also apply to solar. You could maximise the benefits of renewable power in your household by combining solar power and intelligent devices, for example to heat your hot water with solar electricity.

The main reason that smart home technology and solar power complement each other so well is that they really strive to make your home run as effectively as possible.

While smart home systems can help you save resources and costs by letting you programme your optimal temperature through a smart temperature controller or turning off your lights when you’re not at home, solar energy will help you maximise the economic and environmental benefits of your estate.

SolarBright can advise you what solar system is right for you today, so it can generate enough electricity in the future to charge an electric vehicle, or battery for night-time consumption or divert the excess solar electricity during the day into hot water generation.

Tip #7: Make Sure You Check The Product Warranty Is Strong

Solar panel warranty coverage safeguards your assets and are an essential component of any solar installation.

There are several types of warranty coverage that protect your panels and recognising the difference between them as well as which products have the best warranties is critical to ensuring you get the best possible deal for your solar power system.

A solar panel does degrade over time and the panel will come with two warranties – a performance warranty and a product warranty. The performance warranty warrants as a that the panel will still produce 90 percent of initial production capacity after 10 years and 80 percent after twenty-five years as a minimum.

A standard product warranty will generally guarantee 10 to 15 years of trouble-free operation. The product warranty protection for a solar panel serves to protect you against troubles such as manufacturing problems water entering the panel or premature corrosion issues.

Between these two warranties, the Product Warranty is the more valuable, as its much more straight forward to claim. Let’s say you notice some corrosion on a panel and the inverter has shut the system off for safety reasons. That’s a clear warranty case and the panel manufacturer should come to the party to replace the product. On the other hand, a performance warranty will require a more sophisticated analysis of the ongoing performance of the system and is harder to prove. For this reason, go with strong product warranties and be not hoodwinked by long, but less meaningful performance warranties.

A Final Word – How to Choose the Company to Buy From?

When selecting an installer or retailer to process your solar system installation, it is important that you make sure they are CEC approved retailers and installers. SolarBright has this extra qualification.

The CEC Approved Solar Retailer programme shows companies selling renewable power to are committed to honest and reliable marketing efforts as well as industry best practices.

The programme, which has been approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), aims to increase customer service and education, so solar customers can make an informed choice with peace of mind.

Accreditation from the CEC is a must-have qualifying criterion for anyone involved in the installation of solar power systems. People who have been accredited by the Clean Energy Council have completed the required coaching to construct and configure the solar system, solar battery storage, and other renewable energy components. CEC-accredited installers strive to adhere to the best practice, resulting in mechanisms that are secure, dependable, and satisfy customer needs.

If these two criteria have been met by your retailer and installer, there are a few other things you can look for to make sure you get the best service. Firstly, your quote must be comprehensive, including a suggested system design, predicted production, warranty conditions, and a detailed list of elements.

Secondly, you must never feel compelled to make a purchase. The decision to move ahead with purchase and a payment is yours alone, so make sure you are comfortable with the info supplied.

Have you gotten answers to all of your queries? Do you know the mechanism of setup, grid connection, and monitoring? Have you been notified of any accessible after-sales assistance?

When choosing SolarBright you can be assured our decade plus of solar experience will give you a peace of mind installation at a fair price, ensuring you save on your electricity bills for years to come.

7 Reasons Why Now Is The Right Time To Install Solar

Posted on by solarbright

During these times with more people at home power bills will increase. Solar pays for itself and saves you money from day one and keeps doing it for years. Now more than ever, solar makes great financial sense.

When you consider these seven top reasons for getting solar power installation now, you realise why many families regard solar as essential in helping provide economic security for the household, and why now is the perfect time to go solar.

1. More People Now Working From Home And Power Costs Are Rising

With the pandemic there have been changes to our lifestyles. We have seen an increase in people working from home. Even with workers returning the to the office, we are seeing more flexibility in the work place.

This has led to many office workers now choosing to work from home at 1 to 2 days per week. Employers are allowing this flexibility. it helps keep their workforce happy in a tight employment market.

One of the outcomes of these circumstances is that daytime power use will immediately increase for families.

On top of this in July 2022 power prices rose up to 17%, and more increases are predicted. Consequently, power bills are rising again. By installing solar now, you will avoid the possibility bill shock and it will help secure your energy future.

2. Solar Works From Day 1 On Reducing Your Power Bills – And Keeps At It For Years

By deferring solar you will still have to pay increased power bills – and otherwise paying money out to the power company that could have been invested in solar. Your next three $700 power bills would pay for more than half of the system. Instead, if you defer, it will go from your pocket into the power company coffers.

The best thing about solar is it reduces your power bills from day one. It is an investment that pays for itself and will give you returns for many years into the future for the life of the system.

A typical 6.6kW system installed in Sydney will produce around 9,300kWh of power per year. A kWh of power you buy from the power company costs around $0.29. If you can use 70% of the power it produces (6,510kWh) it will save you almost $1,900 per year! The system will pay for itself in under 2 years.

After 2 years it just keeps saving you money for the life of the system. After 15 years it could save you over $20,000. Why delay? Help secure your economic security now. Every month delayed costs you money.

During these times with more people at home power bills will increase. Solar pays for itself and saves you money from day one and keeps doing it for years. Now more than ever, solar makes great financial sense. When you consider these seven top reasons for getting solar power installation now, you realise why many families regard solar as essential in helping provide economic security for the household, and why now is the perfect time to go solar. 1. More People Now Working From Home And Power Costs Are Rising With the pandemic there have been changes to our lifestyles. We have seen an increase in people working from home. Even with workers returning the to the office, we are seeing more flexibility in the work place. This has led to many office workers now choosing to work from home at 1 to 2 days per week. Employers are allowing this flexibility. it helps keep their workforce happy in a tight employment market. One of the outcomes of these circumstances is that daytime power use will immediately increase for families. On top of this in July 2022 power prices rose up to 17%, and more increases are predicted. Consequently, power bills are rising again. By installing solar now, you will avoid the possibility bill shock and it will help secure your energy future. 2. Solar Works From Day 1 On Reducing Your Power Bills – And Keeps At It For Years By deferring solar you will still have to pay increased power bills – and otherwise paying money out to the power company that could have been invested in solar. Your next three $700 power bills would pay for more than half of the system. Instead, if you defer, it will go from your pocket into the power company coffers. The best thing about solar is it reduces your power bills from day one. It is an investment that pays for itself and will give you returns for many years into the future for the life of the system. A typical 6.6kW system installed in Sydney will produce around 9,300kWh of power per year. A kWh of power you buy from the power company costs around $0.29. If you can use 70% of the power it produces (6,510kWh) it will save you almost $1,900 per year! The system will pay for itself in under 2 years. After 2 years it just keeps saving you money for the life of the system. After 15 years it could save you over $20,000. Why delay? Help secure your economic security now. Every month delayed costs you money. The image above shows the dramatic difference from one bill to the next after installing solar. 3. Finance Options Available If you do not want to outlay the outright cost of a solar system SolarBright has options available for you. With no upfront costs and for less than the cost of a coffee a day you can help secure your economic future. In many cases it is a cash flow positive situation where the savings from the systems will cover the cost of the coffee and put some money in your pocket. Imagine that instead of having to fork out for a surging a power bill all you need is less than a coffee a day to own a system that is covering this cost anyway in most cases! And if down the track you are in a position to payout, you can.* 4. Aussie Dollar Uncertainty Another thing to consider is that the Aussie dollar has been on a roller-coaster ride since March. By delaying getting solar now you may be exposing yourself to price increases down the track. With most solar panels and inverters imported from overseas, many vendors are now flagging that they will have to increase prices for these components and these price rises will be passed on to consumers. By getting solar now you reduce your exposure to the volatility of the currency markets and any coming price increases. 5. Government Incentives Decreasing Each year the government incentives for solar decrease by 7%. These are the Small Technology Certificates or STC’s. On a 6.6kW system the current government incentives amount to $3,600 – take advantage of these current incentive rates in 2020 by installing solar now. 6. Solar Is Perfect If You Are On A Fixed Income Another consequence of the volatility in financial markets is that for people relying on fixed incomes from investments is that their incomes may fall. One of the ways to combat a falling fixed income is reduce your fixed and variable expenditure or costs. As discussed above solar reduces your power bills and can put money in your pocket from day one and continue to do so for many years. If you do not invest in solar you will still have to pay your power bills. Even with modest bills of $250 a quarter that is $10,000 of dead money over 10 years. 7. Solar Is Good For The Environment Solar produces clean, free energy making solar great for the environment. A 6.6kW system in a typical installation in NSW will offset over 8,000kg of carbon emissions per year, adding up to 160 tonnes over 20 years. So not only will the system pay for itself it will also make you feel good that you are doing your bit to help the environment. With all these reasons going solar now if you can is a wise and sensible decision. SolarBright is Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer and since 2008 we have helped over 11,000 customers and businesses across NSW save thousands off their power bills with solar. Solar is classified as an essential service and during the restrictions imposed by the response to COVID-19, SolarBright is able to continue to safely supply and install solar with procedures designed to keep our customers and employees safe during the journey of going solar. For more information you can check our web page covering this topic.

The image above shows the dramatic difference from one bill to the next after installing solar.

3. Finance Options Available

If you do not want to outlay the outright cost of a solar system SolarBright has options available for you. With no upfront costs and for less than the cost of a coffee a day you can help secure your economic future.

In many cases it is a cash flow positive situation where the savings from the systems will cover the cost of the coffee and put some money in your pocket.

Imagine that instead of having to fork out for a surging a power bill all you need is less than a coffee a day to own a system that is covering this cost anyway in most cases! And if down the track you are in a position to payout, you can.*

4. Aussie Dollar Uncertainty

Another thing to consider is that the Aussie dollar has been on a roller-coaster ride since March. By delaying getting solar now you may be exposing yourself to price increases down the track.

With most solar panels and inverters imported from overseas, many vendors are now flagging that they will have to increase prices for these components and these price rises will be passed on to consumers.

By getting solar now you reduce your exposure to the volatility of the currency markets and any coming price increases.

5. Government Incentives Decreasing

Each year the government incentives for solar decrease by 7%. These are the Small Technology Certificates or STC’s.

On a 6.6kW system the current government incentives amount to $3,600 – take advantage of these current incentive rates in 2020 by installing solar now.

6. Solar Is Perfect If You Are On A Fixed Income

Another consequence of the volatility in financial markets is that for people relying on fixed incomes from investments is that their incomes may fall.

One of the ways to combat a falling fixed income is reduce your fixed and variable expenditure or costs. As discussed above solar reduces your power bills and can put money in your pocket from day one and continue to do so for many years.

If you do not invest in solar you will still have to pay your power bills. Even with modest bills of $250 a quarter that is $10,000 of dead money over 10 years.

7. Solar Is Good For The Environment

Solar produces clean, free energy making solar great for the environment. A 6.6kW system in a typical installation in NSW will offset over 8,000kg of carbon emissions per year, adding up to 160 tonnes over 20 years.

So not only will the system pay for itself it will also make you feel good that you are doing your bit to help the environment.

With all these reasons going solar now if you can is a wise and sensible decision.

SolarBright is Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer and since 2008 we have helped over 11,000 customers and businesses across NSW save thousands off their power bills with solar.

Solar is classified as an essential service and during the restrictions imposed by the response to COVID-19, SolarBright is able to continue to safely supply and install solar with procedures designed to keep our customers and employees safe during the journey of going solar.

For more information you can check our web page covering this topic.

Solar Panel Costs And Solar System Prices

Posted on by solarbright

Over the last 15 years solar has been one of the fastest growing industries in Australia. During this time the solar panel cost and the price of standard solar systems has fallen dramatically. This is mostly due to improvements in technology.

In 2010, with the help of generous government rebates, a 5kW solar panel system cost around $10,000. Today, despite lower government subsidies, a quality 6.6kW system has a price of around $5,000.

Most solar products are produced in China. The costs of producing solar panels and solar inverters have reached rock bottom in the last few years. Consequently, many manufacturers are struggling to make a profit due to fierce competition.

The Cost of Roof Top Solar Has Fallen Over the Last 15 Years.

Solar System And Solar Panel Costs In Australia

Thanks to government subsidies, solar panel costs are lower in Australia. Thus, solar power systems are more affordable here than in most parts of the world. Despite this, consumers in Australia often feel confused by the large variation in the advertised prices for solar systems.

For example, a typical 6.6kW solar power systems with entry-level products can be quoted anywhere between $3,500–$7000 by different retailers and installers.

How can there be such huge variation in price for similar products? To answer this question, we need to look at the costs endured by solar businesses, and the different models for solar businesses operating in Australia.

Types Of Solar Businesses In Australia

There are three main types of solar businesses:

Established Solar Retailers

Usually, these businesses are a “full service” business. They will have an operations centre and warehouse. They offer free in-house consultations for potential customers. They have the qualifications and sufficient resources to complete jobs successfully and safely. Solar retailers can be more reliable than other businesses, as they have dedicated customer service and technical support personnel.

Unfortunately, what we see now is some large solar retailers adopting a low-cost model with low quality service for customers. These retailers run their operations from overseas call centres in India or the Philippines. Often they reverse-auction their installation work out to subcontractors to get the cheapest installation price.

Marketers

These are usually micro-businesses run by operators who utilise subcontractors. The products are collected from distributors and wholesalers before delivering them to customers. Typically they have an attractive website and a virtual office address. These businesses operate on very slim margins, and it is impossible for them to service customers over the long term. In many cases, these businesses hide their shortcomings  by offering customers reputable brands at ridiculously low prices.

Installers

These are usually tradies with no base of operations. They run the business from their vans, purchasing products from distributors and wholesalers. In most cases, these installers find themselves a job for the day and have insufficient profits to provide a good level of customer or after-sales service.

The Costs Involved With Installing Solar Panels

Running a professional business in any sector is always costly and never easy. All businesses that supply and install solar panels in Australia face both direct and indirect costs.

  1. Direct Costs:

These costs include the essential items to complete a job. For example, a 6.6kW solar power system with entry level components may incur the following costs:

Item

Typical Cost Inc GST

Cheap solar panels

$3,070

Cheap 5kW inverter

$550

Low quality installation

$1,880

Balance of system (roof mount kits)

$440

Outsourced marketing (purchasing leads from third party)

$250

Total Costs of Products (with $0 Profit)

$6,190

Rebates

-$3,403

Price to customer after rebates with $0 Profit

$2,787

The costs detailed above are the bare minimum for a cheap 6.6kW solar system. These costs would increase when better products and quality workmanship (installers) are added to the job.

Marketers and installers operate under the above cost structure; their operations are transactional with a minimal focus on customer service. Customers can forget about after-sales service – it’s not part of the deal!

2. Indirect And Fixed Costs:

These costs are essential in offering customers a high level of customer service and meeting the expectations for after-sales service. These costs include:

  • Payroll costs
  • Rent fees
  • Marketing
  • Fleet expense
  • IT platforms fees
  • Utilities
  • Accreditations and licensing
  • Insurances
  • Provisions to cover long term warranty policies.

Professional solar retailers incur both types of costs. Their prices are higher to meet these costs and also to account for the cost of providing a better before and after sales experience for the customer.

It is important to remember that businesses must be profitable to meet customers’ expectations and remain sustainable. Therefore, they need to add a reasonable profit on top of their costs. The mark up is typically in the 15% -30% range.

Right now, we can see operators offering 6.6kW solar system for as low as $3,000 and offering 10-25 years warranty! It is impossible for a viable business to deliver a quality and safe system at this unrealistic price.

Selecting The Right Solar Retailer

Choosing the right company that offers professional consultation, design, installation, and customer service is crucial for ultimate customer satisfaction. It can also mean the difference between getting a safe and unsafe installation.

Choosing the Right Solar Retailer Will Ensure a Safe Solar Installation.

Going solar is a long-term investment.

Customers need to consider these seven conditions when selecting a company to provide their solar:

  • Did the business understand the specific needs and requirements by visiting the premises and providing a consultation? Or did they just email a quote from an overseas call centre, a virtual office with a premium address or even from a backyard office?
  • Have the appropriate products, system size and design been considered? Or is it a one-size-fits-all approach?
  • Does the business have a physical address to visit and contact if necessary? Or does it just have a colourful website with a diverted phone number and many fake online reviews?
  • Does the business seem to have resources to cover any unexpected outcomes during or after installation? Or is it a one-man show with limited resources?
  • Will the installation be done professionally to maintain the integrity of the roof and avoid water leaks and fire danger?
  • How likely is it that the warranty will be honoured? About 1,000 solar businesses have folded over the last few years. Many of them appeared again under new banners because they were unable to meet their warranty and financial obligations.
  • Finally, is the price competitive? Or is it too good to be true?

Choosing a solar system that will deliver years of trouble free service is not decision to be made on the criteria of who has the cheapest solar panels.

The cheapest solar power system with the cheapest solar panels may save a few hundred dollars at the beginning. In the long term it may cost thousands more in generating less solar power, repairs, worthless warranties and of course, the heartaches.

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How Much Does A Solar Power System Save And Is Solar Worth It?

Posted on by solarbright

Is solar worth it? How much does a solar power system save?

We hear these questions from family, friends, commentators and of course, from customers. There are legitimate reasons for people to ask these important questions and in this blog so we will seek to answer them and address some of the reasons why they are asked.

If we look at solar panels from a technical point of view, we know that solar panels produce electricity which can be used immediately by households or stored in a solar system battery solution for later use.

There are no arguments about whether solar panels can do the job that they are supposed to do, which is generating electricity. The debate is more about whether the electricity generated by solar panels will save enough money to make solar worth it.

Why do some people question this? The following are some of the reasons that generate doubts around solar:

  • Lack of information: despite the large amount of information that is made available by the solar industry, government, media, and communities, unfortunately there is still a large portion of public that is not well informed about the advantages of installing solar.
  • Scepticism: There will always be some people that have sceptical views about any new emerging technology. Hopefully these views will be eased as the public gets better informed.

So, is solar worth it? We believe the best way to answer this question is to present couple of real-life examples demonstrating how solar panels and a solar battery solution have affected the energy costs and power usage in two different households.

Example 1 – Home With Solar Panels Only

Situation Prior To Solar

The household was using 33.93kwh a day costing $11.66 a day with a total quarterly bill of $853.53 after discounts.

The Solar Solution

After assessing the customer usage and needs it was determined that best solar solution consisted of the installation of 8KW of LG solar panels.

Situation After Solar Was Installed

For this household the electricity usage and cost dropped significantly to the following: Usage 14kwh a day costing $3.62 a day with a total bill of $249.46 after discounts.

Reduction in electricity bill: $853.53 – $249,46 = $604.07 per quarter, equivalent to $2,416 year!

The payback period for a standard 8kW system can be as little as 3 years.

The image below shows the contrasting power bills:

 

Example 2 – Home With Solar Panels And Tesla Powerwall 2 Solar Battery:

Situation Prior To Solar

The household was purchasing 100% of electricity from the grid.

The Solar Solution

The customer initially installed a small 4KW solar system. Later the customer then added a 13KW Tesla Powerwall 2 battery.

The Situation After Solar

After the first full year of having the battery installed, the source of electricity changed as following;

  • From Solar = 33%
  • From battery 27%
  • From grid 40%.

Total saving = 60% of power used – not bad for a little 4KW system!

The image below shows the snapshot from the Tesla app showing the performance of the system after its first year of operation:

Both of these examples show that solar panels and solar batteries do work by generating and storing electricity. They also prove that installing solar panels and/or a solar battery solution can save money by reducing the dependency on purchasing the electricity from the grid.

 

Conclusion

Installing solar panel and battery is worth it because they save money PLUS you have the thrill of being semi-independent of the grid. Also being relieved of the worry of receiving high power bills (bill shock) is priceless.

It is important to remember that not all households are the same, therefore it is recommended to consult with a professional and CEC Approved Solar Retailer that can analyse your household power usage and patterns to design an appropriate energy solution for your specific requirements.

For more information read this blog on solar panel prices and why install solar.

Why More Australians Are Turning To Solar Power

Posted on by solarbright

More Australians are adopting solar power, with more than 2 million households across the country now relying upon this renewable natural resource. As accessibility to solar energy grows, this number continues to increase each year.

Queensland is leading the way in terms of the number of solar-powered households across the country, with four of the top five solar postcodes. It seems that many residents of the Sunshine State are taking advantage of their abundant sunshine and converting it into energy to power their homes.

The benefits of using solar power as opposed to other energy sources are quite powerful. In this article, we’ll share a few of the top reasons why more and more Australians are relying on solar power and how you can learn more about installing your own system. 

Solar Saves You Money

One of the most compelling benefits of solar power systems is the cost savings for homeowners. As energy prices keep increasing and householders face larger power bills a solar system can make large cuts to power bills.

While a solar panel system takes an investment upfront, the long-term advantages are worth considering – it is a home improvement that pays for itself and will keep putting money in your pocket for many years to come.

On average, a typical 6.6kW solar system installed in Sydney or regional New South Wales will produce about 9,300kWh of power per year. The system can pay for itself in under three years and save you over $12,000 in 15 years*. Click here for more details.

It’s Good For The Environment

Another compelling reason to consider solar is for its positive environmental impacts. When you rely on solar power, you’re using a clean, stable and renewable source of energy. Australia has the most solar radiation per square metre of any continent on earth, so why not wield the strength of the sun to power your home?

If you’re interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle, investing in solar energy for your home (or commercial solar at your place of business) is an excellent first step. Solar does not release any greenhouse gasses into the environment and reduces your reliance on other sources of energy that have a harsher impact on Mother Nature.

Solar Adds Value To Your Home

If you’re contemplating selling or renting your home at some point in the future, a solar power system is an added perk for potential buyers. These days, more than 20% of Australian households currently have a solar power system installed. This number continues to grow, so having solar at your home can only have a positive impact.

There are a range of ways that you can utilise solar power at your home, including solar panels, solar batteries and solar hot water systems. No matter which solar option you select, you can rest assured knowing that you will be cutting costs, protecting the environment and adding long-term value to your home.

If you’re interested in learning more about these cutting-edge technologies and how they can save you money, contact SolarBright for a chat. Our professional staff can work with you to discuss solar options that will work best for your home in Sydney or regional New South Wales.

*These numbers assume you consume 65% of the solar power generated, your power cost is 29c/kWh and feed the balance back to the grid with a feed-in tariff of 10c/kWh.