Year: 2021

How To Choose The Right Sized Solar Power System

Posted on by solarbright

If you have decided to join the thousands of other Australians who are taking advantage of the long-term financial and environmental benefits of a solar power system, your next step is deciding just what size solar system will satisfy your needs. In this blog we look at some of the factors you need to consider.

The size you choose will vary greatly between individual households or commercial properties and there are factors you need to consider when determining which will be most beneficial to you. An exact calculation accounting for a comprehensive list of variables, requires professional advice, but some general information is still useful and will help you gauge an appropriate solar power system size.

After many years installing solar panels for many thousands of satisfied clients, SolarBright will provide you with the very best advice and a system of the highest quality. Whether you want a 3kW solar system for a small household or a commercial system in excess of 100kW, we will satisfy all your solar needs.

Roof Size

In order to harness the power of the sun, you first need to capture it and your rooftop is the best location for this. The dimensions of your roof will help you determine how many panels can be installed and how much power can be generated. Keep in mind that not all areas of your roof will be appropriate for solar panels. Any south facing sections of rooftop for example, will not receive enough sunlight to offer efficient solar power. Most homes, however, have ample space.

To help plan the right sized system for you and to make sure it will fit, SolarBright uses satellite solar mapping software. We map the panels directly on your roof and produce a report for you to estimate the annual power output of your system and the estimated yearly savings from the solar system.

Electricity Bill

The details of your electricity bill can be very illuminating when determining your energy needs and the most appropriate system for your house. Most energy providers include a graph of your electricity usage over a day, month or year on your bill. An average Australian household uses somewhere in the vicinity of 12 to 18 kWh (kilowatt hours) a day. Most of Australia’s main urban centres produce around 4kWh per 1kW of installed solar each day. If you divide the daily energy consumption of your house by the solar kilowatts per day, you can gauge the size of an appropriate solar power system.

For example, if you use 20kWh a day, you divide it by 4, which is 5. This means that a 5kW solar system would generate roughly the same amount of electricity that you use, resulting in a significant reduction in ‘on the grid’ consumption. For couples or those living alone, a 3kW solar system may be large enough to make substantial savings on your bills.

This is just a general guide and the optimal solar power system for your home is unique to your situation. Your best option is to give the team at Solar Bright a call and let us offer our expert advice.

Power Bills Doubling

Posted on by solarbright

Over the past several months, COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and some impacts of coronavirus are still coming to light. One of the latest developments are families are seeing their power bills double.

With unprecedented numbers of Australians working from home, cooking more meals, and not going on holidays, household energy usage across the country has more than doubled. In fact, since stay-at-home restrictions began in March, energy bills have shot up by 105% on average.

According to Domain, “in March 2019, the average household used 513kWh of power across the month, or 16.5kWh per day, which shot up to 1052kWh in March this year as lockdown measures were implemented around the country. It rose again in April with an average use of 1094kWh over the month, or 36.4kWh a day. As a result, the quarterly average bill of $406.75 is expected to rise to over $800, with those who routinely have much higher bills facing at least a doubling too.”

Household Power Use Has Doubled in March 2020 Compared to 2019.

Now, as families receive their power bills from the past several months in lockdown, many are facing bill shock as they learn that they owe double the usual amount to their energy providers. And unfortunately, these exorbitant energy costs may stick around for some time, since some coronavirus restrictions will be here to stay for an unknown period of time. These increases are particularly troubling for individuals and families who are already facing tough economic times as a result of COVID-19.

The painful truth is that there isn’t much you can do to lower a pricey energy bill that you’ve already racked up. But the good news is that you can make changes at home to reduce your future energy costs. In particular, switching to solar power is a smart and affordable way to lower your electricity bills and reduce energy usage.

Many Australians are recognising the advantages that come with solar power, including cost savings and environmental benefits. As a result, more households are investing in solar panels, skylights and solar hot water systems. In fact, more than 2 million households across the country use solar panels at home, a number that is increasing each day — and it’s easy to understand why.

A typical 6.6kW solar system with pay for itself in about 2 and a half years.

Once installed, solar pays for itself. For instance, if you were to add a 6.6kW solar system to your home and used 65% of the power it generate and exported the rest back to the grid, you would recover the initial costs in about 2 and half years. With electricity costs at record highs in Australia, a solar system is a savvy investment that will pay off soon after installation and put money in your pocket for many years

It’s clear that now is the right time to protect your family with an investment in solar power. SolarBright is an Australian-owned family business and CEC Approved Solar Retailer that offers affordable and efficient solar solutions to help homeowners and businesses save money on their energy bills. We will work with you to create a solar power system that is right for your home and suits your budget.

We are one of the largest solar panel and solar battery -installers in Sydney, with operations extending through regional New South Wales as well. To learn more about SolarBright products or arrange for a free consultation, call us today on 1300 852 622 or submit your information on our website.

The Health Benefits Of Natural Sunlight: Pt. II

Posted on by solarbright

In Part One, we discussed the nature of a solar exposure deficiency among modern urbanites, and its relation to mental health, specifically, in its ability to release endorphins and aid with mental alertness. But is that all that we gain with daily exposure to the sunlight you’re exposed to through your new solar tube or skylight?

Vitamin D

Absorbed through your skin (and diet), this vitamin is actually closer to a hormone. It is biologically inactive until it is processed by your liver and kidneys. Once activated, however, it plays a vital role in bone and dental health due to its ability to aid in the absorption of calcium, strengthening your skeletal structure and the enamel on your teeth. It plays a key role in several immune qualities, as well: as counter-intuitive as it may sound, exposure to sunlight boosts the same immune function which works against the expression of cancer cells. A recent study has also suggested the hormone reduces the risk of multiple sclerosis.

 

Finally, the hormone itself has been repeatedly linked to higher levels of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. Levels of the latter have plummeted in the last fifty years or so, due to a variety of causes. Solar power could well be the answer to a weakening sex drive.

 

Considering these benefits, it is notable that recent studies have suggested that globally, fifty percent of adults are Vitamin D deficient. This has grown beyond mere vanity – it is becoming a public health issue. At Solar Bright , our solar tubes, dome skylights, and roof skylights can help you to attain healthy exposure, right in your own home. In Part III, we will discuss further the health benefits of healthy exposure.

The Health Benefits Of Natural Sunlight: Pt. III

Posted on by solarbright

A healthy balance of your body’s hormone levels is clearly vital to good health, and having evolved to absorb sunlight and process it, our modern lifestyle – one which results in a large amount of time being spent indoors – has disrupted this natural process. At Solar Bright, we are experts at increasing the levels of natural sunlight in to your home, through our solar tubes, dome skylights, and roof skylights. In Part III, we wrap up the series with a discussion on some of the detriments of indoor lighting, and the positive stress-relief measures provided by natural light.

We previously reviewed the chemical balance and health benefits involved in safe increases in sunlight exposure. They are profound, and this is even more noticeable when one considers the downside of modern fluorescent lights. While it is not noticeable to the naked eye, fluorescent tube lighting actually produces a strobe effect, a situation unsuitable to those suffering from epilepsy. It also results in eye fatigue in otherwise healthy individuals. Studies have shown the difference in productivity between those sitting in the glare of indoor lighting, compared to those in environments lit with natural light.

 

By contrast, solar exposure is calming. It has a meditative effect on people, who in the midst of their busy lives, often need a moment to relax. It has a calming effect on high blood pressure, acting almost immediately. Bringing solar power in to your home can have a calming impact on your day-to-day life, and can increase the output of your working pursuits.

 

Clearly, one must exercise restraint. As we have been taught throughout our lives, and have likely experienced on a careless day, too much direct sun exposure is not healthy, and comes with its own set of health risks. Temperance is key. However, natural sunlight does not deserve to be avoided, and an adequate amount of sunlight is a key element to a healthy lifestyle.

Why The Max Power MPS-390N Panel Is Ideal For Australian Conditions

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The Max Power 390 Watt MPS-390N solar panel combines leading technology with long warranties making it ideal for Australian conditions.

Australia experiences many sunny days with long daylight hours in summer. This makes it ideal for solar. However, our summers are very hot and roof temperatures easily reach 65°C. making it harsh for panels. We experience southerly busters and east coast lows that generate high winds, storms and clouds. All up, Australian conditions are tough on solar panels.

This means Australian consumers need to carefully consider which solar panel they choose. Does it have the technology and features to not only survive, but to thrive, in our tough environment?

MPS-390N Features That Make It Ideal For Australia

The Max Power MPS-390N is designed to thrive in harsh Australian conditions. It features dual glass, a low-temperature coefficient, bifacial technology, N-Type cells, and long Australian warranties. Other panels may have one or two of these features. None has them all except the Max Power 390N. It is built for Australia,

Here we investigate these premium technologies and features of the MPS-390N. This will help you understand why the 390N panel is a safe choice for Australian consumers.

Dual Glass For Extra Toughness And Longevity

The MPS-390N has dual glass, meaning it has a glass sheet on both the front and the back of the panel. Most solar panels in the Australian market only have a glass front sheet. The backing sheet on these panels is made of plastic.

Dual glass adds the extra strength and longevity a panel requires in Australian conditions. They are a tougher panel. This extra toughness is reflected in the long Max Power warranties.

Most plastic-backed panels have only a 12 or 15-year product warranty while the MPS-390N has a 25-year product warranty (more on warranties later). This extra strength also helps the panel when subject to high winds.

When continually exposed to extreme heat conditions on the roof in summer, a plastic backing sheet can begin to peel off. Once this occurs, moisture can get into the panel cells and cause the panel to fail. Hence the shorter product warranties on plastic backed panels.

Don’t accept a panel as a premium panel if it is not dual glass.

Another benefit of the glass backing sheet is it helps heat to escape the cells faster than a plastic backing sheet. This helps keep the panel cooler on hot days, making the panel perform better.

Low  Temperature Coefficient For Better Performance

We all know that solar panels need sunshine to make electricity. One would think that the hotter it is, the better the solar panel will perform. However, this is not the case. Solar panels are most efficient at an air temperature of 25°C. Above this temperature, the panel performance begins to fall as the temperature rises. The temperature coefficient measures this drop as a percentage of panel output.

A lower temperature coefficient means better performance in hotter weather. This is essential for a country with hot weather such as Australia.

The Max Power MPS-390 has temperature coefficient of -0.31%, the best we have seen of any 390W panel in Australia. On hot days the Max Power will produce more power than competing panels, another factor making it ideal for Aussie conditions.

This delivers customers more power and savings over the life of the system.

Bifacial Technology For Improved Performance And Efficiency

Bifacial technology means that the cells in the solar panel can produce power from the front of the cell and the reflected light on the back of the cell. This helps deliver improved performance and better efficiency for the MPS-390N panel.

This allows the panel to make the most of strong, sunny Australian conditions resulting in increased production and more savings for Max Power customers.

Use Of N-Type Cells

We all know that Australia has widely variable conditions from heat waves through to La Nina rain events. Although known for the sunshine, we do have variable weather with cloudy days. This means you need a panel that copes with this variation in conditions.

The Max Power MPS-390N uses superior N-Type cells. Most panels use standard P-Type cells. One major advantage of N-Types cells is they have outstanding performance in low light conditions. This means on cloudy days, or early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the light is low, the Max Power will produce more power than standard panels. This is another reason the 390N is ideal for Australian conditions.

Backed With Long Australian Warranties

Max Power Solar is an Australian solar company. This gives you peace of mind knowing that the panel is backed by a local Australian company, not an offshore supplier.

Solar panels come with two separate warranties. The product warranty covers the panel itself (workmanship and materials), and the performance warranty covers the output of the panel over time.

The Max Power MPS-390N has a 25-year product warranty covering the panel. Many competing panels will only have a 12 or 15-year product warranty.

Under Australian regulations, all solar panels sold in Australia must have a performance warranty. The output of solar panels decreases as they get older. The performance warranty warrants the panel output after 25 years. This does not mean the panel will last 25 years, though.

Most panels will lose about 20% of their power over 25 years. However, the Max Power 390N performance warranty covers 30 years, one of the longest in the industry. After 30 years, the panel is warranted to punch out a huge 87.4% of its original power.

Over the life of the panel, the Max Power will out produce other panels. This is another win for Max Power customers with more power and more savings over the life of the system.

Conclusion

The key technologies and features built into the Max Power MPS-390N make it ideally suited for tough Australian conditions. No other panel packs all this into one package.

Dual glass delivers strength and longevity for the panel. A low-temperature coefficient allows it to outperform other panels in our hot weather. Bifacial technology improves the panel performance and increases efficiency, delivering more power and more savings. Superior N-Type cells deliver outstanding low light performance, so the panel is suited to variable Australian conditions.

Underpinning these great features and technology is the peace of mind coming long Australian warranties and local support.

All of this combined makes the Max Power MPS-390N solar panel the ideal choice for Australian conditions.

Download the Max Power MPS-390N Brochure and Datasheet

Contact SolarBright for more information.

Read Also:
How To Purchase A Reliable Solar System
How Long Will My Solar Panels Last? 4 Main Considerations

To Whirlybird Or Not To Whirlybird

Posted on by solarbright

For those considering roof ventilation, there are a myriad of options. One of the most common can often be seen twirling on rooftops throughout Australia. Whirlybirds, as they are commonly known, are ubiquitous in Sydney, and while they have limitations, they also have many benefits. We’ll take you through the how, the what and the why of whirlybirds to help you decide what style of roof vent will best suit your property.

 

What Are Whirlybirds?

The whirlybird, or turbine vent, is a semi mechanical ventilation system that utilises wind to cool our houses. They have a distinctive bulb shaped appearance with fins on the external surface which allow the unit to spin in the wind. This, in turn, creates a vacuum that forces warmer air from roof cavities, effectively cooling your house.

 

How Effective Are Whirlybirds?

There are two broad categories of Whirlybirds. Active whirlybirds are driven mechanically and spin constantly, while passive units rely on the wind to propel them. As they are dependent on the elements, passive whirlybirds have greater operational limitations. The other significant factor determining efficiency is the diameter of the dome. The larger the diameter, the greater the volume of air that can be removed from your house.

 

Who Benefits Most From A Whirlybird?

Whirlybirds in Sydney are more effective in some situations than others. Because of their somewhat limited output, they often achieve the best results in smaller homes or apartments. Alternatively, they can also be combined with other ventilation systems to increase efficiency and reduce running costs. The other great advantages of whirlybird installation are the convenience and affordability. These types of vents are cheap, have little to no running costs and are easy to fit.

 

Those seeking reliable, efficient and effective cooling for a large property may be better served using mechanical or solar roof ventilation. Others on a budget, or with a small area to cool, may find that a whirlybird serves their purposes well. To organise whirlybird installation, discuss your options or make any other roof ventilation inquiry, get in touch with the team at Solar Bright today.