October 2022 - SolarBright

With improved high temperature performance, salt corrosion resistance, hail and wind resistance and a country wide LG 25-year product and performance warranty, LG NeON H solar Panels are uniquely suited to Australian climate and conditions.

The Australian environment features harsh conditions with extremes from storms to winter snows to searing summer heat. WithBacked with LG’s stability, the characteristics of the LG NeON H panels make them the ideal choice of solar panels for Australia.

The LG NeON H Panel Is A Safe Choice

There is now way to sugarcoat it – the Australian solar market has been a minefield for Australian consumers. We see old Australian cricket captains on TV pushing solar panel “brands” that no one outside of the solar industry has ever heard of.

The facts are alarming. Since 2013 over 360 panel brands have disappeared from the Australian market, leaving consumers exposed with worthless warranties. In this stormy market LG represents stability with $60 billion in global sales.

Number of Solar Panel Brands Active in Australia, Source LG

LG are the largest consumer brand operating in solar in Australia and NZ and since 2010 have installed 1.2 million solar panels in this market. The LG NeON H solar panels, backed with the stability of LG are a safe choice for Australian consumers.

Improved High Temperature Performance With The NeON H

We all know Australia is blessed with plenty of sunshine and our summers are hot. One would automatically assume that the sunnier and hotter it gets, the better a solar panel will perform.

Wrong. It is counter intuitive that solar panel performance actually drops as the temperature rises. A sunny day is great for solar energy production, but as the temperature rises all panels lose production capacity. There is a factor called the “temperature coefficient”. This measures the performance of a solar panel as the temperature rises, and the lower the temperature coefficient the better the panel performs in higher temperatures.

To calculate the temperature coefficient, the solar panel output is measured in the laboratory beginning at the industry standard testing temperature of 25°C. The temperature is then raised and the reduction in power output is measured to calculate the temperature coefficient.

This is an important characteristic to consider when selecting a solar panel for your system. With hot Australian summers, roof temperatures in the suburbs can soar to over 65°C.

Compared to standard modules, the improved temperature coefficient of the LG Neon H means that in hot Australian summers the NeON H will deliver higher output, meaning increased savings for the customer over the life of the system.

Salt Mist Corrosion Resistance

GeoScience Australia estimates that over 80% of Australians live in what is called the coastal zone, and it is estimated that 6% of all Australian addresses, around 700,000 residences, are located within 6km of the coast.

Salt mist is created by the interaction action of surf swell and wind and can be carried inland on the breeze. For solar system longevity in the Australian coastal environment, it is very important to take into consideration the corrosion resistance of the solar panels for their ability to withstand harsh coastal conditions.

LG Panels are a Good Choice for Coastal Installations

The LG NeON H panels are rated for Salt Mist Corrosion under international standard IEC 61701 to severity 6 (the highest), and have they also passed the Ammonia Corrosion Test under IEC 62719 2013.

This means the LG NeON H panels are a confident choice for installation by Australian customers living in coastal areas and other harsh environments.

LG NeON H Hail Resistance

The Insurance Council of Australia warns that “As Australia warms, we can expect more frequent extreme natural hazard events; more bushfires, floods, hailstorms and cyclones.”

When choosing solar panels, smart consumers will consider there is a chance that their solar system may be subject to impact by hailstones during its life, and the hail resistance of the solar panel needs to be considered.

The testing standards for solar panel hail resistance under the IEC 61215-2:2016Ed2 standard, subjects the panels to testing with ice balls of 25mm diameter launched at the panel with a speed of 23 metres per second.

In testing the hail resistance of the LG NeON H range, LG tested the panels with larger 35mm diameter hailstones hitting the panels at a faster speed of 27.7m/sec.

This testing shows that the significantly stronger NeON H solar panels are the smart choice for Australian conditions by withstanding larger hailstones than standard panels.

High Wind Load Rating

With southerly busters, wild east coast lows, and strong winds associated with low pressure systems moving across the continent, windy conditions are a part of the Australian environment.

This means resistance to wind loading is another important factor that consumers need to consider when choosing solar panels.

The robust NeON H panels are manufactured with strong double walled frames. Under load testing the panels withstood a rear wind loading of 4000Pascals. Some other panel brands are only rated to a rear loading of just 2400 Pascals.

Combined with the front load rating of 5400 Pascals the lead ratings mean the LG NeON H will handle windy Australian conditions.

25-Year Product And Performance Warranty

Australia is a big country. It does not matter whether your panels are installed in the city, a regional centre or the bush, LG has you covered with a leading 25-year parts and labour product warranty and performance warranty on the LG NeON H panels.

All solar panels approved by the Clean Energy Council must have a 25-year performance warranty. The performance warranty just warrants the power output of panels. As all panels degrade overtime, after 25-years the output of cheaper panels can decrease by almost 20%.

LG warrant the NeON H panel output at 90.6% after 25-years meaning over its lifetime it will generate more power than cheaper panels, increasing the savings and return for the customer.

Solar Panel Warrantors Sales in 2019

When the advertisements for cheaper panels boast “25-year Warranty” they mean the performance warranty. They do not boast about the important product warranty covering the panels, which for cheap panels is only 10 or 12-years. This is only how long they are confident the panel itself will last.

(For a look at the risks of cheap solar see our blog on this topic.)

Most panel brands only have very limited or no official corporate presence in Australia. They rely on the solar installer to cover the warranty obligations. Since 2011 over 700 solar installers have gone out of business, so this a high-risk option for consumers and an important consideration when selecting solar panels suitable for the Australian environment.

With a 25-year product and performance warranty backed by LG, the NeON H solar panel is a safe and smart choice for Australian families and businesses considering solar.

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These superior characteristics of the LG NeON H solar panel range, combined with the backing of a leading 25-year product warranty and the stability of LG, make the LG NeON H solar panels ideally suited for the for the Australian environment and a superior choice Australian consumers.

Contact SolarBright today for an obligation free, customised LG Solar Proposal that will suit the specific requirements of your home or business.

SolarBright is one of the largest LG solar panel installers in Sydney and NSW, an LG Solar Authorised Platinum Partner and a CEC Approved Solar Retailer.

You might be wondering whether it makes sense to go solar on your business premises. The answer is a very clear “Yes”, and in fact, solar installations are perhaps even more beneficial for commercial customers than residential ones. Here we look at the commercial solar installation process for a business.

The Benefits Of Commercial Solar For Your Business

First up let’s look at the main reasons why you should consider commercial solar energy to help power your business.

Massive Savings On Energy Bills

Every business wants to lower its operating costs. Energy bills are a big part of your ongoing expenses that affect your cash flow. Unless you have solar battery storage, free energy from the sun needs to be used as it is generated to get the maximum savings, which is perfect for most businesses.

If you conduct most of your operations during daylight hours, you’ll be wiping out much of your energy bill with a big enough solar system because your business will run primarily on solar. You’ll only use energy from the main grid during times when the sun isn’t shining or your system isn’t producing enough to power your whole building or business.

Check out our commercial solar case studies.

Finance Payments May Be Tax-Deductible

There is an upfront cost to installing a solar system, and many businesses choose to finance this cost. The great thing is these finance payments may be tax-deductible (always check with your accountant first). Secondly, the savings you make on your energy bills is usually more than the monthly finance payment. So, it’s actually a cash-flow-positive move. Of course, this is not financial advice, and you should seek professional taxation and financial advice prior to making a decision.

The System Pays For Itself

Before too long, your solar system will pay for itself. By that, we mean the savings you’ve made on your electricity bills will outweigh the upfront cost/finance costs for the system. After that, you begin to realise the full benefit and maximum savings because you’ll have no finance payments and reduced electricity bills.

Commercial Solar Installation Process Explained

The commercial solar installation process is more complex than residential solar. With a stronger emphasis on planning and design, this is where you need experienced professionals on your side. Here are the 4 main steps of getting your commercial solar system installed.

1. Site Evaluation And Power Use Analysis

All commercial solar installations start with a site evaluation. Your solar installer will look over your site to determine how your system will connect to the grid. They will also evaluate the building itself, checking for shaded rooftop areas that may limit solar production, as well as undertaking any surveys required.

Prior to designing a system, the solar provider will analyse your current energy consumption and usage patterns to determine the size of the system you’ll need. It is best to give them your bills for the previous 12 months so they can see the usage patterns and seasonal variations.

This information will allow them to understand your actual costs per kWh so they are able to calculate your estimated savings and return on investment. Understand that the power costs for businesses per kWh are lower than for domestic consumers. Other costs are made of fixed fees and charges such as your daily connection cost, which will remain the same after solar.

2. System Design

All commercial buildings are different, and installing solar panels is usually more complex than a residential rooftop. So, careful planning is required to design a system that provides you with maximum benefit. The system design will not only show where the panels will be mounted (rooftop, ground, other structures), but they will also show how they will be arranged to ensure the system catches maximum sunlight.

As part of the system design, the solar retailer will provide details of the estimated power output of the system using specialized solar mapping software. Using this information, they will be able to model your estimated financial savings and return on investment.

Your solar supplier will need to advise you on the regulatory and local government requirements regarding a commercial solar installation. For systems over 10kW in size, most councils require you to seek approval. The installer will also advise you regarding any special requirements from the energy distributor.

Any system up to 30kW is subject to the same grid connection rules as residential solar. Commercial solar systems between 30 and 100kW have special requirements to protect the power grid from all the power that they produce.

In many cases, the power distributor will insist on an export limiter being fixed to the system. This limits the amount of power that can be sent back to the grid. This will be stated in the documentation from the power distributor covering the permission to connect. Ensure that you see this documentation prior to installation.

3. Construction And Installation Of Your System

The time it takes to construct your system can vary depending on the size of the system and the complexity of installation. Because most commercial buildings have flat roofs, in some cases the solar panels need to be mounted on tilts to achieve an optimal angle.

Cherrypickers will need to be used to access the roof. In larger installations with taller buildings, cranes may be used to lift the panels and the mounting rails and materials onto the roof.

The installation time frame will vary with the size and complexity of the system and whether the system requires tilt mounts. Your installer will advise you regarding installation timing.

It’s crucial to work with solar installers who are experienced in commercial work because they will complete the construction and installation phase with minimal disruption to your business.

4. Connection

Finally, it’s time to connect your system. The system will have been tested and checked and now commissioned. This is the final step, where your installer confirms that your system is up and running, and your energy retailer is notified of the change in your energy setup.

Make sure that the installer has set up a good monitoring system for your commercial solar system that allows you to measure both the power production of the system as well as your power consumption and trained you on how to use it. This should allow you to check production and consumption down the hour. Make sure someone in your business has the responsibility to check this at least once a week.

Your solar provider should have also provided an inspection and maintenance schedule for your system.

If you want expert advice, experienced commercial system designers and the highest standard of workmanship, look no further than Solar Bright. We’ve helped hundreds of businesses realise the benefits of solar, and we tailor every installation to suit the needs and budget of each business. Contact the professional team at Solar Bright and find out how you can start saving money.

Month: October 2022

Is The LG NeON H Ideal For Australia Conditions?