Year: 2022

Why Natural Light Is So Important To Our Health, Wellbeing And Pocket!

Posted on by SolarBright

Adding free sunlight into your home and workspace has been proven to have both psychologically and physiologically benefits. Pure sunlight, rather than electric lighting, provides the full visible spectrum of light, which helps reduce eyestrain and makes colours in our belongings, decor and clothing look their true colour. This can be particularly important in retail environments where you are trying to make your goods look as attractive as possible, and at home where you want your carefully selected furniture and decor to look exactly as it did in the store or magazines.

Many people initially are concerned about harmful UV rays doing damage to their interior, but today the majority of quality skylight manufacturers ensure their domes or glazing are UV resistant and this simple is not a problem anymore. Yet the rays allowed into your indoor space still help indoor plants thrive. But our plants aren’t the only ones that benefit healthwise.

Daylight has been proven to significantly impact on productivity and health. Our eyes and brains simply function better when working, or relaxing in natural light versus artificial lighting and Vitamin D, gained from mainly from exposure to sunlight, is an essential mineral, as this vitamin has numerous benefits to our health. From a more practical standpoint, natural light also reduces the amount of mildew and mold growth inside, keeping the air in our homes and work spaces healthier, more breathable and reducing the risk of asthma and other breathing conditions.

Ultimately healthier and happier staff all equate to a more productive workforce, less prone to sickness leading to a reduced number of sick days staff are likely to take. And of course happier, healthier families live richer, fuller lives, every day.

Aside from all above advantages, Natural light is FREE and living in a country like Australia, we benefit from so many days filled with sunshine than others, so installing skylights can significantly reduce your electricity bills, because there is simply no reason to turn the lights on from dawn to dusk any more.

Read More:

Sydney Skylights
Is The LG NeON H Ideal For Australia Conditions?

7 Reasons To Choose Max Power Solar MPS-390N Panel Now LG Solar Has Gone

Posted on by SolarBright

LG has left the solar market. Customers who want premium quality solar panels with superior technology and features are scratching their heads about which panel to choose. In this article, we look at 7 Reasons to choose the Max Power Solar MPS-390N as the obvious alternative to the LG Neon H+ Solar Panel.

For many years, the LG NeON panels were considered the best available in the Australian market, featuring leading technology backed with a long (25-year) product warranty.

Now LG solar is gone, customers who wanted LG panels must now consider other panel brands. When selecting another panel brand, you need to closely look at the technology, features, and warranty to see if it is equal to, or even better, than the LG NeON H+.

The Max Power MPS-390N combines leading technology with great looks.

Let’s make a comparison of the Max Power MPS-390N 390W panel with the equivalent LG panel, the LG390 NIC-E6 390W NeON H+, and see how the Max Power stacks up. We look at 7 major reasons why the Max Power is the obvious alternative to the LG NeON solar panel.

If you have a solar installer in Sydney offering another panel brand such as Jinko, Q-Cell, REC, or Sunpower as an alternative to LG, question them on the 7 points we discuss below. You will then truly see how their panel rates.

Why The Max Power MPS-390N Is The Perfect Replacement For The LG NeON Panel

 1. Dual Glass

This refers to the solar panel having both the front sheet and the backing sheet made of glass. In most standard panels the backing sheet is plastic. In harsh conditions like scorching Australian summers, roof temperatures can easily reach 65°. This can cause the plastic backing sheet to begin to delaminate. If this occurs, it allows moisture to get into the cells and is a common cause of panel failure.

Panels with Dual glass are stronger and last longer than standard panels. The Max Power 390N is a dual glass panel whereas the LG Neon H+ is not, it has a plastic backing sheet like most panels.

Verdict: Max Power wins.

 

2. Bifacial Technology

Bifacial technology on a solar panel refers to the panel having solar cells that can produce power from both the front and the back of the cells. The major benefit of this is increased panel efficiency. The panel will produce more power, resulting in greater savings for the customer.

The Max Power 390N is a bifacial panel and the LG Neon H+ does not have this technology.  LG did produce a range of bifacial panels, the LG NeON 2 range, and these were even more expensive than the NeON H panels.

Verdict: Max Power wins.

 

3. Temperature Coefficient

The panel temperature coefficient may be obscure to you, but it is very important. It seems counterintuitive, but the hotter a solar panel gets, the less efficient it becomes, and less energy is produced. The temperature coefficient measures the percentage of the power output that is lost for every degree of air temperature above 25°C.

A panel with a lower temperature coefficient delivers better output in hot weather compared to other panels. This is a crucial advantage in a hot climate like Australia’s. The Max Power 390N boasts the best temperature coefficient we have seen for a 390W panel in Australia. At -0.31% it beats the LG panel at -0.33% and the Hyundai 400W at -0.34%.

Verdict: Max Power wins.

 

4. High Output From A Normal Footprint – More Watts Per Square Metre

Higher output per square metre is important. Increasing energy consumption, especially for cooling in summer, and a move to electric vehicles, will see consumers wanting to maximise the solar output from their roofs. It makes sense to choose a solar panel with the highest wattage output per square metre.

The Max Power Solar MPS-390N leads the LG 390W NeON H+ with 213.77 watts compared to 211.69 watts.

Verdict: Max Power wins.

 

5. High Efficiency

Another tick for the Max Power here with 21.35% efficiency versus 21.2% for the LG. Higher efficiency means higher production and more savings for the consumer.

Verdict: Max Power wins.

 

6. Long Australian Warranties And Local Support

One of the major attractions of the LG NeON panels to Australian consumers was the warranties that came with the panel. The LG had a 25-year performance warranty and a 25-year product warranty. Most other panels only have a 12 or 15-year product warranty covering panel materials and workmanship.

All solar panels degrade over time, with the output decreasing as the panel ages. The performance warranty covers the warranted output of the panel after 25-years. Many panels will degrade to 80% of original output after 25-years. The LG 390NeON H+ was warranted with annual 0.33% degradation after the first year and at 90.6% after 25-years.

The Max Power MPS-390N has 25-year product warranty like the LG. The performance warranty is longer than the LG at 30-years with 87.4%.

Max Power Solar is an Australian solar company and brand, and as such the panels have an Australian warranty. Max Power also has local support when LG support is now offshore in Korea.

Verdict: Max Power wins.

 

7. N-Type Cells

Both the Max Power and the LG have N-Type cells. Most other panels have P-Type cells. N-Type and P-Type refer to the doping process used during the cell manufacture.

N-Type type cells offer major advantages over the standard P-Type cells, that’s why LG chose them for the NeON H+, and why Max Power chooses them for the MPS-390N.

N-Type cells have lower Light Induced Degradation compared to P-Type cells, meaning the panel will produce more power over its lifetime. They are also better performance in low light conditions such as early morning, late afternoon and on cloudy days. Again this means higher yields and greater savings for the consumer.

Verdict: Max Power and LG are equal and both are superior to every standard panel that has P-Type cells.

***

A table comparing the major specifications and features of the MPS-390N and LG 390 NeON H+ is on this page HERE.

You can download the full comparison table HERE.

Examination of the technology and features in the panels show the MPS-390 is the obvious choice for customers who were considering the purchase of LG NeON H+ solar panels. There is not one key technology or feature where the Max Power MPS-390N does not surpass or equal the LG 390 NeON H+.

We have not even examined the superior economics and payback of the Max Power MPS-390n compared the LG. With the LG panel you paid a premium for the brand.

Will Solar Panels Increase The Value Of My Home?

Posted on by SolarBright

When most people consider installing solar panels in Australia, they think of the immediate benefits. Of course, you can automatically slash plenty of dollars from your annual energy expenses with solar, and you can also contribute to improving the environment. But solar energy is also a long-term investment that can deliver benefits even when it’s time to sell your home.

Increased Selling Potential

The simplest answer to whether solar panels will increase the value of your home is ‘yes!’. Buyers know that a home with solar panels represents ongoing electricity savings for the life of the solar system. Basically, those annual energy savings can be put directly into a person’s mortgage, and buyers are aware of this. As such, they’re willing to pay a little extra for a home with a solar system installation.

Solar panels in Australia represent great value for you as a home seller, and for the home buyer. You can legitimately charge a bit more for your home, and the buyer is usually happy to pay because they receive the long-term benefit of reduced energy bills.

The Green Revolution

More and more Australians are joining the green revolution. Whether it’s installing solar panels, campaigning for less reliance on fossil fuels or simply making more eco-friendly choices around the house, Aussies are well and truly on board the green train. This means solar panels are an extremely attractive feature for people when they’re buying a home.

Ultimately, if a home buyer wants solar energy, they have two options. They can buy a house without solar and get it installed themselves – this might cost them $6,000, so they’ll likely want a reduction in the house price. Alternatively, they can buy a home that already has a solar panel installation and pay the full asking price. The latter is probably more appealing and less complicated for most people, so if you don’t have solar, you risk losing buyers or needing to reduce your asking price to satisfy them.

Don’t Get Left Behind The Market

Due to the enormous uptake of residential solar energy in Australia, homes with solar panels are becoming the norm. When you go to put your house on the market, you’re always competing with other similar homes in your area. If homes don’t have certain features, they can quickly be crossed off a buyer’s list, and one of those features is likely to be solar energy in the coming years.

Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes when considering 5 different homes in one suburb. All of those homes have a second bathroom except one. A second bathroom is a common requirement these days, and homes without this feature are left behind or sell at a reduced price. In the future, solar installations will be so widespread that they will become standard, expected features in homes. So, you can install now or risk longer sale times and decreased prices in the future.

Increased Rental Returns

Remember that not all home buyers intend to live in your home. Many are investors and plan to use it as a rental property. It’s a no-brainer that landlords can charge more rent for a house with solar panels because the tenants’ living expenses are already reduced. Depending on the house size and energy usage, many people can slash up to $2,000 off their annual electricity bill by going solar. Rental property owners know this and can effectively charge up to $40 more per week for their property.

As such, a home with solar panels becomes a much more attractive proposition for investors. If you’re selling a home, you can likely generate more interest and higher prices among investors because they know they can profit heavily in the long run.

Need Help With Solar Panel Installation?

If you’d like to increase the future value of your home while also enjoying the benefits of solar energy right now, we’d love to help you out. Solar Bright are the experts you can count on for honest, reliable advice and the best solar products in Australia. Book a free consultation today, and find out how much you can expect to save thanks to solar energy

Calculate Your Solar Panel Payback Period With These Simple Steps

Posted on by SolarBright

Beyond contributing to increased sustainability and energy efficiency, solar power systems can create considerable savings for your household by reducing your energy bill. While the initial investment of installing solar can seem high, when you factor in the lifetime benefits of generating solar to help power your home, the costs are definitely worth the outlay.

When considering solar, it can be useful to understand when and how you will make your money back on your solar investment. Here we will discuss the components that contribute to the solar panel payback period and how to calculate your own return on investment.

What Is A Solar Payback Period?

Put simply, the solar payback period is the time in which it will take for you to save as much on your energy bill as you paid for your solar system.

Payback periods can range in length due to the many variables that come into play. On average, you can expect to wait anywhere between 3-6 years before your solar panels will have paid for themselves. This is a comparatively fast payback period when you consider the lifespan of your solar system is approximately 25-30 years.

What Factors Go Into Calculating My Solar Payback Period?

There are a number of aspects to consider when you want to work out your solar payback period. Most will be dependent on your location and energy provider. That’s why it’s a good idea to consult with a reputable solar provider – they can guide you through the process, and provide an accurate picture of the costs involved and how they will impact your payback time frame.

However, as a general guide, here are the main factors that will affect your calculation:

  1.   The cost of energy per kilowatt (kWh)
  2.   The size of your intended solar system
  3.   How much energy your solar system produces
  4.   The cost of your system
  5.   How much of the solar energy produced will your home consume (or more precisely, how much energy will be returned to the grid)

How Do I Calculate My Solar Payback Period?

As mentioned, when calculating your payback period, it’s important to use figures specific to your location. In doing so, you will end up with a more precise outcome and a better understanding of how long it will take to recoup your initial investment.

Review a few of your latest energy bills to gather the data you need. Here we will be using average figures based on current New South Wales prices:

  •         Cost of energy: 20 cents per kWh
  •         System size: 5kW
  •         Energy produced: 20kWh per day
  •         Feed-in tariff: 7 cents per kWh

Scenario 1: Using All 20kWh Of Solar Energy Per Day

This scenario assumes your home will use all 20kWh of energy your solar system can produce each day, with no unused energy returned to the grid.

The formula required to calculate your payback period will be:

  •         20 cents per kWh X 20kWh per day

= $4.00 SAVING PER DAY

= $1,460 SAVING PER YEAR

Payback Period

= $1,460 / 365 days

= just over 3 YEARS

Scenario 2: Using 70% Of The 20kWh Of Solar Energy Per Day

This alternate scenario assumes your home will only use 70% of the maximum 20kWh of energy your solar system produces each day, with the excess 30% returned to the grid.

In this situation, energy retailers offer a feed-in tariff, crediting your account for every unit of energy you contribute back to the grid. Therefore, the calculation to work out your payback period will be:

  •         20 cents per kWh X 20kWh per day

= $4.00

$4.00 X 70% energy used

= $2.80 SAVING PER DAY

PLUS

7 cents per kWh feed-in tariff X 20kWh per day

= $1.40

$1.40 X 30% energy returned to grid

= 30 cents CREDIT PER DAY

Payback Period

= $2.80 + 30 cents

= $3.10 SAVING PER DAY

= $1,131.50 SAVING PER YEAR

= $1,131.50 / 365 days

= just over 4 YEARS

Expert Solar Advice And Support With SolarBright

For more information about how to calculate your solar panel payback period, the highly skilled team at SolarBright is here to help. With close to 15 years of industry experience, we have the expertise to guide you through the ins and outs of the solar installation process, including providing advice regarding your home’s potential for energy generation and helping you determine your return on investment.

SolarBright consultants use a specialised satellite-based solar mapping software to design each solar system. This software takes into account the location of the house, panel model, panel size, and the orientation of the panels, to calculate the estimated annual production of the system. They then use this data to calculate the pay-back time.

So, contact SolarBright today to arrange a free consultation and find out more about how solar energy can benefit your home and save you money on your power bills.

The Top 5 Solar Myths Debunked

Posted on by SolarBright

If you’ve heard some wild claims about solar energy and wondered if they’re true, you’re in the right place. Let’s look at some common solar energy myths and then analyse the facts.

1. Solar Panels Don’t Work When It’s Cloudy

The optimal weather conditions for solar panels are clear, sunny days. When your solar panels receive uninterrupted, direct sunlight, they will perform at their best. Clouds obviously reduce the amount of direct sunlight your panels receive, and therefore reduce solar energy production. However, it’s not quite true that solar panels don’t work in cloudy conditions.

You’ll experience a reduction in efficiency, but your panels will still produce some energy. In addition, some modern solar panels deliver good performance in low light conditions. Naturally, if the cloud cover is very thick and conditions are overcast, it will drastically reduce performance. But if clouds are moving quickly and still allowing bursts of sunlight, the efficiency reduction will be less.

2. Cheap Systems Are The Best Value

Like most things in life, cheap is rarely the best. Many people opt for super cheap solar package deals because they seem too good to be true. The idea is that a lower upfront cost means the system pays for itself faster.

In theory, this is true, however, cheap systems may not perform as well, meaning fewer savings on an ongoing basis. Therefore, an unreliable system may actually take longer to pay for itself than a more expensive, high-quality one.

Not to mention, if repairs and failures are frequent, it can turn into a nightmare. It’s always worth paying a little extra for quality and reliability.

To learn more on the dangers and pitfalls of cheap read our blog on this topic HERE.

3. Solar Panels Use More Energy To Make Than They Actually Save

While many of us focus on the time it takes for a system to pay for itself financially, there’s another payback that’s important: the energy payback. Here, we refer to how long it will take for solar panels to produce the same amount of energy that it takes to make the panels.

Best estimates put this period at around 2 years. So, in 2 years, your solar panel has already offset the energy cost of its manufacture. Assuming your system produces for around 30 years, that’s 28 years of clean, green energy gains for the planet.

4. The Hotter The Temperature, The Better The Solar Energy Production

This myth can definitely be debunked. Naturally, heat goes hand in hand with bright, sunny conditions, so when it’s hot, you can usually expect good solar production. With that being said, most solar panels used in Australia are rated to perform best at around 25 degrees Celsius. Once the mercury rises above 25, most solar panels will actually reduce productivity.

For each degree over 25, solar panels may lose between 0.20 – 0.50 percent of energy production. So, it’s completely untrue that hotter temperatures result in more solar energy generation.

5. Solar Panels Will Give Me Power In A Blackout

Unfortunately, this isn’t quite true. The solar inverter in the solar system is connected through your main electrical board to the electricity grid. If your system produces more solar energy than you use, the excess automatically goes to the main grid. In the case of a blackout, the inverter senses that the grid is no longer connected and automatically shuts down,

However, the best way to ensure you’re not at the mercy of the main grid’s blackouts is to buy solar battery storage. While more expensive, battery storage lets you store excess power and use it at night when your system isn’t producing. Many batteries can be configured with backup options to provide you with power during blackouts.

Want To Know More About Solar Energy?

The team at Solar Bright has the expertise to help you make the right choice. During our free consultation, we examine your existing energy consumption and costs, as well as your energy usage patterns. This allows us to recommend the right size of the solar system and the perfect products for your household’s needs.

To find out how much you can save and how to access government solar energy incentives, contact the team at Solar Bright today. We’ll help you join the green revolution and save plenty of money in the process.

The MySolarEdge App Revolutionising The Future Of Home Solar

Posted on by SolarBright

If you’ve ever tried to analyse your power bill, it isn’t easy to determine how your usage affects the overall cost. Most homeowners can identify the difference between hot water usage and general electricity, but the bills don’t break down much further.

Solar energy can be similarly confusing unless you have a quality monitoring app at your disposal – mySolarEdge is changing the way we use solar.

What Is MySolarEdge?

The mySolarEdge app allows users to easily track and manage the performance of their SolarEdge solar system. You get valuable, easy-to-read, real-time data on not just their solar energy consumption, but also production from solar panels.

Linked to your SolarEdge inverter the app lets you see what really happens with power consumption in your home. Plus, you’ll also be able to see how your system is performing in any weather condition. Because it’s remote, you don’t even need to be home to monitor your household’s energy.

The MySolarEdge App Revolutionising The Future Of Home Solar

If you install a SolarEdge Energy Bank solar battery you can monitor the battery as well. The battery can be configured to provide backup power with the addition of the backup unit. This allows the battery to provide power to the home in a blackout. The home backup is also controlled through the mySolarEdge app.

To monitor energy consumption in the home you will need to make sure that a SolarEdge energy meter and CT unit is installed.

Real-Time Visibility Of Energy Production

One of the best features of the mySolarEdge app is being able to watch your energy production in real-time. You’ll be able to see what times of day your system produces the most energy, giving you an incredible advantage. Once you know when your system generates the most power, you can start scheduling appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers to operate during those key periods.

Monitor Your Usage

You can also track your power usage with the app in real-time. You can see your self consumption – that’s when you are using power produced by the panels. You cab also see the power you are consuming from the electricity grid.

For this to happen you need to have an energy meter connected. We recommend this to all customers who are considering installing a SolarEdge system.

Tracking energy is particularly valuable during high consumption periods, offering a real idea of which appliances cost you the most money. If you know you’ve set the washing machine to run during a certain time, simply check the app and see how much your consumption increases as a result. With this information, you can get smarter (and more sustainable) about the way you use energy.

We’ve all been guilty of leaving the lights on while out. But now, thanks to mySolarEdge, you’ll be able to see just how much impact that has on your daily energy consumption.

When it comes to saving energy in the home, knowledge is certainly power, and that’s what the mySolarEdge app delivers.You get real time insight to help lower you power bills and know when its time to expand you system if needed.

Charts To Make Analysis Easy

The mySolarEdge app delivers easy-to-read charts, making analysis easy. You don’t need to watch everything in real-time if you don’t want to, because that’s impossible. Simply check your daily, weekly or monthly reports to find out when you use more power and when your system produces more energy. The charts are extremely user-friendly, so anybody can learn more about their household energy production and consumption.

Control Smart Home Devices

Televisions, fridges, washing machines…the list goes on. Almost every home appliance is available in a ‘smart’ version these days. Essentially that means they’re connected via WiFi, allowing users to control them remotely.

Let’s say you’ve gone to work and you know the dishwasher is fully loaded. You can now use the mySolar Edge app to identify a big difference between production and consumption during the day, and start your dishwasher remotely. You can also remotely control lights and other appliances that are needlessly drawing power while you’re not home.

Maximise Your Savings With MySolarEdge

Ultimately, the mySolarEdge app is all about maximising the potential of your SolarEdge solar system. From controlling smart devices and saving power to identifying peak periods of production, there are countless ways for families to save money. If free energy from the sun wasn’t already good enough, you can now also make that energy go further.

By spreading power-hungry appliance usage throughout the day, or focusing on peak energy production periods, you can decrease your reliance on the main grid even further. mySolarEdge is changing the way families monitor and manage energy consumption, reducing costs along the way.

Find Out More About MySolarEdge Today

SolarBright are proud suppliers of SolarEdge solar panels, solar inverters and energy solutions. If you want to future-proof your home with smart SolarEdge products, contact the team at Solar Bright. You can even prepare your home to power an electric vehicle with free solar energy. Be part of Australia’s clean, green revolution and start slashing your energy bills today.