Month: February 2025

5 Reasons You Need a Solar and Battery System

Posted on by Thomas Yako

In this blog I explain the key 5 reasons you need a solar panels and battery system for your household. With the current cost of living crisis and energy prices going up, I am asked almost every day by customers “What can I do to save money on my power bills?” Living in Australia with our abundance of sun light, the best solution I can offer a customer to save money on power is a solar system and battery system. This is why.

1. Gain energy independence

Every home uses electricity and if you do not have a solar you are utterly at the mercy of the power companies. I have been in this industry for 6 years and have seen the price of electricity double in that time. The advantage of a solar system is your home can produce its own electricity during the day eliminating the need to buy electricity when the sun is up.

However, many customers point out to me they work during the day and don’t have a lot of daytime usage. I then explain that the best way to use this electricity they are generating and not using is by storage this excess production in a solar battery.

This excess energy is then available from the battery for you to use at night, reducing how much electricity you need to buy from the grid when it is most expensive. Also, by planning to use those electricity hungry appliances during the day e.g. pool pump, washing machine, dishwasher you can save more money while still filling your battery with electricity for the night.

This strategy allows our customers to achieve energy efficiency and independence.

2. Protection from future increases in electricity costs

By using your own power from a solar and battery system and buying power from the grid you are protecting yourself from future electricity price increases. You will only be buying a small amount of electricity from the grid as needed. The idea when you own a solar and battery system is to consume as much of the electricity produced by your solar system as possible.

3. Protection from blackouts – get energy security

In Australia we are hearing a lot of politicians talking about electricity and the stability of the grid. In NSW last year we were asked to avoid using electricity on some of the hottest days due to the grid not being able to cope. All this talk now means I am hearing more customers asking about protecting their home for blackouts.

Having a solar system with a battery means you can add blackout protection your home. Blackout protection means that your battery can run specific circuits in the home. I always recommend that you do not protect the whole house as you do not want to drain the battery in a blackout. What I recommend is selecting circuit with the fridge and power outlets as well as some lights. This protects the food so it does not go off, you can charge essentials items such as phones and computers and you can see around the place at night. This way you do not drain the battery while waiting for the electricity to come back on.

4. Potential to connect to VPP service providers

The NSW govt is offering incentives for customers to join a Virtual Power Plant. What this means is the electricity companies will pay you a premium rate per kWh to be able to take some of the power sored in your battery when they need it to meet grid demand.

At SolarBright we can help you select a battery that is compatible with a VPP. I have many customers that are making a profit by selling their electricity at the right time with the right electricity company, turning their battery system into a profit generator, reducing their payback time.

5. Return on investment

When purchasing a solar system with a battery one of the calculations I provide to a customer is the expected return on investment. At SolarBright we provide you with a net price for the solar and battery taking into consideration the current Federal and State govt rebates. There are two rebates available: a Federal rebate on the solar system and a NSW state govt rebate on batteries. Once both rebates are considered, I am regularly calculating a payback time of under 6 years.

What this means for you is the saving you will see on your electricity bill will add up over 6 years covering the cost of the system. After that time the system is generating a profit for you. Bear in mind this calculation is based on current electricity prices. Last time the price of electricity went up I saw the ROI on these systems go from 7 years to under 6 years. I often point out to customers when was the last time you saw electricity prices go down. I can’t remember that happening. So, there is a pretty good chance your power price will go up, meaning an even quicker ROI.

In summary a solar and battery is one of the most sensible additions you can add to your home. The reasons you need a solar and battery system is it offers:

  • Energy independence so you are not at the mercy of the power companies
  • Protection from rising electricity prices
  • Protection from blackouts
  • The ability to profit from VPP schemes
  • It will return the investment to your back pocket, typically in under six years in NSW.

 

Call SolarBright today and organize a chat with one of solar and battery experts to see what difference a solar and battery to your household.

5 Key Points to Consider When Buying Skylights

Posted on by Mark Dixon

In the past eight years working at two different companies that sell and install skylights, I have learnt customers have 5 key points to consider when buying skylights:

  • The function of the skylight
  • The cost of the skylight and installation
  • The skylight installation complexity and disruption
  • The effect of the skylight on home thermal efficiency
  • Keeping the home watertight and leakproof.

1. The Function of the Skylight

The most basic consideration is what is the function of the skylight? Well, we know always the basic purpose of a skylight is to let more light into the home. However, besides this practical purpose, is there an aesthetic consideration too?

If the purpose of the skylight is just the practical –“let there be light” – and if you want to light a room with a skylight that is energy efficient, economical, and less prone to leaks, then you should choose a tubular  skylight.

However, if you want the skylight to be a room feature with a beautiful roof window showing the sky and letting in light, then choose a traditional skylight.

2. The Cost of the Skylight & Installation (Sydney Prices)

For most customers the cost of the skylight and installation is a top consideration. These are the current skylight installation cost estimates for Sydney in Feb 2025:

Skylight Installation Cost Sydney Feb 2025 – Estimated RRP
Cost of Cost of Cost of Cost of Total
Traditional Skylights Skylight Blockout Blind Roof Work Ceiling Work Cost
Fixed skylight 550 x 700mm $620 $590 $600 $1,200 $3,010
Fixed skylight 550 x 980mm $700 $590 $600 $1,400 $3,290
Tubular Skylights
250 – 280mm skylight & extra tube for 1.6m drop length $845 N/A $220 N/A $1,065
 380 – 400 mm skylight & extra tube for 1.6m drop length $1165 N/A $280 N/A $1,445
Price Estimates for a standard single story house install in Sydney

 

From the skylight cost table we see that traditional skylights are  2 to nearly 3 times more expensive than tubular skylights. Many customers want the most light for their dollar. If that is case for you, I advise you to choose tubular skylights as you can install more for same cost as a single traditional skylight.

 

3. Skylight Installation Complexity and Disruption

This is another consideration customers can overlook. From the skylight cost table, the installation cost for a traditional sky skylight is $1,800 compared $220 for a tubular skylight. This reflects the complexity of each install process.

With a traditional install the homeowner can expect interruption to the household over a week or two.  The installation work itself with actual tradies in the home will only be 2 or 3 days in total. However, it involves the use of several different trades: builder/carpenter, plasterer, and painter. If you need to relocate any electrical circuits in the ceiling, you will also need an electrician.

In stark contrast a tubular skylight can be perfectly installed by a lone technician in 1-2 hours per skylight.

 

4. The Effect of the Skylight on Home Thermal Efficiency

This is a very important consideration when buying a skylight. In my experience customers significantly underestimate the effect a traditional skylight has on the thermal efficiency of the home.

There is an old building industry adage – don’t use windows as walls.  Why do they say this? Because glass is very good at letting in heat and cold, and traditional skylights are a big window acting as a thermal transmitter in the roof, beaming down heat or cold.

When I sold traditional skylights, I always advised customers to install a solar block out blind on them. One customer I consulted with wanted three traditional skylights for their large, combined living and dining room. I explained the poor thermal properties of the glass and the need to add the blinds.

Unfortunately, they thought it was a sales pitch for extra revenue. If they had purchased with the skylights the company would install the blinds free, saving $600. Three months later in mid-December they called and said the room was sweltering during the day. They had no choice except to spend an extra $2,100 to reclaim some thermal efficiency.

Condensation is a consideration too. As a traditional skylight cools down moisture can condense on the inside of the skylight. This can run down the walls of the shaft causing water staining on the paint finish and can help promote growth of mold and mildew.

A significant major benefit of tubular skylights, such the Australian made MaxLight, is they are efficient and transmit nearly no heat or cold into the room. Also, water condensation is not a problem.

5. Keeping the Home Watertight and Leakproof

Maintaining the structural integrity of your home is a major consideration when considering skylights. Cutting any opening into the roof is risky business, and water leakage into your home damages structures and finishes. It also promotes the growth of mould and mildew.

A traditional skylight cuts a big hole into the roof structure. This opening weakens the roof, and it needs to be framed up correctly by the builder to maintain the structural integrity. When the skylight is fitted it needs to have the flashings and sealant correctly installed, to make sure there are no leaks.

Conversely tube skylights like the MaxLight only need relatively small holes in the roof for installation and significantly reduce the risk of leaks. They are much easier to seal and make waterproof due to integrated leak proof flashings custom designed for Australian roofs.

I hope this blog has opened your eyes to the key points you need to consider when buying skylights. Since 2008 SolarBright has installed thousands of skylights. If you are looking at skylights and want to learn more about MaxLight skylights, book a free in-home visit with one of our skylight experts to discuss a skylight solution for your home.

MaxLight Skylights Installation – What to Expect on the Day of Your Installation

Posted on by James Marcialis

In my experience of helping thousands of skylights customers over the years one of the most common questions I am asked by customers is “What can I expect on the day of my MaxLight tubular skylight installation?”

It is only natural for the customer to want to know what will happen on the day of the skylight installation. Their home is their largest asset, and with work to be done on the home, it is natural to be a little concerned.

One of the benefits of my experience is I know the customer has nothing to be worried about. Let’s look at what happens on the day of your MaxLight skylight installation.

Determining the position of your tubular skylight installation.

When any of our skylight experts go to a customer skylight consultation one of the first things to discuss is where the customer wants the skylight positioned in the home. Back in the office the customer’s order is processed and our skylight expert’s put all the details into the installation paperwork. This means the installer will know exactly where the skylight will be positioned.

Although the skylight installer is already briefed when arriving on site, the customer should check with the installer where he will be putting the skylight.

The installers will check the roof cavity through the access hole to see if the skylight can be positioned where indicated on the paperwork.

Occasionally the installer will find the skylight cannot be positioned exactly where proposed. This could be due to a few reasons.

The Common Reason’s an Installer Will Move the Position of a Skylight.   

The most common cause of having to move the skylight position is due to an obstruction in the ceiling cavity or on the roof. The installer is going to get into your cavity and ensure there is enough clearance from any objects to safely install your tubular skylight. With it being a tubular skylight they do have some flexibility in being able to angle the skylight around small obstructions they cannot move anything in your roof.

Common obstructions include:

  • Utility conduits carrying power or water.
  • Air conditioning ducts.
  • Another issue is if you have a solar system, a solar hot water system or vent pipe on the roof in the way. While the skylight consultant has looked to check, sometimes it is hard to judge the exact position of an obstruction until the installer climbs into the roof.

Our skylight installers are professional and will work with you to ensure you get the best positioning and result from your skylight.

After positioning of the skylight is finalised the rest of the skylight installation process begins.

Tubular Skylight Installation Process

At the start of the skylight installation the installer will place drop sheets underneath the installation position to ensure your home is kept clean.

On the day of the skylight skylight installation process the installer needs to work in three areas of your home:

  • On the Roof:

The skylight dome and flashing is fitted into the roof. One of the benefits of Maxlight skylights are the custom designed leak proof flashings that perfectly suit Australian roof types.

On a tile roof the skylight installer will remove one tile for an ML250 install and four tiles for an ML400 installation. On metal roofs the installer will cut a hole (250mm or 400mm) depending on the skylight size.

Compared to a standard skylight the MaxLight tubular skylights make minimal penetration into your roof. This is a good thing.

  • In the Roof Cavity:

The metal tube that channels light from the dome to the diffuser in the ceiling must run through the cavity. The installer will adjust the tube and make all the connections of tube pieces. Some installers will assemble the tube on the roof or in your room. This depends on the complexity of the job. They may do the assembly working inside the cavity, depending on the angle of the tube.

  • Inside the Room:

Inside your room is where the hole for the diffuser is cut into the ceiling plaster and the diffuser is installed. The decorative rim around the diffuser is screwed into the ceiling, covering the opening and sealing it. This is the part of the skylight you see every day and from where the light will be transmitted around the room.

 

Since 2002 SolarBright has installed thousands of skylights. Depending on the complexity of your job the installer will be onsite for only 1 – 2hrs. By the time he is finished you will be enjoying natural light in the previously dark area. In contrast a standard skylight takes days to install, cuts a massive hole into the structure of the roof (increasing the risk of leaks, and involves several trades.

If you have a dark area or room in your home, consider installing an economical and efficient MaxLight tubular skylight. Call SolarBright today for an obligation free consultation with one of our skylight experts to see if it is right for you.

Commercial Solar Installation: Advancing Businesses Towards Sustainability

Posted on by Henry

With the current emphasis on expense reduction and sustainable practices in the always-evolving business scene, many industries are tuning into different ways of achieving these goals.A commercial solar installation is one of the best energy conservation and cost reduction solutions. With commercial solar power systems, businesses can benefit in numerous ways. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of commercial solar systems and why solar panels should be a serious consideration in your next budget.

 

Save money with solar

A commercial solar installation offers significant cost savings and financial benefits for businesses. There is no doubt that the rising costs are impacting many companies. While individuals feel the full force of Australia’s cost of living pressures, businesses certainly aren’t exempt. Here are just a few of the ways your business could save money with a solar panel installation:

  • Reduced energy costs: By generating clean energy from the sun, businesses can offset their reliance on the main grid, leading to substantial savings on energy bills.

  • Return on Investment (ROI): A commercial solar installation is a long-term investment that delivers attractive returns. Through energy savings, a commercial solar power system pays for itself, and companies can enjoy a positive ROI.

  • Tax incentives and rebates: In Australia, businesses can take advantage of various government incentives, such as the Instant Asset Write-Off scheme, which provides financial support for commercial solar installations.

  • Increased property value: Installing a solar system can enhance the value of commercial properties, making them more attractive to potential buyers or tenants.

 

Become more sustainable

Corporate social responsibility is a big word in today’s climate. Indeed, environmentally friendly operations have become an integral strategy for forward-thinking businesses today. This approach offers several benefits:

  • Reduced carbon footprint: Solar power is widely known as a clean and renewable source of energy, which also doesn’t produce greenhouse gas emissions during operation, helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change.

  • Positive brand image: Consumers are more than ever looking for companies with a green image. It enhances brand reputation and can attract eco-conscious customers, employees, and investors.

  • Meeting sustainability goals: Many businesses have set sustainability goals to achieve net-zero emissions. A commercial solar installation is a practical and effective way to make progress towards these targets.

 

Independence from rising energy costs

Having clarity in your annual budget is the best way to ensure you continue enjoying profits. Nevertheless, the unpredictable nature of certain expenses, such as rising electricity costs, can pose challenges. Traditional electricity rates are vulnerable to market volatility. By generating your own electricity through solar, you have the ultimate protection against unstable energy prices.

In addition, independence from the national grid also offers protection against power outages. While other businesses have their operations interrupted, yours will keep powering on.

 

A long-term investment

Each solar panel is slightly different, but generally, they offer a 25-30 years lifespan, presenting a long-term investment opportunity for businesses. These panels can consistently produce electricity with the right care and maintenance, far beyond their warranty period. Another notable benefit lies in their minimal maintenance requirements. Annual cleaning of solar panels and inspection of your commercial solar system results in better performance and longevity of all components.

 A quality commercial solar installation is durable and built to last, so you end up with a system that pays for itself through energy savings and contributes to greater profits in the long run.

 

The often-forgotten benefits of solar to businesses

Beyond the obvious benefits like cost-efficiency and reduced environmental footprint, sustainability offers additional perks to businesses. One such benefit is the community backing your company may receive. By showcasing a real commitment to sustainability, you may sway potential customers to choose you over competitors lacking eco-conscious initiatives. 

Also, many job seekers prefer employers with a sustainability focus. Adopting commercial solar installations could attract and retain top-tier talent, bolstering your workforce while saving on expensive recruitment drives.

 

Looking for professional commercial solar installations?

As a leading retailer of solar solutions, SolarBright provides comprehensive commercial solar installations customised to the unique needs of your business. Our seasoned team excels in designing and installing high-grade solar systems for optimal performance and significant energy savings. Take the first step towards sustainability and savings by contacting SolarBright today.

Are Tubular Skylights Worth It?

Posted on by James Marcialis

In my experience tubular skylights are worth it and represent a smart investment. They are cost effective way to bring natural light into dark rooms and spaces. Tubular skylights will also help you save on energy bills offer benefits that comes from bringing more natural lights into your home.

Over the last 5 years as a skylight specialist, I have learnt why tubular skylights are a good fit for your home and worth it.  Let me elaborate.

Ease of Installation

Because of their ease of installation tubular skylights can be installed in more applications than a traditional skylight. They only require a small hole in the roof and ceiling so they require less space in the roof cavity, meaning they can be fitted in more locations in your home.

A MaxLight skylight can be fitted by a skilled technician in under 2 hours – a window style skylight takes days.

In Sydney SolarBright can arrange for one of our experienced installers to perform the work for you. If you live in another state rest assured that SolarBright works with chosen installers in each state. These installers perform work to the highest standard ensuring you will enjoy natural light from your MaxLight tubular skylight for years to come.

Cost of Installation

Since tubular skylights are easy to install without much effort, cost of installing skylights is reasonably low.

Increased Natural Light

One of the biggest advantages of tubular skylights is the ability to bring more natural light into your home. This can significantly brighten spaces, especially in areas that may not have windows. Natural light has been scientifically proven to improve mood, productivity and overall well-being too.

Energy efficiency

By letting more natural light into your home you can reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. This reduces electricity use for lighting making for a more efficient home. Our MaxLight tubular skylights are energy rated so they limit heat into your home unlike your lights which produce heat while on.

Things to consider when choosing a tubular skylight

As with other products, there are lot of options when it comes to choosing a tubular skylights. Let me discuss the main points you can consider when choosing a tubular skylights. At SolarBright, we can proudly recommend MaxLight Skylights.

Warranty

MaxLight tubular skylights come with a 20-year warranty demonstrating our commitment to Australian made quality. At SolarBright we want you to enjoy hassle free natural light from your tubular skylight for many years after the installation.

Installation Services

Skylights installation should be hassle-free. That’s the last thing you need to worry about. While MaxLight skylights are designed to be easily installed they do require some knowledge of roofing. Letting on of our expert installers do the installation for you means you do not need to worry about a thing.

Energy rated

Energy rated means our MaxLight skylights limit heat transmission, if fact in winter they help keep warm air in your room.

Our MaxLight tubular skylights use triple lens diffuser technology which is designed to brighten up your home and minimise excessive heat.

Locally made

We all know local made products are made to match Australian standards and quality.

There is different level of assurance supporting local company as well getting guarantee to Aussie made products. MaxLight skylights are local Aussie made and is the market leading technology.

Conclusion

Tubular skylights are cost effective way to bring natural light to those dark areas  or rooms in your home. When professionally installed, MaxLight skylights will improve the look of your home providing the benefits of natural light.

If you are looking for skylights or have any general questions regarding skylight installations get in touch with the team at SolarBright.