Month: March 2025

How Do LED Solar Skylights Work?

Posted on by James Marcialis

With the interest in this product increasing from our customers, I want to give you a quick primer on how LED skylights work. Our solar powered LED Solar Skylights offer an alternative to traditional skylights, while still using the sun to brighten up dark rooms. They’re a flexible, economical and customisable option when it comes to lighting up your home or workplace.

LED Solar Skylight Components

An LED Solar skylight is made of three main elements:

  1. A Solar Panel – a roof mounted solar provides the power source for the LED skylight
  2. Cable – a 10m cable is provided to connect to connect the solar panel to the LED light
  3. LED light diffuser – This unit combines the LED light and a diffuser lens that is mounted in the ceiling of the room that needs light.

These three elements allow you to use free solar electricity to light up your space.

Using a high-quality solar panel that is easily mounted on any roof type, sunlight is captured and converted into electricity. The solar panel is connected to the internal LED light with a 10m cable. This cable lets you place your LED Skylight anywhere in your building. You can even install it in spots where traditional skylights can’t be installed. Lastly, a modern LED diffuser is fixed to the ceiling and provides your room with clean, free light.

LED Solar Skylight Advantages

There are numerous advantages to installing an LED Solar skylight.

  1. Compared to traditional and tubular skylights, they’re very economical, with the ongoing financial benefit of solar power.
  2. Installation is so easy that they are great for a DIY project.
  3. Flexibility – this comes from the cable linking the panel to the light fitting. This makes them ideal for multistory homes or rooms where standard skylight can’t be installed.
  4. With the MaxLED from SolarBright you can choose either a round or square diffuser to match your style.

A standard LED Skylight functions like a regular skylight. It uses sunlight to light up your room during daylight hours. However, if you want a solar LED that operates day and night there are two options available. There is an optional accessories pack that includes AC power adaptor, You will add a power outlet to near where the skylight is installed in the roof cavity.

The MaxLED24 skylight model has a kit that comes with a built in, rechargeable battery. This battery stores solar electricity made during the day for you to use your LED Skylight 24 hours day.

For more information on range of LED skylight products or to explore natural lighting solutions for your home, call SolarBright to speak to one of our skylight consultants.

Solar System – What to look for before you buy?

Posted on by Rob

As electricity bills across NSW continue to break records, I have seen solar power shift from nice-to-have to an absolute necessity for many households. While the market offers everything from over-the-top systems to suspiciously cheap packages, being ready for choosing a solar system for your home means knowing which features genuinely affect performance and which are just sales talk. Over the 8 years I have been in the industry these are the factors that have not changed.

Since 2008, SolarBright has caried out over 17,000 solar installations in NSW. Over my years at SolarBright we have experienced how quality components and proper installation impact long-term savings. Unfortunately, I have also met with countless homeowners who regretted buying solely on price, only to watch their expected savings evaporate.

This guide reflects what our team and I have learned about installing solar panels through every market change and technological advancement.

Your Power Habits Matter More Than Panel Brands

Before designing a system for you, our SolarBright consultants always ask to see your actual power bills. Why? Because choosing a solar system for your home starts with understanding when and how you use electricity, not just how much.

 Look at Your Bills with Fresh Eyes

Examine your last four quarterly bills. Note when your usage spikes:

  • Do you run the air conditioning all summer?
  • Is your winter heating gobbling power?
  • Are you barely home during daylight hours?
  • Are you using most power at night?

A system perfectly sized for your neighbour might be completely wrong for your household, and many disappointed solar owners discover this too late.

 Consider Tomorrow’s Usage, Not Just Today’s

Will you be working from home more? Are you planning to get an electric vehicle? Perhaps installing a pool? Good installers factor in these changes when choosing a solar system for your home rather than simply matching yesterday’s consumption.

Quality Shows in Performance, Not Just Price Tags

The solar market is flooded with options at drastically different price points. These differences matter over the system’s lifespan:

Panel Performance

Premium solar panels convert more sunlight into electricity and maintain better performance and production over their life compared to standard panels. This into converts into increased savings for the owner.

This is due to several factors including premium panels produce power more in low light situations (morning, evening and cloudy conditions) and the panels degrade less over their life. At a minimum the panels need to have N-Type bifacial cells with dual glass (i.e. glass sheets on both the front and back of the panel.

Warranty Substance, Not Just Length

Quality solar panels should offer:

– Product warranty covering manufacturing defects (30-years)

– Performance warranty guaranteeing output levels (30-years).

At SolarBright, we back our premium Max Power Solar panels with comprehensive warranties that reflect our confidence in their performance. Having installed thousands of systems, we’ve selected components that stand the test of time under Australian conditions.

Inverters: The Unsung Heroes of Solar Systems

While panels get all the attention, inverter quality dramatically affects performance when choosing a solar system for your home.

String vs. Microinverters

String inverters cost less but can reduce overall system output if some panels experience shade. Microinverters allow each panel to operate independently and are worth considering for complex roof designs or in severe shading scenarios.

Which inverter technology is right for your home? Our team at SolarBright can assess your specific roof layout and shading conditions to recommend the most efficient option for your situation. Give us a call at 1300 852 622 to book a personalised consultation with one of our solar experts.

Installation Quality Determines System Longevity

Even top-tier equipment underperforms without proper installation. The mounting system must:

  • Withstand decades of weather exposure
  • Suit your specific roof material
  • Meet wind loading requirements for your location

At SolarBright, our Clean Energy Council accredited installers undergo rigorous training. We’ve seen too many systems installed by inexperienced technicians fail to deliver their promised output or create roof integrity issues. Properly installed systems offer greater long-term value than bargain systems with cheaper, questionable installation workmanship.

Financial Benefits Beyond Immediate Savings

When choosing a solar system for your home, look beyond the upfront cost for a true value assessment.

Available Rebates and Incentives

The federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) still offers significant savings through certificates. State government incentives supplement these benefits, though programs change regularly.

System Payback Reality

Our data shows a well-designed 6.6kW SolarBright system generates over 9,300kWh annually in Sydney conditions. Most of our customers see their systems pay for themselves in under 3 years We know this because we’ve monitored actual performance across thousands of installations throughout NSW, not just relied on theoretical calculations.

Why Experience Matters When Installing Solar

While newer companies enter and exit the solar market every year, SolarBright has been installing solar for 17 years. When selecting a solar system for your home, these years of hands-on experience means we’ve solved virtually every installation challenge NSW properties can present.

I am proud to be part of a team where our commitment to quality has earned us recognition as a Top 5 NSW Solar Retailer for 2023/2024 and the prestigious Top Brand PV Installer award from EUPD Research in 2023 and 2024.

How much could you save with a properly designed solar system? Call our expert team at 1300 852 622 today. We’ll analyse your power bills and roof space to give realistic figures based on real-world performance, not just optimistic sales projections.

How to Choose the Best Solar Panels

Posted on by Thomas Yako

Many customers approach me asking how to choose the best solar panels. They will be investing in a solar system and want to be sure to choose the right panels for longevity and performance.  In a market overflowing with options, they need to know what to look for.

So based on my experience on the solar industry here is a quick guide. This will help you navigate the competing salespeople and products to help you choose the best solar panels for you.

N-Type or P-Type? Which is best?

Solar panels are made with either N-Type (Negative Type) or P-Type (Positive Type) silicon cells. While P-Type panels are cheaper and more widely available, N-Type panels are the superior technology.

N-Type panels are more efficient, generate more electricity in lower light, manage higher temperatures and harsher conditions, and have lower degradation rates. They may cost more, but N-Type panels are the best investment for their performance and durability.

Dual Glass Technology: Protection for Panels

Whether it’s sun, tropical rain, or fierce winds, you need solar panels that will withstand the harsh Australian climate.

Standard panels are made with a plastic backing sheet that can delaminate over time allowing moisture seep in and damage the panel. Dual glass technology means the panels have front and rear glass panels. This offers better protection and strength, increasing the durability and longevity of the panel.

Bifacial Cell Technology: More Energy

If your site has reflective or light-coloured surfaces, bifacial solar panels help you maximise your energy output. Bifacial panels have solar cells on both sides, meaning they generate power from direct sunlight hitting the front and reflected light hitting the back of the panel. This increases the amount of light captured and boosts your energy production.

Solar Panel Efficiency: Higher is Better

Efficiency refers to how much sunlight a panel converts into electricity. Higher efficiency panels generate more power per square metre, making them ideal for homes with limited roof-space. The best solar panels on the market have an efficiency rating of above 20%.

Temperature Co-efficient of Pmax: Heat Affects Performance

Solar panels need the sun, but sometimes it can be a case of too much of a good thing. Panels generate less power as they get hotter. The temperature co-efficient of Pmax indicates the decrease in your power output for every degree the temperature goes above 25°C. A lower temperature co-efficient means better performance in hot conditions. Choose a panel with a temperature co-efficient below -0.35% per degree Celsius for optimal efficiency and performance in Australia’s high temperatures.

Panel Degradation: Slower is Better

All solar panels experience a reduction in output over time. Higher quality panels degrade at a slower rate, meaning the panel produces more power over its life span. Look for a panel with a degradation rate of less than 0.5% per year. At that rate, it will still be producing 85% of its original capacity after 30 years.

Panel Warranty: Product and Performance

Warranties are a strong indicator of panel quality. The best solar panels come with two types of warranties:

  • Product warranty: This covers defects and failures in materials and manufacturing. Choose a panel with a 30-year product warranty.
  • Performance warranty: This guarantees the level of output over time, often guaranteeing that your panels will work at 80-90% capacity after 25 years. The best panels offer 85% output or better after 30-years.

Visual Appeal: Do looks matter?

Some homeowners value aesthetics, seeking out black-frames or black-cells, as they look more modern, sleek and blend in with most rooftops. The good news is that these panels are both visually appealing and use high quality materials. So, there’s no need to trade-off between looks and quality.

Where are the Best Solar Panels made? Are Chinese Panels good?

The best solar panels come from all over the world, with leading brands coming out of China, Vietnam, India, Thailand and the US.

When it comes to production China can’t be beaten, producing in 2023 85% of the world’s solar panels. China leads in affordability and technological advancements. They produce large quantities of cutting-edge technology at competitive prices. Many Chinese panels not only compete with, but outperform, European or American brands. All panels coming into the Australian marketing must be certified by the CEC.

How to choose the Best Solar Panel

Experiencing an information overload in choosing the best solar panel? It can all be boiled down to a simple 6-point checklist:

  1. Cell Type: opt for an N-Type bifacial panel for efficiency and superior performance.
  2. Dual Glass Technology: prevents delamination and increases longevity.
  3. Efficiency: choose panels with at least 20% efficiency.
  4. Temperature Co-efficient: choose panels with under -0.35% Pmax.
  5. Degradation rates: look for less than 0.5% annual degradation.
  6. Warranty: 30 years of both product and performance coverage.

Choosing the Right Solar Installer

Once you’ve found the best solar panels for your system, all that’s left is to find the right solar installer. You need someone reliable, who will provide after-sales support and handle any future warranty claims.

Avoid man-in-a-van installers or large retailers operating out of overseas call centres, chances are you’ll never hear from them again when you need their help.

Look for a solar installer with a physical business location you can visit. Quality installers will also offer a site inspection prior to installation. If they do not, go elsewhere. A reputable installer will offer ongoing service, maintenance, and future assistance.

Now you’re ready to confidently invest in a solar system that will deliver on performance, longevity, and a return on investment. To see what solar system or solar and battery system would best suit you, call SolarBright today and talk to one of our solar experts.

A Guide to Solar Skylights: What you need to know

Posted on by James Marcialis

Natural light has the power to transform a space, making it feel bigger, brighter and more inviting. But sometimes the layout of your home or office can prevent rooms getting enough sunlight. That’s where skylights come in.

Whether you’re in the market for a traditional skylight or solar skylights, we have the information to help you make a choice.

What’s a Solar Powered Skylight?

You know that traditional skylights that harness the sun’s light through your roof and deliver it down into your home. But you might be asking, what exactly is a solar skylight?

Solar skylights are an alternative option for when traditional skylights are not structurally possible. Using a solar panel on the roof, a diffuser kit with quality LEDs mounted to your ceiling and a wire to connect them, a solar skylight is powered by the sun, giving you free lighting during the day.

Traditional or Solar? Which Skylight is right for me?

Traditional skylights are designed to let natural light into a building. They capture light from the roof and transfer it into your home where the light is diffused, brightening up your space.

There are several types of traditional skylights, each with their own advantages:

  • Fixed skylights are like a flat window that sits sleekly on your roof, providing direct sunlight,
  • Vented skylights are like windows that can be opened and have the added advantage of providing ventilation to dark interior rooms, and
  • Tubular skylights use a dome and a reflective tube to brighten up a room.

While we understand the importance of natural sunlight, sometimes cutting a hole in your roof for a skylight isn’t feasible, other time you may not want a dome on the front of your house. Some skylight enthusiasts are loudly opposed to the use of solar skylights. But here at SolarBright, we embrace this new technology that allows people to use the sun’s energy to directly power a light, wherever you need it.

The Benefits of Solar Powered Skylights

Solar powered skylights come with a range of benefits

  • They’re a great option when it’s structurally not possible to install a traditional skylight.
  • The long cable on the Solar Panel means you do not have to install it above the diffuser, it can be hidden away from the street or put on the roof that has the most amount of sunlight
  • Cost effective: they’re very economical compared to traditional skylights.
  • Easy to install: with easier installation, they are a DIY project.
  • Flexible: With the use of a panel, wire and diffuser kit, the installation is extremely flexible and great for multistorey homes.
  • Space saving: they’re ideal for tight roof spaces.
  • No heat transfer: they don’t let in heat or UV light that will warm up your space.
  • Leak proof: with no structural penetration to your roof you have less chance of a leak.
  • No running costs: Once installed, you’re getting free light powered by the sun.

In addition to all of that, solar powered skylights are perfect for lighting up the following often dark rooms:

  • Laundry
  • Walk-in / Butler’s Pantry
  • Walk in Robe
  • Hallways
  • Garages
  • Attic and roof conversion spaces
  • If you are building you could even run a cable down to a lower level in a multistory house.

Solar Powered Skylights from SolarBright

If you’ve decided on solar skylights for your home or office, the MaxLED is a smart choice. With two options and multiple sizes, the MaxLED skylight offers a range of advantages and customisations.

The MaxLED Solar Skylight Standard comes with a roof mountable 30W solar panel and an LED light diffuser. A 10m cable connects the panel on the roof to the diffuser in your room, making it extremely flexible on how and where you use it.

The MaxLED24 has a few extra features. It has a roof mountable 60W solar panel connected to a diffuser in your room and connected by a cable. However, the panel has an integrated and rechargeable lithium 6.4ah battery which stores electricity and powers your skylight at night or on cloudy days. The MaxLED24 solar skylight comes with a movement sensor that turns lights on when you enter a room and off 10 minutes after you’ve walked out, as well as a remote control for added ease of use.

The movement sensor and remote can also be added to the MaxLED as part of an optional accessories pack. You also have your choice of round or square LED light diffusers, depending on your aesthetics and needs.

For more information on how solar skylights work or any of our MaxLED skylights call SolarBright and talk to one of our consultants.

Best Solar Companies – 6 Tips on How to Find One

Posted on by Thomas Yako

This is a quick guide to what do you need to know to choose one of the best solar companies. Over the years I have been in the solar industry I have seen many solar companies come and go. It pains me to see families who have systems only a few years old that no longer work due to shoddy installations. Hopefully this article will help you choose one of the best solar providers to achieve a great solar panel and solar battery installation.

In my experience to pick the best solar installer the criteria shown by the best rated solar power companies include: 1) More than 12 years in business. 2) Hundreds of reviews across several review sites ranking above 4.5 out of 5 stars. 3) They own the facility they operate from and have a showroom. 4) They will not design your system and issue a quote without doing an onsite visit before installation. 5) They have industry recognized accreditations and a history of industry awards. 6) They are never the cheapest in the market.

Let’s look at these in a bit more detail.

1. The Best Rated Solar Companies have over 12 Years Experience in Solar Panel Installations

Since 2011 over 700 solar and panel companies have come and gone from the Australian market. This reflects the competitive nature of the market. Choose a solar installation company with a proven record of thousands of installations over at least 12 years. This record demonstrates they are doing the right thing by their customers and provide high quality components and installation services. It ensures your peace of mind in the event of any technical or warranty issues.

If you buy a cheap system from a cheap installer this carries a major risk. They may install hundreds or thousands of these cheap systems. Once the warranty and poor workmanship issues arise after several years, the installer will close their doors, voiding all warranty obligations to the consumer. You will be left as a solar orphan. We have had to replace many of these systems over the years.

2. The Best Solar Providers have Hundreds of Good Reviews

If a solar company has a successful record as described above, they will also have many good reviews against their name. The best rated solar companies have rankings of at least 4.5 out of five stars. They will show many hundreds of reviews on different rating platforms including Google reviews and productreview.com.au.

Yes, reviews can be manipulated. However, if you want to choose the best solar installer take time to read their customer reviews. Each customer writes about their experience in their own voice, and that comes through.

3.  A Good Solar Company will Own Their Facility and Have a Showroom.

Not only do the top ranked solar companies demonstrate a long history of success, but this success will also have enabled them to own their showroom, office and warehouse facility. This shows they have solid financial foundations and will be there to support you if needed in the future.

The best solar companies will also have a showroom you can visit to look at and get advice on different solar panels, solar batteries and products. They will design a system for you that exactly suits your needs rather then give you a cookie cutter one size fits all solar and battery solution.

This is a critical point. Why? Appearances can be deceptive. Some of the large “national” solar companies in Australian run out of low-cost call centres, including some based overseas. They have leased serviced office addresses in state capital cities showing on their web sites. However, they only person you will ever see is a man in a white van who may appear on the day of installation.

If you have any doubts, ask if you can visit their facility and meet their staff. If you can’t, cross them off the list of best solar companies.

4. The Best Solar Panel Installers Will do an On-Site Visit Prior to Install

If a solar company will only quote via email or phone without doing an on-site visit this is an immediate red flag. The best solar installation companies will inspect the site, your roof and meter box, and provide a detailed proposal that lists all work required for the solar and battery installation. This means you will have no nasty “extra” charges on installation day.

Low-cost installers that do not visit prior to install will often spring last minute extra charges on the day they turn up. The installer states they must do extra work not quoted for the install. They may even say you can lose your deposit if you do not accept them, which is totally incorrect and against regulations. I have heard these stories first-hand from customers.

5. Top Ranked Solar Companies Have Industry Accreditations and Awards

A common characteristic of best solar companies is they have the appropriate industry accreditations with a history of receiving industry awards. Accreditations to look for include the NETCC Approved Seller badge. Check they have industry accreditations from leading solar venders such as Sungrow and Tesla.

Every solar installer will say they are a CEC Accredited Solar Installer. Well of course, you must be one to install solar and batteries.

6. The Best Solar Installer is Never the Cheapest.

One of the most expensive parts in a standard 6.6kW solar system installation is the technician on the roof. Safe solar and battery installations with workmanship meeting industry standards will never be the cheapest.

Solar panels and components are now much more regulated by the CEC eliminating the grey import market that once thrived importing 2nd and 3rd rate panels. These days the cheap installers reach a cheap price by cutting corners on the installation. Some even reverse auction each install to a fleet of installers and select the one who bids the lowest install price.

Want the Best Solar Installer?

If you want to choose a best solar installer in NSW, consider SolarBright. SolarBright match these essential criteria to rank as one of the best solar companies.

Over 12 years in business. 17 years in 2025 with over 17,000 installs – longevity for peace of mind.
Hundreds of Reviews above 4.5/5. Over 600 on Google and 500 on productreview.com.au
Owned facility & showroom. Company owned facilities with showrooms in Sydney and Port Macquarie.
On-Site Visit before install. Obligation free in-home consultations for each customer.
Industry accreditations & awards. NETCC Approved Seller, Sungrow Authorised Partner, Powerwall Accredited Installer, EUPD Top PV Brand Installer 2024 & 2023, Top 5 NSW Installer 2024 & 2023, Top Choice Solar Installer 2022.
The best solar installers are never the cheapest. SolarBright offers leading solar & battery technology and quality installation services at fair & accessible pricing for customers across NSW. This allows longevity to support customers long term.

 

Renovating Your House? Why Skylights Should Be Part of Your Home Renovations

Posted on by James Marcialis

In my experience a lot of customers naturally concentrate on bigger ticket items and overlook  why skylights should be part of the home renovation. However, it can be easy to miss what can be one of most transformative upgrades – letting more natural light into the home

Skylights do more than just brighten a space; they transform it to create an open, airy feel while cutting energy costs. Whether you’re revamping a single room or giving your entire home a facelift, here’s why skylights should be a key part of your renovation plans.

Benefits of Skylights in Home Renovations

Fix Dark, Uninviting Spaces

Some areas of your home can remain dim no matter how many lights you add. Hallways, stairwells, bathrooms, and laundry rooms often lack windows, making them feel enclosed and uninviting. A well-lit space not only enhances functionality but also creates a more welcoming atmosphere. Instead of relying on artificial lighting during the day, skylights provide a smarter solution—maximising natural light while reducing energy costs. MaxLight tubular skylights, for example, efficiently capture and distribute sunlight, minimising the need for electricity and making indoor spaces feel brighter and more comfortable.

Choosing the Right Skylight for Each Room

Skylights come in various sizes and styles to suit different areas of your home. Whether you’re looking to brighten a compact hallway or flood a living area with natural light, selecting the right skylight ensures optimal functionality and aesthetic appeal. Here’s how to match the right skylight to each space:

Kitchen

A bright kitchen makes food prep easier and creates a welcoming space. The MaxLight Skylights ML400 model suits large, open kitchens, while the ML250 is ideal for smaller areas. Installing a skylight here ensures consistent daylight throughout the day and reduces the need for artificial lighting.

Bathroom

Skylights provide natural daylight without sacrificing privacy, making them an excellent choice for bathrooms—especially those without windows.

Bedroom

Soft, natural light creates a calming atmosphere, and with a dimmer, you can adjust brightness to suit your preference. Additionally, exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep cycles by aligning with your body’s internal clock, making skylights a great addition to bedrooms.

Hallways & Stairwells

Often neglected in renovations, these spaces benefit from additional light for safety and aesthetics. A skylight in hallways and stairwells makes movement easier, particularly in homes with multiple floors.

Home Office

Proper lighting reduces eye strain and improves focus. Many studies show that the natural light from skylights can boost productivity and create a more comfortable work environment.

Laundry Room

Typically small and enclosed, a skylight makes laundries feel brighter and more functional. Good lighting also makes it easier to sort and fold clothes.

Quick and Hassle-Free Installation

Traditional skylights require structural modifications, multiple trades, and a lengthy installation process. MaxLight tubular skylights, on the other hand, are a straightforward installation that can be installed in a matter of hours. The convenience of tubular skylight installation for home upgrades makes these skylights a great option, even for small-scale renovations.

If you’re within 30km of SolarBright Prestons (Sydney) or Port Macquarie, claim your free skylight installation today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Skylights in Renovations

Will a skylight make my home too hot in summer or too cold in winter?

This is a common concern, but modern skylight designs prevent extreme temperature fluctuations. MaxLight skylights feature a triple-lens diffuser, which helps regulate indoor temperatures year-round while still allowing natural light to brighten your home.

Will skylights cause sun damage to my furniture and flooring?

No, MaxLight skylights are designed with UV filters that allow sunlight in while blocking harmful rays. This means you can enjoy natural light without worrying about furniture, flooring, or artwork fading.

Where should I install skylights for the best effect?

To get the most from your skylights, strategic placement is key. A poorly placed skylight might not give you the full benefits of daylighting, while a well-positioned one can transform a dim space into a sunlit haven. Placing skylights in dark hallways, windowless bathrooms, or work areas like kitchen countertops ensures optimal light distribution and energy efficiency.

Do skylights increase home value?

Yes! A well-lit home feels more spacious and inviting, which can make it more attractive to buyers. Whether you plan to stay long-term or sell in the future, skylights are a smart investment that enhances both comfort and property value.

Make Skylights a Key Part of Your Renovation

Updating your home should improve the way your living space works, looks, and feels. If you are still wondering why to add skylights to your renovations, here are the three main improvements skylights contribute to:

  • bringing in natural light
  • reducing energy costs
  • enhancing the atmosphere of the home.

Contact SolarBright today to find the best skylights for home remodeling and light up your space.