Solar System – What to look for before you buy?

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.