seo, Author at SolarBright

Could Your Business Benefit from Skylights? 5 Reasons to Consider

Posted on February 13, 2024July 12, 2024 by seo

How often do you sit back and think about the lighting situation in your workplace? As a business owner, it’s your job to ensure a safe and productive working environment for all employees. One of the ways to help achieve that is by installing skylights – An increase in natural light is a good thing for everybody.

The Benefits of Skylights in Commercial Buildings

So, why exactly should you install skylights at your business? You might be surprised to know that skylights deliver huge benefits that go far beyond cutting down your electricity bills.

Increased Productivity

Every business in the world aims to achieve high levels of productivity from its staff members. That’s perfectly normal, but it takes a lot of different things to build a highly productive, efficient and happy workforce. One of those things is the physical environment people work in.

Productivity increases when staff are happy and engaged, and that’s hard to do in an environment with dim light or too much artificial light. Natural light, on the other hand, promotes better concentration, vitality and even better sleep (which we’ll get to later).

Combining all of these things, you get a workplace where people are more alert, more interested in what they’re doing, and is overall a much healthier place to be. When productivity increases, so do profits – and that’s always a good thing for businesses.

Better for Employee Health

The effect of natural light on the human body is undisputed. For a moment, let’s just consider some of the impacts that spending long amounts of time in artificial light has on the body. Often, we see an increase in headaches, eye strain, low mood, drowsiness and poor concentration.

The human body simply responds better to natural light and, therefore, you’ll find that staff report fewer instances of the above conditions when provided with natural light. Employee health directly affects productivity, whether it’s reducing sick leave or boosting happiness.

Sleep Benefits

You might be wondering what sleep has to do with your business. Obviously, you don’t want your people nodding off on the job! However, the National Sleep Foundation in the US conducted research across 5 buildings and 109 participants to test the correlation between light during the day and sleep during the night.

The study found that people exposed to high levels of circadian-effective light during the day experienced better sleep quality. This is because our circadian rhythm (commonly known as our body clock) relies on certain types of light to function effectively throughout the day and night.

So, installing skylights and providing employees with natural light can help them sleep better at night and be happier, healthier and more productive during the day.

Reduction of Energy Costs

Every business wants to save money, especially when it’s on overheads such as electricity bills. Natural skylights can either completely negate or significantly reduce your reliance on other forms of business lighting.

For example, when high levels of natural light are present in the main business area, you may not even require artificial lighting at all. If the natural light isn’t quite enough, you can install fewer lights than normal and still have optimal working conditions.

Improved employee engagement

It’s a simple fact that people who work in a visually appealing environment are more likely to be happy going to work each day. Happy staff means better productivity, less staff turnover and a decrease in recruitment costs.

Adding natural light to your office space makes people feel better, experience fewer health problems and generally enjoy their time at work a lot more. That should be a goal for every business owner!

Are You Considering Skylights for Your Business?

If you’d like to speak to a team of experts regarding skylights installation for your business, we’d love to hear from you. SolarBright is proud to be your local supplier and installer of MaxLight® commercial daylighting solutions. There are two different versions available:

K-550ML/O – Used for open ceilings
K-DL550/C – Used for closed ceilings

No matter what type of business you run, from offices and retail stores to warehouses and factories, we can design and install a skylight solution that suits your needs. Contact the friendly team at SolarBright today and find out how we can transform your commercial business space!

Roof Ventilation Exhaust Fan Easy Guide

Posted on December 13, 2023January 17, 2024 by seo

When thinking about ways to maintain a healthy home environment and reducing rising energy bills, a roof ventilation exhaust fan isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, roof ventilation is key to keeping your home cooler in summer, helping prevent mould, and keeping your energy bills down.

Correct ventilation is essential to maintaining a comfortable and healthy home.

So, what exactly does a roof ventilation exhaust fan do? Without proper roof ventilation heat will circulate and remain trapped in your roof space, meaning in the summer months your house feels hotter until you turn up the air-conditioning. The right right roof fan helps reduce the load on air-con, lowering your energy consumption.

Another key benefit of a roof ventilation fan is it helps reduce moisture build-up in the roof cavity. This creates a healthier home by reducing the environmental conditions that can lead to mould.

Roof Ventilation Basics

When choosing a roof ventilation exhaust fan system that is right for your home, you will note that some vents are passive, and some are active.

Passive vents allow for natural airflow to seep in and out of a building. This natural convection allows for the slow and sustained circulation of air in your roof cavity. Hot air naturally rises, and cooler air comes in underneath.

Active vents require a motor, fan blades and/or a turbine to push out the air in the cavity out while pulling fresh air in to circulate the air in your roof space.

A good roof ventilation exhaust fan system consists of both passive and active vents. The passive vents allow fresh air flow in while stale air flows out. Combining them with active vents speeds up the process of air change in your roof space. This creates more effective and efficient ventilation.

Ensuring that your roof ventilation system is effective requires the vents and fans to be installed in the right spots. The passive vents drawing fresh air in should ideally be placed somewhere cool and shady, either under eaves or low in the roof space. Having these vents down low ensures that the cool air entering will remain low in the roof space.

Active vents that are pushing the warm, stale air out should be placed high on the roof. As warm air rises and cooler air is sucked in from the passive vents, the fan will draw this cool air up and push the warm air out.

What size Roof Ventilation Exhaust Fan do I need?

The average Australian home requires 10 air changes an hour. More are needed if you live in a tropical, humid area or have a moisture problem in your home. This means that air needs to enter and exit 10 times per hour. The more air changes you achieve the easier it is to maintain a temperate and healthy environment.

To estimate the volume of air in your roof space, follow this easy formula:

half the height of the roof x the length of the roof x the width of the roof = m3 roof size

Your roof ventilation exhaust fan system needs to be able to change this volume of air 10 times per hour. So, take your roof air volume and multiply it by 10 to establish what size exhaust fan you will need:

m3 roof size x air change target (at least 10) = m3/hr volume required

Types of Active Mechanical Roof Ventilation Exhaust Fans

There are three main types of mechanical roof ventilation exhaust fans, they are:

Solar: solar powered exhaust fan.
Mains: exhaust fan powered by your power grid.
Wind: roof mounted turbines, called whirly birds, that work to ventilate roof spaces.

What type of Roof Ventilation Exhaust Fan is best?

With many different types of roof ventilation exhaust fans available, its important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each to figure out which suits you and your home best.

Solar Powered Roof Fans

Solar power allows them to work efficiently and consistently throughout the year.
Provides powerful and effective ventilation.
Solar power is cost effective.
Quiet.
Easy installation.
Can achieve 20 times more air changes than a wind powered exhaust fan.
Smart models such as the MaxBreeze are thermostat controlled, turning on/off automatically in response to the cavity temperature.

Mains Electricity Powered Roof Fans

Provides powerful and effective ventilation.
Mains powered exhaust fans can run at night.
More expensive to install as requires an electrician to wire in the fan and control switch.
Cost effective to set up, but long-term energy bills may add up.
Can be thermostat controlled.

Wind Powered Roof Fans

Uses wind power to activate the whirlybird fans.
Once installed, they are free to run and don’t come with associated energy bills.
Upfront installation costs can be quite high as often several whirly birds need to be installed for adequate air change.
Installation is easy due to no wiring or electrical components.
On a still day the whirly bird will not extract heat or moisture from the roof space.
Conversely on very windy days the whirly bird may extract too much warm air, meaning you need to turn up the heating on windy winter days.
Less effective than solar or mains powered exhaust fans at air changes.

It’s clear that if you have a roof space, you’ll be wanting it properly ventilated. This will keep your home cooler in summer, prevent moisture and mould build up, and achieve adequate air changes.

When deciding between the various types of systems, ultimately a solar roof ventilation exhaust fan outperforms both mains powered and whirlybird exhaust fans.

With free running costs saving you money on energy bills, solar exhaust fans are powerful and quiet Some like the MaxBreeze Solar Roof fan, come with a built-in battery so that it charges itself with free solar power to continue working on cloudy days and overnight.

For more information on solar roof ventilation exhaust fan options, call SolarBright and talk to one of our energy and ventilation consultants.

Solar Batteries and The Future Of Sustainable Energy?

Posted on October 12, 2023January 10, 2024 by seo

Australians are blessed with good weather throughout much of the year, with warm summers and generally mild winters being the norm. It’s hardly surprising to see Aussies rapidly embrace renewable energy options, particularly solar power. A report from the Australian Photovoltaic Institute shows there were over 3.52 million solar PV installations in Australia as of June 2023. While this is a terrific step forward, the push for renewable energy has just begun.

Solar batteries in Sydney cost significantly less than they did five years ago. When the price of a product decreases, there is usually an increased uptake. Most climate change advocates hope this will lead to an even faster adoption of solar battery installations in Australia. Of course, solar energy and solar battery storage are only some of the renewable energy choices we have in Australia. There are other renewable energy sources out there, and with continued effort, we can use them to break away from our fossil fuel reliance. Let’s take a look at the future of sustainable energy in Australia.

Different Types of Sustainable Energy

While solar energy gets most of the press, it’s far from the only renewable energy source we have. One that’s been around for ages is wind energy. Wind energy has been around in Australia for a while now, and wind farms are found on varying scales throughout the country.

We also have hydroelectric power, which takes advantage of our considerable water supplies. Large-scale systems like the Snowy Mountains hydro are still important for our overall energy production, and for many years, Tasmania relied heavily on hydro energy.

Aside from those more well-known sources, new renewable energy sources like tidal and geothermal are being discovered. These aren’t fully established energy sources yet, but with more research, they have great potential.

Improved Solar Technology

Despite many options for renewable energy in Australia, the main focus currently is solar power. It’s the most easily accessible for homeowners, so it’s a big player in the renewable energy space.

Solar panel efficiency is improving every year. New technology and other advancements mean solar panels are always improving, making them more attractive to the public.

Perhaps the biggest change in recent times is the price of solar batteries. Since 2010, the costs of a solar battery have plummeted, and prices continue to get lower as each year passes. Improved technology, increased market competition, and the corresponding rise in electricity costs now make solar battery storage a much more attractive proposition for Australian homeowners.

The Role of Governments

Government policies play a massive role in shaping our country’s sustainable energy future. State and Federal governments have shown varying degrees of support for renewable energy schemes, but a push towards a sustainable future goes far beyond this. Government policy and infrastructure development also need to align with a greener future. Unfortunately, our government is still authorising the construction of more fossil fuel plants. So, there is still work to be done in this area. A government committed to renewable energy must set a proper regulatory framework for transition.

While most people understand that you can’t just instantly build renewable energy infrastructure and switch off the coal plants, we’re reaching a point where strategic planning needs to come under the microscope. With more international and public pressure to take climate action, governments must step up and continue the push.

Solar Batteries and Consistent Power Supply

Cheaper, cleaner energy is a goal for many Australians. However, the future of sustainable energy hinges largely on achieving reliability. The current national energy grid, primarily fuelled by coal-burning plants, has been criticised heavily for its lack of reliability. Power outages can be frequent, irritating, and even dangerous, depending on where you live.

This is where energy storage becomes a major factor. If you have a solar battery in your home, you can store excess energy generated during the day. When your solar system stops generating in the evening or on overcast days, you still have a supply of power. This means less reliance on the main grid and, subsequently, lower energy bills.

Smart grid technologies are now coming into play, making it easier to create a reliable energy network for all Australians. There is a big hope that this technology will lead to fewer outages and a more stable energy supply.

Looking for the Best Solar System Installation in Town?

If you’re ready to make the switch to solar energy, now is the perfect time. If you want to be part of the clean, green revolution and save money on power bills in the process, SolarBright can provide you with all things solar. We offer high-quality solar systems suited to your individual needs, including solar panels, solar inverters, solar battery, and even skylights. If you’re keen to save money on energy bills, we’re ready to help. Contact us today to learn how we can help you make the switch to solar.

Solar Batteries and Other Ways to Make the Most of Your Solar Panels

Posted on October 12, 2023July 12, 2024 by seo

With energy costs constantly on the rise, Australians are seeking ways to save money. If you’ve installed solar panels in Sydney, there are numerous ways to maximise their benefits. Aside from standard factors like correct installation, purchasing high-quality products and optimising your solar panels’ positioning, there are many ways to get more for your money, such as installing a solar battery. As your leading solar retailer in NSW, we’re giving you some tips on how to get more from your solar panels all day, all week and all year. Read on to find out more.

Take Advantage of Feed-in Tariffs

With a standard on-grid solar panel installation, you use solar power during the day while the sun is shining and electricity from the main grid in the evening. You might think this means there’s a lot of wasted solar energy during the day, especially if you’re not home much to use it.

However, most electricity retailers offer a feed-in tariff that gives you credit for the excess solar energy you export to the grid. So, if your system produces more energy than you use during the day, the excess solar goes back to the main grid, and you get paid for it.

Feed-in tariffs are traditionally quite small, but every energy-saving effort adds up. If your feed-in tariff doesn’t deliver much in the way of savings, don’t be afraid to shop around. Many electricity retailers offer introductory tariff rates or better long-term deals than you currently have.

Consider Solar Battery Solutions

While an upfront cost is involved, buying a solar battery is arguably the ultimate way to get more from your solar. A solar battery stores excess energy generated while the sun is shining, giving you a supply of clean, free energy to use in the evenings or when your solar panels don’t produce enough energy (such as in cloudy conditions).

If you’ve gotten used to your feed-in tariff credits by exporting solar power, don’t worry because you can still use this, depending on the size of your system. Once your solar battery is full, excess energy still goes to the main grid for a credit on your account, but in order to fully optimise your system, you may need to consider one with a larger capacity.

Solar batteries save you money in the long term and provide protection in the event of a power outage. While everybody connected to the main grid searches their house for candles, your lights remain on thanks to your batter-stored solar energy.

Use Solar Monitoring Apps

The majority of modern solar systems come with energy monitoring apps and software. Compatible with most smartphones and devices, you can monitor your energy usage and solar panel performance from anywhere. This lets you keep an eye on how much your system generates during the day and also how much energy you use at certain times.

These apps also offer historical reporting, not just real-time monitoring. So, you’ll be able to check the times of day your system produces the most power, allowing you to choose when you use appliances. Ultimately, the data gained from these solar monitoring apps can be used to save you even more money on power.

Getting Clever With Appliances

One of the best ways to maximise solar energy is to be smart about how you use appliances. Household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers use a lot of energy, not to mention hot water, which requires energy to heat up. The issue is that without battery storage, if you don’t use solar power system as it’s produced, you effectively lose it (aside from your feed-in tariff credits).

If you’re at work all day, it’s common to use a lot of these appliances in the evening when your solar panels aren’t producing. That means you’re accessing main grid electricity and paying for it through your retailer. So, the best way to maximise your solar panels in Sydney is to set energy-sucking appliances to run during the day. Use timers if necessary, and stagger appliance use, otherwise, you may still be drawing more power than your system can produce.

Need Expert Solar Panel Installation in Sydney?

If you’d like to harness the power of the sun’s rays and save money on energy bills, SolarBright is the team to call. With expert advice, high-quality solar panels, solar batteries and solar inverters, and a reputation for installation excellence, we can help you join the clean, green revolution and save money in the process. Contact us today to find out more.

Solar Power for Every Home: Unlocking the Potential of Solar Panels and Solar Batteries

Posted on October 10, 2023January 10, 2024 by seo

Solar power has completely changed the way we generate electricity, offering homeowners a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional energy sources. With the advancement of solar panel technology, the decreasing price of solar battery storage and the abundance of sunlight in Australia, there has never been a better time to consider a solar panel installation for your home. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of solar panels and batteries, and why they’re such a great option for Aussie homeowners.

What are Solar Panels?

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, are devices composed of multiple interconnected solar cells that convert sunlight into usable electricity. Made up of solar cells, these panels capture the sun’s energy and produce direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts this DC power into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the type of power you use to power most of your home.

Let’s take a look at the various reasons you should consider solar energy for your household.

Australia is Blessed With Sunlight

Whether you install solar panels in Sydney or anywhere else in Australia, you’ll benefit from an abundance of sunlight. For example, Current Results reports that Coffs Harbour in NSW receives 131 sunny days yearly. This figure represents days characterised by predominantly clear and sunny skies, indicating favourable conditions for solar energy production. However, it’s important to note that this estimation underestimates the potential of solar energy generation. Only when cloud cover is persistent for the entire day will your solar panels produce less energy.

A 6-kilowatt solar panel system in Australia can generate an average of 24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, depending on the location. As a result, solar panels have the capability to generate a substantial amount of electricity, even on cloudy days. With Australia’s sunny climate, homeowners can rely on solar power throughout the year, reducing their dependence on the grid.

Save Money on Power Bills

While paying for power through an electricity retailer leaves you at the mercy of the fossil-fuel generated market, solar power is completely free. If you install solar panels in Sydney, you can power your home for free during daylight hours for the majority of the year. With a solar battery, you can even collect excess solar energy and use it in the evenings, which reduces your costs even further.

In addition, the Australian government offers financial incentives through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which provides small-scale technology certificates (STCs) to households that install solar panels. These certificates are typically assigned by the customer to the installer and are sold or traded to offset the installation costs, effectively working as a rebate for your solar panel installation.

The Environmental Factor

Solar power stands out as a clean and renewable energy source that significantly reduces carbon emissions. By choosing solar panels, homeowners can actively contribute to combating climate change and fostering a more sustainable future. According to Energy Matters, an average residential solar panel system in Australia can offset approximately 1.3 – 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Additionally, traditional energy production, such as coal-fired power plants, consumes vast amounts of water for cooling purposes. By shifting to solar power, homeowners can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future.

Add a Solar Battery to Your Installation

Solar batteries allow you to store excess solar power that your system generates during the day. Usually, this excess energy is sold back to the main grid for credit on your electricity bill. However, with battery storage, excess energy is stored and used when you need it most. This saves money on electricity bills and also offers the perfect safeguard when the main grid fails.

The experience of a power outage can be incredibly frustrating, as many have personally encountered. Especially now, when we rely on electricity for so many things. If you power your home with solar panels and a battery, you will always have a reliable source of power to draw upon in the instance of a power outage.

Of course, this is just one benefit. The major benefit is the fact that you will only pay for electricity when your system isn’t producing power and your solar battery is empty. The result is an enormous decrease in your annual energy costs.

Looking for Solar Panels in Sydney?

At SolarBright, we can help determine the very best solar energy system for your home. With top-quality products and expert installation, you can’t go wrong. You can contact us at any time to determine the solar panel Sydney cost, and we’ll even tell you how much you can save on power bills.

Commercial Solar Installation: Advancing Businesses Towards Sustainability

Posted on August 17, 2023December 1, 2023 by seo

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, sustainability has become a major industry focus. One effective way for businesses to reduce their environmental impact and save on energy costs is through commercial solar installation. 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. So much so that successful businesses now place a major focus on making their operations more environmentally friendly. Some of the reasons for this include:

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. However, variable costs, such as the rising cost of electricity, can make this difficult. Traditional electricity prices are subject to fluctuations in the market. 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

While all are slightly different, solar panels usually have a lifespan of 25-30 years, making them a long-term investment for businesses. With proper care and maintenance, they can continue to generate electricity well beyond their warranty period. The other great advantage is that they are extremely low-maintenance. 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

While it’s natural to focus on the big points, such as cost savings and environmental impact, there are other ways that a focus on sustainability can help businesses. One of these is the support your company can receive from the community. When you can clearly demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, potential customers are more likely to consider your company over your competitors who haven’t embraced eco-friendly changes.

In addition, many employees want to work for companies that focus on sustainability. A commercial solar installation is a step in the right direction and may even help you attract and retain top talent. Not only does this strengthen your workforce, but it also saves money on costly recruitment efforts.

Looking for Professional Commercial Solar Installations?

As a leading provider of solar solutions, SolarBright offers comprehensive commercial solar installations tailored to your business’s unique needs. Our expert team specialises in designing and installing high-quality solar systems that deliver optimal performance and maximum energy savings. Take the first step towards sustainability and savings by contacting SolarBright today.