Does where I live affect the performance of my solar systems?
Yes. Great news though. Australia is an ideal place to live to get the very most out of your solar. Firstly, Australia has a hot dry climate that typically enjoys over 4kWh of insolation per square metre even in winter. Secondly, there is sufficient roof space in Australia to power the entire country via solar panels.
What is insolation or kWh/m2?
Insolation is not to be confusion with insulation. Insolation is concerned with the amount of sunshine on the earth’s surface. Insolation measures the amount of solar energy that hits a specific area over a set period of time. This is where we get the kWh/m2 measurement that you will see frequently in information provided by solar companies. One unit of solar energy is expressed as kilowatt-hours per square meter kWh/m2 per day. This tells us the average amount of energy hitting an area like your neighbourhood or state each day.
Does it matter where on the roof solar panels are installed?
Most solar companies will install your solar panels on a north facing roof between 20 and 30 degrees. But east- or west-facing solar panels will still perform very well too. Top solar panel installers like QCS will tailor an ideal solar panel configuration for your specific roof. You may get some east-facing solar panels to catch the early morning sun then capture later heat with north- and west-facing solar panels.
Some parts of my home or business roof are in shade. Will this impact my solar system’s performance?
Shade certainly can impact the performance of solar systems. Luckily, the professional solar panel installers at QCS are highly skilled in customising solar panel configurations for specific roofs. They can design around objects like trees and flue vents that can cast shade on your roof. Plus our solar panel installers have a range of solar accessories that they can call on if needed, like solar inverters.
How do I select the right solar panels?
While most solar panels look very similar, their quality and performance can vary greatly. When considering solar panels, it’s important to find a solution that has the following factors covered:
- Reputable high-quality manufacturer
- Strong comprehensive warranty
- Premium solar panel installers
At QCS, we consider these factors to be a bare minimum in our service to you.
What is a solar inverter?
Solar inverters are commonly known as the brains driving any solar solution. Your inverter takes the direct current electricity (DC electricity) collected by your solar panels. Then it converts your DC electricity into 240 alternating current electricity (AC electricity) that your home or business uses as energy. A solar inverter also uses a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) to regulate the voltage of your solar panels in Brisbane, ensuring these deliver maximum power. One of the most valuable user-friendly features of an inverter is its real-time display of how much energy you have produced and used.
What government incentives may I get for switching to solar power in Brisbane or the Gold Coast?
The Queensland Government still offers great financial incentives to homes and businesses who switch to solar. QCS is among the fully accredited solar companies in South East Queensland. So we already give you an edge in applying for the Queensland Government Solar Bonus Scheme. Should you be successful in your application to this scheme, you may receive an immediate discount on the cost of your solar system. Please note that your eligibility for the solar bonus scheme also depends on other factors like where you live and which solar system you install.
On top of the solar bonus scheme, you may also get an upfront discount on your solar panels. This is all thanks to the Federal government’s Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs). Your eligibility for STCs also depends on your chosen solar panel installers Brisbane, the size of your solar power system and use of Clean Energy Council approved photovoltaic modules and inverters.
Does it cost me anything to change my power meter over to solar?
Yes, there is a fee to convert your power meter over to solar. The first step is getting your home and business running off a smart meter. If you already have one of these, you will bear a fee to configure this solar. Should you not have a smart meter already, your energy provider will need to install one for you. Often you can absorb the cost of this into your energy billing rather than pay an upfront fee.