September 2016 Blog Archive

There are so many solar myths out there and, here, at Solargain, we hear them all the time. From misleading web pages to misinformed uncles (we all have one), the truth is that the wrong information leads to poor choices which can cost you big bucks. Today, we set the record straight – separating solar facts from fiction! Here are the most common ‘solar stories’ along with the facts which are usually forgotten. Myth #1: “Solar PV panels are really expensive and unaffordable for most working Australians.” Okay, let’s start by making it clear that, in Australia, working class families living in

Are you experiencing issues with your solar system? This may be due to faulty panels, wiring, inverter or even grid issues. Determining the cause of an underperforming solar system can be tricky, which is why you should always get CEC Accredited Installers and Designers to check your equipment. Our solar technicians are fully licensed professionals who will help you get the most out of your solar power equipment, whether it was installed with us or not. They’ll check your installation thoroughly, detect and correct any existing issues, and determine their origin in order to prevent them from

Have you ever thought about how much energy your household uses each day and what that actually means? When you look at your power bill you might see your electricity usage recorded in kilowatt hours (kWh) or in some cases it’s referred to as one ‘Unit’ of electricity (which is the same as 1kWh). But what does 1kWh actually look like? The average Australian household uses about 16kWh of electricity every single day. While this doesn’t sound like much, the following examples give you an idea of just how much energy that actually equates to. You use this everyday Despite being small enough to

Anyone with a solar PV system will tell you, you can save money by timing your power consumption for the middle of the day, when your panels are most productive. Solar self-consumption allows you to take the electricity that your PV system has just produced and use it to power appliances in your home, like a dishwasher. This approach is fine if you are at home during the day, but what if the majority of your power consumption occurs in the evening? That is where battery storage comes in. And let’s just say, the benefits of including battery storage in your solar PV system go far beyond the

Choosing the right battery for your solar power system As an increasing number of Australian households are embracing solar power, we now have greater access to new and more efficient battery storage technology. But how do you work out which one best suits your needs? This guide offers an overview of past, present and future battery technologies, including our recommendations based on years of experience working with these systems. The end of an era – lead acid batteries We’ve come a long way since the days when lead acid batteries were the only option for storing solar electricity. You know