With so many fantastic benefits, it’s little wonder that solar panels are so commonly seen on rooftops across Australia.
They can lower your power bills, reduce your environmental impact, harness Australia’s sunny conditions and add value to your home.
But when it comes to choosing a solar power system, what’s best for you?
Firstly, let’s look at the three main components that will make up your system – solar panels, solar inverters and the mounting system.
Solar Panels
The three most popular solar panels in Australia are Polycrystalline/Multicrystalline, Monocrystalline and Quasi-Monocrystalline.
While choosing the right solar panel type has importance, the quality and reliability of the manufacturer is, and will always be, the most important consideration.
Manufacturers are categorised into three tiers. When choosing solar panels, we always recommend choosing Tier 1 or 2 manufacturers.
Solar Inverters
Solar inverters are the engine room of your solar energy system. The most important things to look for here are:
Efficiency – don’t accept an efficiency rating of less than 95%. Keep an eye out for unrealistic claims from manufacturers and instead try to find independent testing when comparing models.
Brand – just like panels, ‘brandless’ inverters are out there and usually offer poor quality. Stick to brands with a proven reputation like SMA, Fronius and Growatt.
Warranty – solar energy systems are a long term investment. Make sure your preferred inverter is locally supported (there are offices representing the brand in Australian), and don’t accept a warranty of less than five years.
Mounting Systems
Mounting systems hold and protect your solar panels over a long period, so it’s essential you look for a strong and robust system that will go the distance. Ensure your mounting system is Australian-certified and protected by a competitive warranty.
Which System Is Best For You?
Now that you know which components to look out for, the next step in choosing solar panels is determining the size and output of your system. Here are three questions that you should consider when making your choice.
How much energy do you need?
Consider your current energy requirements, the size of your house, future energy needs and exactly how much energy you want to be saving every day.
Try our handy Solar Energy Calculator for a clearer picture of your energy needs.
What’s your budget?
Setting a budget is important, but it’s more important to understand what your solar power system will deliver once it’s installed. In most cases, paying a little more for a larger or better quality system will offer greater long-term financial benefits.
Solar power finance options are also available to give you flexibility and comfort with repayments.
How much roof space do you have?
While larger roofs provide greater flexibility when installing a system, don’t worry if yours is too small – we can offer a variety of installation methods to help you get the most out of your roof space.
We hope this quick guide has got you on the right track for choosing the right solar power system.
For more information, contact Solargain and we will happily answer your questions.
You might also be interested in seeing the 10 questions you should ask before you buy solar.
Speak you soon,
Solargain
