Rooftop Solar

A Solar Photovoltaic System (solar PV) is used to change the energy of sunlight into electricity. Most commonly in residential areas, you’ll see the panels mounted to people’s roofs. 

In fact, there are more than 3.52 million rooftop solar PV systems already powered up and working hard for Australian households. Australia has one of the highest uptake of solar PV in the world (Australian Photovoltaic Institute 30/623- Market Analyses). 

The panels lay on two tracks and are wired to an inverter. The inverter changes the DC current into an AC (alternating) current for use within our homes to power our toasters, kettles, TVs. to charge our EVs it gets converted back to DC (direct current)

The cost of installing a solar system can vary widely and is affected by a range of factors from where you live, the retailer or installer you choose, the warranties available, and the technology and size of your system. 

The Clean Energy Council of Australia has a good reference guide when it comes to the costs and savings associated with rooftop solar: 

An additional interesting resource that looks at the savings and benefits of rooftop solar can be found here.

This will vary depending on the size of your solar PV system, how much electricity you use and the rates charged by your energy retailer. As a general guide,  the money you save on power bills will typically exceed the price of your solar system within three years. And over the lifetime of your solar system (20-25 years) it will pay for itself many times over.

The State and Federal government are both offering rebates for those keen to install solar panels. Our friends down in Thirroul (Electrify 2515) have collated an easy-to-follow guide to the rebate schemes.

PROS

• Free energy source, reducing or eliminating power bills

• Running your solar system produces NO carbon emissions 

• Doesn’t require a lifestyle adjustment, electricity usage can be maintained 

• Excess solar power generated can be stored in a home battery for self-sufficiency and independence during blackouts and fires

• Excess solar power can be sold back to the grid via your energy provider

• Avoid bill shock as energy prices continue to rise

• Can improve your home’s value

• Government rebates are available

CONS

• Initial setup costs

• Shady roofs. or roofs will poor solar orientation can produce less output and increase payback periods BUT there are great microinverters to get around this problem

• Rainy days will reduce energy output

• Challenging if you’re renting – try a solar farm! (see, for example, Haystacks Solar Farms)

• Feed-in tariffs for your excess solar energy are volatile 

Your solar panel system will supply solar-powered energy while the sun is shining. When it’s not, you will produce less and import from the grid at your standard usage charges. You won’t be left in the dark!

Alternatively, if you have a home battery, you can store excess solar to use on-demand. Literally putting some energy away for a rainy day! You can read more about home batteries here.

Yes, absolutely. But some systems won’t talk to each other, so make sure they do before you buy. You can read more about home batteries here. 

We’d recommend you talk to a qualified installer who can advise you on the best positioning, orientation and scale of a solar panel system.

If you're on Facebook, the My Efficient Electric Home group is a great place to ask questions and share information about solar PV (and lots more!)

Bundeena has already had three solar rooftop bulk buys.  Electrify Bundeena has negotiated a special discount offer for Bundeena and Maianbar residents for solar systems purchased from AG Solar via a referral from Electrify Bundeena.

 Please keep an eye on our website for more news, or sign up to our mailing list to receive notifications of other upcoming offers and events.