Buying a solar panel system is now easy in Australia! All your questions answered.

Reading this article will help you learn everything about solar energy that most Australians might not know. This shall help to argue with a solar salesperson, and be confident that you’re paying the right amount for a correctly-sized solar power system installation at your home or business property. It can be difficult to go through different articles to get all your questions answered related to solar, so to save time, we have made going solar easy for you by answering all you need to know here. 

Everyone is aware of the basics like how solar works and what components are included in the installation of a solar power system. However, we shall explain that in short here. 

• Solar panels collect sunlight and convert it to Direct Current (DC) electricity. DC electricity, on the other hand, is incapable of powering a home or workplace on its own.
• A Solar Inverter converts the DC electricity generated by solar modules into AC electricity, which is needed by most appliances.
• AC electricity is used to power electronic gadgets in the home or at work.
• Solar panels generate excess electricity, which is fed into the grid or stored in batteries for later use.

There are three prime components in the solar system:

• Solar modules
• Solar inverter
• Mounting kit

Moving forward, the next step is knowing good solar brands. Now you might not be aware or know what brand solar panels to install at your property. Don’t worry, you don’t need to remember it or search about them. We have listed down 10 best solar panel brands you can install in 2022 based on performance, features, quality and warranties. 

• LG solar panels
• Trina Solar
• REC Solar
• Tindo Solar
• Q Cells
• Canadian Solar
• Jinko Solar
• Longi Panels
• Suntech panels
• SunPower Panels

Once you have decided on what panels to install, the next question comes: what solar inverter brand should I install? Inverter is literally the heart of your solar power system and solar inverter is the component that has the highest chance of failing over the lifespan of solar and thus needs to be installed after careful research. 

The three main types of inverters are:

String Inverters: The solar array is made up of a string of solar panels connected by a string inverter. In most of the properties a string inverter is mounted on the wall of a garage or somewhere where sunlight cannot reach. It has to be installed at a place where sun rays don’t shine on it. 

Micro inverters: A micro inverter is an extremely small inverter that is designed to be connected to each solar panel individually. Micro inverters are usually used where shading issues persist. They are connected to each panel on the roof so that if one panel receives shading the output of the entire system doesn’t get affected. 

Hybrid inverters: A hybrid inverter is an inverter that can control and direct inputs from both solar panels and a battery bank at the same time, charging batteries with solar panels or power from the grid.

Once you know what inverter to install, you might think about the solar inverter brands to install at the property. Don’t worry, you don’t need to remember it or search about them. We have listed down 10 best solar inverter brands you can install in 2022 based on performance, features, quality and warranties. 

• SolarEdge Inverter
• GoodWe Inverter
• Sungrow Inverter
• Solax Inverter
• Fronius Inverter
• Growatt Inverter
• Huawei Inverter
• SMA Inverter
• Solis Inverter
• ABB Inverter

Lastly, mounting kit is considered when getting the panels installed because that is a component that is going to hold the solar panels in place. There are a wide range of mounting and racking brands available in the Australian market. It is something that doesn’t need a lot of research. The only thing one needs to make sure while selecting a proper mounting kit is that they corrode less over the lifespan of solar and are strong enough to withstand the tough conditions.

Facts about solar installation roof direction

This is something you might already know. As Australia lies in the southern hemisphere, it is generally perceived that north is the best direction for solar panels installation. However, north east and north west are equally good for solar installation. Panels placed in the east direction generate more power in the morning. Panels placed in the west direction generate more power in late afternoons. Thus it is advised to install solar panels in two directions to get the maximum output of the system throughout the day.

Learn about your energy consumption pattern

It is necessary to learn about your energy consumption pattern before installing a solar power system. Just sit with your bills and you will be able to understand how much energy you use and what time of the day. If you use 20kW a day, you need to have a system in place that can generate at least 25kW a day. Also, the pattern needs to be analysed. You can discuss your energy usage pattern with our experts and they can help you learn more about your energy needs. 

How to correctly size your solar system?

It is true that there is no one size fits all size for the solar system. Every property comes with different specifications and needs and thus needs to be treated differently. One thing you need to remember here is that you can install 33% more panels than the inverter size. For example you got a 5kW inverter, you can install a 6.6kW of panels. How many panels you need depends on your consumption pattern. Two simple steps can help you understand what size solar system you need:

1. Find out your kWh per hour usage

2. Learn about peak sun hours

What is the approximate amount I might have to pay for getting solar?

A typical good quality 6.6kW system shall cost you somewhere between $4000 to $7000. A 10kW system’s price ranges between $8000-$10000. Solar Bridge is here to help more Aussie homeowners take advantage of the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy. We offer you just the right size solar system with quality products keeping in mind your budget constraints. 

Lastly, when investing in solar, you might consider your return on investment. A typical 6.6kW of solar system usually pays off within 3-5 years. However, that depends on the quality of the solar system, price paid for it and the location. We can help you analyze your ROI and provide you your entire investment guide. Speak to one of our solar experts to get your Return On Investment Analysis done today.