Category: home-solar

A solar energy system contains several essential components including an inverter to connect to the grid. This is one of the most central components of the solar system.  There are many types of solar inverters, and the solar grid connect inverter is one of the most popular in Australia. Here you will learn more about what a solar grid connect inverter is, and how it works. We will also compare the solution to other solar inverter types. What is the main function of an inverter in a solar system? The inverter, also known as a grid-tie inverter, makes it possible…Continue readingWhat is a Solar Grid Connect Inverter?

Although Australia is known to have a sunny climate most of the year, there may also be cloudy and snowy days – especially during the winter. So, how will the Australian winter affect the electricity output from your solar system? In this article, you will find the answer. Firstly: How does a solar panel work? To be able to understand how winter may affect your solar panels, you also need to know the basics of how a solar panel works. Without going into detail, your solar panel will produce electricity when photons emitted from the sun hit its surface. During…Continue readingDo solar panels work in winter?

As solar panels produce electricity from solar energy, their efficiency will highly depend on the amount of sunlight that hits the solar cells. Because of this, the angle and orientation of your solar panels play an essential role upon installation. Many factors may affect how your panels should be mounted, including your roof angle and orientation and where your home is located.  What is the optimal solar panel angle? In general, solar panels will work most efficiently when they are positioned at a 90-degree angle to the sun. In other words, solar panels should be installed perpendicular to the light…Continue readingWhat is the angle to mount solar panels?

If you are planning on going solar, there are many elements to consider. Luckily, your installer will know which solutions are the best for your household – including what direction to mount the solar panels. Solar panels produce electrical power as sunlight hits the solar cells. Because of this, it is important to make sure that the sun hits the panels in an optimum way. Generally, it is recommended that the sunlight hits the panels at a 90-degree angle. So, is it better to install the solar panels in a north, south, east or west-facing direction?  Here we will explain…Continue readingWhat is the best direction to mount solar panels?

Australia is known for its sunny and dry climate, which is also one of the reasons that solar technology is so popular here. As you might already know, solar panels will produce power when sunlight hits the panels. Although Australia is mostly sunny, you can’t expect the sun to shine every day. In addition to this, your rooftop might be shaded by surrounding trees or buildings. So, what happens to the panel efficiency during cloudy weather or shading? Will the solar panel still work, and if so – will it produce enough electricity? This will affect whether solar panels work…Continue readingDo solar panels work in the shade?

Not everybody understands how solar panels work. Photovoltaic systems or PV systems can be seen on the rooftop of more than 3 million Australian homes and business buildings. Around 30% of all households in Australia have invested in solar panel technology and may enjoy the benefits of solar energy. So, how do solar panels work? In this article, we will explain the basics. The photovoltaic cell A PV system consists of solar panels and one or more inverters (and sometimes a battery). Solar panels are made of many photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, that are constructed by two slices of…Continue readingHow do solar panels work?

If you have a grid-connected solar system, you should have a net meter that will show where the energy is coming from when the solar panels do not produce enough energy. In addition to this, you will be able to export electricity to the grid if you have surplus energy. A solar net meter will show you how much energy moves between the solar panels and your energy provider. Here we will explain everything you need to know about this device! What is a solar net meter? A solar net meter (also known as a smart meter) is a device…Continue readingHow does a solar net meter work?

By now you have probably come across the term solar optimisers. If you have invested in a solar panel system, it might be frustrating to experience a low system output due to partial shading. Solar panels that get shade from trees or similar will affect your whole solar system if you don’t have microinverters. Luckily, there is a more affordable alternative on the market: The solar optimiser. Here we will explain everything you need to know about this smart device! What is a solar optimiser? Solar optimisers or DC optimisers are devices designed to maximise the solar energy output from…Continue readingWhat are solar optimisers and are they worth it?

Selecting the right solar installer company is an important part of your job if you are planning on going solar. The right solar company will not only supply you with the right solar panel system, it will ensure that you get a professional installation. There are many different solar companies in Australia, and it might be difficult to know which one you should go for. In this guide, we will tell you exactly what to look for when finding a solar installer company. 1. CEC accreditation The first thing. Make sure the company has proper accreditation. There are several solar…Continue readingHow do I choose the right solar company?

When investing in a solar panel system, you might come across the term three phase inverter. As you might already know, a solar inverter is responsible for converting Direct Current (DC) into Alternating Current (AC) that can be used by home appliances like refrigerators or TVs. On the Australian solar market, you will find both single phase and three phase inverters. So, what is the difference between the two, and do you really need a three phase inverter? Single phase vs. three phase electricity supply Most Australians live in homes with a single-phase electricity supply. In other words, their home…Continue readingWhat is a three phase inverter?