May 2021 - Bila Energy

Government Rebates & Initiatives For Solar Installation For Home Owners

May 31, 2021 admin

Are you thinking about installing a solar power system at an affordable price for your home? If yes, you are at the right place. NSW is going solar as 24.6 per cent of households already have rooftop solar panels installed. While each state has its own scheme, this is exclusively for homeowners located in New South Wales to utilise the benefits offered by the NSW Government.

New South Wales Solar Rebates and Initiatives

The Government provides attractive rebates and incentives to encourage you to cut down your carbon emissions by going green. Given below are some of the schemes that can help you in choosing the right one for you.

Small Scale Technology Certificates

Under the Small-scale Energy Scheme (SRES), the government awards you Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for your solar power installation. You can sell each of these certificates for around $40 in an open STCs market. You will receive an STC for every 1000 kWh of solar power produced. However, the number of STCs you receive will depend upon your location and the size of your solar system. If you are eligible, you can reduce the solar installation cost by one third, which is about 33%. To be eligible:

Your solar power system must have a capacity of 100kW. Hence, commercial properties are also eligible for this scheme.
Your installer must be a Clean Energy Council Accredited installer. And all your components must also be CEC approved.

Empowering Homes Solar Battery Loan Offer

The Empowering Homes program provides interest-free loans for a solar battery system installation by an accredited solar installer. It is a beneficial program that offers loans for up to $14,000 for a new solar battery system and $9,000 for replacing or adding new batteries to your existing system. To be eligible:

Your household must have an annual income of not more than $180,000.
You must own and live in the grid-connected home where the loan is used.

So, if you are eligible, you can repay your loans in 8 years for a new system and 10 years for a retrofit. However, you must check if the program is available for your location.

Feed-in Tariff

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program pays you for the excess solar electricity generated from your solar system. However, the NSW government does not have a minimum FIT. So, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has regulated a benchmark of 6.0 to 7.3 cents per kWh and, your local electricity retailers can decide on FIT pricing.

Virtual Power Plant

A virtual power plant program connects many home solar batteries together to form a single power source. So, when you join this program, you agree to give a certain fixed amount of access to your battery to a VPP provider or solar retailer. They can access electricity from your battery during times of high demand, such as hot summers. You can also earn some $100 to $200 a year from this scheme. However, it may vary depending on other factors.

Solar Power For Low Income Homes

Solar power for low-income homes program offers a free solar system with a capacity of 3kW. So, to be eligible for this program:

You or your spouse must own your house without any existing solar power system.
Currently, you must receive the incentive for low-income households and must agree to no incentives for 10 years if you opt for solar installation.
Must have a valid Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.

However, this program applies only to 3000 households in selected locations within NSW.

For more details on the NSW incentives and eligibilities, contact our expert CEC approved team at Bila Energy today.

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Why Sydney, Newcastle & Port Macquarie Businesses Are Going Solar

May 31, 2021 admin

The solar power industry is the fastest growing industry in Australia now. As of 2020, New South Wales ranks first with a whopping 108,922 installations of the solar PV system. Advanced technology, reliability, and affordability are the reasons for its success. Hence, many businesses in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Macquarie are shifting towards solar power. Given below are some of the reasons for businesses going solar.

1. Save on Energy Bills

Businesses in general, no matter big or small, suffer from sky-high electricity bills. Hence, it becomes hard to run a sustainable business when the electricity bill is too much to handle. Recently, there is a massive shift in the trend. Most business owners have managed to get rid of the extensive electricity bills by going green. According to CSIRO, nearly 362,000 small scale solar PV systems with a capacity of 3 GW were installed across Australia in 2020.

Australia relishes the highest solar radiation per square metre. Hence, a commercial solar power system can significantly reduce the cost of electricity bills for your business. Any type of business and industries can benefit from solar power. From mining, manufacturing to hotels and office buildings, solar power is a long-term investment with a solid lifespan of 25-30 years. Further, a commercial solar power system monitors both the generation and consumption of solar energy. It makes it easy for you to have a regular check on your gross consumption. Additionally, it does not require a costly maintenance routine, thus saving your time and maintenance cost.

2. Lasting Financial Benefits

Installation of the solar PV systems can earn you a decent Return on Investments (ROI). You can also avail of feed-in tariffs and other tax incentives. The Australian Government’s renewable energy incentives, such as the Small-scale Energy Schemes (SRES) and the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET), plays a crucial role in the growth of commercial solar power installation. Many commercial properties, businesses, factories, and industries benefit from these schemes. So, if you have an Australian Business Number (ABN), you may also be eligible for such incentives.

3. Large-scale Renewable Energy Target

The LRET provides incentives for the development of energy power stations. It awards you Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) and promotes its sale. You can make money by selling them to companies or individuals looking forward to reducing their energy use and carbon emission.

4. Small-scale Energy Scheme

The SRES was introduced to help ease the high purchase cost of the solar PV system. It encourages individuals and small business owners to install and utilise solar power by offering a financial incentive. SRES awards Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for every megawatt-hour of solar energy generated. You can make money by selling each of the certificates for $40 in an open STCs market.

A Thoughtful Green Business

Going solar makes you and your business environment friendly. As large-scale businesses and industries consume a massive amount of electricity, the emission of harmful gases is also dramatically high. Hence, by going green, you are improvising yourself as a thoughtful green business. When your industry or commercial building has solar power, the value of your business increases to a large extent. Further, it improves your brand image and credibility. It also allows you to promote your brand as energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

Finding the perfect solar power system for your business can be an overwhelming process. Depending upon the needs and size of your business, you have to install an efficient system that benefits you. So, reach out to our expert Bila Energy team to help you find the best solar power system for your business. We service the Port Macquarie, Taree, Newcastle, Sydney and surrounding areas.

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Does Your Home Generate Solar Power In Winter?

May 3, 2021 admin

One of the most common misconceptions about solar panels is that they cannot produce power in winter. During winter, the slight tilt of Earth signifies the late rising of the sun. Well, winter is one of the best times to generate solar power in Newcastle and surrounding areas.

Do solar power panels work in winter?

Yes, they can.

Winter is extremely bright and comfortable in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. Therefore, you should consider opting for solar installers to generate power. Although these panels produce less output in winter than in summer, they can be extremely efficient.

Surprisingly, solar power panels work efficiently with improved performance during winters. Moreover, they contribute to minimising the drop in production because of lack of daylight and bright sunlight. Too much sunlight during the summers can damage solar panels thereby affecting the production of electricity.

The photovoltaic technology (Solar cells responsible for transforming solar energy into electric energy) ensures better conversion of sunlight to power during winters. Installing solar arrays (collection of solar modules) is advisable as they can help the panels to eventually absorb the sunlight.

Although solar panels do not absorb enough sunlight in winter, the overall loss in yearly production is minimal. Furthermore, investing in solar panels can be an effective move during winter because of the availability of a wide range of deals.

As owners of solar panels, you should refrain from cleaning the arrays on your own. This helps to avoid the risk of damage.

What happens to the performance of solar panels in winter?

Solar panels can come across various problems. However, before installing these, it is essential to know all the complications of solar panels during winter.

While developing the solar panels, solar companies ensure that they conduct a pressure test to match quality and durability. The high-pressure ratings of solar panels will ensure that they can easily withstand any weight upon them. Hence, they can readily bear a certain weight.

Cold and sunny weather is beneficial for the installation of panels. Cold and sunny weather can be helpful for solar installers to proceed with installation quietly and conveniently.

Can solar power panels work effectively on hot days?

A popular misconception about solar power panels is that they do not work during summer. Excessive heat can turn out to be an enemy for solar panels. Since summer days are long, it can make up for the accumulation of sunlight which helps in improving the electricity-producing capabilities.

Not every solar panel is created the same as solar inverters, which is why it is necessary to consider the installation of these. The impact of heat on solar panels will vary depending on the brands. The most important consideration is referred to as the “temperature coefficient.”

Compared to cold weather, warm weather can be regarded to be a friend of solar power panels. It is easier for solar power panels to turn solar energy into electricity during winter.

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The Difference Between Grid-Connect & Off-Grid Solar

May 3, 2021 admin

Are you planning to get a solar energy system at your home or business? The Bila Energy solar installers in Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour regions can provide extensive knowledge regarding the difference between grid-connect and off-grid solar. It is necessary to understand the difference between the two to ensure you get the right solar system for your property.

What are on-grid solar systems?

The on-grid solar system generates power through the utility power grid and is eventually connected to the utility feed. The on-grid or grid-connect systems are meant for sending excessive power depending on what you are overproducing. These are incredibly efficient.

The on-grid solar systems can pay for themselves and can be set up without net metering as well. It plays a vital role in enhancing the calculation of monthly bills and providing the same tariff. However, if there is no net metering, the rate at which solar power is provided can differ from average utility tariffs. However, one of the on-grid system’s biggest problems is that it does not cater to the grid outage need.

What is an off-grid solar system?

The off-grid system is a system that can help you save and store solar power within the batteries, even when the power goes down. The off-grid solar systems provide self-sustaining benefits. One of an off-solar grid’s best services is that they can offer power even during severe temperature fluctuations.

One of the most significant downgrades of an off-grid system is that batteries provide limitations in cost and volume and may not meet all your energy needs depending on your consumption. In conditions like these, you would need specialised equipment.

The difference between off-grid and on-grid solar energy

Off-Grid and on-grid solar systems are two different solar systems. Some of the most prominent differences between the two include the following:

Access to electricity

An off-grid solar system will prevent you from having extra electricity when you need it. You will get as much power as you produce and as much as you store. It is necessary to have a battery or means for storing the extra energy, or you won’t be able to access it if the weather is cloudy and there is no electricity.

An on-grid electricity system will provide you access to electricity irrespective of how much the solar system is producing and whether you have access to batteries. If any of the equipment is not producing enough energy, you would be able to pull off the energy from the utility grid to cover up for it.

As a result, an on-grid electric system will ensure you have access to electricity throughout while an off-grid system limits it.

Excess production

The off-grid system can often produce excess energy depending on the system size, electricity usage and how many times you use the system. Most of these off-grid systems have been designed to make only a specific amount of energy. You may want to get extra batteries for storing energy, but it can eventually be expensive.

An on-grid system is installed to cover for most of the energy usage. How much energy is produced will ultimately depend on the solar system, electricity and how many times of the day you’d be using the system.

Power outages

An off-grid system works differently from the power grid. Hence, you wouldn’t have to be worried about the system change in case of a power outage.

In the case of an on-grid system, the system wouldn’t work in power outages because of its direct connection.

Many people prefer installing a hybrid solar energy system in their houses to save unused electricity. Both on-grid and off-grid systems are different, and you might want to use one that suits your needs the most.

Speak to the experts at Bila Energy for assistance with choosing the perfect solar system for your needs.