Choosing a solar system for your home or commercial building requires some work. Firstly, you have to sort out the different solar power systems available according to your budget. Then, you need to compare the best offers on them. Most importantly, you need to find a trustworthy solar installer to help you choose the right solar system and make your investment worth it. So, here’s a guide to help you begin.
Solar Panels
Solar panels make the most important component of an efficient solar power system. So, you should select solar panels based on their efficiency, quality, durability and cost. If this seems like a lot of work, begin by knowing your needs. For instance, your daily energy needs, average electricity bill, roof size and how much you can afford.
Solar panel efficiency is the measure of how much electricity a solar panel can produce in a given surface area. Nowadays, most solar panels easily have an efficiency rate of 15% to 18%. If you want better savings for a smaller roof area, you must choose solar panels with higher efficiency. Correspondingly, they also come with a higher price tag. The cost also varies with the panel size, quality, and manufacturer.
In general, an on-grid connection is the most cost-effective option in Australia. This is where solar panels and inverters are connected to the electricity grid. When choosing solar panels, also make sure to check the federal and state government rebates and the feed-in tariffs.
Things To Look For When Buying Solar Panels
- Efficiency and temperature coefficient.
- Solar panel power rating and power tolerance.
- Look into the warranty period.
- Types of solar cells used.
- Size (physical size and size in watts).
Choose Solar Inverters
The second major component in the solar power system is the inverter. Once you choose your solar panels, it is easy to choose solar inverters. The first thing to consider is the inverter sizing. As a general rule, the size of your inverter must match the DC rating (watts) of your solar panels. Besides that, you must also check for its efficiency. You’ll need to check the inverter type. There are three types of inverters:
- String inverters
- Microinverters
- Power optimisers
String Inverter
String inverters are budget-friendly options but not the best in terms of efficiency. It works as a single central inverter that converts the DC power generated by all the panels to AC.
Microinverters
Microinverters are costly but ideal options for roofs that have shades and obstructions. Solar power system with microinverters has microinverters attached to each panel, and conversions take place at the site.
Power Optimisers
Power optimisers are efficient inverters that use both the technology of string and microinverters. Here, the microinverters optimise the DC power at each panel before sending them to the string inverter, which converts the DC into Ac power.
How To Choose a Reliable Solar Installer
Choosing a reliable solar installer is crucial because they are the ones who are going to design and install your solar system efficiently according to your needs. Begin your search by looking for retailers approved by Clean Energy Council (CEC).
Need Solar Installation for Your Home or Office?
Contact our CEC approved team at Bila Energy for the best solar power installations and competitive prices in the Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Nambucca Heads and Taree areas of NSW.
