Colac To Coast Solar Energy

What is a feed in tariff and how much will I get paid?

A feed in tariff is whereby a grid connect system owner is paid for the electricity their system generates by a utility. In Victoria we have a net feed in tariff, it pays on surplus energy created by the system.

What does a typical home solar power system consist of?

A grid connect system consists of six or more solar modules and an inverter which converts the DC electricity into AC. The inverter is connected to the power grid through the electricity meter.

How does electricity get stored for use after the sun goes down?

Grid connect systems direct excess electricity produced during the day back into the local electricity grid. This turns your electricity meter backwards in the process. You then receive a credit for any power that your system supplied to the grid. During the night when your system does not produce and electricity you draw your power from the grid and your electricity meter measures your consumption.

How much benefit can I expect to get from solar credits for installing a solar PV system?

Solar credits are provided in the form of RECs. Solar credits apply to the first 1.5 kilowatts (KW) of capacity of the system installed. The level of support provided by solar credits depends on the price of RECs (which may vary over time) and the location and size of the system.

What happens with grid connect systems during a blackout?

The grid connect inverter will automatically shut itself off within a few milliseconds of a blackout. Therefore even though you have a solar system, during a blackout you will not have power available to operate it. The reason that the system shuts down is so that if linesmen shut down the grid for maintenance, that there are no nasty surprises.

What happens with grid connect systems during a blackout?

The grid connect inverter will automatically shut itself off within a few milliseconds of a blackout. Therefore, even though you have a solar system, during a blackout you will not have power available to operate it. The reason that the system shuts down is so that if linesmen shut down the grid for maintenance, that there are no nasty surprises.

How does a solar system connect into current house power?

The solar system is wired into your existing fuse box via a circuit breaker.

What can affect the amount of solar energy received?

The strength of the solar energy available depends on the time of year, the time of day, and the geographic location of the system. The amount of energy generated can be further affected by the amount of dust and water vapour in the air, the amount of cloud cover and any shading of the solar modules.

How much of a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions will I achieve?

Using a comparison to a car, the average vehicle in Australia travels 20,000 km per annum, which is equivalent to 3.3 tons of carbon dioxide discharge annually. A 2kw grid connected system will prevent 3.3 tons of carbon dioxide being generated through coal fired power generation so, it's the equivalent of taking a car off the road each year.

Where do you place the inverter?

Usually the inverter is placed alongside fuse box. The inverter does produce some noise which can be compared to the noise as made by a refrigerator. It also has a display to show the electricity generated and other data options.

Does roof orientation really matter?

Yes. A system with solar modules facing in a westerly direction will generate less than one with a northerly aspect however, these losses are modest up to about 60 degrees from North.