Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question you'd like answered, try searching our list of Frequently Asked Questions before contacting our customer care team.
- About system design
- About solar technology
- The maths of solar energy
- Pre-installation
- Post-installation
SYSTEM DESIGN
What will it look like on my house?
Different solar panels have different looks, and how it looks on your house is one thing we consider when we're selecting the best system. You can see what it might look like by looking at our gallery. You can see the panels in real life by visiting one of our showrooms.
Which way will the panels face?
The optimum positioning for solar panels is at a 30 degree angle facing true North. This makes the most of the sun at all times of the day.
That will determine which side of your house the panels are installed. But don't worry if you don't have a North-facing roof - we can figure out ways to get the same power generation.
How can I reduce my current energy usage?
We occasionally write about energy saving on our blog, but there are many great home energy efficiency web sites that specialise in this. The government website Living Greener is a good starting point.
SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
What is the difference between different types of solar panels?
We offer a range of solar panel technologies. Some of the variables to consider include power output, performance under shade or heat, and space efficiency. Each design has its own benefits and disadvantages, which are considered when we custom-design your system.
What factors can affect the performance of my solar system?
Shade and availability of sunlight are huge factors therefore it's vital to get the direction and angles of the panels' just right. However, performance can also be affected by temperature and the cleanliness of the system. Your installer will show you what you can do to maintain your system for optimum performance.
Where are the panels manufactured?
We source only the best quality panels from across the world. These include Solar Frontier and Kaneka (Japan), Suntech (China) and others. Our inverters are by SMA (Germany) and Xantrex (Canada).
How are solar panels installed? Will it affect my roof?
Solar panels don't affect your roof - our trained installers ensure not to drill into roof tiles or rest the panels on them. If anything, you can gain increased insulation on your roof (the tropical roof effect) by covering your roof with solar panels!
What accreditations and experience do your installers have?
All of our staff goes through our Solar Academy, a training program which combines the latest research with over ten years' worth of experience. Our installation teams are fully Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited
What happens at a design consultation? How much does it cost?
Your in-home design consultation is free of cost and free of obligations. A Solar Shop Renewable Energy Advisor (REA) will come to you to evaluate what type of system you will require based on your needs, the look and the amount of light your roof gets. The consultation usually takes 30-60 minutes. Your REA will take some measurements and show you some system options and advise what would be best for your situation. We then give you quote(s) and you decide from there.
Click here to read about the process
Click here to watch a Video
Click here to book a free in-home consultation
How much does the system weigh?
Panels are usually a maximum of 270kg for each kW of capacity.
Won't it be dangerous having an electrical system on the roof when it rains?
All electrical work is sealed and water-tight, so rain does not pose a problem to your system.
How are solar panels connected to the main system?
All solar panels are connected to an inverter, which converts the electricity from the direct current (DC) produced by the system to alternating current (AC) that can be used by your home and the grid. The inverter then connects to your household switchboard, which will take out the energy you need and send the rest to the grid via your electricity meter.
What size solar energy system do I need?
We look at a number of factors when we design your solar energy system. These include your current energy usage, the size of your roof and the available sunlight. You also need to decide whether you want to just reduce your electricity bill, be self-sufficient or try to make money selling excess power. Most of our installations are 2.0-3kW, but to start consistently making money we would recommend a system 4kW and up.
What happens when there's no sunlight?
During the day your system will usually produce excess energy that gets sold back to the grid for credits. But at night when there's no sunlight your solar panels can't produce electricity. Your system will then automatically use power from the main grid.
Will I still have electricity in a blackout?
Legislation requires that your solar energy system shuts down automatically if there's a blackout for the safety of power maintainance crews, so unfortunately you won't have power either.
Will I still have electricity from my solar energy system in winter?
The temperature might be lower but that doesn't mean that there's no solar 'radiation'. Your system will produce less power because there are less hours of sunlight, but you will still get significant energy production.
How much electricity is produced? How does my location affect it?
Depending on your location, the amount of electricity produced varies from state to state. Your can learn more about system orientation & output on this page.
How long will my system be under warranty?
Our panels typically include a 25 years performance warranty, and inverters usually carry a 5 year warranty.
Can I put more solar panels in later?
If you have more roof space with good light and the right direction you should be able to add more panels to your system. The only requirement that might change is the size of your inverter, so if you think you might upgrade later talk to your sales consultant about starting off with a bigger inverter. As panel specifications may also change over time, upgrading sooner will maximise the chance of securing matching panels.
What is an inverter?
Inverters are required for all grid-connect systems (that's the kind that we install so that you can sell power back to your provider). But because solar panels produce direct current (DC) and your appliances/the grid work off alternating current (AC) you need an inverter to convert the electricity from one to the other. It's important to have the best quality inverter that you can so that as much energy as possible is going from your solar panels to your house.
How long would it take me to go carbon neutral?
To assess whether you are carbon neutral, you need to balance how much carbon dioxide has been emitted with how much has been prevented. Our estimates at the time of quoting your system include shipping and manufacture.
How long will it take to ‘payback' the energy used to create the solar panels?
A renewable energy system is said to have ‘paid back' its energy when it has created the same amount of power that was used to create it (otherwise known as embodied energy). There are huge differences between different types of panels - for example, the embodied energy of thin film panels is 40% lower than crystalline panels, which means that they will payback their energy much faster!
What's the difference between solar panels and a solar hot water system?
Both get installed on your roof, but solar hot water systems use the warmth from the sun to heat the water - they don't use the light to create electricity.
THE MATHS OF SOLAR ENERGY
What value can I expect a solar energy system to add to my house?
With more people becoming environmentally aware, we're seeing more value placed on having an existing solar energy system. The exact value added will depend on the expected remaining life of the system and how big the system is. We would expect most of our systems to last 25 years at least, so be sure to include it in any property descriptions. Well know sites like Realestate.com now include specific enviromental options to highlight these selling points when listing your property.
How much power can I sell back to the grid?
The amount of power that you get paid for will depend on which state you're in - some states pay net feed-in tariffs and some pay in gross. Due to the constantly changing state legislations, we recommend visiting your state/ territory's respective websites for the latest feed-in tariff updates. The Alternative Energy Association also maintains a summary of State Feed-in Tarrifs here.
How does re-selling my power work?
Once your system has been set up and approved by the relevant bodies, you don't have to do anything at all. The power that you've sold back to the grid will appear on your electricity bills as credits, and if those credits exceed your usage you should receive money back. We ensure that all of our installers are accredited by the Clean Energy Council so that you're eligible!
What are Small Technology Certificates (STCs)?
Small Technology Certificates (STCs, previously known as RECs) are tradeable credits distributed to you when you purchase your system. They effectively provide a rebate towards the cost of your system. The number of STCs you get will depend on the size of your system and its estimated potential for generating electricity. Most customers choose to sell these back to us in exchange for an upfront discount on their system, but you can keep & trade them yourself. See the full explanation here.
What is the solar credits program?
The Solar Credits program just adds a bonus in the number of STCs you receive if your installation is within a certain amount of time. From 1 July 2011, newly installed solar energy systems will receive 3 times the STCs for the first 1.5kW of panels installed.
What solar deals are there?
We offer different deals all the time! Check them out here.
What financing options are available?
Solar Shop offers a finance product called Sunworks through our subsidiary; Solar Financial Solutions. Sunworks offers a $0 deposit and will save money compared to your power bill or other forms of finance. We calculate that many people will be able to pay off their system within 5-7 years.
Will my solar panels be covered by my home insurance?
Most insurance companies are willing to include solar panels under home and contents insurance, but it's better to check if you're not sure!
PRE-INSTALLATION
What do I have to do after paying my deposit?
Our operations team will handle everything & laise with you on any queries. They will call to schedule a suitable installation date & remind you prior to the installation day. On the day our installers will complete your installation & run through the operation of your system including a job pack with relevant documentation. You can learn more about the process here.
What happens to my connection to the electricity grid?
Most of our customers will stay connected to the grid - just like you already are. This is referred to as a grid-connected solar, as opposed to a stand-alone system with a battery back-up. The benefit of this is that you may be able to sell power back to the grid when you're not using all of the electricity your system creates, and use power from the grid when your system isn't generating electricity (i.e. at night).
The power that you sell back to the grid goes on your existing bill as credits, which offsets your power usage at other times. If you're generating more than you use (depending on how energy efficient you are), you'll be making money!
POST-INSTALLATION
What do I need to do to maintain my system?
Very little, solar energy systems have no moving parts. You may wish to occasionally wash the panels if in a dirty or dusty environment.
How long will my system last?
Our solar panels have a performance warranty of 25 years, inverters typically a five year warranty, and we provide our own workmanship warranty. The energy generation efficiency of solar panels does degrade somewhat over time; however this is usually marginal and equivalent to an extra day of reduced sunlight.
How do I tell how much power my system has generated?
Solar Shop Australia can provide you with access to a web-based portal to see your energy generation (if you have suitable hardware options), or you can wander around to the inverter and see what you are producing at any given time on the LCD display.
What happens in a black-out?
By regulation, if there is a black-out your solar energy system also has to shut down for the protection of power maintainance crews.
How do I claim my Small Technology Certificates (STCs)?
You need to be registered with the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator to claim Small Technology Certificates. Solar Shop is registered, and we usually take care of this by purchasing them from you in exchange for a discount on your system. For more information on managing & claiming STCs yourself, please click here.
How do I reduce my energy usage so that I can make more money?
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your household energy consumption, and thereby increase your solar energy income. The government website Living Greener is a good starting point.
How do I turn my GCS system on/ off?
Click here to view step-by-step instructions to turn ON your GCS system.
Click here to view step-by-step instructions to turn OFF your GCS system.
