Solar Power.
A. Yes. As electricity prices increase, so do the savings you achieve. You will be paid at least double for any power you sell back to the grid. Even if you sell very little power back into the grid because you use it all, you still make significant savings. If you install a system that provides for 75% of your $1000 power bill, that leaves you with an annual bill of $250. If the price increases so do your savings.
A. Most panels have conditional warranties for up to 25 years.
A. The solar panels are generally located where possible on the north facing roof of your house, shed or garage.
A. Varying types of solar panels use different technologies. Crystalline solar panels are high wattage and ideal for restricted space. Thin film solar panels are low wattage and require more space but are more shade tolerant.
A. REC panels have been compared to a fair cross section of leading panel manufactures across the world. Here are the tests and the results. Make your own mind up.
A. No. If there is a power cut, your solar grid system will turn off and automatically turn on when the power is restored. This is a safety feature as required by Australian Safety Standards.
A. Simple, better silicon; better technology; better output; better panel.
A. Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Because DC electricity is not compatible with our electricity grid (which is an alternating current or AC electricity), the DC electricity travels to an inverter which converts DC electricity to AC electricity. Once converted, the power is then used by the appliances in the home. Excess, unused electricity flows to an ETSA supplied import / export meter and then into the power grid. This exported electricity will be credited on your power bill. This will be at a minimum, double the amount your electricity provider actually sells the power for.
A. Yes. The inverter has a communications screen so you can monitor the effectiveness of your system. There is available, an optional, more detailed screen which can monitor the performance of your system with additional information.
We have been producing modules since 2003. Because no type of accelerated testing can accurately duplicate 30-40 years of actual use, there is no way we can predict this exactly. REC employs high quality materials and strict quality controls, and we expect that the technical lifetime is competitive. Solar modules that were produced more than 30 years ago are in general still producing current at close to their original efficiency.
A. When a cell is shaded, it produces less current. Because the cells are connected in series, the total energy production of the module is reduced to a level determined by the most shaded cell. Solar modules should therefore never be mounted in a way that leaves them partially shaded much of the day (chimneys, antennae etc…).
A. Energy payback time is the time it takes for a module to produce the amount of energy that was spent while producing the module. Currently the energy payback time of REC modules is about 1 year. The modules are sold with a 25 year guarantee, so for 24 years the module will give a net energy gain.
A. No. If there is a disruption to your electricity supply your grid connect system will shut down. This is a safety feature required by Australian safety standard. Your system will automatically recommence operation once normal electricity supply is restored.
A. Small-scale technology certificate (STCs) created by eligible installations of solar water heaters, air source heat pump water heaters and small generation units (small-scale solar photovoltaic panels, wind and hydro electricity systems). A STC is generally equivalent to:
1 MWh of renewable electricity deemed to be generated by small generation units unless the Solar Credits REC multiplier applies; or
1 MWh of electricity deemed to be displaced by the installation of solar water heaters.
Australian Government – STC Calulator
About the STC booklet.pdf
STC pamphlet.pdf