Looking for a reliable solar energy storage system? It can be hard to choose between two leading and best-performing solar batteries in the industry:
- Tesla Powerwall
- Sonnen Battery
Solar energy is a clean, renewable and inexhaustible source of energy. Most Australian homeowners are going for solar power. Solar system with battery storage offers a lot of advantages to homeowners in Australia. For example, it can help reduce the monthly electricity bills or even completely eliminate them.
Are you planning to invest in buying a good quality solar panel system of a suitable size for your home?
The amount of energy it can generate will depend on the roof facing. The tilt angle, direction, shading, and size directly impact the amount of energy generated by a solar panel. Before going for solar panel installation in Sydney, you need to carefully understand how your roof direction will impact solar energy generation.
The solar inverter plays a crucial role in converting the energy generated by the solar system into a usable form of energy to power your home. It is rightly called the brain of the solar system since it converts the direct current (DC) output of a solar PV panel into alternating current (AC), which is used by most electrical appliances and the electricity grid as well. Choosing a solar power inverter for your residence or office is crucial. When it comes to the best solar inverters in Australia, Fronius vs SMA; are two leading manufacturers of solar string inverters. Both these companies are quite popular in Australia for their high-efficiency residential, commercial, and hybrid solar panel systems.
The first thing that comes to the mind of most individuals when they hear the word solar panels is a residential rooftop solar system. However, there are commercial solar panels, too. For those running a business, commercial solar panels in Sydney would be an ideal choice. Running any business requires a tremendous amount of energy (power). The monthly electricity bills form a large part of the expenses of most businesses in Australia. With a commercial solar panel, an Australian business can save money on electricity bills and also play a key role in saving the environment.
There is rising competition in the commercial sector globally. To meet the energy requirements, there is a huge demand for rooftop solar power systems among commercial establishments in Australia. With so many users for solar panel installation in Sydney, they would like to know the right capacity for the rooftop solar power system.
Solar panel uses direct sunlight to generate power. But many homeowners are often concerned about whether solar panels work in cloudy weather or low sun exposure.
In simple words, Yes, solar panel system works on cloudy days. The efficiency of solar panels reduces during cloudy days and rainy days as compared to sunny days.
During rainy days, the rain helps to clean the solar panels naturally by washing away the dust and keeping them functioning efficiently.
Solar panel installations have become quite popular worldwide due to the benefits offered by solar energy as an alternate source of energy. Nearly one-third of Australian households already have solar panels installed. According to the Clean Energy Council (CEC), more than 3 million installed rooftop solar panel systems in Australia.
Edge-Of-Cloud-Effect
It is a natural phenomenon named Edge-Of-Cloud-Effect. When clouds start to cover the Sun and emerge from behind clouds, that causes a sudden burst of solar energy on a solar panel that produces more power temporarily than on a sunny day. It helps to balance out the loss of energy during full cloud cover. It is a light refraction that concentrates sunlight when a shadow passes by the edge of the cloud.
Performance During Bad Weather
Fog
Your solar panel system works fine in foggy weather, but the efficiency reduces to 50% during foggy weather conditions.
Rain
Your solar panel system generates power at a lower rate. It produces 10-25% of energy to its rated capacity during rainy days.
Do Cloudy Days Affect the Output of Solar Panels?
It depends upon factors like how dense the cloud is, the efficiency of the solar panel, type of solar panel installed on your home solar panel system. Solar panels generate energy during partial sunlight and infrared radiation, meaning they capture the solar spectrum – the blue and the red wavelengths. Sunlight penetrates the cloud even during heavy rains, which helps your solar system to generate power, though it is not a complete blackout atmosphere. It is the same way that you get sunburned on cloudy days too. The output of solar panels on cloudy days is comparatively lesser when compared to sunny days. On average, the energy output of solar panels can drop about 10-25%.
How Do Solar Panels Generate Electricity?
Solar panels can generate electricity only in direct sunlight. This statement is a myth. In reality, solar panels don’t require direct sunlight to generate electricity.
PV panel uses direct or indirect sunlight to generate energy. Solar panels consist of solar cells, which absorb photons and convert them into electricity. This energy or electricity is transferred to the inverter. It gets converted to alternating current (AC) power. Most of our home appliances work on AC power. The excess power generated by the solar panels is either stored in a solar battery or sent back to the electricity grid. The excess solar power generated by solar panels during the day is exported to the utility grid, and you get paid in the form of credit that accumulates in your account.
Are you planning for solar panel installation?
Connect with an expert at Isolux to discuss your requirements.
Isolux Solar is a trusted name for solar panel installation in Sydney. Get a free quote now!
There is a huge demand in Australia for generating electricity at home using solar panels from CEC accredited solar installers. The reason behind this increasing demand popularity is the availability of cost-effective solar panels in Australia along with the rebates offered by the Australian Government. The electricity we use in homes and offices is tracked by an electric meter. Depending on the number of units consumed, the electricity bill is generated.
Are you searching for solar panel installers near me?
If this is the case, you must first understand metering and billing in Australia.
What Happens In Normal Metering?
In the case of normal metering, there is a unidirectional meter installed by the power utility company. In this type of metering, the installed meter measures the amount of electricity consumed by your house.
Net Metering
- Net metering makes solar energy more affordable and economical for Australians.
- When the solar panels generate excess power, it is sent to the grid. This power can be taken back from the grid when the solar panels are generating less power.
- Net metering involves the use of a bi-directional meter, which records the power consumed by you (import) and the excess power that is sent back to the grid (export).
- In net metering, the consumption from the grid is recorded as ‘Import’ and excess electricity pumped is recorded as ‘Export.
- In the case of a grid-tied system, the utility company sends the electricity received from the solar PV system to others.
- In net metering, the energy generated by the solar panels will be first used to power your home.
- You will be paid a rebate for supplying excess power to the grid.
- With net metering, you will be compensated at a retail rate, which is the same rate at which you purchase electricity from the grid.
Net Billing
- Net billing is different from net metering.
- In net billing, the excess electricity sent to the grid is sold at a lower cost than what you will buy from the utility as a customer.
- In net billing, you will not get a credit on the utility bill, but you will get the dollar value (wholesale electricity rate).
- For example, if the retail rate is $0.10, the wholesale supply rate would be $0.5.
Gross Metering
- In gross metering, you cannot use the electricity generated by the solar PV system installed by the CEC-accredited solar installers.
- The power generated by the solar panels is sent directly to the grid first, where it is distributed to various customers.
- In gross metering, the utility pays a fixed feed-in tariff to the customer, which is lower than the retail tariff.
- With gross metering, you will continue to receive monthly electricity bills based on your usage.
- You will get paid for the electricity supplied to the grid separately.
Between net metering and net billing, net metering should be the preferred choice for Australians who want to generate solar power from the solar panels installed by CEC accredited solar installers. On the other hand, gross metering is a good option for Australian homeowners who have ample space but don’t want to use the generated solar power to power their homes.
Read Next Blog: How Do Half-Cut Solar Cells Help in Increasing Solar Productivity?
Technology is advancing with each passing day. The world of solar panels is no different. The standard silicon solar cells have paved the way for half-cut solar cells. Many people in Australia prefer solar panel system installation Sydney with half-cut cells because of their noteworthy improved performance and durability.
If you are planning to go for solar power installation Sydney, and are a bit sceptical about your decision, here are two reasons why you must definitely go for it.