Introduction
You are thinking of installing a solar PV system and finding yourself dragged down by some doubts, or seek clarity on several factors related to solar energy? – worry no more!
We have collected some PV queries for you and tried to resolve them with precise information. Find answers to frequently asked solar questions here in this post.
Q.1: Will solar work for my home?
A: Solar is workable for any home, as long as it gets direct sunlight. Furthermore, if the home roof is north-facing, one can harness the sunlight efficiently.
Q.2: How much does a solar system cost?
A: Costs of solar systems depend on a range of factors such as panels’ count, size of the system, installation type, so on and so forth. An average 6.6kW solar system price in Australia starts anywhere between $ 4000 to $ 6000. Additionally, there are fully-installed solar systems and customized PV systems, the cost changes based on what you choose. Fully installed solar systems are generally cost-effective than the latter.
Q.3: Does solar improve my property value?
A: Affirmative! Studies have shown that a house with solar panel installation achieves a higher market price than those without. One thing to note here is that the value rises if you own a PV system rather than lease it.
Q.4: Is a solar system up for regular maintenance?
A: Ideally, solar systems do not require any extravagant maintenance effort. However, certain conditions exist under which one might have to watch the panels or other equipment regularly. E.g. if your locality has plenty of greenery, is dust prone – you might need to check your panels for possible pollen, bird dropping, or dust accumulation respectively. That said, cleaning them at home isn’t much of a hassle. You can do it at home or call your installer for the job. In a nutshell, solar system maintenance is doable, manageable, and nominal.
Q.5: What happens to my panels if I need to replace the roof?
A: demounting the panels is inevitable in re-roofing situations. The mounting structure can stay in place, depending on the kind of roof setup. However, if the boards, joists have to be replaced then the whole PV structure has to come down.
The best approach is to assess the roof before opting for a rooftop solar system installation. If it needs any fixture, the installer can tackle it (or suggest repairing the roof) ahead of work initiation, thereby saving you a great deal of inconvenience.
Q.6: Do solar systems make sense for businesses?
A: They certainly do! In the wake of higher incentives and rebates for businesses, solar adoption among companies and industries has grown over time.
Q.7: What if one of my solar panels is damaged?
A: panel damaging occurs due to several reasons. If you find an impaired panel due to a hail storm or bad weather, you can claim it from the manufacturer or through your solar installer. A solar module comes with up to 25 years of the manufacturer and up to 10 years of performance warranty. Either way, you are covered for a prolonged period. If, for instance, you exceed the warranty limit, buying new panels isn’t a burden on your pocket. As solar technology is evolving, there are plenty of affordable panel alternatives on the market.
Q.8: What to opt for – grid-connected solar or off-grid (battery-connected solar system)?
A: You can go for either of the types. The chief deciding factor is the upfront cost. A grid-connected solar system is comparatively economical of the two. A battery-connected solar costs more, presumably because of the added equipment called solar batteries. However, if you are reluctant to put out large capital on off-grid, you can always go with a provision for an off-grid PV system. A storage-ready solar system is a mechanism to prepare the existing PV for a future upgrade. It grants you a chance to go off-the-grid whenever you want, without having to invest upfront.
Q.9: Are solar panels supposed to be on the roof?
A: There’s no compulsion whether solar panels installation has to place on the roof or the ground. It’s more of a space constraint and preference. For all those who want to utilize their roof space, rooftop solar is ideal. Those who have enough area to spare on the ground prefer ground-mount solar.
Factually, ground-mount solar systems are easy to maintain. Rooftop solar, if installed professionally, protect your roof. So, both approaches come with a set of advantages and challenges. Rooftop solar is popular among users identically due to space restriction.
Q.10: Does a solar system truly reduce the electricity bill?
A: It practically does so! A PV system is a one-time investment to produce clean energy from the sun. The solar array starts saving your money on energy from day one. A grid-connected solar system also feeds in excessive power to the grid to earn credits. Utility electricity price is rising and will continue to do so. On the contrary, once you invest in solar, you start generating ROI.
Takeaway:
We hope you now have some useful details with you to make a decision on solar. If you have any queries, unanswered questions, Vista would be delighted to help you. If you seek to speak one-on-one, do reach out to us on 1300 181 116. Vista Electrical Controls is a renowned solar installer in Perth, WA with hundreds of satisfied clients. Contact us for more details, existing offers, and consultation.