10 solar energy facts you need to know
Solar energy has been on the rise over the last decade… but there is still a lot of misinformation that causes confusion.
At Grand Group, we love educating our customers about solar energy, especially when it comes to how it will benefit you personally and our wonderful environment globally. So we have put together a list of solar energy facts that we hope will add to your knowledge base and empower you to make great decisions about a solar power system for your home.
1. Millions of Australians now have rooftop solar panels
You read right! According to the latest figures, which count data up to September 2019, more than two million Australian households now have rooftop solar panels. That’s 2.2 million to be exact, which is 21 percent of all Australian households.
Considering how slow we have been as a country to capitalise on our abundant sunshine and solar energy, compared with the rest of the world, it’s positive to see our numbers are on the rise.
Between 2019 and mid-2019 we saw the biggest spike in numbers… and it’s no wonder. With the ever-increasing temperatures we are living through year on year, we all need to rely on solar power to cool our homes!
2. Solar panels offset your electricity use
Many people think that by installing solar panels on their roof, that their electricity bill will shrink to zero. And unfortunately that just isn’t right.
Don’t get us wrong, solar energy will save you money because the rooftop panels on your home will offset your electricity usage. But you have to remember that 50% of your electricity bill is actually made up of fixed charges… fixed, as in, they can’t be changed. So no matter what, you still have to pay for those specific charges.
But, and it’s another big but! By installing a solar power system, you can offset those fixed charges by selling your excess electricity to the grid. And through that system, you offset your electricity use and considerably reduce the other 50% of your bill that’s made up of usage charges.
So you save, save, save.
3. Solar energy saves money and the planet!
Australia has long had a love affair with coal. And it’s understandable because it’s an industry that employs many Australians, and coal-electricity plants have been supplying us with the electricity we need for decades.
But as we’ve learned the hard way, it’s costing us dearly… on two fronts.
It’s costing our hip pocket more and more every year – on average, electricity prices have increased by 19% every two years, which is a huge rise compared with how low wages have remained.
And it’s costing our planet dearly because of all the carbon emissions we produce when we burn fossil fuels.
So by using solar energy, we save money for decades to come, and we save our planet in the long run. It’s a win-win.
4. Solar panels produce energy for at least 25 years
This is what is so exciting about solar energy and solar panel installation for the average household. It’s a winning investment that keeps on giving… for more than 25 years.
These days, it seems that most things are designed to be replaced after a few years… but not solar panels. The best solar panels are made to last. And when you think about the conditions solar panels live in – rain, wind, harsh heat – then you start to appreciate them even more.
That’s why a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer like us at Grand Group Australia gives you a 25-year warranty. Because although the panels themselves are only guaranteed for 10 years, they will be producing energy for at least 25 years.
5. Solar panel installation is fine on a flat roof
We hear many concerns from customers making inquiries about solar installation in their home, that their roof is too flat. But it’s actually not a problem because you don’t need to have an angled roof to be able to install solar panels.
It is true that the ideal angle for solar panels in Sydney is 15–20 degrees. However, a flat roof still provides enough sunlight to power your home. Especially when you think about the incredible availability of sunlight in Australia. We aren’t restricted to only having sunshine for three months of the year. We have abundant sunlight throughout the year, no matter the season.
6. You don’t need an angle frame for solar panels
This is another often misunderstood issue. Too many people believe you need an angle frame to install solar panels properly on a roof. We know that some installers insist on it, but it just isn’t necessary.
You can install solar panels flat against your roof. Yes, flat.
We know what you’re thinking: but won’t the panels produce less electricity if they’re flat? It’s true that the ideal angle for solar panel installation is 15–20 degrees.
BUT, installing them flat against your roof doesn’t mean they don’t produce electricity. It just means that you will produce more electricity in the summer, and less in the winter. The important thing is, your electricity production will average out over the year.
Problem solved.
7. Solar panels don’t need much maintenance and are recyclable
This is another concern that people have when thinking about solar panel installation. Do you have to clean them often? How do you clean them on the roof?
The great news is that solar panels don’t need much maintenance at all. As most rooftop solar is installed on a slightly angled roof, this allows the rain to do all the cleaning for you, and any dirt just slides off the panels.
But if we do go through a drought season without much rain, then you can simply hose down the solar panels from your garden, pointing your hose up towards your roof. And if this isn’t possible, then you can use a cleaning company, and you would only need to do it once or twice a year.
And as an additional bonus, solar panels can be recycled! So when the time comes, you can call your local council to find out how this works in your local area.
8. Choosing a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer makes a difference
There is a lot of worry about the quality of solar panels on the market.
And the concerns are legitimate. You have every right to ask questions of any solar energy companies who claim to have top-performing solar panels.
The first thing you need to make sure is that you choose a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer and CEC Accredited Installers.
This is your best guarantee of quality in Australia, because the Clean Energy Council requires us to commit to stringent measures in our best practice approach. The most important of which is our ability to give that crucial 25-year performance warranty…
…and our ability to honour it for 25 years.
9. You don’t need a battery to make the most of solar energy
Solar batteries have been a hot topic for a while now. How expensive they are. How it will be years before the price will be affordable for the average household. And how crucial they are for households to be able to get the most out of their solar power system.
But that’s actually not right. Solar batteries can help, for sure, but they aren’t essential.
So believe us when we tell you that you don’t need a battery to get the most out of solar energy in your home. What you need is to change how you use solar in your home to make the most of it.
Simple changes such as using your big appliances during the daytime – setting washing machines and dishwashers on timers, for example – will ensure you get to use the solar power generated by your solar panels during the day.
10. We don’t need to come to your home for a proper assessment of your roof
At Grand Group Australia, we offer a free assessment for every customer to determine the best solar energy solution for your home. And usually that involves one of our trained assessors arranging a time to come to your home to review your roof and ensure you are across the benefits of solar energy for your home.
But where that isn’t possible – for whatever reason – we can still help. Through satellite images of your rooftop, reviewing your energy bills and asking you questions over the phone, we can provide the same service to you.
Now you’ve got the facts…
… is it time to switch to solar? Solar energy is good for the environment and it is good for your bank balance. And going with a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer like Grand Group Australia ensures you are getting the best quality available.
Contact us for a free assessment with one of our trained assessors to set you on the solar energy path.