How to install solar PV

Home Owner

Key points

Payback: Solar PV systems are a significant investment but typically pay for themselves within 5-7 years.

Lifetime: Solar panels constitute 90% of the total cost and usually come with a 25-year manufacturer warranty.

Best use: Energy consumed directly from your solar panels is worth five times more than energy sold back to the grid.

Certification: For peace of mind, only use Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved installers and equipment.

What makes up the solar PV system

  • Solar Panels: Typically, a solar PV system includes around 20 solar panels on your roof. These panels contain solar cells that capture sunlight and convert it into Direct Current (DC) electricity, often at high voltage (around 700V).

  • Inverters: You have the choice between one hybrid/string inverter or multiple micro inverters (one per panel).

    • Hybrid/String Inverters: These are simpler and more affordable. They convert the DC electricity from all panels into Alternating Current (AC) electricity at 240V for home use. However, shading on one panel can affect the performance of all panels.

    • Micro Inverters: These are more sophisticated and slightly more expensive. Each panel has its own inverter, minimizing the impact of shading by limiting it only to the shaded panels.

Both types of inverters effectively transform the DC electricity from your panels into AC electricity suitable for your home, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency.

Panel orientation

Panel orientation impacts efficiency: It’s important to understand what orientation is availble to you.

  • North-facing is optimal.

  • West and East-facing panels generate slightly less electricity but stay active longer at the beginning and end of the day.

  • South-facing is least effective but still ok.

Depending on your roof, a combination of orientations may be used to maximize efficiency.

How to choose a reliable installer (for Apollo Bay)

Setup a starting list

While the remoteness of the Apollo Bay region is fantastic, it can be challenging to get services. A good starting point is to create a list of installers that will service the area. Here are some suggestions:

  • Known Installers: The following groups service Apollo Bay—this is not a recommendation, just a starting list:

RACV Solar

Radiant Energy

Velocity Solar

Vortex Electrical Simon Hansen 

Winki Energy

  • SolarQuotes: Register and they will identify up to 3 CEC accredited installers in your area.

  • SolarChoice: Register and  they will identify up to 7 CEC accredited installers in your area.

  • City / Metro Suppliers: Use someone you have already used in Melbourne. Many Melbourne or Geelong suppliers will service this area for an additional travel fee, typically around $400.

  • SOS Geelong Sustainably (GS) Electric Homes Program: GS does the due diligence and makes it easier. These events happen annually in September and can be accessed on  the Electric Homes website

  • Personal Recommendations: Ask people around you who they used and if they are satisfied with the service.

Verify their credibility

To ensure the quality of the installers, check the following:

Following these steps will help you choose a reliable solar installer for your needs.

What size solar PV system do I need?

The appropriate size of a solar PV system depends on your energy usage. Here are some guidelines:

  • Future-proofing: It’s often recommended to get the largest system you can afford, as your energy use is likely to grow over time.

  • Electric Vehicles (EVs): If you are considering or already own an EV, a minimum system size of 10kW is advisable.

  • Battery Storage: If you have or plan to install a battery, consider a larger solar PV system to ensure sufficient charging capacity for overnight use.

  • Cost Efficiency: Larger systems typically offer a lower cost per kilowatt.

  • Popular Choice: Currently, the most popular system sizes are between 8-10kW.

How do I choose the right products?

The quality of Solar PV systems can vary widely, much like other marketplace products. While you can opt for cheaper systems, they often come with reduced performance. To strike a balance, determine which features are essential to you and how much you are willing to invest. Here are some ways to minimize risk:

  1. Brand Recommendations:

  • Warranties:
    • Inverters: Should have a minimum warranty of 10 years. Note you may need to register tpo get full 10 years.
    • Panels: Should have a minimum warranty of 25 years for both maintenance and performance, with a drop of no more than XX% per year.
    • Corrosion Although not essential, consider ensuring that the panels are certified against the IEC 61701 standard, which is crucial for salt mist corrosion resistance, especially in areas like Apollo Bay where corrosion can be a concern.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure reduce risk, get a solar PV system that meets your needs and offers long-term reliability.

How much will I pay?

Rebates

Both the Victorian and Federal governments offer rebates for purchasing renewable technology.

  • Federal Rebate: Provided through the Small Scale Technology Certificate (STC) Scheme, this rebate is currently about $350 per kW installed. For instance, a 10kW system would get a rebate of approximately $3,500.

  • Victorian Rebate: This is a one-time rebate for the first piece of technology you buy. It decreases each year and is currently around $1,400. The Victorian Government also offers a small no interest loan.

Prices quoted by installers generally include these rebates.

Prices

Solar Choice tracks the installed prices of solar systems and regularly updates their pricing page here https://www.solarchoice.net.au/solar-panels/solar-power-system-prices/. As of December 2024, the average cost for a 10kW system, after rebates, is around $8,000. The price will vary depending on the system size and quality.

How does the installation process work

The installation process can be broken down into the following steps:

  1. Find an Installer: Choose an installer that meets your needs.

  2. Request a Quote: Provide your address and necessary details. Discuss the upfront technology options (these can be adjusted later).

  3. Receive a Proposal: The installer sends a link or report detailing pricing, layout, and potential savings over time. Solar quotes explain this in detail here

  4. Review and Adjust: Consider the proposal, make any necessary changes, and if satisfied, agree on an installation schedule and pay a deposit.

  5. Claim Victorian Rebate: The installer provides information and links to claim the rebate, which you can do via an online webpage.

  6. Installation: The installer contacts you to perform the installation.

  7. System Activation: The installer arranges for Powercorp to inspect and activate the system—this can take up to two months.

  8. Final Payment: Pay the remaining balance once the system is up and running.

While the process may require some attention, the long-term benefits, including up to 25 years of cost savings, are well worth the effort.

How much will I save?

Estimating savings from a solar PV system can vary based on individual circumstances. Here are some key points to consider:

  • Understand Your Usage: Start by reading your electricity bill to determine your current daily energy consumption.

  • Generation Estimate: As a general rule, for 9 months of the year, your solar system can generate approximately 3-4 times the panel’s power in energy (kWh per day). During the remaining 3 months, production may significantly decrease.

  • Payback Period: Typically, a solar PV system will pay for itself within 5-7 years. After this period, you can enjoy reduced electricity costs for the next 20 years or more.

  • Bill Reduction: Solar PV systems can reduce electricity bills by 50-75%.

  • Optimize Usage: Maximize savings by adjusting your behavior, such as doing laundry, runing the dishwasher etc during sunny periods. The value of using your own solar energy is approximately five times higher than selling it to the grid and then buying it back.

These points can help you get a clearer idea of potential savings with a solar PV system. If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!

What about monitoring?

Understanding the level of energy monitoring you desire is essential.

  • Basic Monitoring: If you’re content with seeing your energy usage reflected on your power bill, no additional steps are needed.

  • Real-Time Monitoring: If you want to monitor energy usage in real time and adjust your consumption accordingly, you’ll need to:

    • Ensure your inverter includes the manufacturer’s smart meter. (this is different to the smart meter installed by PowerCor)

    • Connect the inverter to your home WiFi.

    • Install the manufacturer’s app. Most manufacturers offer free basic reporting, with more detailed reporting available through subscriptions.

With these options, you can choose the monitoring level that best suits your needs.

FAQ & more reading

Here are some additional points to consider:

  • Local Experiences: Curious about what others in Apollo Bay think about their Solar PV installations? Check out our local stories from the bottom of out home page.

  • Solar PV During Power Outages: Can you use Solar PV when the grid power is out? No, because solar power alone isn’t stable enough due to varying sunlight, and it’s essential to protect workers on power lines from electricity you generate.

  • Additional Resources: For more information, visit Solar Quotes (their 101 manual is excellent) and Solar Choice websites.

  • Choice
  • Solar Vic