How does solar hot water differ from grid connected solar?

A solar hot water system saves energy by using the sun only to heat the water. A grid connected solar panel system uses the light from the sun to generate electricity.

Will a grid connected solar panel system protect me from blackouts?

No. If there is a disruption to your homes normal electricity supply your grid connected system will shut down. This is a safety feature required by Australian safety standards. Your system will recommence operating once normal supply is restored.

What is the life time of a grid connected system?

The design life is in excess of 20 years. The solar modules carry a limited warranty for 20 & 25 years. The inverters carry a warranty of 5 years.

Will the energy used to produce my system ever exceed the energy required to make it?

Yes. Your grid connected system should last at least 25 years, during which time it will have recouped the energy required to make it many times.

How will a grid connected solar panel system affect the re-sale value of my home?

Once installed the system becomes a feature of your home, like a new kitchen or pool it increases the value of your home. And has the benefit of saving you money rather than costing you (like a pool).

Will a grid connect solar panel system be a good investment?

Yes! it Will. Installing a grid connected solar panel system now will insulate you from ever rising power costs, help to protect the environment and add value to your home.

What size Grid Connected System do I need?

When you receive your electricity bill you are charged in a unit called kWh’s…

Usually on the rear side of your electricity bill you can see how many kWh’s you have used for that period. On the front side of the bill you should see a daily average usage.

If you use the quoted outputs on the “Grid Connected Systems” page under the “Product Range” heading you will notice on there the estimated output of each system in kWh’s per annum.

Using your power bills you should be able to calculate a yearly average, you can then make a direct comparison between this figure and what the Solar Systems will produce in kWh’s per annum. From this you can determine how much each system will reduce your overall electricity consumption.

The vast majority of people that install Grid Connected Solar do not cover their entire power bill due to space restraints and budget, but the idea is to reduce your bills to a much more manageable size. In the future as power costs rise so will the bills received and you will be prepared for this. Electricity in South Australia according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics doubles about every 10.8 years.

Say, you installed a system that took care of 75% of your $800 power bill, leaving you a power bill of $200 per year. When the price doubles, most people would be paying $1600/yr and you will only be paying $400. Sound good?!


If you have any questions on how to determine a system size that may be suitable we would love to hear from you so feel free to give us a call anytime on 08 8165 1346.