Residential Solar Power

Solar

Solar energy is energy provided by the sun. Sunlight hits solar panels or PV panels to then be converted into electricity. Solar energy is effective whether you’re city-based or live regionally. We’ve seen a massive increase in the use of solar panels within schools, households, and commercial buildings. Solar energy is sustainable and renewable, and it doesn’t release any emissions, making it an ally of the environment, it also helps reduce your electricity bills, making it an ally to you too.

There are constant advancements in solar technology so the efficiency is constantly moving up and the costs are lowering. We all know the weather here in Tassie constantly changes as the saying goes if you don’t like the weather wait five minutes… However Tassie also receives its share of sunny days allowing customers to benefit from savings on their electricity bills – why not make the switch today?

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Types of Solar Systems

String Inverters

With the longest amount of time in the solar space string inverters are tried and tested, for reliability we love SMA especially as they allow us the most flexibility when it comes to future modular design as these are the same inverter we use in our Off-Grid systems. With its Opti track software SMA can help mitigate shading issues caused by transient shading objects allowing the maximum amount of power output.

Optimised Inverters

There are two types of optimised inverter systems, full optimised systems and smart optimised systems. While optimisers have the ability to get the maximum power out of each panel they only mitigate the secondary effects of shading so adding an optimiser to every panel may be unnecessary and very costly, if you have a small transient shading object, it may be better for your peace of mind to use a smart optimised system that only requires the affected panels to have an optimiser. If you choose to install a full optimised system check to see if the inverter on the wall can work without compromise if an optimiser fails and the strings become unbalanced.

Micro Inverters

These are complete inverters that connect to each panel, on the roof. While many in the industry promote micro inverters to be ‘safer’ than string inverters, we are yet to see any evidence to back this up. Micro inverters do have some benefits including panel level monitoring, however they add substantial cost to a system and introduce more potential failure points that are much harder to replace than a standard string inverter.

Battery ready / Battery compatible / Battery capable

What’s the difference?

Not much is the answer despite all of the different terms there are really only two types:

AC Coupled

There are two types of AC Coupled systems:

Hybrid inverters

These systems can plug into a battery through a Battery Management System (BMS) that then converts the power back to DC at an optimum voltage for charging the battery. For the casual observer it looks like the battery is plugged directly into the solar inverter.

All other Solar inverters

(An AC coupled system using a standard inverter)

These systems mean that if you want to install a battery later on you need to by a battery and an inverter for the battery (if you by a Tesla the inverter for the battery is hidden in the case). An AC coupled system generally is wired into your switchboard and monitors the electricity production of the solar inverter and the consumption of the house allowing it to charge from excess solar and then discharge into the house when more power is needed.

DC Coupled

(also just called hybrid inverters to add to your confusion)

With a DC coupled system power to charge your battery comes directly from the solar side of the solar inverter and also uses the solar inverter to change the power from the battery from DC (all batteries are DC) to AC power that you can use in your home.

The question you need to ask is, is the inverter a hybrid inverter, in other words can I plug a battery directly into the inverter later?

Our Premium Equipment

Meyer Burger Solar Panels

Meyer Burger is a Swiss-based global technology company renowned for manufacturing advanced solar panels. With its innovative heterojunction technology, Meyer Burger offers highly efficient, durable solar modules. These panels, providing increased power output and reliability, are paving the way towards a sustainable future in renewable energy.

Tesla Powerwall 2

Our Tesla accredited retailer partnership allows us to offer Tasmanians their Powerwall 2. Tesla batteries are “touch safe” and can be stacked up to a maximum of 10, but one alone is often large enough to manage a household in the case of blackouts and overnight energy use. The Tesla Powerwall 2 comes with a 10 year product warranty.

SMA Inverters

Our SMA partnership allows us to offer Tasmanians their Sunny Boy inverters. SMA inverters are among the best available, with battery integration, and one of the best monitoring portals via an app on your phone or tablet. SMA inverters come with a product warranty of 10 years with an upgrade of a further 5-15 years (product depending) that can be purchased anytime during the product warranty period.

 

SMA Electric Vehicle Charger

Our SMA EV chargers can be fully integrated into our Solar Systems so you can quickly and easily charge your electric vehicle at home with a Type 2 charge port. The SMA EV Charger can charge single-phase up to 7.4 kW, almost twice as fast as conventional wall boxes.  The SMA EV charger comes with a 5 year product warranty and their energy management app.

Daikin Air Conditioning

As specialists in air conditioning that is all Daikin do. Their products are designed to provide clean, efficient, and superior comfort in the places we live, work and play. Being Australian made they understand the climate and Australians’ needs which has them one of the most, if not the most, trusted companies for air conditioning. Daikin offer a 5 year product warranty.

 

Stiebel Eltron Heat Pump Hot Water Systems

Our Stiebal Eltron partnership allows us to offer Tasmanians their WWK 302 H hot water system that fully integrates into our Solar Systems. This design extracts heat from the air to assist in heating water and maintaining the water temperature which reduces the energy requirements. The Stiebel Eltron WWK 302 H comes with a 2 – 5 year product warranty.

Our Designer Equipment

Phono Solar Panels

Our exclusive Southern Tasmanian partnership enables us to offer you access to their Diamond Dual Glass Module. Featuring toughened glass on both sides, these panels also offer bifacial technology – meaning they can capture light from the rear of the panel as well as the front. While bifacial features may not be particularly useful on a residential roof top, the toughened glass certainly is – especially in relaton to hail resistance. These panels have a 25 year product warranty and a 30 year performance warranty of 84.95%, which is one of the highest available.

Tesla Powerwall 2

Our Tesla accredited retailer partnership allows us to offer Tasmanians their Powerwall 2. Tesla batteries are “touch safe” and can be stacked up to a maximum of 10, but one alone is often large enough to manage a household in the case of blackouts and overnight energy use. The Tesla Powerwall 2 comes with a 10 year product warranty.

SMA Inverters

Our SMA partnership allows us to offer Tasmanians their Sunny Boy inverters. SMA inverters are among the best available, with battery integration, and one of the best monitoring portals via an app on your phone or tablet. SMA inverters come with a product warranty of 10 years with an upgrade of a further 5-15 years (product depending) that can be purchased anytime during the product warranty period.

 

myenergi Zappi Electric Vehicle Charger

Zappi can be fully integrated into our solar systems so you can quickly and easily charge your electric vehicle at home. Being the first-ever solar EV charger of its kind, they are a firm favourite in Australia. Zappi comes with a 3 year product warranty and their energy management app.

Daikin Air Conditioning

As specialists in air conditioning that is all Daikin do. Their products are designed to provide clean, efficient, and superior comfort in the places we live, work and play. Being Australian made they understand the climate and Australians’ needs which has them one of the most, if not the most, trusted companies for air conditioning. Daikin offer a 5 year product warranty.

 

Stiebel Eltron Heat Pump Hot Water Systems

Our Stiebal Eltron partnership allows us to offer Tasmanians their WWK 302 H hot water system that fully integrates into our Solar Systems. This design extracts heat from the air to assist in heating water and maintaining the water temperature which reduces the energy requirements. The Stiebel Eltron WWK 302 H comes with a 2 – 5 year product warranty.

FAQs

What type of solar system suits me?

An AC coupled system using a standard inverter is the most commonly used system. These systems can be selected as an add-on and still allow for complete off-grid functionality in the future. When selecting a hybrid system, there are a number of design considerations to look at that can affect operations.

What is grid connect solar?

Grid connect inverters convert DC electricity from panels into 240V AC electricity that can then be utilised by your household. Any extra power (where there has been a surplus of energy produced) goes to the mains power grid. Most electricity companies metre the electricity fed into the grid from your panels and credit your bill.

If these cells fail to produce power (like at night time), your house will use the regular mains grid electricity – you’ll be charged the usual amount for mains power. These panels last a long time and don’t require updating or maintenance. Plus, generous government rebates mean you can save thousands from a grid connect solar system.

What is hybrid solar?

A hybrid solar system is the same as a typical solar system but with batteries. Including batteries means you can store the extra power so you can use that extra build up at night or during ‘off-peak’ times. Hybrid solar has the capability to take a home ‘off-grid’ but that isn’t the intention of the system.

Switchboards?

If your property has an older switchboard configuration, you may require new circuit breakers to manage the flow energy safely. The newer breakers have a faster reaction time, they better manage energy, they also better protect your property, appliances and most importantly your life. We will check on this during the site inspection and can be added to the installation process by our fitters. Each switch replaced attracts a small cost but we will only replace what is necessary.

What is solar PV?

When you hear ‘solar PV’ it’s referring to panels that are tied or coupled to an inversion system down on the ground. ‘Grid tie solar PV’ system is the technical term for your typical domestic or commercial solar systems – these are commonly made up of panels and an inverter.

What is an AC Coupled Hybrid?

An AC Coupled Hybrid system is a standard grid tie system coupled with a hybrid inverter. These are increasing in popularity as they’re perfect for updating from PV. Not to mention, they’re cost effective to install.

What is a DC Coupled Hybrid?

A DC coupled hybrid is where a solar PV is run into a regulator or Battery Management System (BMS). It acts as a battery charger and can connect directly to batteries which can then be connected to a hybrid inverter. The DC coupled hybrid is the typical structure for an off-grid system.

Non-Tin Roofing?

This is uncommon but we have experience in working on all roofing materials that can be worked on. The installation does change somewhat depending on the roof material. For the installation to go without any problems this can require extra time, tools, or replacement materials to maintain weatherproofing. A flat cost is not possible because of the size of the solar system but our Technical Representative and your quote will inform you of this.

Two or more storied properties?

A higher roof can produce problems with access and worksite safety. In many cases, scaffolding will be required for safe access and include an extra cost. This is to protect not just the installer’s safety but also your property from hazardous work practices. A flat cost is not possible because of the height of the property but our sales representative and your quote will inform you of this.

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Contact Us

Address:

8/26 The Avenue, New Norfolk. 7140.

Phone:

03 6108 1328

Email:

admin@expertelectricaltas.com.au