Electricity is a necessary part of our everyday lifestyle. Be it charging mobile phones, laptops, accessing the internet, running washing machines, or refrigerators. Hence, we spend a large part of our income on this necessity. The increasing number of solar panel installations is a sign of a bright future.
Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, has seen a sudden increase in solar panels installation. Everyone wants to use the abundant sunshine that the city receives every year. Due to this, around 30% of household has solar panels on their roofs. If you are also planning to buy a solar and battery package for your residential or commercial property, know all the essential things to make the right choice.
Select the Type of Solar Panels
Before selecting any solar energy package, understand the two popular Solar Panels available in the market and which one you want to buy.
1. Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Made with high-quality silicone, these panels have the highest efficiency rate. You can install them in smaller spaces and get high power quality, even during low light conditions.
2. Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Panels
These are available at a lower price than Monocrystalline Panels and are famous for residential use. But they lack a little in the efficiency aspect, so you can add extra panels to get the required power.
Factors to consider when selecting battery type
While buying solar panels in Brisbane, you should also check out these few things on the batteries that come with them.
1. Capacity
It means the amount of electricity the batteries can store. Measured in kWh, it can vary between 5kWh to 13kWh.
2. Life span
A battery’s life span depends on the specific number of cycles. Most batteries offer 2000-10,000 cycles. A household uses one cycle per day. Most batteries offer 2000-10,000 cycles, which leads to a life span of 5-25 years.
3. Useful Capacity
Out of the total capacity, there is only a fraction of useable energy. It varies as per the technology and selected battery type.
4. Flow Rate
It refers to the amount of power you can use out of your batteries at a specific time. It means a higher continuous flow rate for heavy appliances and a low for lighter ones.
Types of Solar and Battery Packages
Before installing a solar system, you should choose the right type of Solar energy package. Let’s look at the three main packages:
1. Panels Only
This option works only during the daytime. It can help you to save half of your electricity bill.
2. Hybrid Solar+Battery Package
If you want to save the maximum amount on electricity bills, you should opt for Hybrid Solar+Battery Package.
It comes with incorporated panels, a hybrid inverter, and batteries. You can easily store the solar power captured in the batteries and use it throughout the day and at night. You only need to use mains electricity during blackouts which eventually cuts 90% of electricity bills.
3. Off-Grid
If you want to get rid of electricity bills and be self-sufficient in terms of electricity, you can choose an Off-Grid solar energy system. They use the same tool as Hybrid System, plus a generator for some days in a year to charge up batteries. It can provide enough power for a few hours and eliminate dependence on mains electricity.
Key Points to consider for Solar and Battery Package selection
Before making a decision, you should consider the following points:
1. Cost
When buying a solar energy system, always select quality over price. The cost should depend on the quality, size and installer. Do some market research and clear your queries with the installer.
2. Size
The size of a solar system depends on your energy usage, budget, and future energy goals. For an average household of three bedrooms, you will need more than a 4kW package with at least 4-6 kWh battery. Although, you should ask the solar panel installer for customized recommendations.
3. Warranty
Apart from quality, brand, and cost, always check the package warranty. A certified installer of solar panels in Brisbane will offer these warranties:
● Solar Panels -15 years
● Batteries – 10 years
● Inverter – 5 years
● Workmanship – 5 years (at least)
4. Rebates
The Australian government offers rebates for Solar systems installation to homeowners. To access these incentives, you need to:
● Hire a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer
● Get a CEC approved Solar energy and Battery Package
● Your solar panel system must be less than 100kW
Final Thoughts
Now is the best time to invest in solar energy packages. You will be saving a lot of bills and taxes; it is a safer option than traditional electricity supply and an environment-friendly choice.
So refer to the crucial points we have discussed and find the best packages and installers.