As Queenslanders, we are the lucky recipients of an abundant amount of sunshine. What better way to utilise this than to use it to power our homes and businesses.
We know this can be a confusing topic to research, so the Ehlerth Electrical solar team has compiled their notes to help you navigate solar in 2022. If you are looking into your solar options or thinking this will be something you tackle a bit down the road, this blog will be a good starting point to help you understand what is involved in this process.
We have covered this in our most frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.
Is there a Government rebate? How can I access this?
Yes! The Federal Government still has a solar rebate on offer called the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. This involves the creation of a Small-scale technology certificate (STC) which acts as a form of currency and is used to recoup a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing a renewable energy system (usually solar). Your STC is calculated based on the number of solar panels you install on your property. This rebate does continue to diminish every year, however, it is not scheduled to end until 2030.
To access this rebate, you must go through an installer with a Clean Energy Council Accreditation. For Ehlerth Electrical customers, all of the required paperwork and forms are completed by the solar team, and the rebates are accounted for in the initial quote.
How do I know what system to use?
When deciding which system is best suited for your property, there are a few considerations. The first step for any solar project is to analyse the property's recent electrical bills across multiple seasons to highlight usage amounts and any notable trends, focusing on how many kilowatts are used over a specific timeframe.
The second step is scouting the property to ensure it is appropriate for a solar installation and if it will be a reasonable option. Look at how many solar panels can fit onto your roof, is there any shading in the area and if other environmental factors come into play. If your roof is south facing a solar system would not always be a viable option.
Once all of these factors have been considered, the solar team will work out the project logistics to determine how much power is needed for your property and if this can be reached with the available space.
How long will it take to see a return on investment (ROI)?
There is no definitive answer to this question; however, the expected ROI timeframe is usually between 3-5 years. Many factors can influence this, including the behavourial changes in households and businesses to ensure they are utilising their solar system in the most efficient ways. For example, opting to use appliances and machines during daylight hours versus nighttime to avoid after-hours consumption and therefore less reliability from the electricity grid and power you have to pay.
What does it mean when someone says they earn money from their solar system?
In basic terms, energy companies can buy back the electricity your solar system produces if it isn’t being used in your home. This is called a Feed-in Tariff, which differs from one energy provider to another. Depending on your household consumption, this may not be feasible as the energy companies have considerable differences between the price they buy your energy for and what they sell it back to you at. So it is usually best to focus on your savings instead of your earnings.
Why is it important to go solar in 2022?
Not only is solar power a renewable energy source perfect for those wanting to decrease their carbon footprint, but it is a great way to help manage the rising cost of living. Our homes are becoming bigger and require a lot more power to sustain them. The amount of elements in the home requiring electricity is increasing exponentially. Often you will see houses with two ovens, multiple fridges, and more household appliances. Many homes are also installing electric car chargers, which put significant restraint on the grid when charging. In the end, solar helps lower the cost of your power bill and lets you spend money on more important things.
The Ehlerth Electrical team are very experienced in solar repairs, replacements and installations. If you are interested in installing solar for your property, please reach out to our team today!
