By the end of 2022, over 350,000 new solar systems are expected to be deployed, another record year.
But where do you begin looking for a new solar system for your home?
And what do you need to be prepared before you pull the trigger?
That’s why we’ve created a 5-step solar buyer’s guide.
1 - Analysing Electricity usage
When contemplating solar, make sure you have analysed your energy consumption. Because every home uses energy differently during the day and night.
This will affect the amount of solar panels you require and the changes you need to make to maximise its benefits.
The more electricity you consume during the day, the better. Using solar energy is more valuable than selling it back to the grid.
The best way to monitor your usage patterns is by understanding your electricity bill and how to read it.
2 - Checked Your Switchboard compliance
Is your switchboard compliant ?
Making sure your switchboard is up to date can save you hundreds of dollars down the line. Your solar installer should be performing a check before installing so that no nasty surprises come up.
Beware of solar installers that do not check your switchboard before quoting you a solar system. The additional costs of an upgrade can be upwards of $1,000 extra on top of the cost originally quoted.
However if their is an upgrade needed you can simply include the costs with the solar system installation to get the most cost effective finance option.
3 - Do Your Research
Things to consider are..
- Size of your roof
- Shading on your roof
- Which state do you live in ( This can determine your sunlight hours and rebate incentives for example Melbourne gets a state level incentive and federal )
- What’s your budget ?
- Does your property contain asbestos ?
- What STC rebate Incentives are available in your area
4 - contacting your utility Provider
Contact your energy supplier to find out how going solar will affect your power costs and how much your Feed-In Tariff will be worth.
Each energy supplier will have a different feed in tariff pricing as well as varied terms and conditions for using it. When selecting a provider, make sure to understand the prerequisites and terms and conditions.
Be cautious to analyse the impact on your electrical costs and weigh the pros and cons evenly.
5 - Finding a Suitable Solar Retailer
A good way to figure out what prices are low, high, and average is to get a lot of quotes from different people who do this work. Based on how good the system is and who is installing it, prices can be very different.
It’s a good idea to go to the CEC to see if your solar provider is a member of the CEC and a certified solar installer.
What’s Next….
Going solar has a lot of variables to consider, as you’ve discovered. Without adequate direction, it might be difficult to understand.
That’s why we provide free consultations to walk you through the process from beginning to end and discover whether solar is a suitable fit for you.
Solar-related inquiries can be answered by clicking here.
