1.    Why choose Solar Panels?

Aside from the impact of cutting your household's carbon footprint by tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year, solar units can drastically reduce your electricity bill in two distinct ways. Primarily, by generating your own electricity from the solar panels you reduce the electricity you need to buy from your power provider. Secondly any excess "Green" electricity your system produces is sold back to the power provider – and at a higher rate then what you have bought standard electricity.
Another often overlooked benefit is that the solar units increase both the energy rating and value of your house.

2.    What is a Grid Connect Solar Panel System and how does it work?

Solar cells in the modules mounted on your roof convert sunlight into DC power. A Component called an inverter converts this DC power into AC power that can be used in your home. The inverter also manages how much electricity is drawn from or fed back into the grid. Your utility would provide power as usual at night and during the day when your electricity demand exceeds that produced by your solar system. When excess "Green" electricity is fed into the grid, the meter ticks backwards, so the household only pays the difference between what is fed and drawn.

3.    How much will this cost me and what will I save?

Thanks to the Renewable Energy Certificates scheme the cost to the customer is drastically reduced. Our 1.5kw system will cost you approximately $4,990 installed. This system will generate a conservative 6 – 8 k/w hours of electricity a day, a saving of $50 - $80 per month. This is a 15% - 200% return on your investment.

4.    How much roof space is required?

The amount of roof space required depends on the size of the system installed. For example, a 1.5Kw system requires about 12m2 of roof space. This should be on an un-shaded and preferably a north-facing part of the facing roof. The system is modular and thus can be arranged in a way that best suits the roof.

5.    Do the panels need to face north?

North facing is the ideal situation, but panels facing east or west will still provide a very high percentage of power talk to our Energy Consultant.

6.    Is there a warranty provided with the Solar Panel Unit?

Yes, there is a  5 year manufacturer’s warranty on the inverter and additionally there is a 30-year manufacturer warranty on the solar panels themselves.

7.    Have the Solar Panels and inverters been tested for quality to Australian and international standards?

Yes, the panels are tested to and meet the standard IEC61215 and IEC61730 and the inverter complies with standard AS/NZ4777 and TUV (Germany).

8.    Will the Electrician installing the product be qualified?

Yes all our installers are licensed electricians are Accredited in Design and Installation of Photovoltaic systems by the Clean Energy Council.

9.    Is it as effective in winter?

Solar Photovoltaic systems rely on sunlight and ultra violet rays not heat. So while there may be less hours of sunlight in winter the actual conversion of power is unaffected by the change in climate. However, you will benefit from extended hours of sunlight in the summer.

10.    Does the system come with a battery?

There is no battery as the system is completely grid interactive. Battery systems are normally used with RAP (Remote area Power) systems that have no grid connectivity.

11.    Overcast, shading, nights and blackouts

Overcast or cloudy conditions and shading will impact on the amount of electricity produced. On a light overcast day about half as much electricity is produced as a full sunny day. With partial shading the panels not affected will continue to produce electricity. Your system will not work at night; you will draw power from your utility. For safety reasons your system will automatically shut-down within milliseconds of losing grid voltage and stay off until the grid power is restored.

12.    What is an REC?

The easiest way to understand Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) is to think of them as being like share certificates. They are electronic, tradeable commodities, each equal to 1 Megawatt hour of renewable energy generation that may be traded for financial return. And, just like a share certificate, the value of a REC can move up and down. The operation of RECs is coordinated by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator and governed by the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 and the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001. When you have a solar power system installed by Allpro Solar Pty Ltd, your system will attract a certain number of RECs. However, only a person who is registered with the Renewable Energy Regulator can actually receive RECs. That means you have two options, you can apply to be registered yourself or you can assign those RECs to Allpro Solar Pty Ltd as we’re already registered with ORER so are able to receive them from you.
Specific details on the rebate can be found at www.climatechange.gov.au

13.    How do REC's benefit us the customer?

Under the new RET (Renewable energy target), RECs may be traded to a supplier for a point of sale discount on their renewable generation unit - saving themselves the value of the RECs generated. Now the new solar credits scheme is operational from the 1 July 2011, households are allowed to claim three times the normal amount of REC's for the first 1.5Kw worth of supply.

14.    How long does installation take?

Completed in one day

15.    Do I need to be there while the system is installed?

Yes