Category: Home

What Are Micro-Inverters, and Do I Need One?

Whether you need micro-inverters or string inverters in your solar system, and which of those would be the best choice, has to be considered carefully when you are purchasing a system for your home. In order to make the right choice, you need an understanding of both of these inverters, what they do, and how they are different from one another. The pros and cons of each are also important. Here is what you need to know.

What Are Micro-Inverters?

Micro-inverters are used under each solar panel, to convert the sun’s energy to electricity. The advantage of this kind of inverter is that it is harnessing all the power right at the panel. That means you will get the maximum electricity production to the electric grid or your fuse box. It is also easy to expand your system when you have micro-inverters installed because you can simply add more panels and more inverters. It is an easy way to add on to what you already have at a later date.

What is the Inverter’s Role in a Solar System?

In a solar system, the micro-inverter is designed to make the most of what you are getting from the sun. It does this by being strategically placed at each solar panel, instead of being in another location. Its proximity to the solar panel matters, because it minimizes loss of the collected energy before that energy is turned into usable electricity for your home. This is just one of the advantages it has over a string inverter.

What is a String Inverter?

A string inverter is a unit that is installed as a stand-alone option. Typically, it is located near the fuse box and electric meter. It creates electricity from the strings of solar panels to which it is connected. Most residential solar panels have only one string inverter. Some larger systems may use two. These are easy to replace if they fail, and only needing one of them is a benefit of using this type of inverter. But you risk losing a lot of the energy you collect, as it travels from the solar panels to the inverter.

How Much Does a Micro-Inverter Typically Cost?

While micro-inverters are much smaller than their string inverter counterparts, they are also more expensive. This can add between 20 to 30 percent more to the price of a solar system. The price of these inverters is coming down, though, and eventually, the extra cost of using them will be minimal. Still, it is important to remember that there are a lot of them needed — one for every panel. Additionally, they are on the roof. Trying to maintain or replace them can be more difficult due to their location, and they are also more subject to the effects of weather. Still, they are popular with a lot of people because they help maximize the value received from a solar energy system.

It is important to weigh the pros and cons of micro-inverters and string inverters when it comes to your individual budget, needs, and situation. That can make it easier for you to determine which one will be right for you.

If you are interested in installing solar on your Blue Mountains, Penrith or Emu Plains home, contact E-Smart Solar for a quote.

Complete Guide to Solar: Getting a Quote

When you purchase a solar energy system for your home, it’s important to find an installer who provides accurate, honest quotes. A reliable estimate will help ensure that you’re paying a fair price and won’t be surprised by the final bill.

What to Expect

Competent, trustworthy contractors visit customers’ homes before they offer quotes. If an installer sends an estimate via phone or email without seeing your house, this amount may not reflect the actual price. Each home needs different solar and electrical equipment.

A contractor ought to examine your circuit breaker, roof and any obstructions before estimating the cost. It’s also crucial to evaluate a home’s power needs. For example, a dwelling with electric appliances will need larger photovoltaic panels than a house with gas equipment.

Detailed Quotes

Your installer shouldn’t just state a single amount. You ought to receive an estimate that lists the prices of specific items, such as the mounting hardware, DC-to-AC inverter and solar panels. If you desire a rechargeable backup battery, the quote should also list the cost of this equipment separately.

A detailed estimate will provide specific information about these products as well. For instance, it ought to list the model, wattage and quantity of photovoltaic panels. Look for the inverter’s output capacity; this equipment plays a crucial role in most systems.

Meter Upgrades

Your electricity retailer will be in charge of your meter. Ask if you’ll need to replace or upgrade your electrical meter. This step may add as little as $60 or as much as $300 to the total price. Your retailer will need the solar installer’s Certificate of Compliance (CCEW) and Permission to Connect (PTC) letter forwarded to the retailer. Energy Australia and Origin Energy has a smart meter form that needs to be completed and sent along with the PTC and CCEW. Older meters often cost more to upgrade. Queensland residents face a very small monthly fee rather than a larger one-time upgrade expense.

Installation Work

A quote should reveal how much money you’ll spend on installer labour. Workers must transport and set up the equipment before connecting it to your home’s electrical system. Labour costs may rise if they need to dig a trench for underground cables.

Warranty Coverage

Be sure to learn about the warranty that comes with a system. How long does it stay in effect, what does it cover, and is it provided by a trustworthy, well-established company? Panels from LG Electronics normally include 25-year guarantees.

Getting Money Back

A knowledgeable contractor should be able to estimate feed-in tariffs and rebates. These credits could help you recover the cost of your equipment. The Small-Scale Technology Certificate supplies larger rebates for more powerful systems. Feed-in tariffs compensate you for excess power that your panels add to the electrical grid.

Ask the installer about a system’s payback period. This is the approximate number of years it will take for you to recover your investment through electricity savings, rebates and tariffs. Keep in mind that unpredictable weather and economic conditions can shorten or lengthen this period.

Installation Time

In addition to estimating the cost and future savings, an installer ought to tell you when the work would begin and how long it will take to complete. The number of days may vary depending on how many people the company employs and the level of demand for its services.

To sum it up, you can benefit from finding a solar contractor who takes the time to inspect your home and provide you with comprehensive information on every major aspect of an installation project.

If you are interested in installing solar on your Blue Mountains, Penrith or Emu Plains home, contact E-Smart Solar for a quote.

 

Going Solar: Are Solar Panel Roof Fires Something I Should be Worried About?

Solar panel fires often hit the news, not only because they’re frightening, but also because they’re rare. Here’s what you need to know about what causes solar panel roof fires and how they can be avoided.

Are you worried about solar panel roof fires? Solar panel fires often hit the news, not only because they’re frightening, but also because they’re rare. While solar panel fires have occurred, they’re generally isolated incidents that can be protected against. Solar panel fires generally occur because the installation itself is faulty, or because corners have been cut when purchasing the right materials.

Here’s what you need to know about what causes solar panel roof fires and how they can be avoided.

What Causes a Solar Panel Roof Fire?

Everyone knows that solar panels are energy-efficient and cost-effective. Not only do they save the environment by using a sustainable, renewable resource for energy, but they also save households money through reduced energy costs.

But like any other type of advanced technology, solar panels can be installed incorrectly, mishandled, or manufactured improperly.

There are two major things that can cause a solar panel roof fire:

  • Poor installation practices. Solar panels need to be installed properly, as they are electronic devices that are creating energy. Most solar panel roof fires are the consequence of installing the solar panels incorrectly. Either the installation isn’t properly reviewed by an electrician, or the cables are mismanaged and lead to a short.
  • Badly manufactured solar panels. Some companies concentrate on profit first, and consequently may not use the best quality solar panels. It’s important to look into the types of solar panels you’re having installed, as well as the company you’re working with. A reputable company is going to use the best quality solar panels available.

In short, if a high quality solar panel is installed correctly, a solar panel roof fire isn’t something that you should worry about. A solar panel installation that has been properly inspected and installed is going to be completely safe.

Protecting Yourself from a Solar Panel Roof Fire

Using trusted solar installers is the most important factor when you’re installing solar panels. Only untrustworthy solar panel installers will use badly made solar panels, or install them incorrectly. A reputable solar panel installer will install well-manufactured, safe panels, and will do so in compliance with the installation best practices.

In 2018, South Australian citizens were warned that at least one company was performing non-compliant solar panel installations, which could be dangerous and potentially catch fire. It was unknown how many citizens could ultimately be impacted, but it was expected to number in the hundreds.

The danger related to these solar panels had nothing to do with the solar panels themselves, but instead due to the non-compliant work the solar panel company was doing. Particularly, the work was not being checked and inspected by a licensed electrician as it should have been.

Many of the solar panels in businesses and residences across Australia were found to have potential issues with wiring or had not been properly inspected after installation. This is something that a trustworthy installer can protect against.

Those with incorrect solar system installations frequently notice that the installation is dispersing far more heat than it should — so there are also indicating factors that homeowners and business owners may notice before a fire ever takes place.

Even so, solar house fires are rare, and substandard solar systems are rarely discovered. Solar systems are occasionally inspected by regulators to determine how many have been installed incorrectly, with about 3.4% of systems potentially being installed in a non-compliant fashion.

Solar Panels Are Perfectly Safe, As Long As They’re Installed Properly

Ultimately, anything that conducts electricity has to be installed properly and inspected by a licensed electrician. If a solar panel installer does not have a licensed electrician available, they are likely cutting corners on the installation and the installation will be non-compliant. A homeowner can also always opt to have their solar panel installation inspected separately to verify that it is safe and correct.

Are you interested in solar panels? Fire incidents are few and far between, and as mentioned, they can be safely avoided by using a trustworthy solar partner. Speaking with a solar company, getting a quote, and finding out more about the installation process can help put you at ease.

Contact E-Smart Solar for qualified solar power installations.

 

Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels – which one do I choose?

It’s the question of the moment in Sydney’s Penrith and Blue Mountains communities, so we break it down

It’s a question that’s been coming up a lot lately. All of the information can be overwhelming, and with the technology behind solar it’s hard to know exactly where the sweet spot is with panels unless you’re working with them on a daily basis.

 This is particularly so for the Penrith and Blue Mountains areas where our clients seek the best possible combination of high quality and competitive pricing. But in doing so, questions arise about technology. In solar it’s important to understand the performance advantages offered by the two different materials. After all, does it matter if you install monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels for our Western Sydney climate? Is the choice impacted by our home design, particularly in the Blue Mountains where houses are often designed in relation to the landscape? And does brand really matter?

So let’s take a step back for a minute look at the difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels, as well as our thoughts on which is better for the cities of Penrith and the Blue Mountains.

What’s the difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels?

What the panels are made of

Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are built using the same raw material. However the difference comes down to the composition of the silicone substrate used to make the solar cells, which are then used to build the panels. We think of it in terms of “mono” and “poly” – mono means single, where as poly means multiple. This applies to the silicone – monocrystalline means a single crystal, and polycrystalline means multiple crystals. So monocrystalline solar panels are constructed using single crystals, while polycrystalline solar panels are constructed using numerous crystals.

How efficient the panels are

Given that monocrystalline panels are made of single crystals, giving them a higher silicone purity, they’re larger and more efficient. In fact, monocrystalline cells can be over 10% more efficient than their polycrystalline counterparts. This means lower space efficiency – for the same power output as panels made of monocrystalline, you need to cover a larger surface area.

How much the panels cost

But – and there’s always a but – manufacturing a monocrystalline cell takes longer, requires higher temperatures, and produces more waste. And of course increased preparation results in one thing – increased manufacturing costs. But this cost may be offset by the fact that less panels are required.

The pros and cons of monocrystalline versus polycrystalline solar panels

  • Polycrystalline solar panels are ideal for installations with unlimited roof or ground space – suitable for many Blue Mountains homes… but monocrystalline panels are ideal for smaller rooftops or space-confined rooftops as they give more power for the same surface area – suitable for the Penrith CBD
  • Polycrystalline solar panels are ideal for customer to minimise upfront installation costs… but monocrystalline solar panels may offer ongoing savings by maximising your roof space to more harness electricity.

So which is better – monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels?

There are arguments each way! Yes, less panels are required if you use monocrystalline solar panels, but then you lack the additional benefit of roof insulation offered by the increased spread of polycrystalline solar panels! OK, so we may be stretching things here but you can see where we’re going… each has their pros and cons.

You also need to remember that there are so many variables to the cost and performance of your system, including your inverter, the orientation of your roof and even the tilt of your solar panels.

So for us, one of the most critical things to consider is the manufacturer.

Why the manufacturer of your solar panels matters

Well here’s our take. Technology is definitely important, but as both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are each produced with advanced manufacturing techniques (and use proven technology, of course), we need to look further.

Peace of mind: Choosing a proven, quality-focused manufacturer will not only give you peace of mind that they’ll be around for the long-term, but also that they invest on ongoing research and development to continually deliver improved products.

Reliability: The other element is reliability. For most of us, balancing reliability with affordability is a major component of our decision-making – solar is a along-term investment. So choosing a trusted name means that your 25 or 30-year warranty will remain safe because if your manufacturer does go out of business and something goes wrong with your panels, your warranty will be no longer be serviceable.

Minimising your risk: Think about it in terms of risk management. Invest in slightly more today for a reputable provider who’s done their due diligence and invested in quality manufacturing processes and technologies, or risk the possibility of paying more down the track if panels do need repairing.

This is why we’ve done our research and only partner with reputable companies who:

  • Have a long-standing history in innovative solar panel development
  • Demonstrate best practice and invest in quality
  • Deliver outstanding customer service, and
  • Are proactive in the marketplace.

For our clients, LG is a major favourite because they’re looking to future-proof their home and their investment. When considering roof space, battery storage and the possibility of powering electric vehicles in the future, the LG brand offers a diverse range of options to suit.

Their strong performance history and reliability also gives us confidence they’ll be here to honour their product warranties (25 years for NeOnR and 12 years for NeOn2). They’re a multi-billion dollar diversified company, which undoubtedly lowers risk as, unlike other panel brands, there are no majority shareholders or other players involved. LG also has a local office in Eastern Creek so for Western Sydney, Penrith and Blue Mountains customers, this is a bonus!

And of course, with performance they’re right up there. LG now go up to a 360w panel with the same footprint as a standard solar panel (by comparison, Sunpower goes up to a 415w but on a much larger panel size).

But something to think about…

One thing we’re becoming more aware of as innovators such as Elon Musk continue to deliver advancement in the solar industry is the potential of the technology. We already have battery systems and electric cars – where else will the harnessing of solar energy take us? So with this in mind, think of your future needs. At some point, the amount of solar energy we’re able to use will only be limited by the size of the surface area we can place the panels on. So if you want to get the most out of your roof space, maybe think about module efficiency. But remember – it’s not the only consideration!

Over to you

Do you have any thoughts, experiences or questions on monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels? Let us know! We’d love to hear your thoughts and answer your questions.

Why now the right time to invest in solar panels for your business

With costs increasing, more and more commercial clients are looking to run leaner. With solar, you can too – and now is the perfect time to install

With rising electricity costs and a significant decrease in the cost of solar systems, solar power has become an incredibly cost-effective energy alternative for businesses.

The larger corporations are definitely leading the charge, but many small and medium-sized companies are now actively investigating exactly how solar energy can have more of an impact on their bottom line. Here, we show you how save money with solar energy for your business.

Why now is the best time to install solar for your business

Solar panels have never been cheaper or so effective – but the cost will rise

We’re seeing it more and more – companies are running leaner to keep up with the rising costs of business. They’re introducing efficiencies and processes, reducing headcount, and even cutting back on some of the essentials of running a business (we’re not talking coffee which is a definite essential, but we are talking things like marketing initiatives).

But many don’t see their ‘fixed’ costs as being something they can actually influence. And electricity is one of those fixed costs. You can run financially leaner by reducing the cost of your power bills with solar panels.

For a business, now is the right time. 2018. The price has come down exponentially over the last 5+ years. From our perspective, ten years ago we used to purchase a 150-watt panel for approximately 80% more than we currently spend for a 360-watt panel. Yes, you read that right! We pay 80% less today for a far superior product.

In addition, the panels are the same size but offer increased efficiency. So think about it – they cost about a third of what they did, yet their efficiency has more than doubled. Why?

Ongoing industry investment has seen incredible development in manufacturing processes. Research and development has seen organic matter cost less per watt to produce while also offering increased solar efficiency. And evolving innovations that look for further solar technology opportunities are spiking commercial interest.

But it will plateau. And we believe it will be soon.

We’ve come an incredibly long way in ten years. But the reality is, we’re working with specialist products that are significant in size. Regardless, there’ll still be shipping charges, docking costs, wholesaler tariffs, and the cost to get them to our door. And like everything else, these costs will continue to increase over time. So while the price point for solar panels has plateaued for a few years, now is undeniably the time to buy.

Government incentives are decreasing

With the Australian Government’s commitment to green energy, we’ve seen an investment in Small Technology Certificates, commonly known as STCs, which are essentially the Government rebate.

But the number of STCs you’ll receive each year drops.

Not only that, but the STC price rises and falls depending on market demand. When it falls, the price of your system increases significantly. It’s currently quite high, saving you money on installation, but it won’t stay like this forever! For business, this presents a significant saving opportunity. Jump on it.

You can currently claim a rebate when investing in solar for your business

We’re no tax accountants, but you do get tax incentives for installing solar panels in your business.

If you own your premises, you can claim your solar panels as capital improvement.

If you lease your premises, you can claim your solar panels as a leasehold improvement.

The investment is depreciated over time. However if you’re a small business, you can also look at the $20k instant tax asset write-off. Provided you use electricity as part of producing your income, you can claim the entire deduction straight away.

Case Study: Commercial business invests in reducing $20k/week electricity costs

We recently provided a ballpark quote for a commercial client. This client currently pays a whopping $20,000 a week for their electricity.

After calculating the numbers, we identified that they required 1,000 panels on a single site. They’re currently investigating the options from an investment perspective as they lease the premises but, regardless, their system will pay itself back well before the lease ends.

But if they don’t do it this year, they’re mad. On a system of this size, the rebate will have a significant impact – thousands of dollars every week and reducing their power requirements from the grid by 50%. And of course, the longer they wait the more the system will cost. So really, every day it’s not on the roof is costing them money.

Historically speaking, there’s never been a better time to install solar panels for your business

From a commercial perspective, the time to install solar panels in your business has never been better.

When you combine the decreased cost of panel prices (alongside the increased efficiency they’re providing), as well as the increasing cost of living, construction industry increases and decreasing rebates – why wouldn’t you do it now?

There’s no point putting it off for a year or two because, just like our client, every day they aren’t on the roof is costing you money.

Over to you

What do you think? Is now the right time for commercial businesses to install solar? Let us know! We’d love to hear your thoughts and answer your questions.

The pros and cons of solar energy for your home

Five things to consider before investing in solar

Using solar energy to meet your power demands reduces costs while also making you more environmentally friendly. But it’s also an investment, which means that you need to consider both the pros and the cons of installing solar energy in your home.

If you’re thinking about solar, consider these factors before making a purchase.

Pro: Less reliance on grid electricity reduces your bills

Cost savings are often the most significant factor for a lot of clients. When you use your solar energy, you’re relying less on your electricity company. This means that your monthly bills go down.

And a battery system will take your savings even further. You can store and sell excess energy back to the electricity company. You can even store your electricity company’s electricity during off-peak times, when prices are lowest, and then use that energy during peak periods. Lots of options!

Con: There is an upfront cost before the savings kick in

Yes, solar definitely saves you money, particularly over the long term. But the cost of manufacturing and installing solar panels is still high. The bigger your energy needs, the larger your investment. Nevertheless, it is an investment, and some companies even offer payment plans that make it incredibly accessible.

Pro: Solar energy is a renewable energy source

Solar energy is a renewable energy source. This is unlike other forms of energy that have a limited lifespan, such as coal and fossil fuels. As long as the sun remains alive (and that’s going to be a while – about 6.5 billion years, in fact!), we can’t run out of solar energy.

It’s also abundant – we could power all of earth with solar energy and still have solar radiation left to spare!

Con: It requires space

This one isn’t really a con because, let’s face it – what else are we going to do with the real estate on our roof? But the more energy you require to power your home, the more panels you need. And while we work out your specific energy needs before calculating how much power can be produced in your space, generally speaking the larger the home, the more panels you’ll need.

Pro: Solar energy is sustainable, which means a better planet for your children (and theirs)

Sustainable energy sources meet the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. We can’t over-consume solar, and it leaves no harmful side effects. And yes, while the manufacturing, transportation and installation of solar power systems do cause some emissions, they truly are minimal compared to most conventional sources of energy.

Con: Without a battery, solar power is intermittent

As our access to sunlight is limited to daytime (not to mention good weather!), solar energy is an intermittent energy source. This is somewhat resolved with the decreasing costs of battery systems, making them far more accessible to the average homeowner. But without one, your solar system won’t meet 100% of your energy demands.

Pro: They’re ultra-quiet and require little maintenance

Many alternative energy sources are limited to remote areas because of the noise they make (wind turbines are a prime example). But residential solar panels have no moving parts, so they weave their magic in glorious silence.

In terms of maintenance, they only need cleaning twice a year, purely so dirt and bird droppings don’t reduce their efficiency. And with no moving parts, they also last for decades.

From a technical maintenance perspective, there are products that alert us to issues and let us update your firmware remotely – you don’t even have to pick up the phone if you suspect there’s an issue!

Con: Not all solar panels are created equal

A huge variety of panels on the market, with varying levels of efficiency, durability, reliability, output and design, mean that there’s also a huge variety of price points. Choosing the right system can be difficult – it can be tempting to invest in an option that’s purely based on cost. But considering the impact of all of those factors in your system’s performance and longevity, it’s worthwhile to do your research and invest in quality panels.

To solar or not to solar… that is the question

When you consider it, the negatives are minimal in comparison to the benefits. But solar isn’t going to be the right choice for everyone. There are a whole lot of factors to take in, from environmental and economical through to grid independence, your location, and even advancing technology. But the bottom line is this: in the energy world, solar power compares incredibly well against other technologies for all of these factors.

The reality is, the future of solar is looking rather bright. Quite literally!

Solar Battery Power: Putting the Power Back in Your Hands

You own the sun. Well, not technically, but you do have the right to its power. So why not use it?

Solar technology helps you turn your rooftop into a power plant. But the biggest revolution in solar over the past few years is undoubtedly the arrival of a new breed of battery systems.

It isn’t new technology – in actual fact, solar batteries have been around for decades. They’ve just always been super-expensive (as well as huge and incredibly unattractive!). But that all changed in 2015 when Tesla announced its revolutionary Tesla Powerwall. It was everything that us solar lovers wanted – a relatively low price point and a solid consumer warranty.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. First of all, let me explain a little bit more about solar battery systems.

What is a solar battery system?

Although solar is renewable energy, it has its limitations. One of these is that it can’t produce power during times of little or no light.

A solar battery, however, makes this a non-issue. It stores any excess energy your solar panels make during the day for you to use during the night.

I think about it in these terms. During the week, we’re generally at home of an evening. We come home from work, use the lights, cook dinner, put washing on, use the air conditioner in summer and the heater in winter, kick back in front of the TV… the electricity system gets a beating. And because we’re rarely at home to do this during the day when our solar energy is readily available, our homes are reliant on the power produced by the electricity grid.

But with a battery, your home will use the excess energy your system has stored during the day before it turns to the electricity grid. Take that, rising electricity costs!

Why all the fuss about battery systems?

For us renewable energy fans, the new generation of battery systems is a game changer. For so long they’ve been too expensive for the average household or small business to consider, but Tesla Powerwall has completely changed the landscape.

The developments they’ve made in their technology are delivering dramatic cost reductions. For the first time, homeowners like you and I can afford to invest in a battery system. Not only that, but it looks the goods, too!

Who is Tesla and what is Tesla Powerwall?

I think of Tesla as the ‘Apple’ of solar technology. They’re constantly creating new things, pushing the boundaries and redefining the game for the other players in the market (such as Enphase and LG Chem). And if the name sounds familiar, there’s a reason why. They’re also the creators of electric cars.

They’re undoubtedly the leaders in the renewable energy market, but their innovation has forced the other players to up their game. All of a sudden solar battery storage has become a very real option for families to reduce their electricity costs even further.

What are the benefits of a solar battery system?

I’m a self-confessed devotee of renewable energy, so for me it’s all about the environment. But for a large percentage of our clients, it’s very much about the cost savings.

Our electricity costs are among the highest in the world. Not only that, but they’re increasing. Combine that with the fact that ‘luxuries’ are now often considered ‘essentials’ – take the record-breaking day we had last month where air conditioning was just not negotiable – and it’s just not feasible for either families or small businesses. But a battery system can put some power back into our hands (yes, pun intended).

My top 5 ways a solar battery system will save you money

  1. Save your daytime electricity for night instead of selling it back. For consumers, this is a huge game changer. We pay pretty high rates to import electricity – take a look at your electricity bill and you’ll see that it’s between 25 and 55 cents per kilowatt hour.
    For those of you who have solar, have a look at much you are selling it back to the grid for – on average it’s only between 5 and 8 cents per kilowatt hour. But with these battery packs, we’re no longer at the mercy of the grid. Instead, we can use our solar 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    So instead of selling your surplus power back at a small rate, you’re far better off to use it yourself during peak periods.
  2. Store electricity from the grid when it’s cheap. So if you’re going to use electricity, why not store it when prices are lowest? If you store it from the grid during off-peak but use your battery for power during the most expensive peak time (instead of buying from the grid, that is), you’ll reduce your overall electricity costs.
  3. Increase your solar consumption. For the average home, a battery system can almost double your solar usage. Adding a 14 kilowatt hour battery (such as Tesla Powerwall) to a 5 kilowatt solar system can increase your amount of self-consumption between a whopping 30 and 60%!
  4. Future-proof your home or business. It’s predicted that battery storage is going to be the main way families manage their electricity costs by 2019. Battery storage costs are falling, while grid electricity prices are increasing. Future-proofing your home now will also save you in the future.
  5. Keep your electricity expenses economical even though the feed-in tariff has stopped. The government’s feed-in tariff ceased this year, meaning that individuals with solar who were on the feed-in tariff no longer receive a generous rate for the solar electricity they put into the grid. Electricity prices aren’t going to change, so I truly believe that it’s inevitable that solar systems with battery storage will become the most economical solution to provide electricity.

It’s undoubtable that renewable energy is our future. And as prices continue to fall, battery storage will give you ongoing cost savings by letting you use more of your own solar electricity, while also letting you access and store electricity from the grid when it’s cheapest.

And just to hold myself accountable, I’ve recently installed a Telsa Powerwall on my home and am tracking the changes it makes to our electricity consumption. So keep your eyes peeled and I’ll keep you updated!

10 ways to improve your eco credentials at home

Sometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impact

Getting started is often the hardest step – whether it be writing your very first blog post (eek!) or reducing your carbon footprint. We hear you!

But often, it’s the culmination of small changes that have the largest impact. As a result we’ve put together a simple list to get you on your way to improving your eco credentials around the home.

Buy in season…

Avoid fruit and veggies that have been flown halfway around the world and shop at your local farmers market. Not only will you be supporting local suppliers, you’ll have less plastic in your life and a far better taste in your mouth!

Fix that tap!

It’s difficult to conceptualise, but a slow leaking tap can waste an incredible 20,000 litres of water per annum. That’s the entire amount available each year to many people around the world.

 Say no to plastic

In excess of 450,000 recyclable plastic supermarket bags are dumped into landfill every hour (horrifying but true!). Be prepared, and bring your own bags when grocery shopping.

 Use the cold wash

About three-quarters of the energy and greenhouse gas emissions from washing a load of laundry comes purely from heating the water. There’s no need to boil your load; manage your settings and just chill.

Use a dishwasher

It’s not a myth, it’s true – washing up by hand with hot water and rinsing really does leave a bigger carbon footprint than a dishwasher.

Fill your dishwasher, put it on an energy efficient setting and go tend to your herbs…

Grow your own herbs

They taste better, give you a chance to get outside in the sunshine, you’ll save money and you’ll never have a bland dish again. Too easy!

Use your (good old Aussie) hills hoist

Reduce your carbon footprint by using the great Aussie invention, the Hills Hoist. Relish the warmth of the sunshine on your clothes. It beats a dryer any day and you’ll have the extra coins in your pocket.

Recycle your plastic bags

Sometimes plastic bags are unavoidable; the good news is that most supermarkets have recycling stations for your convenience. Save your plastic bags and next time you’re at the shops, pop them into the recycling – it’s that simple.

Avoid free bags

How many do you really need? Around the world, we use and throw away a trillion recyclable bags every year. Crazy! Bring your own bags, dust off your Nanna’s trolley, or just carry your shopping in your hot little hands.

Use renewable energy

Electricity accounts for about 53% of the energy used in Australian households but creates around 87% of the greenhouse gas emissions (DEWHA 2008). Limit your greenhouse gas emissions where you can by utilising renewable energy sources, such as solar panels.

Do you have any more tips?

We’d love to know your thoughts and tips for an eco friendly home! Comment below and let us know your tips for reducing your carbon footprint – we love new ideas!