We’re Certified Carbon Neutral!

We are proud that E-Smart Solar is the first solar company in NSW to be Climate Active certified. Climate Active certification is an important step in our journey to being a more sustainable and environmentally conscious organisation.

We are located at the base of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains, so we understand the importance of our environmental impact as a business. We have chose to be carbon neutral, hoping this heritage site can be enjoyed, as it is today, for generations to come.

So what does this all mean?

The Climate Active brand is a simple yet powerful way for companies to demonstrate to customers and stakeholders that they have a credible and transparent claim of carbon neutrality. It is the only government accredited carbon neutral certification scheme in Australia.

The Climate Active brand represents Australia’s collective effort to calculate, reduce, and offset carbon emissions to lessen our negative impact on the environment. The Climate Active certification is awarded to businesses and organisations that have credibly reached a state of achieving net zero emissions, otherwise known as carbon neutrality.

“Understanding where our carbon emissions are coming from and where we can reduce these emissions has helped us manage parts of our business more efficiently.”

What can homeowners do?

The best thing homeowners can do to support us is to take the time to understand the solar system they are buying. Additionally, customers can also support us through understanding that the environmental benefits of solar power are the main reason we do what we do as well as helping homeowners and business owners to reduce their carbon footprint – not just their power bills.

Speak to our expert solar team about how you can reduce your carbon footprint.

Do Solar Panels Lose Efficiency?

Whether solar panels lose efficiency can be partially affected by the way the panels are treated. But that’s not the only thing that could cause a lack of efficiency.

The best thing you can do for your solar panels is gain knowledge about what problems to look for, so you can catch issues early. You may not be able to reverse problems, but you can stop more from happening and reduce the effects of them to increase efficiency. Don’t settle for solar panels that aren’t going to give you what you want, when you can have something far better than that by caring for your panels the right way, from the very beginning.

How to Minimize a Loss of Efficiency

The location and placement of solar system panels can make a big difference in whether they’re efficient or not. Even a system that looks like it’s in the sun all the time might not be as efficient as it could be. Part of that comes from the angle of the sun, which is different during various times of the year.

Another reason for a lack of efficiency is damage that can happen to the panels over time. That can lead to a slow loss of efficiency, which might not be noticed right away. Then once it’s gotten bad enough, it’s seen as a problem and there isn’t anything that can be done about it. It’s better to catch it earlier.

Can Extreme Weather Conditions Damage Solar Panels?

Extreme weather conditions like hail and cyclones can certainly do harm to solar panels. The same is true with severe dust storms and other kinds of weather that’s outside the normal and expected things like rainfall and sunshine.

While most typical types of storms won’t cause a big problem, it’s important to check solar systems after any major storm or weather event. That can help you catch problems quickly, and make any needed adjustments to the solar system so you can keep it working at the highest possible level for the long term.

What is Degradation?

One issue that can reduce efficiency is Potential Induced Degradation, or PID. This can be caused by heat, voltage, and humidity. Because most solar systems are exposed to a combination of these, that combination can take its toll over time.

Fortunately, most solar system models don’t have this problem. It’s important to buy a make and model that’s not known for having this issue, to reduce the chances of experiencing it. Another degradation issue, Light Induced Degradation (LID), occurs in the first days after system installation, when a system degrades based on its exposure to sunlight. It’s rare, but important to watch out for.

What is Delamination and What Causes It?

When delamination occurs, the glass on the front and plastic on the back of a solar panel separate. That means moisture and air can get inside the panel and start to corrode and damage it. This can happen when the plastic and glass aren’t perfectly clean or properly bonded, and often creates an imminent failure in the panels. When it’s noticed, it should be handled right away. By taking good care of your system and watching out for problems, it can provide you with energy for a long time to come.

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

How Lighting Conditions Affect Solar Panel Efficiency

When considering solar panels for your home, you’re probably concerned about Solar Panel Efficiency and whether the shading around the property will affect the output. One of those is often about lighting conditions and how they’re going to affect the efficiency of your solar system. Understanding the ways you can make the system more efficient and make the most of the lighting conditions you have is a very important part of a quality solar system. Here’s what to consider.

Does Shading Prevent a Good Solar Outcome?

Too much shade can sometimes mean that your solar system lacks efficiency. But a little shading for a short time during the day isn’t necessarily mean that your system doesn’t work as planned. It’s always better to position it where there’s more sun to get the maximum benefit, but sometimes that’s unrealistic. If that’s the reality where you live, taking full advantage of the non-shady areas and times is important. That way, you make your solar system as efficient as possible, and you can still have your panels located where you want them to be.

How Does Shading of Trees and Buildings Affect System Performance?

A system that’s getting maximum levels of sunlight will generally always perform better than a system that’s not getting as much sunlight. But the shading of trees may not be as significant of a problem as the shading caused by a building. Trees generally provide a more broken or dappled level of shade, where buildings provide more solid levels of shading that are closer to complete blockages of the sunlight. Some trees can also provide this, but it’s not as common. System performance can definitely be affected by anything that blocks sunlight for a period of time, and the longer the length of the blockage the bigger the overall effect on the system.

What is a Shading Analysis?

A shading analysis can help you see how much the shade in a particular area is going to affect the efficiency of your potential solar system. You can also have an analysis done of your current system, to see if there are ways to make it more efficient. Sometimes changing the angle of the panels with things such as tilt frames or cutting down a tree can mean improved efficiency of your solar system and can be well worth doing. Panels can also be moved in some cases, or installed in a location other than the one you were originally thinking of, however if you are planning on moving panels make sure you check with your installer for warranty violations.

Does the Location and Direction the Panel is Facing Matter?

The location of the panels and the direction they’re facing can absolutely matter. You may also want to adjust them with the seasons, when the angle of the sun is different. By doing that, you’ll be much more likely to have a good experience with your solar system and be able to use your panels at maximum efficiency. Then you get more quality and value, and you can feel better about the efficiency of your system, as well. Taking care where you place your system can be a very important part of using your solar system for the long term.

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

The Smart Way to Maximise Use of Your Home Solar Installation in The Blue Mountains & Hawkesbury areas

There’s no doubt the 2020s will see immense growth in both smart home and solar technology. Australians with a smart home have the ability to use a more affordable and enjoyable property each day. For Australians with a solar installation there’s the chance to harness an effectively unlimited natural resource.

With a smart home and solar combo Australians can have the best of both worlds. Especially because having a smart home does not mean by default you need to have an array of gizmos and cutting-edge tech at your disposal. Instead, having a smart home and solar combo is about bringing together the best possible resources in your property, and making any improvements where you can.

Aussies who do this can build a powerful plan for the future of their home. It’s essential to understand the value in starting to make this shift now.

Tapping into Unlimited Energy

It’s no secret the cost of installing solar is something you should think carefully about. Just as is the case in a number of other countries, Australia right now has an abundance of solar installers offering rooftop systems at absolutely rock bottom prices – but this isn’t a good thing. The old adage ‘the least expensive and the most expensive product are rarely good value’ rings true.

But while doing research and thinking carefully about which solar setup is best for you is certainly wise – a poor quality installation may fail to perform properly and even be a safety risk – it’s also essential to understand the immense value a quality rooftop solar installation can provide your household by reducing power bills. Indeed, it’s no understatement to say a quality solar installation can be revolutionary for the average Aussie home in all the benefits it offers. A solar battery is also a very worthwhile consideration in this mix.

Solar panels will harvest energy, the inverter will convert it into usable energy for the home, and in solar installations with a battery present excess energy can be stored. As well as the eco-friendly benefits of a solar installation generally, one with a battery can provide an additional level of energy security to the home. In the case of a blackout, it’s possible for a home to make use of the energy stored in a battery when power is not available from the local grid.

You can view our range of recommended inverters, and solar batteries here.

If unable to commit to a rooftop solar installation right now, but looking to make a small but significant change in the home? It can be done by simply swapping in some LED lights. In comparison to halogen bulbs, LED lights use around 75% less energy. This can amount to savings of hundreds of dollars per year.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) can be a massive expense on the household budget. In fact, according to the Australian government, it can account for up to 50% of energy used in Australian homes. Of course, there are sensible steps all of us can take to help drive down these costs. Good habits such as turning off heating and cooling units when not in use, and buying thermals or wearing an additional layer of clothes in winter are key examples of this. But technology also has a role to play here.

A reverse cycle split system air conditioner is the most energy efficient electric heater. Not only do they outpace the competition in their own class, but they can also be cheaper to run than the old and familiar gas heater. They already provide affordable heating in winter and cooling in summer, and when combined with a solar installation their cost of operation drops further still. Furthermore, data by the Australia Bureau of Statistics has shown up to 45% can be saved on heating and cooling energy consumption when roof and ceiling insulation is present. Insulation can help keep a home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Solar and Water Efficiency

The effective combination of solar and water is essential to getting the most out of a smart home and solar combo. Similar to what a traditional water tank looks like, a solar hot water unit may be ground-mounted and still derive the benefits of a rooftop solar installation. A solar hot water system can store any excess energy a solar installation has, and – instead of it getting sent back to the grid – see it put to use in heating the water necessary for daily activities in the home.

Alongside solar hot water systems, heat pumps can serve a similar purpose as an alternative. Their method of operation is different – as a heat pump can achieve its aim via the harvesting of energy from the surrounding air which is then transferred internally for use to heat the water – but a heat pump can be ideal for homes where structural challenges such as limited space may prohibit a solar hot water system from being set up.

A Wise Move with Windows

Many Aussies looking outside a window in their home for a smart upgrade to make really don’t need to look far. In fact, windows themselves can form a key part of a smart home and solar strategy. By getting window glazing done the cooling and heating capabilities of a home can be enhanced. Whether double glazing or triple glazing, this process can help keep heat in the home during winter, and see a significant reduction in the cost of heating bills once they’re in place. Window blinds – aka roller shutters – are also a good option in this area.

Similarly, external awnings and shadings that encircle the house can help keep the home cooler in summer, reducing the need to use air conditioning and fans. Ideally, any addition to the home’s structure like shadings – or any new home build! – will be done mindful of the optimal home orientation. In the Southern Hemisphere, north-facing homes will receive more exposure to the sun than any other facing. Where possible, factoring in this geography will always yield the best results for a smart home and solar combo.

However, for any Aussie home presently not in a position to pursue a big piece of work like a glazing treatment or shading installation, you can still make a smart upgrade quite easily. Installing heavy curtains can help reduce heat loss in winter, and keep the home cooler in summer.

Making Smart Work of the Yard

Utilising a smart home and solar combo effectively isn’t just about what goes on inside the four walls of the home.

For anyone that’s a real green thumb and happiest starting their smart home journey outside the home, landscaping and vertical gardens can be a terrific way to make the property more eco-friendly and drive down energy costs. Examples of this are planting trees in the garden that can cast additional shade over the home in summer helping keep it cool, and the creation of a green wall along the home’s walls that creates an extra layer of insulation.

Rainwater tanks are also a tremendous way to enhance your yard’s eco-friendly nature while reducing water costs. As well as the big and traditional bulky tanks, a number of thin tanks are also available on the market for any home that requires a unit with a slim profile. And speaking of water, for any Aussie looking to trim down operating costs on the family pool the installation of a pool heater can be especially helpful. These devices can have a similar upfront cost to other options like a gas pool heater but also have very low annual operating costs.

For those who may not have the funds or space at present to insert some big new additions to their yard, putting out a few buckets in the rain can be an affordable and easy way to take a smart approach to water use. Sure a few buckets won’t catch as much as a tank, but it all adds up. The rain water can be used in the days following for watering the garden, outdoor cleaning, and similar tasks.

The Importance of Stargazing

There’s always lots to consider when buying home appliances. The ideal cost, style, and features will vary from one product to the next depending on the particular needs of a home. Yet what all buyers will find in common is the benefit they can gain from seeking out electrical appliances with high energy efficiency ratings. The more stars an appliance has, the more energy efficient it is. Choosing an energy efficient appliance can really be a smart move, given it can result in a lot of money saved in the long run due to reduced energy consumption in daily use.

If your current devices are not very energy-friendly and you’re not in the market for some new appliances right now, there are still ways to reduce your consumption. Alongside building the habit of switching appliances off when not using them, you can optimise their use by understanding what techniques save power. For example, by filling a fridge sufficiently.

When a fridge is only partially filled it expends a lot of energy replacing the cold air that leaves every time someone opens the door. While you should steer clear of overfilling, keeping the fridge around two-thirds full can help minimise its operating costs as less cool air will escape each time the door opens.

Similarly, always using a washing machine on a full load is best. Common sense applies here – as you also want to avoid overfilling this machine too! – but unless your machine has a special sensor where it can detect you’re running less than a full load, always fill it to capacity. Also, washing on cold water can drive down costs, and so too unplugging the machine when not in use (many machines have a standby mode so they continue to use energy even when not operating).

A Fantastic Way to Future-Proof Your Home

Operating a smart home with power drawn from a rooftop solar installation feels very futuristic – and that’s because it is! But although the smart home and solar combo is in one respect on the absolute cutting-edge, it’s also set to become the ‘new normal’ in years ahead. This is because of the clear-cut advantages it can provide a household in dealing with emerging challenges.

By building a smart home and solar combo and utilising associated apps and online channels, it’s possible to monitor your home’s consumption over time and identify where further optimisations can be made, and inefficiencies reduced. This is a great way to counter the trend of the rising cost of living and do it all from the comfort of your own home with smart tech and data as your tools.

Being Smart About It

Building a smart home and solar combo is an outstanding way for an Aussie household to optimise their daily lives, and reduce the cost of living expenses. This alongside the great contribution of eco-friendly smart home products in combination with a solar installation makes to drive Australia towards a cleaner and greener future.

For any household that right now has the opportunity to begin building (or adding) to their own smart home and solar combo, there’s never been a better time to do so. Contact E-Smart Solar now to take advantage of the opportunities on offer that a smart home and solar combo provides immediately, while also utilising it to drive down living costs as they rise elsewhere in future. We only use the highest quality and the safest products from reliable solar manufacturers in all of our installations.

A Burning Issue: Solar Fire Safety Concerns – Installing Solar in the Blue Mountains and Penrith

Australia has a love affair with solar. It’s akin to Australia’s love affair with the sun generally. After all, we’re the land of sun, sea, and sand. But the potential dangers or poorly-made and/or incorrectly installed solar panels are real. Just the same as too much time out in the sun without adequate protection can pose a risk to your health, the same applies to low-quality solar (LQS).

Unfortunately, the risks of LQS are not confined to losing cash on a bad installation. Or having a solar system that’s more inefficient than a quality one. The reality is a LQS can have serious safety concerns, and their existence in the industry do immense harm to consumer confidence, quality solar businesses, and Australia at large. It’s essential everyone is aware of these issues. So let’s go through them now in-depth.

Rare but Really Dangerous

When a solar installation is done with quality parts by an experienced professional, the panels should be safe and enjoy a very long lifespan. But the reality is a LQS installation can pose a major danger. Recent stats illustrate how confronting this issue is. Reportedly, data from NSW Fire and Rescue illustrates the state’s firefighters attended almost 140 solar panel fires in 2020. In 2019 they did so for 56, and in 2018 for 22.

Yet since then demand for solar installations has only grown, and this means statistically NSW firefighters and their counterparts around Australia will be spending far more time and resources in future, attending to solar panel fires if the issue isn’t addressed.

A Missed Opportunity for High Quality Solar Installations in The Blue Mountains and Penrith

This is an issue that’s both local and international in scope. LQS systems do a disservice to Australia’s ambition to pursue a clean energy future. Instead of a quality solar installation that’ll be more beneficial for their owner and the national energy grid as a whole, LQS systems frustrate this process. Sure they generate some solar energy, but alongside being a case of ‘throwing good money after bad’, they also take up space on a roof where a quality system could otherwise go.

While some Aussies once they discover they’ve had a LQS installed will immediately remove it – and this should of course be done if it’s not simply a question of efficiency but an actual safety risk being posed by its ongoing use – many may feel they’ve not got the cash to do another installation, and so will put it down as a missed opportunity. The implications of LQS also stretch beyond our borders, for if the Australian market was permitted to become an international “dumping ground” for LQS components, in years ahead the entire nation’s solar output could be fundamentally underpowered, and make Australia’s contribution to fighting climate change by growing green energy altogether underwhelming.

Greater Education of Consumers Necessary

Part of the challenge with the solar industry at present is a common misconception among consumers. Many people mistakenly think solar panels will last forever once installed – after all the sun isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, right? – or at the very least will go for a good 25 years as per the warranty many installers offer.

But even these warranties involve a reading of the fine print to understand that they don’t guarantee optimum performance of an installation for a quarter of a century, but instead are more akin to a limited power warranty. The good news is with regular upkeep and maintenance a quality solar installation can be expected to accrue some terrific mileage. The bad news is a LQS installation could begin creating headaches on day 1 of operation.

Any Aussies thinking a solar installation is something they can get done this year and leave to languish until the late 2040s are very wrong. Especially because of the widespread safety issues that exist today due to LQS.

A Need For Greater Involvement by Industry Authorities

Concerns surrounding LQS is no new issue. It’s held an audit by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) of the Clean Energy Regulator in 2018 inspected just 1.2% of Australian rooftops, but found poorly installed – and even outright unsafe – installations among thousands upon thousands of Aussie homes. The decade ahead is expected to see solar uptake continue to surge. This means this already substantial problem is only going to grow larger.

Australians need only look at the debacle that’s been the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout to know the absence of proper investment and sufficient oversight by authorities in the mass uptake of a new technology can ultimately become a huge hindrance on the country in the long run. This should not be the case for solar in a nation that is by many measures a world leader in its renewable energy potential. But the absence of stronger regulation and safeguards in this space to ensure LQS installations are driven out is right now lacking in the Australian landscape.

Ending Blank Cheque Rebates

For governments the realities of LQS requires careful consideration surrounding the structure of any current (and future) rebates. The rationale for these rebates is sound. Encouraging Aussies to take up solar is great and – especially for those among us who’re keen to do it but may not quite have the cash on hand right now for a good solar setup – by bridging the divide governments get people doing so sooner.

But the issue is when it’s not a good solar setup. The reality is these rebates have helped create a ‘Wild West’ in the Aussie solar industry. LQS retailers will spruik to prospective customers the potential to get a solar system for a very small amount once rebates are factored in. To consumers that are otherwise unaware it sounds like a good deal – but the deal is often too good to be true.

The exact settings a rebate reform would take on are best discussed another time, elsewhere. But strong protections exist in other Australian industries that guard against goods being sold which are defective or otherwise not fit for purpose. Common sense tells us LQS installations that do not work, do not last, and represent a safety risk could fit under these definitions.

For All Solar Panel Owners in The Blue Mountains and Penrith: The Importance of Being Proactive

Right now many Aussies don’t understand that solar panel installations are not something an owner should just ‘set and forget’ once the installation is complete. It’s easy to recognise why this perception could occur. After all, solar panels are seen as pretty straightforward technology. Unlike a car where the need for regular maintenance and inspection is recognised, essentially solar installations have no moving parts – and unless it occurs via something sudden like a hail storm – it’ll usually take a while for anyone to notice any visible damage that’s occurred.

In turn, given the placement of panels on a roof, non-obvious damage is unlikely to be noticed at all. A poorly functioning solar panel system can indeed be unsafe (more on that in a moment), but it also diminishes the effectiveness, and thus the value of the installation. It’s true there are some very fastidious solar panel owners among us who will daily monitor their installation’s performance, but most Aussies will only have the chance to check from time to time. Such owners may not notice there’s a problem until they recognise after a substantial period of time (such as a year or more) that their electricity bills have spiked or their feed-in tariff isn’t what it used to be, and by then it could equate to a decent chunk of cash lost due to an underperforming system.

But unquestionably, the safety aspect is the critical concern here. Although LQS is where the greatest likelihood of a solar safety issue will occur – and those who’ve taken the time to get a quality system installed by a reputable installer can by and large enjoy peace of mind – it’s also good to be proactive when it comes to maintaining the quality of safety of a solar installation.

The reality is while quality solar panels are built tough, like essentially anything left out in the elements extreme winds, debris, and even mischief-making by possums and other wildlife can damage the panels. That’s why once an installation has occurred, planning for a regular inspection by a licensed electrician is prudent. The exact definition of ‘regular’ can depend on a number of variables, but as a guide once every six months is a good general estimate.

This same timeframe also exists when it comes to cleaning the panels. Matter like dust, dirt particles, and – an unfortunately common culprit – bird droppings can diminish the effectiveness and safety of your solar system. Solar panel cleaners are available to attend to this task, and many can easily be found with a quick Google search. Yet just as it’s the case with LQS installers, it’s prudent to do your research beforehand and ensure a team you hire for the job has the skill and expertise to do the task properly.

See the list of solar panels we offer here.

Putting Out the Fire

The growing threat of solar fires represents an immediate threat to solar owners and the industry at large. For providers and installers of quality solar, the good work of them and their colleagues in growing the industry and Australia’s renewables in recent years is undermined by LQS. Of course, global supply chains factor into this, but that’s precisely why local authorities require a rethink in their approach to regulation and quality controls throughout the industry.

For governments, there’s a vested interest in seeing an end to LQS installations. The national aims in combating climate change have been interwoven with rebates and other incentives for Australians to install solar panels. If the end-result of a green energy policy that discounts the cost of solar panel installations is an array of LQS setups, then that’s a bad ROI on taxpayer dollars.

To remedy this, it’s clear greater education of consumers is necessary. In turn, greater oversight by regulatory authorities. Otherwise, the risk grows that additional fire outbreaks and media coverage of them results in a decline of solar uptake. That’s a loss for government and business.

And yes, consumers have a role to play here too. It’s important for anyone thinking about a solar system to do their research carefully. In turn, anyone with a solar system should now look deeper into the specifics of their system if they have any concerns. So too should all solar owners ensure they’re in the habit of regular maintenance of their system.

But ultimately addressing the current ills in the industry requires going to the roots of the tree. This is not something individuals can do. It requires a new approach from larger stakeholders.

Shining a light on the issues with LQS in the industry may not delight all, but it’s necessary to see the right thing done by solar owners, qπuality solar providers, and the national interest overall.

Looking to go solar in The Blue Mountains or Penrith? Get the best products with E-Smart Solar. Contact us today for high quality solar and we’ll get you started.

How many panels or what size system will I need?

Getting a solar system for your home can give you the opportunity to save on your electric bills. But it is very important that you get the right system for your needs. How much power you use, what you have available to spend, and other factors will all play a role. Here are some of the most important things you should consider before choosing your new system.

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need for Your Home?

The peak output is what you want to look at when deciding the number of solar panels to use for your home. That output, though, is for a perfect, sunny day. You will not see the same level of output when you have overcast conditions or if a part of your roof is frequently blocked or shaded by trees or other buildings. How many panels you need, though, will come down to two things: how much energy you use, and how much you have or want to spend on the solar panel system. An additional consideration will be the size of the roof where you’re placing the panels, as there is only so much space available for them.

Understanding Electricity Consumption Patterns to Determine Output

The ways in which you use electricity matter when deciding how many solar panels you will need or what size system will be the best for your specific situation. Using electricity more evenly throughout the day can mean the need for a smaller system, mostly because there is not going to be a large drain on the system at any point during a 24-hour period. If you have a large home and family, though, or you use a large amount of electricity at one time, having a large system or more panels can be the right choice.

How Much Are You Prepared to Spend?

The amount you want to spend on your solar system is an important factor to consider. Some people even borrow against their mortgage in order to buy a larger system with the idea that it will pay off for them in the long run. That is not right for everyone, but it is well worth discussing when it comes to how you plan to fund your system and whether you should choose a larger one instead of a smaller one that may be more affordable upfront.

Average kWh Per System Size

The average number of kWh (kilowatt hours) can be calculated with the understanding that every one kW of solar panels, you can expect to get about four kWh per day of electricity. That’s a rough estimate, and the amount can vary slightly from day to day. How much sunlight you receive, the time of year, and your location, as well as how the panels are oriented, all play a role in the actual production of electricity from your solar system.

By working with a good installer, you can focus on how many panels and the size of the system with confidence that you are getting quality answers to your questions. That will give you the maximum value for your new solar system.

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.

I Want To Install Solar But I Need Help Finding A Good Solar Installer In My Area

Once you know that you want to install solar, you still need to find a good solar installer in your area. And that can be difficult. Here’s what you need to know before making a decision.

Once you know that you want to install solar, you still need to find a good solar installer in your area. And that can be difficult. There are a lot of solar companies out there, and it is important to consider the quality of their work and how that will translate to an installation for your home.

How Can You Find a Solar Installer?

You can start by asking friends and family. If there’s someone you know who just got their solar installed, ask for their recommendations. Customers know whether they got good service, and word-of-mouth is an excellent way to begin your search. But what if you don’t know anyone who has invested in a solar installation?

If that’s the case, you need to start with Google. Through Google, you can find installers in your area, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re good. You want to check their reviews. Check online to see whether there are complaints against them, and look at their social media accounts and blog to see whether they seem to be knowledgeable and reliable.

A complaint or two isn’t necessarily the end of the world. Every business has one or two upset customers. But if the business didn’t respond to complaints in a professional manner, that’s a red flag.

Talking to Solar Installers

Once you have an idea of what’s available in your area, it’s time to talk to installers and get some quotes. When talking to installers, keep in mind that not all solar services are going to be made equal. Some of them are going to have more services than others, such as free maintenance for a certain period of time, or a longer warranty.

Ask your installer questions about where they source their products and what type of products they have. You may want more than just solar panels: you may also want batteries, inverters, and other types of products. Your solar panel installer should be able to walk you through what’s available and discuss how this could impact your installation.

Check the websites for these companies and whether they have a significant presence. Ask about their certifications and make sure their certifications are up-to-date.

Comparing Quotes for Installers

A solar installation can be expensive. Depending on what you want, it could be a few thousand dollars, or over ten thousand dollars. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from competing companies. While you don’t necessarily want the cheapest quote, you do want a quote that is reasonable.

When it comes to solar installation, a cheap quote is usually taking money from something important, such as safety standards, or installation. If there’s a quote for solar installation that’s wildly cheaper than any other quote, it’s probably not a good deal — it’s probably faulty equipment.

More expensive quotes are usually expensive for a reason, such as the longer warranties mentioned before. Ask each installer what goes into their quotes, and they may be able to find ways to reduce your costs.

Making a Final Decision

Before you decide on a solar installer, ask if they have any references. Often, they should have a reference or two from a great installation that they did, or they should be able to point you towards their testimonials online.

There are many startups in the solar power industry. These aren’t necessarily bad, they’re just untested. You can have a great solar startup, but you need to have some evidence that they do good work, and that they do safe work. That’s where testimonials come in. If a company doesn’t have a lot of reviews online, you need to ask for references.

At the end of the day, finding a good solar installer is a lot like finding any type of good contractor. You need to make sure they have a good reputation, that they aren’t billing you too much money, and that they’re going to be reliable. The best way you can do that is to look up research on your own, and to ask them for more information about their company and their process.

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