Back to Basics: Solar 101

Solar is certainly a growing industry in Australia with new solar innovations announced seemingly every day.

With so much information available, we thought it was high time to get back to basics.

Here at Solar Australia, we are all about educating customers to ensure they get the right solar system.

So let’s take a look at what makes up a solar energy system.

Solar Panels

The most obvious and well-known component of a solar system are solar panels, which are fitted to the roof of a a home or business to catch as much direct sunlight as possible.

Make sure your solar retailer is CEC (Clean Energy Council) accredited and supply Tier 1 panels. Solar panels absorb the sun’s rays to energise electrons and send DC power to the inverter.

Inverter

That brings us to another component in a solar energy system and this is the inverter.

Its job is to convert your solar DC power into 240V AC power for use in your home or business.

There are typically 3 kinds of inverters, at Solar Australia we offer advice on the best type of inverter for your premises.

Micro Inverter: These are small boxes (about the size of a book) that are located on the back of or situated very close to a solar panel.
String Inverter: This type is most commonly used in the home or workplace and is a large, suitcase-size box that’s often fixed to a wall in or outside the home away from direct sunlight.
Central Inverter: This variety is much like a string inverter but is designed to be used in large industrial settings.

Switchboard Meter

You will need a new switchboard meter once you have solar energy to handle the importing and exporting of solar electricity to the grid. The meter accounts for energy consumed from the grid and calculates excess energy from your solar system transferred back to the grid.

Your electric utility company will install the switchboard meter for you.

Battery

Whilst it’s an optional extra, the installation of a battery can really see residents and business owners make the most of their solar investment.

Why?

Because batteries offer you the chance to capture your excess solar energy during the day and store it for when you need it most, at night or during peak energy times.

Like all other elements in a solar system, batteries come in a range of sizes too. At Solar Australia, we can recommend the right battery for your individual needs. We stock a range of the well-known battery brands such as BYD, Tesla, Enphase and LG Chem.

For a simple infographic of how solar works Click Here.

If you’re interesting in making the switch to solar, give us a call on 1300 000 SOLAR. Solar Australia can help you get the right system for your home or business. For a helpful guide Click Here.