MICRO SOLAR POWER BUYING GUIDE

MICRO SOLAR POWER BUYING GUIDE

Why go solar? Australia is one of the most suitable countries for solar power due to having the highest solar average radiation per square metre. With this abundance of natural energy, Australians are taking the advantage of harvesting this renewable energy through solar power systems. In fact, solar power systems are collectively saving Australian households thousands of dollars on their electricity bills by giving them the opportunity to generate their own electricity from solar rooftops. The electricity produced by solar panels is also referred to as clean, which is defined as; electricity that does not pollute the atmosphere when used, as opposed to fossil fuels. Another wonderful benefit of purchasing a solar power system is that the system has no moving parts. In fact, the panels are extremely reliable and offer a lifespan of approximately 25 years. Solar power systems are also self-cleaning and easy to install, providing you with peace of mind as there is very little maintenance needed.

Why choose True Value Solar? True Value Solar is Australia s largest solar-only company. We accommodate to all kinds of requirements, whether it is residential, small business or large commercial we have solutions for every type of solar needed. With over 120,000 residential installations, True Value Solar understands that each household is unique, meaning our dedicated solar consultants have customised a solar system perfectly tailored for your needs. We have a firm policy of using panels and inverters that are fully audited on both performance and quality.

How solar works Our greatest natural energy resource is the sun. The sun will provide more than six billion years of power. Australia has some of the best solar capabilities in the world, which means going solar is the obvious choice for saving energy and the environment. A home solar system works in the following steps: 1. Solar panels capture energy from the sun and converts it into Direct Current (DC) electricity. 2. The DC electricity from the solar panels is transferred to the inverter. 3. The inverter converts the DC electricity from the solar panels into Alternating Current (AC) to power household appliances. 4. Any surplus energy is fed back into the grid or a solar battery (if installed). 5. Electricity is drawn from the grid when your electricity demand exceeds your solar production.

Solar power system components The core components of a solar power system are: Panels Not all panels are created equally and choosing on price alone may not be the best solution. Instead, research the company and ensure it has the necessary certifications and solid warranties. It is important to understand what Tier 1, 2 & 3 means. For further information on solar panels, read about True Value Solar s panel guide. True Value Solar ensures that all solar panels purchased are from strong robust companies who provide us with quality reports (performance tests), which measure the output performance of Solar PV panels. Inverters are the heart of the solar system and are measured by how well they convert the DC electricity into AC electricity. Just like solar panels, not all inverters are equal. When choosing an inverter, ensure that you check the warranty and insure the company has an office in Australia to deal with after sales service. Mounting systems are important components of a solar power system, as they have to withstand severe environmental conditions such as high wind speeds. Many companies skimp on this therefore it is crucial to ask about certifications and warranties. Cable and Connectors All cabling must be certified PV1 and solar connectors must compile with EN 50521 standards. Electricity Meter Many houses do not have a smart meter, which means they are unable to measure the electricity produced or surplus energy generated. A smart meter can be an additional cost when installing a solar system.

Smash your cost for hot water Did you know that the average household has a hot water system that accounts for approximately 20-25% of their electricity bill? Imagine being able to significantly reduce this part of the bill. Well now you can, with a Bosch Hot Water Heat Pump. So what is the Bosch Hot Water Heat Pump? This system would be best described as a refrigerator in reverse. The system extracts heat from the air and then transfers the heat into the water. The Bosch Heat Pump can reduce energy use by up to 65%. Used in conjunction with the solar panels, this can be reduced even further that s a lot of savings! Here are the key features and benefits that the Bosch Compress 3000 offers: The system is highly efficient able to reduce energy use by up to 65% (compared to an electric hot water storage system) Eligible for generous government rebates to save you money Has a Smart Control system that can utilise solar energy and take advantage of cheaper overnight power prices Able to run very quietly Designed for easy installation and maintenance Able to effectively operate in weather conditions from -7 C to 40 C

Things to consider before you get solar It is important to find out whether your home is suitable for solar power. The four key aspects listed below need to be considered. True Value Solar offers free consultations to provide you with the information you need to select the best solar system for your needs. Your Roof Space Is your roof large enough to take the number of panels required? You will need at least 30 square meters of roof space for a 3kW system. Is your roof strong enough for the panels? It is important to consider the strength of your roof. Talk to a True Value Solar Specialist for advice on suitable roofs for solar panels. Roof Direction It is vital that the panels face the correct direction ideally north facing which will maximise the sunshine hours, usually between 9am to 4pm. Home Ownership Is the installation for your own home or an investment property?

Understanding solar rebates - STCs The solar government rebate subsidises (STCs) the upfront cost of installing a solar system and is not means tested in any way. The only criteria for claiming it are: 1. Your system is less than 100kW in size 2. You get it installed and designed by a Clean Energy Council accredited professional 3. You use panels and inverters that are approved for use in Australia by the Clean Energy Council Almost all homes and small businesses would easily fall under the above criteria with a solar power system installed by True Value Solar Solar installation companies often deduct the STC value off the system purchase price to pass on the savings to households or small businesses. The current STC price at time of writing is in the high $30s - close to the $40 cap. With the price of STCs so high, this is an ideal time to buy a solar power.

Realistic solar power systems explained $300 (Usage charges) SAVE $235 $400 Bill = $100 Service Fee + $300 Usage Charges $300 in a 90 period = $3.33 per day $100 (Service fee) $165 A 5kw system = 18kwh. Based on a 60/40 allocation to power consumption the split would be approximately 8kwh to home and 10kwh back to grid. With the power going to the grid, the savings would be $950 per year. The system would pay for itself in approximately 5 years. With a life expectancy of 20 years, the savings would be $14,100!

Best Price Guarantee True Value Solar installs some of the best inverters and solar panels available on the Australian market. We supply the award-winning, German-made Bosch inverters with the reliability that provides you with peace of mind. As Australia s largest residential solar company we have the experience, knowledge and buying power you would expect from Australia s number one solar installer. Experience has taught us that only top quality products manufactured by strong global brands would provide the peace of mind for a long-term investment. We have a commitment to partner only with global industry leaders that have a proven track record of being stable and manufacturing high quality products. This commitment is realised with our Best Price Guarantee. As a market leader, we are happy to accept our customers challenge on pricing, and therefore we provide with highest confidence our True Value Solar Best Price Guarantee. Talk to us today we will deliver. Our commitment to quality is your peace of mind.

Your Solar Power Buying Checklist With solar power you have an abundant, free resource as your source of electricity. Isn t that an amazing way to power your home? To assist you further whilst you are still learning about solar, we have put together a checklist of questions that will help you along your solar journey. Simply answer the questions below, and remember we are always here to help! The Home Does your switchboard have an available circuit breaker slot? Does your home have a bi-directional meter? Solar Components Solar panels provide the ability for the solar power system to generate power. Quality and performance are vital factors. Quality One of the best ways to establish if your panels are high quality is to see if the panels have been used on large-scale projects overseas. Large-scale projects are a very good indication that panels used are of top quality and are built to perform and last. Be wary on any panel manufacture who cannot provide a portfolio of large-scale projects. If you answered no the modules are Tier 2 and 3 panels. These are inferior and may not perform as stated. Tier 1 panels are flash tested and have the highest level of quality. Performance Are the solar panels rated at 260W or higher? If you answered no then the panels are probably out-dated and will not perform to the expected level of efficiency. Always check to the performance rating of the panels, which are offered in a solar power system. Low rated panels are an indication that you should not be using that solar power installer. Inverters Is the brand of the inverter European? If you answered no we recommend you buy a known European brand. Inverter brands from Asia are known to have up to 10% failure rate! Installation Company Is the installation company accredited with Health and Safety Certificate OHSAS 18001? Is the installation company accredited with Environmental Management Certificate ISO 14001? Is the installation company accredited with Quality Management Systems Certificate ISO 9001? If you answered no to any of the above reconsider using that supplier. True Value Solar has all three certificates.

Head Office: 8/170-180 Rooks Rd, Vermont VIC 3133 National: 13SOLAR (13 76 52) Tel: 03 8813 2507 Fax: 03 8256 0106 Website: www.truevaluesolar.com.au Email: info@truevaluesolar.com.au ABN: 11 143 232 482