Guide to installing solar PV for households
Contents
1. TE my ACCREDITED i C INSTALLER ar Code of xu STI C PV netadlars aro just as involves yu seg V systems designers and rie confident that Mak malor is pampig RUMBO and is Profa y ie 12 Guide to installing solar for households e 90086 ee e 99096 21 e 99 9002 d 5 eso AIO E MS e e e 4 e e e e 5 e o eoo ooo o oo 9 0 0000600 000000 0 0 e o oe 9 ee 9 oo e e e e o CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL APPROVED RETAILER WHO S WHO IN THE SOLAR PV MARKET The main parties involved in the sale and installation of solar PV are the solar retailer designer and installer Sometimes these roles are filled by one individual which is typically the case with small retail businesses run by a qualified installer designer However two or three different entities can be involved with medium to large sized companies that subcontract out their designs and or installations Many solar PV retailers in the industry now sell systems directly to consumers and subcontract the installation of those systems SOLAR RETAILER an entity that sells solar equipment to customers ARE THEY REPUTABLE When selecting your solar retailer make sure you go with a reputable company with proven experience You should find out things like how long they have been in the solar industry and whe2. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR ELECTRICITY RETAILER AFTER YOUR SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED MAKE SURE YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL REFLECTS THE CORRECT TARIFF FEED IN TARIFFS A feed in tariff is the rate you are paid for electricity generated by your solar PV system that you export back to the grid All feed in tariffs on offer are now net feed in tariffs This means that the electricity produced by your solar panels will be used in your home first and then any extra electricity will be exported to the grid The feed in tariffs offered differ from state to state and from retailer to retailer In some states the government regulates minimum rate and in other states it is up to you to negotiate a deal with your electricity retailer It is worth shopping around to find out which electricity retailers offer better rates for solar customers Feed in tariffs are usually only available for solar systems up to a maximum size This maximum varies from 5 kW to 100 kW depending on where you live and your electricity retailer Contact your electricity retailer or the relevant state government department for details The table on the following page shows the feed in tariffs introduced in the various states and the savings that could be made on a 3 kW system based on the average household energy consumption of 17 kWh day These savings are an estimate only and your individual situation is likely to differ from these A CEC accredit
3. RETAILER If you need to make a complaint against a company identifying itself as a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer you should first contact the company directly If you are not satisfied with the response from the company you should contact your relevant consumer protection organisation You can also register your complaint with the Clean Energy Council which will investigate breaches of the code This may result in the retailer having its approval revoked For more information on dealing with complaints about Clean Energy Council Approved Retailers please visit approvedsolarretailer com au WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE COMPANY HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS If the solar retailer has become insolvent and you are unable to contact the manufacturer you can lodge a complaint with the solar retailer s administrators You can find out if a company has become insolvent via the Australian Securities and Investments Commission ASIC website or by phoning 1300 300 630 Your local Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs office may also have information about the appointment of external administrators for insolvent companies Likewise if the manufacturer has gone into administration you can lodge a complaint with the company s administrators As a consumer you may become an unsecured creditor If the external administrator fails to deal with your queries or complaints you can also lodge a complaint with ASIC on 1300 300 630 AU
4. self consumption that is offsetting the higher retail tariff that you would pay by using power generated by your system instead of drawing power from the grid So you should consider your household electricity consumption when choosing your system size When choosing a solar PV retailer it s important to do your homework and shop around for the best deal The Clean Energy Council recommends you choose an Approved Solar Retailer that has signed on to the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct Approved Solar Retailers provide a five year whole of system warranty are committed to providing a quality product and service and only use Clean Energy Council accredited installers THE INSTALLATION PROCESS DO YOUR RESEARCH CONTACT YOUR ELECTRICITY RETAILER FIND A SOLAR RETAILER AND PLAN YOUR SYSTEM SIGN A CONTRACT INSTALL YOUR SYSTEM CONNECT TO THE GRID MAINTAIN AND ENJOY YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM 4 Guide to installing solar for households TYPES OF SOLAR PV SYSTEMS A solar PV system is made up of a mounting frame with PV modules and an inverter that converts the power from DC direct current to AC alternating current so it can be used in your home or exported back to the grid GRID CONNECTED GRID CONNECT WITH STAND ALONE SOLAR PV SYSTEMS BATTERY BACK UP SOLAR PV SYSTEMS SOLAR PV SYSTEMS This is the most common Stand alone systems are not form of solar system installed Grid connect PV systems w
5. PV panel or solar panel uses sunlight to generate DC power Solar retailer or retail businesses that are selling solar PV systems This includes companies that sell systems to residential and small business consumers and those selling to medium and large scale business consumers System the solar PV system Refers to the entire arrangement including PV modules and all other equipment required to make it work including inverters and components Guide to installing solar for households 25 SOLAR PV dp CLEAN CHECKLIST ha COUNCIL Have you performed due diligence The financial calculations checks on your suppliers e Have they provided a detailed analysis of load and e 5 your solar retailer reputable have you checked their track generation record backers and complaints forums e Arethe returns consistent with Clean Energy Council e s your system designer accredited by the Clean Energy guidelines Council to design the type of system you re installing What if any performance guarantees are provided e Does your installer have Clean Energy Council Accreditation e Have you considered alternative methods of finance for your system and hold current electrical licences and OH amp S Hification The products and services certification e Have you been offered quality products that are well backed e Is the company a member of the industry association in case of warranty support e Is your solar retailer a signato
6. design and feasibility your designer installer should give you an indication of what you can expect in terms of the performance of your system and the factors that may influence this WATCH OUT FOR e aggressive sales tactics e one size fits all system designs e over exaggerated claims of payback periods and system performance e large inverters with small systems e pressure to sign on the spot Remember for unsolicited sales you are entitled to a cooling off period of 10 business days during which you may cancel the contract without penalty Your ability to upgrade your system in future may depend on receiving permission from your distributor on suitable PV panels still being available and on any upgrades meeting current Australian Standards 14 Guide to installing solar for households QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SOLAR RETAILER WHAT SIZE SOLAR PV SYSTEM SHOULD I INSTALL The size of your solar PV system will depend on e what portion of your electrical consumption you wish to generate e the physical unshaded area available for the installation of your panels e how much you are prepared to spend UNDERSTAND YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION This is the first step to take when determining if solar is a viable investment This process should be completed by your accredited designer during the design and specification stage as part of their load analysis As a home owner you can sell your excess electricity gener
7. into Your home uses measuring Any excess is 240V alternating AC electricity firstly from your electricity exported back into suitable for your house the solar PV modules production and the electricity hold appliances and with additional demand consumption network feeding into the grid supplied from the grid Grid connected solar PV systems Installers and designers need Clean Energy Council grid connect accreditation Grid connect with battery back up solar PV systems Installers and designers need Clean Energy Council grid connect accreditotion with battery back up endorsement OR both grid connect AND stand alone accreditation Stand alone solar PV systems Installers and designers need Clean Energy Council stand alone accreditation Guide to installing solar for households 5 FINANCING e government incentives qnd support schemes M O D E LS FO R e contractor installation costs p SO LAR e type and number of panels e type and size of inverter e type of framing equipment and other system components e height and accessibility of roof and whether it is tiled or metal or concrete e any after sales service agreements A few years ago there was only one way for Australian households to invest in rooftop solar to buy and own the system upfront This is still the most popular way to purchase solar in Australia but new ways to finance rooftop solar systems have emerged in recent
8. one megawatt hour of electricity generated by your solar PV system The price of STCs changes according to market conditions The total level of subsidy you receive will depend on a number of factors including the location and size of the solar PV system and the price of STCs at the time the system was installed There are two ways you can be paid for your STCs 1 Assign your STCs when you purchase your solar PV system to a registered agent in exchange for a financial benefit which may be in the form of a delayed cash payment or upfront discount on your solar PV system most consumers take this option and your solar retailer will usually make the arrangements on your behalf or Create the STCs yourself by finding a buyer and then selling and transferring them in the Renewable Energy Certificate REC Registry For more information contact the Clean Energy Regulator www cleanenergyregulator gov au RET STC SUBSIDY D 5552 3 kW 3 15352 3 kW 3 1 592 3 kW 2 5 3 kW 4 185 3 kW 4 85S 3 kW 3 1 382 3 kW 5 382 3 kW Zone rating x rated power output 3 kW x deeming period 15 years total STC entitlement Figures based on an STC rate of 35 This is an approximate rate and the STC price will vary For more information contact the Clean Energy Regulator HOW MUCH OF A DISCOUNT WILL RECEIVE FROM THE STCS Australia is divided up into various zones based on how much renewable energy can be generated by a solar panel in a
9. times These allow you to install solar without having to pay the upfront Keeping these variables in mind this table provides an costs in one lump sum approximate guide on the price range for grid connected solar PV systems in the major capital cities Government incentives are included in these figures Note that the market costs change quickly and so these numbers are illustrative only Solar leasing A solor lease could lower your electricity bill with no upfront cost provided the savings on your electricity bill are greater than your repayments Solar leasing is a very popular financial model in some overseas markets especially the US but is still quite new in Australia Solar leases are just like leases for other 3000 6000 household goods A company will install and maintain 3500 6500 the solar PV system and the customer makes monthly 4500 7500 payments Some solar companies also offer leasing with a performance guarantee that the system will produce a 5500 9500 minimum amount of electricity 7000 11500 Although the return on investment may be less than Please note these prices are a guide only The actual price you are offered for a solar PV purchasing a solar system upfront there are advantages to system may vary Figures are estimates based on market conditions as at 17 June 2015 solqr leasing like the maintenance being taken care of by Solar Choice as cited in Climate Spectator the sola
10. 181 276 971 414 762 Negotiated Feed in Tariff Voluntary 6c 14 1335 69 11112 138 833 207 555 Contact the relevant state government department for more details and up to date offers and rates This applies to Horizon Power areas only Rates can vary from 10c to 41c per kWh Check with Horizon Power for details Negotiated Feed in Tariff Ergon Mandated Tariff Voluntary 6 5 15 1336 78 1118 150 846 225 573 REBS Voluntary REBS Voluntary Solar Buy Back Scheme Mandatory Solar PV Buy Back Mandatory Solar Buy Back Tariff Mandatory Solar Feed in Tariff Benchmark Voluntary mar E Solar Feed in Tariff Benchmark Voluntary to installing solar for households OV i FIND A SOLAR RETAILER AND PLAN YOUR SYSTEM IT S IMPORTANT TO SHOP AROUND WHEN BUYING SOLAR BEFORE aa sss YOU SELECT A SYSTEM TALK TO DIFFERENT SOLAR PV RETAILERS ABOUT OPTIONS AND OBTAIN SEVERAL QUOTES IF POSSIBLE TETTE SPEAK WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR II LOCAL AREA WHO HAVE INSTALLED gg LL i SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS YOU MAY or Ta BE ABLE TO PICK UP SOME TIPS FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES Finder Fd di Ga Wisdom T See Aihe p L Tn pes as inn Us tee vum Comey ised Lies rinasunta f wap E Gard i i E
11. GUIDE TO INSTALLING m SOLAR FOR HOUSEHOLDS COUNCIL visit solaraccreditation com au ONTENTS INVEST IN SOLAR 2 CONNECT TO THE GRID 20 v r mr sn F THE INST ALLATION PROCESS APPLICATION TO CONNECT 21 DO YOUR RESEARCH 4 METER CHANGE AND CONNECTING TO THE GRID 21 TYPES OF SOLAR PV SYSTE 5 lt MAINTAIN AND ENJOY HOW MUCH DO SOLAR PV SYSTEM 6 YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM 22 PA SOLAR LEASING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE 23 GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES 7 INSPECTIONS 23 i oped UPGRADING YOUR SYSTEM 23 CERTIFICATES STCS 7 h Cer ES CIO cM Ge HOW MUCH OF A DISCOUNT WILL WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG 24 I RECEIVE FROM THE STCS 7 WARRANTIES 24 CONTACT YOUR ELECTRICITY RETAILER 8 COMPLAINTS 24 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR WORKMANSHIP COMPLAINTS 24 ELECTRICITY RETAILER 9 ELECTRICAL SAFETY 24 FEED IN TARIFFS DID YOU BUY YOUR SYSTEM FROM A CLEAN FIND A SOLAR RETAILER ENERGY COUNCIL APPROVED SOLAR AND PLAN YOUR SYSTEM o GAGNE T II UN comm WHAT SHOULD I IF THE COMPANY HAS WHO S WHO IN THE SOLAR MARKET 13 GONE OUT OF BUSINESS 24 ARE THEY REPUTABLE 13 WERE NEA PP GLOSSARY AND DEFINITIONS 25 CHOOSE A CLEAN ENERGV COUNCIL B APPROVED SOLAR RETAILER 13 DO THEY HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 14 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SOLAR PV RETAILER 14 IS YOUR M LLER CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL ACCREDITED 14 SY
12. STEM D SIGN 14 WHAT SIZE SOLAR PV SYSTEM SHOULD INSTALL 15 UNDERSTAND YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION 15 WHAT TYPE OF PV MODULES OR INVERTER SHOULD I BUY 15 SIGN A CONTRACT 16 INSTALL YOUR SYSTEM 18 DOCUMENTATION Guide to installing solar for households 1 WHY INVEST IN SOLAR PANELS With electricity prices on the rise and millions of Australians now living in homes with solar photovoltaic PV systems on their rooftops there has never been a better time to consider going solar But with the varied range of products and retailers on the market being an informed consumer and doing your research has also never been more important This guide assists householders with their solar system purchasing decisions and provides an overview of the installation process 2 Guide to installing solar for households Solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of houses and other buildings in Australia since the 1970s As of September 2015 more than 1 4 million rooftop solar systems had been installed right across Australia safely and reliably delivering clean electricity to homes and businesses Before making the decision to install solar it is important to consider whether the investment will be worthwhile for you As the cost of solar has fallen so have government incentives A number of different factors affect payback periods and whether you should go solar The most benefit is gained by
13. STRALIAN CONSUMER LAW The information provided in this guide was accurate at the time of publishing September 2015 For more up to date information check with the relevant government or regulatory body or speak to an Approved Solar Retailer GLOSSARY AND DEFINITIONS THE DEFINITIONS FOR TERMS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE AS FOLLOWS Accredited Designer a person who is accredited by the Clean Energy Council to design a solar PV system Accredited Installer a person who is accredited by the Clean Energy Council to install solar PV systems Approved Solar Retailer a solar retailer that has signed on to the Clean Energy Council Solar Retailer Code of Conduct Distribution Company an operator of an electricity distribution system poles and wires Sometimes called a distribution network service provider DNSP Distributor see distribution company Electricity retailer an entity that delivers and sells electricity directly to the customer Importer an entity that imports solar equipment from overseas May also be referred to as the registered agent Inverter changes the solar DC direct current power into alternating current power suitable for your household appliances and to be fed back to the grid kWh kilowatt hour A standard unit of electrical energy PV photovoltaic Direct conversion of light into electricity PV Array an interconnected system of PV modules PV Module also
14. antees including installer workmanship schedule of deposit and progress payments service agreement an agreed timeframe for installation any site conditions or circumstances which may result in extra chargeable work required that is not covered in the initial contract if signing a solar lease or PPA you should request clear and accurate information about the conditions of finance This includes the name of the lender to whom the consumer will be contracted comparative cost of the same product purchased outright on that day clear statement of fees and charges including dollar values whether the rates are fixed and details of any exit penalties clear statement on whether the consumer owns the system at the conclusion of the plan agreement who to contact with questions or complaints about finance terms Guide to installing solar for households 17 ONCE YOU VE SELECTED A RETAILER PLANNED YOUR SYSTEM AND SIGNED A CONTRACT IT S TIME FOR THE SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED Your solar PV retailer or installer should YOU SHOULD RECEIVE let you know when your system will be installed and provide you with all the pis necessory documentation on the doy e theshutdown and isolation procedure for emergency and maintenance DOCUMENTATION e abasic connection diagram that includes the electrical ratings of the PV array and the ratings of all overcurrent devices and switches as installed Make sure you rece
15. ar system to the network on your behalf including preparing and submitting all relevant documentation required from the electricity retailer and or distributor for meter installation and connection to the network It is important however to be aware of the process involved who to contact to follow up on progress and to ensure that all parties are acting in a timely manner The grid connection process differs from state to state Our grid connection guides provide a step by step process for your state and are available here solaraccreditation com au consumers small scale generation connection Most distribution companies require pre approval to connect to their network This should be done prior to sale and installation Depending on the size of your system and the characteristics of the local grid you are connecting to the technical requirements of your distributor may vary Make sure your solar retailer or installer lodges this application early on in the process as the approval process can take up to eight weeks in some areas Your existing meter will either need to be reconfigured or replaced by a new import export meter before you can connect to the grid This may need to occur before or after installation depending on the requirements in your state Your solar retailer will need to notify either your distributor or electricity retailer to organise a meter change reconfiguration Meter change reconfiguration is t
16. ate SOLAR PANEL RECYCLING When your solar panels eventually reach the end of their life panel recycling programs are being set up to ensure the materials are disposed of correctly or re purposed Reclaim PV is one organisation that has set up a take back and reclaiming scheme Reclaim PV has set up recycling partnership programs with several solar panel suppliers When purchasing your solar panels ask your supplier whether they have a panel recycling program in place Visit reclaimpv com for more information Guide to installing solar for households 23 WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG WARRANTIES If you have an issue with any solar product while it s under warranty you should first contact your solar PV retailer in order to have the product replaced or repaired If you are unable to contact your retailer contact the importer or manufacturer Contact details should be provided on the warranty documentation If this is unsuccessful you can lodge a complaint with the relevant Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs office in your state or territory details listed below They can negotiate on your behalf and arrange mediation where necessary COMPLAINTS If you have a complaint of a commercial matter including warranties payments and contractual issues then you should contact the relevant Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs office in your state or territory e ACT Office of Regulatory Services 02 6207 3000
17. ated back to the grid You do however need to consider the financial incentive to do so In some states there is currently little financial incentive to export energy to the grid The most benefit is gained by self consumption which means offsetting the higher retail tariff that you would pay by using power generated by your system instead of drawing power from the grid Accordingly you should match your system size to your household consumption The designer of your system will help you choose a system that suits your needs The rate for any power exported will depend on your electricity retailer and which state or territory you are in See feed in tariffs on page 9 WHAT TYPE OF PV MODULES OR INVERTER SHOULD I BUY When comparing quotes the difference in prices between products can be overwhelming When making the decision that best suits your budget there are a few important things to consider e What are the product warranties Your solar retailer will provide a manufacturer s warranty on the products The warranty period will often vary between the panels inverter and other system components Clean Energy Council Approved Retailers have committed to provide a five year whole of system warranty e Will the solar retailer be able to honour these warranties If the solar PV retailer goes out of business your warranties could become invalid In this case you will need to contact the importer or ma
18. dards and follow industry best practice For a list of accredited professionals please see solaraccreditation com au consumers find an installer Accreditation is given to the individual tradesperson who comes to your home to install your solar system not the solar PV retailer You may need to get back in contact with the company to check if the designer and installer they are using are accredited An accredited installer can easily be identified by their use of the Clean Energy Council accreditation logo Ask to see the installer s accreditation ID card above when they show up at your home Accreditation ID card Solar PV retailers can choose to sign on to the Clean Energy Council Solar Retailer Code of Conduct Signatories to the code have committed to provide a high level of quality and service and offer a five year whole of system warranty To find an Approved Solar Retailer visit approvedsolarretailer com au SVSTEM DESIGN Vour designer will tailor vour solar PV svstem based on how much vou want to spend or finance how much electricitv vou wish to offset and the phvsical properties of vour premises Thev will help vou e establish your electrical loads over an average day using a load analysis e determine the size of your solar PV system e choose the type of panels and inverter e establish the location of solar panels in relation to angles available sunlight shading and temperature As part of the
19. ds of the Code of Conduct The Solar Retailer Code of Conduct has been authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Companies that have signed on to the code can be identified by the Approved Retailer logo above To see which companies have signed on to the code visit approvedsolarretailer com au ACCREDITED INSTALLER a person who is accredited by the Clean Energy Council to install solar PV systems c Guide to installing solar for households 13 INSTALLER John Solar Acre Tips ores EFT Typ ioe ee DO THEY HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Try to establish how many systems similar to your system the designer installer has completed and when the designer installer last completed a system Are they up to date on the newest products the latest regulatory issues and connection requirements Local companies or companies that operate within your state may have better experience in dealing with your distributor and be more familiar with any state specific regulations IS YOUR INSTALLER CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL ACCREDITED To be eligible for government incentives both the designer and installer of your solar PV system must be accredited by the Clean Energy Council The Clean Energy Council s accreditation scheme ensures that accredited designers and installers of solar PV power systems have undergone the necessary professional training adhere to Australian Stan
20. e NSW Fair Trading 13 32 20 e NT Consumer Affairs 1800 019 319 e Qld Office of Fair Trading 13 74 68 e SA Consumer and Business Services 13 18 82 e Tas Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading 1300 654 499 e Vic Consumer Affairs 1300 558 181 e WA Consumer Protection 1300 304 054 WORKMANSHIP COMPLAINTS The Clean Energy Council aims to resolve complaints involving workmanship issues that breach the Accreditation Guidelines or relevant Australian Standards by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer This does not extend to solar retailers sales companies it only applies to individual tradespeople who hold Clean Energy Council accreditation Complaints can be registered online at solaraccreditation com au consumers solar pv warranties complaints and disputes ELECTRICAL SAFETY If you have a concern about the safety and technical compliance of your solar PV system you can contact the electrical authority in your state or territory e ACT Planning and Land Authority 02 6207 1923 e NSW Fair Trading 13 32 20 e NT WorkSafe 1800 019 115 e Qld Electrical Safety Office 07 3225 2000 e SA Office of the Technical Regulator 08 8226 5518 e as Office of Electricity Standards and Safety 03 6233 7851 e Vic Energy Safe Victoria 03 9203 9700 e WA EnergySafety 08 9422 5200 24 Guide to installing solar for households DID YOU BUY YOUR SYSTEM FROM A CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL APPROVED SOLAR
21. ed designer will be able to calculate your potential savings as part of their load analysis The actual savings you make may also vary depending on the electricity retailer you are with You can also contact the relevant state government departments for more details on feed in tariffs in your state e ACT Environment and Planning Directorate 13 22 81 e NSW Department of Industry 1300 136 888 e NT Department of the Chief Minister 08 8999 5511 e QLD Department of Energy and Water Supply 13 43 87 e SA Department of Water Energy and Environment 08 8204 1888 e TAS Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources 1300 135 513 e VIC Energy and Earth Resources Division 136 186 e WA Public Utilities Office 08 6551 1000 Guide to installing solar for households 9 Scheme name Scheme nature 2015 16 rate c kWh Annual FIT value 576 exports Annual FIT and offset value Annual FIT value 25 exports Annual FIT and offset value Annual FIT value 50 exports Annual FIT and offset value Annual FIT value 75 exports Annual FIT and offset value Current as at April 2015 de to installi ng solar for hou Feed in tariff Mandatory 6 28 12 1056 61 885 122 671 183 458 Minimum Retailer Payment Mandatory 536 12 1336 61 1106 1022 818 183 531 Voluntary 128 28 1349 138 1
22. given area The same size system installed in Melbourne or Hobart zone 4 receives fewer STCs than those installed in sunny Sydney zone 3 or Darwin zone 2 where systems can produce more energy You can use the REC Registry calculator on the Clean Energy Regulator s website to determine your approximate level of subsidy rec registry gov au The table below shows the level of financial support available from STCs on solar PV systems in the major capital cities of Australia ELECTRICITY RETAILER PAYMENTS Your electricity retailer might pay you for the electricity you export back to the grid Rates vary between electricity retailers In some states the government regulates a minimum rate and some state governments leave it to consumers to negotiate a deal with their electricity retailer See feed in tariffs on page 9 x15 years 62 2170 62 STCs x 35 x15 years 62 2170 62 STCs x 35 x15 years 62 2170 62 STCs x 35 x15 years 69 2415 69 STCs x 35 x15 years 53 1855 53 650555 x15 years 53 SES 95 x15 years 62 2170 62 STCs x 35 x15 years 62 2170 62 STCs x 35 Guide to installing solar for households 7 CONTACT YOUR ELECTRICITY R BEFORE YOU AGREE TO __ HAVE A SOLA AND BARE Sawasta ADVANTAGES E NOT ALL ELECTRICITY RETAILERS OFFER SOLAR FRIENDLY POLICIES SO IT IS BEST TO CHECK AND COMPARE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS BEFORE ENTERING INTO AN ELECTRICITY TRADING AGREEMENT
23. hen carried out by your distribution company You will be charged by your distribution company for any costs associated with the meter change This can be charged to you by your solar retailer or billed to you through your electricity retailer Make sure you are aware of these costs and how they will be charged that you have you received all the necessary documentation from your installer that your meter has been changed or reconfigured where required that the correct tariff has been applied to your electricity bill by your electricity retailer ES NSSSSSSSSSS RRR NZZ AN Eee Www 1 1 em me Io 22 Guide to installing solar for households ONCE YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED IT S TIME TO START SAVING MONEY ON YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE YOUR SYSTEM IS MAINTAINED SO IT CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND SAFELY SYSTEM MAINTENANCE A solar system is a complex electricity generating piece of equipment and to keep it safe and operating efficiently it is vital to both maintain your system and operate it safely A maintenance schedule will be provided by your solar PV retailer or installer that you must take note of and follow This is necessary to ensure that e itis operating correctly e the system performance is maintained e the system is safe for everyone in the premises as well as for any electrical workers working on the d
24. istribution network Make sure you engage a CEC accredited installer to undertake maintenance work on your solar PV system Maintaining your system means much more than just cleaning your panels An accredited installer will check that the system is functioning safely and efficiently allowing you to maximise the savings on your power bills for years to come Some distributors may request that an anti islanding test of the inverter be carried out periodically Check with your distributor as each will have different requirements INSPECTIONS Following the installation of your solar PV system safety inspections may be carried out by the relevant electrical authority Depending on which state you live in these inspections may be mandatory or may occur on a random audit basis In some states your installer is responsible for organising the inspection of your system The inspection may need to be carried out before the system can be connected to the grid UPGRADING YOUR SYSTEM Your ability to upgrade your system in future may depend on receiving permission from your distributor on suitable PV modules still being available and on any upgrades meeting current Australian Standards Upgrading your system may also result in losing your feed in tariff You will need to check with your electricity retailer and distributor to find out what the requirements are for upgrading your system The requirements may differ from state to st
25. ith connected to the electricity in Australia battery back up sometimes grid and typically are installed referred to as uninterrupted in remote areas where there The inverter converts the ii power supplv or hvbrid solar is limited connection to the electricity Dy PV systems are becoming grid or areas of low electricity solar system which is direct increasingly popular With demand current DC into AC electricity solar customers in many states so that the power generated is 2 f Unlike their grid connected now receiving q low price for compotible with the grid electricity sold back to the Heus e must have batteries or back Most houses with grid connect grid pater back up up generation to provide solar systems use solar power can be a viable as spoli atte Tod first before sourcing electricity use the electricity stored Bocce hana from the grid When the panels during the doy to run your sci ario are not producing electricity at house at night THEME have OT Ay night electricity is supplied from the advantage of being able the electricity grid to supply power during power outages Solar PV modules Supplying DC power M 2 HHH 1 L PV electricity Inverter Switchboard Meter Electricity output DC An inverter changing electricity to house A meter network grid the solar DC power
26. ive everything you need when your system is installed Documentation will be essential if you need to make warranty or insurance claims system performance estimate A system user manual should be provided e recommended maintenance for by the installer on the day of installation the system It is the responsibility of your solar retailer or installer to ensure that you have been provided with the system documentation e maintenance procedure and timetable e the commissioning sheet and installation checklist e PV array frame engineering certificate for wind and mechanical loading e installer designer s declaration of compliance e warranty information e equipment manufacturer s documentation and handbooks for all equipment supplied e alist of actions to be taken in the event of an earth fault alarm Guide to installing solar for households 19 CONNECT TO THE GRID Y L 42074 xej eh d AY A s Hi d a 2 XDD D P T pal I m gp k I ji A Ha i m 20 Guide to installing solar for households CONNECTING YOUR SOLAR PV SYSTEM TO THE GRID IS A TWO STEP PROCESS THAT INVOLVES making an application to connect your system prior to installation where required and a meter change reconfiguration and connection to the grid Your solar retailer will usually arrange connection of your sol
27. nufacturer directly to arrange repair or replacement Make sure you have their details too e Doesthe manufacturer have a service office in Australia Manufacturers that have support offices in Australia or dedicated importers registered agents of the products may offer better back up support if a component fails Are the PV modules and inverter Clean Energy Council approved All PV modules and inverters must meet Australian Standards and be on the Clean Energy Council approved list in order to be eligible for any government rebates Are the PV modules imported through an approved channel Be wary of PV modules that may not have been imported through channels approved by the PV module manufacturer The manufacturer may not honour the warranty in this case Check with your retailer who the importer was and whether they are approved by the manufacturer Further information is available under Warranties on page 24 PV MODULE AND INVERTER STANDARDS Solar panels and inverters on the Clean Energy Council approved list meet all relevant Australian Standards This is a minimum requirement A range of independent PV module rating systems exist that set quality and performance standards above the minimum These can provide more information when you are choosing which modules to buy For more details on these independent tests visit the Solar Accreditation website http www solaraccreditation com au installers compliance and
28. r retailer and no upfront costs You can expect to pay more for stand alone and grid connect battery back up systems with more in depth design requirements and the added cost of batteries and equipment Before you commit to a solar lease ensure you are fully aware of the full charges associated with any contract and any early exit penalties Extra costs to be aware of that might not be included in your Solar Power Purchase Agreements PPAs initial quote Like solar leasing solar PPAs can also lower your electricity e application to connect to the grid bill with no upfront cost The difference is that solar leases e meter change or reconfiguration require you to pay monthly whereas payment for PPAs is e upgrades to your switchboard or cabling made based on how much electricity you agree to buy e removal of trees or other shading e Site preparation needs for example condition of roof or ground Solar PPAs are generally suited to customers with a large demand for electricity and are most commonly taken up by businesses Solar PPAs are not yet available in all states and territories GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES SMALL SCALE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATES STCS Government incentives in the form of Small scale Technology Certificates STCs help reduce the upfront cost of installing your solar PV system STCs are an electronic form of currency and are allocated to you when you install a solar PV system One STC is equivalent to
29. ry to the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct e Have you checked ASIC to ensure they are legitimate and currently registered e Have you reviewed the warranty terms and conditions e What written service obligations have been included e Have you been offered workmanship guarantees e Has system monitoring been included to allow ongoing e How long have they been in the solar industry performance checks and who is responsible e How many systems similar to yours has the designer and installer completed e Arethe products listed by the Clean Energy Council as approved for use in Australia e Are they up to date on the newest products the latest regulatory issues and connection requirements e Do you understand the limitations to support and service that f f qre offered e How well does the designer and installer know your local distribution network service provider DNSP The grid connection and approvals e Has your DNSP been contacted and approved connection e Will they conduct the work themselves or subcontract parts Are there connection costs and limitations out If so what contractual agreements are in place to protect you e Has your retailer been contacted and agreed in writing any The quotation and contract tariff impacts and or export tariffs e Do you require building approvals and if so have they been e 5 professional and sufficiently detailed sought and approved e Are the prices typical of industr
30. standards standards pv module standards html Guide to installing solar for households 15 16 Guide to installing solar for households AFTER YOU ACCEPT A QUOTE YOUR SOLAR PV RETAILER DESIGNER AND OR INSTALLER WILL PROVIDE A CONTRACT FOR YOU TO SIGN BEFORE SIGNING YOUR CONTRACT HAVE YOU The quote will often form the basis for your contract Remember that once you have received the quote you do not necessarily have to go ahead with installing a system It is important that you are aware of the system design and performance estimates for the system before signing the contract Once you have signed the contract any variations to the system design must be documented and signed off by you before installation If it is an unsolicited sale you are entitled to a 10 day cooling off period after signing a contract ON TOP OF STANDARD CONTRACT CONDITIONS YOU SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE FOLLOWING ARE INCLUDED clear itemisation of the component costs and whether the total price includes STCs a site specific full system design including the proposed roof plan system performance estimates daily monthly and annual the expected efficiency losses due to shading or orientation full disclosure of all assumptions made in relation to systems and finance offerings the responsibility of each party for all aspects of the process e g metering changes grid connection retail agreements other paperwork warranties and guar
31. ther they are an established company that will be around in the future if things go wrong Warranties and workmanship guarantees cease if the company goes out of business Contact the solar retailer installer designer s former customers to find out if they were knowledgeable easy to work with and took the time to explain the system s operation Also find out if their systems are working well if there have been any problems and if so if their installer returned to fix them Online and mail order solar retailers that never visit your home or business may have difficulty recommending the most appropriate equipment A comprehensive on site solar and load analysis and two way interview can help ensure a thoughtfully designed and well planned installation ACCREDITED DESIGNER a person who is accredited by the Clean Energy Council to design a solar PV system gt CHOOSE A CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL APPROVED SOLAR RETAILER The Clean Energy Council Solar Retailer Code of Conduct helps consumers choose a retailer that has committed to offer a high level of quality and service Selecting an Approved Solar Retailer is one way to make sure you will be dealing with a company that prides itself on being an industry leader Approved Solar Retailers e provide a 5 year whole of system warranty e use ethical sales practices e only use Clean Energy Council accredited installers e meetthe very high standar
32. y benchmarks What i e Have metering and connection costs been calculated and oat is explicitly included qnd excluded Breed mai ike If comparing quotations am I comparing like for like Information and support e Are all obligations responsibilities and liabilities clear Have you received a detailed final contract including all e If you re signing a solar lease or PPA are all the fees charges relevant approvals L sean e Do you understond exactly whot products services support and maintenance you are getting and from whom e Have you been advised who or where to go to if you are unsatisfied e Have you received training on system operation and a detailed operations manual e Is the system performing as expected CLEANENERGYCOUNCIL ORG AU
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search