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How Much Does Solar Panel Installation Cost in Gold Coast?

How Much Does Solar Panel Installation Cost in Gold Coast?

by | Nov 4, 2022 | Solar Panels

Solar panels are a great way to save money on your energy bill, and they’re good for the environment too. They also add value to your home, so if you’re thinking of selling in the future, they’re a wise investment. However, it’s important to know how much solar panel installation costs in Gold Coast before you make the decision to install them.

Average Costs of Installation

The average cost of solar panel installation in Gold Coast is between $3,000 and $5,000. However, this price will be affected by a number of factors. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to get quotes from a reputable installer. It’s also important to remember that a cheap installation is not always a good deal. Be sure to read reviews and compare prices before you make your decision.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Your Installation

The Size of Your Home

If you have a small home, you won’t need as many solar panels as someone with a large home. The number of solar panels you’ll need will also be affected by the amount of sunlight your home receives.

The Angle of Your Roof

If your roof isn’t angled towards the sun, you won’t get as much sunlight, and you’ll need more panels to make up for it.

The Type of Solar Panels

There are different types of solar panels, and each has its own price. The most common type is called monocrystalline, which is also the most efficient.

The Quality of the Solar Panels

Not all solar panels are created equal. Some are better quality than others, and they’ll last longer too.

The Installer

The cost of installation will also be affected by the company you choose to do the work. Be sure to choose a reputable company with the required accreditations and experience.

Ways to Fund Your Solar Panel Installation

If you’re worried about the cost of installation, there are a few ways to finance your project.

  • Rebates: The Australian government offers solar rebates for households that install solar panels. The amount of the rebate depends on the number of panels you install, and it can be as much as $8,000.
  • Loans: A few banks and credit unions offer solar loans. These loans are usually for terms of 5-7 years, and the interest rates are very competitive.
  • Leases: Solar leases are becoming more popular, and they’re a great way to finance your installation. With a solar lease, you make monthly payments to the leasing company, and they own the panels. This option is great because it allows you to get solar panels without any upfront costs.

Dan the Sparky Man is an accredited solar panel installer servicing the Gold Coast. If you’re considering solar panel installation in Gold Coast, call us. We offer comprehensive quotes, and we’ll work with you to find the best financing option for your project.

How To Clean Solar Panels?

How To Clean Solar Panels?

by | Sep 14, 2022 | Solar Panels

Solar power is becoming increasingly popular because it is seen as a clean, renewable form of energy. However, there are some things you need to know about the technology behind the panels themselves. One thing that can affect the performance of solar panels is dirt. This includes dust, bird droppings, pollen and insects. If left unchecked, these elements can reduce the efficiency of solar cells; this can also lead to overheating, short circuits and corrosion.

Why Do I Need To Clean Solar Panels?

Cleaning solar panels can improve energy efficiency by 5-10%. This might not make a big difference in your energy bills for a small residential setting, but this raise in energy production can be significant on a large-scale commercial or industrial operation.

Solar panels are installed at a tilt for a reason. Of course, it directs the angle towards the sun, but the angle allows falling rain to wash the panels clean. Unfortunately, in Australia’s sometimes harsh weather conditions, long periods of drought, strong winds or wildfires can cause the type of dust build-up and other air pollution that accumulates on your solar panels over time.

To ensure that you’re generating your maximum solar energy output, be sure to regularly inspect and keep your solar panels clean.

professional cleaning a solar panel

Solar Panel Cleaning Guideline

Depending on the size and amount of solar panels installed, the cleaning thereof can be a simple DIY job if done correctly:

  • For optimal results and to avoid scratches or damage to your solar panels, use water and a soft, non-abrasive sponge or cloth to clean away dirt and debris.
  • Similar to cleaning glass or a car exterior, a squeegee chamois is great for drying as it avoids leaving residue behind.
  • If you need to use soap, don’t use anything stronger or harsher than dishwashing detergent.
  • Environmentally friendly and chemical-free soaps are best to use to avoid harm to plants or animals from the dirty, run-off water.
  • Always use appropriate safety equipment such as a safety harness and hard hat when doing a solar panel cleaning.

How Often Must I Clean Solar Panels?

Given the harsh Australian climate, you want to aim to clean your solar panels at least every six months.

However, should extreme weather conditions prevail or excessive wildfires occur in your area, you may need to consider cleaning your panels more often.

When To Turn To The Professionals?

The average bit of dust build-up can be self-cleansed by rain or wind, or a quick DIY job. However, consider calling in the help of a professional in the following cases:

  • You live within a heavily polluted or coastal area.
  • You have trees nearby your solar panels which cause a lot of debris.
  • A particularly tough buildup on your panels such as bird droppings.
  • You are elderly or simply not confident getting up on your roof.
  • The sheer size of the solar panel operation requires the need for professional cleaning (large commercial or industrial sites).

The experts at Dan the Sparky Man can handle tough solar panel cleaning while ensuring your safety. We have knowledge in using the best cleaning products and methods to keep your solar panels clean and working efficiently for decades to come.

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How to Become and Stay Eligible for a Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme

How to Become and Stay Eligible for a Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme

by | Mar 17, 2021 | Solar Panels

The Queensland government has been going strong with the promotion of solar panel systems since 2008. Thanks to its bonus scheme for solar panel installation, the number of households transferring to solar energy production is constantly increasing.

A feed-in tariff for solar power refers to the amount that the energy supplier pays for excess solar power that the system supplies to the grid. Feed-in tariffs offer a means for passive income through your solar system and benefit from electricity bill savings that will have your system paying for itself within a few years. As many of you may already know, the solar bonus scheme offers a feed-in tariff of 44 cents for all solar power users.

To ensure you stay eligible for this type of bonus government-prescribed requirements, we will provide you with all the necessary information required to do so. If you need advice about solar power installation, our experts at Dan the Sparky Man are ready at your service.

 

Becoming Eligible

The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible for a feed-in tariff:

  • 30 kilowatt-hours must not be exceeded for the maximum capacity of the inverter, and the annual power consumption should be less than 100 megawatt-hours.
  • If you are on the Essential Energy network, your energy provider needs to be Ergon Energy, alternatively, Original Energy. Ensure that you are connected to the electricity grid.

Should you be in Southeast Queensland, your energy provider will set the necessary eligibility requirements. For instance, for the offer by Mojo Energy (18 cents per kWh FiT):

  • Mojo Energy must be your energy provider
  • You need to be part of the G’Day Sunshine energy plan
  • You must accept that the 18 cents per kilowatt-hour rate is restricted at 5 kilowatt-hours per day, thereafter dropping to 5.5 cents per kilowatt-hour

 

How to Stay Eligible

If you have already fulfilled the requirements for the bonus scheme, the government establishes requests that you will need to fulfil to remain eligible. First of all, you should make sure to use under 100 megawatt-hours yearly. This also means you should not stop over the capacity debt your electricity distributor approved and have a network connection agreement with them. Make sure to maintain the electricity account with an electricity supplier where the solar power system is installed.

You should also ensure that you remain the owner of the electricity account and that the name on it doesn’t change even if you decide to pick another retailer. You may, however, transfer the account name to your spouse or add your spouse’s name to the account.

When it comes to changing and maintaining the panel, you should replace each component with a part that is the same. If you need to change the inverter, you can do so by using the same or smaller size. Also, make sure you have other sources of energy when the solar panel isn’t working.

Keep in mind this scheme allows you to increase your system up to the size of your inverter. To do this type of expansion, you will need professional assistance. So, turn to our technicians for any type of replacement or repairs and check with your power distributor company prior to adding any additional panels, systems, or batteries. Solar panels can be added to the system to scale the system up to the size of the inverter; the system must meet relevant Australian standards.

 

Losing your eligibility

The 44-cent feed-in tariff will be forfeited should you sell your house or move houses, as this would result in a new electrical account holder for the property. Additionally, you’ll no longer be eligible if you transfer the account or add another name to the account that is not your spouse.

Other means of losing eligibility include closing your account or using substitute energy sources while a 44-cent feed-in tariff is in operation (should the alternate source not have a separate connection to the grid). In addition, if you increase the size of the inverter capacity, become disconnected as a result of a contract breach, or replace the inverter with a larger one, you’ll forfeit your eligibility.

 

How to Regain Your Eligibility

While you are looking for advice on how to regain your eligibility for the bonus scheme, you should probably consider the way you lost it, as this might point you in the right direction.

If you haven’t moved or sold your house, you may have lost eligibility because you changed the inverter for a larger one or increased its capacity. You could have closed your account, changed the name of its owner or simply got disconnected because you failed to pay a bill.

Whatever the case, to get back on track, you should contact your distributor. They will explain to you why you were removed from the scheme and recover your tariff. However, this is true only if you were ejected from it incorrectly. The distributor will restore and antedate the 44-cent feed-in tariff, had you been removed incorrectly.

 

Electricity Distributors

  • South East Queensland: Energex.
  • Regional Queensland: Ergon Energy and Origin Energy if connected to the Essential Energy network.

 

In the Case of Selling or Renting

As mentioned earlier, if you move or sell the property where the solar panel is installed, you will lose eligibility. Still, a major role in this plays the name of the account holder. It will certainly change once you sell the house. The same is true when you are renting. If your new tenant isn’t your spouse, they will not receive the tariff. The only way to get it is if their name is on the account, and the size of your solar power system will not affect that.

Still, whether you are eligible for this bonus scheme or not, you should consider installing panels. These renewable power sources will affect your household in magnificent ways. They are a great way to save energy and reduce your electricity bill and carbon emissions.

In case you’re considering this option, give us a call, and we will create for you the most suitable energy production solution. Whether you want to switch to this system completely or partially, we will be happy to introduce you to its potential.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What solar panel discounts are available in Queensland?

Those living in Queensland are able to benefit from solar incentives worth approximately $2,772 for a standard 5kW solar system that is installed under the national SRE scheme.

What is the FiT incentive, and how does it work?

Sometimes your solar system might produce more electricity than you are able to use. A feed-in tariff for solar power allows this surplus electricity to be “sold” to the utility for a nominal fee.

What is the FiT in Regional QLD?

The government has a standard solar feed-in tariff at 6.583 cents per kWh.for regional Queensland

Do I need council approval to install solar panels in QLD?

Installation of a solar power system requires approval from a responsible authority such as a landlord, park manager or legal entity. You can then contact your local authority before purchasing a large system (above 5 kW). Ensure you meet the relevant requirements.

Can I run a house completely on solar power?

Given today’s modern solar systems and solar cells as extra storage, you can reliably run your home business on solar power alone.

What is the average lifespan of solar panels?

Technological advances over the last 20 years have greatly extended the lifespan of solar panels. Most high-quality solar panels should be able to last over 25 years. In addition to its lifetime, solar manufacturers tend to protect their products with performance warranties.

Does home insurance cover solar panels?

Considering solar panels are part of the building, they should be covered by home and household insurance in the event of damage caused by covered items, such as weather conditions. However, this can result in higher insurance premiums. When in doubt, check with your insurance company before installation to clarify your solar panel coverage.

Must solar panels be cleaned?

For the most efficient use and durability of your solar panels, it is advised to keep them relatively clean and free of dust, dirt, pollen and other debris. Regular cleaning will improve the efficiency of the panels. Should you live in an area with a lot of smog, or a very windy area with dust and sand, regular cleaning can make a big difference and improve overall efficiency.