As published monthly in the Midland Express
Q. Is there really a solar battery rebate ending soon?
"A. Yes, it is true! We realise that misinformation is rife in the solar industry, and it can be hard to find good advice. Currently there is a genuine $2950 rebate for installing batteries on eligible homes, and the rebate closes this June. In addition, each month has a limited quota, and we expect this quota to be reached well before the end of June anyway. On our more affordable battery systems this rebate will save our customers over 25% off the normal system price and such systems can make smaller homes nearly independent of the grid, in conjunction with existing solar. It is the type of rebate that comes around only so often, so we advise customers to contact us early this week to secure a quotation and a valid rebate submission."
"A. Yes, it is true! We realise that misinformation is rife in the solar industry, and it can be hard to find good advice. Currently there is a genuine $2950 rebate for installing batteries on eligible homes, and the rebate closes this June. In addition, each month has a limited quota, and we expect this quota to be reached well before the end of June anyway. On our more affordable battery systems this rebate will save our customers over 25% off the normal system price and such systems can make smaller homes nearly independent of the grid, in conjunction with existing solar. It is the type of rebate that comes around only so often, so we advise customers to contact us early this week to secure a quotation and a valid rebate submission."
Q. Will solar be effective in winter?
"A. Indeed it will! A Victorian home, on average, uses 15 units of energy per day. Let's take a look at a 3.7kW solar system using 9 x modern high-density panels: on an average day the solar will typically produce those 15 units of energy that a home uses. In winter the solar will produce a bit less energy, about 9 units a day, still covering about 60% of the home’s energy usage! By increasing the solar size to just over 5kW (13 panels) the system will typically produce those 15 units of energy that an average household uses per day even during winter! Federal Government funding pays for roughly half the cost of each panel under the STC program, so this can be an extremely viable solution."
"A. Indeed it will! A Victorian home, on average, uses 15 units of energy per day. Let's take a look at a 3.7kW solar system using 9 x modern high-density panels: on an average day the solar will typically produce those 15 units of energy that a home uses. In winter the solar will produce a bit less energy, about 9 units a day, still covering about 60% of the home’s energy usage! By increasing the solar size to just over 5kW (13 panels) the system will typically produce those 15 units of energy that an average household uses per day even during winter! Federal Government funding pays for roughly half the cost of each panel under the STC program, so this can be an extremely viable solution."
Q. How much money does a solar system actually save?
A. At Central Spark, the average system sits at around 6kW in size. That’s 14 panels on your roof. This system will generate around 26 kWh of energy a day, which is a little more than the average home uses. Of this, a large proportion of the solar system powers your home for free, and with recent increases in power rates, this should represent genuine savings of around $1400 a year. IE, you are avoiding paying $1400 a year in power costs. In addition, some solar will flow back to the grid, and you will get paid for this; around $250 which will also be deducted from your bill. In total, the average solar system should leave you paying around $1650 less for your power every year. Your savings will rise as power prices increase over the years.
A. At Central Spark, the average system sits at around 6kW in size. That’s 14 panels on your roof. This system will generate around 26 kWh of energy a day, which is a little more than the average home uses. Of this, a large proportion of the solar system powers your home for free, and with recent increases in power rates, this should represent genuine savings of around $1400 a year. IE, you are avoiding paying $1400 a year in power costs. In addition, some solar will flow back to the grid, and you will get paid for this; around $250 which will also be deducted from your bill. In total, the average solar system should leave you paying around $1650 less for your power every year. Your savings will rise as power prices increase over the years.
Q. What is ‘electrify everything’?
A. If you are heating your home with gas, can that gas be renewable? The simple and non-political answer is no because it’s a fossil fuel. If you’re heating your home with electricity, the answer is yes. Electricity can be generated using renewable sources like wind, solar and hydro. You can power your whole home with renewable electricity, it’s possible. Efficient electric heating will add 10 to 20 kWh a day to your usage. Modern hot water will add 2 to 3 kWh. An EV will use from 5 to 20 kWh. Induction cooking might use 1 kWh. It’s possible to run your whole home using renewable electricity, and you can factor in adding, say, 15 kWh a day to your usage. This can be generated with just 12 extra solar panels.
A. If you are heating your home with gas, can that gas be renewable? The simple and non-political answer is no because it’s a fossil fuel. If you’re heating your home with electricity, the answer is yes. Electricity can be generated using renewable sources like wind, solar and hydro. You can power your whole home with renewable electricity, it’s possible. Efficient electric heating will add 10 to 20 kWh a day to your usage. Modern hot water will add 2 to 3 kWh. An EV will use from 5 to 20 kWh. Induction cooking might use 1 kWh. It’s possible to run your whole home using renewable electricity, and you can factor in adding, say, 15 kWh a day to your usage. This can be generated with just 12 extra solar panels.
Q. Are your solar systems better than anyone else’s?
A. Great question! Despite all solar products being ‘approved’ for sale for basic operability and safety, there is still a wide range of options. We use solar panels from Taiwan that carry an iron-clad 30 year warranty, made of the latest ‘n-type’ double-glass technology for increased production and longevity. We use inverters that are still 100% made in Austria, with local servicing in Tullamarine. Our framing system is rated for all conditions all over Australia. Our systems come with proper home consumption monitoring, where possible. Our workshop is in Castlemaine so we’re never more and half an hour or so away from our customers if any of our installations need attention. .
A. Great question! Despite all solar products being ‘approved’ for sale for basic operability and safety, there is still a wide range of options. We use solar panels from Taiwan that carry an iron-clad 30 year warranty, made of the latest ‘n-type’ double-glass technology for increased production and longevity. We use inverters that are still 100% made in Austria, with local servicing in Tullamarine. Our framing system is rated for all conditions all over Australia. Our systems come with proper home consumption monitoring, where possible. Our workshop is in Castlemaine so we’re never more and half an hour or so away from our customers if any of our installations need attention. .
Q. Do I really save money if I get solar panels?
A. Yes, you do. Let’s break it down. I’m looking at the live performance of a Central Spark customer in Harcourt, in May this year. On a normal May day their solar produced 21 kWh of electricity. Of this, 12 kWh was used directly in the home during the day powering their house for free. The 9 kWh remainder was sold to the grid. Money saved on electricty that day was 12 x 33c (their energy rate) = $3.96. The earnings from selling to the grid was 9 x 4.9c = 44c. Summing these we get $4.40 which is exactly what these lovely customers saved that day on their bill. Annually that is $1600 a year saved from their modest set of 11 panels. .
A. Yes, you do. Let’s break it down. I’m looking at the live performance of a Central Spark customer in Harcourt, in May this year. On a normal May day their solar produced 21 kWh of electricity. Of this, 12 kWh was used directly in the home during the day powering their house for free. The 9 kWh remainder was sold to the grid. Money saved on electricty that day was 12 x 33c (their energy rate) = $3.96. The earnings from selling to the grid was 9 x 4.9c = 44c. Summing these we get $4.40 which is exactly what these lovely customers saved that day on their bill. Annually that is $1600 a year saved from their modest set of 11 panels. .
Q. Are electricity prices rising and does that affect solar?
A. Indeed, electricity prices are rising, and they just rose again which you may notice in your most recent power bill. Personally, my rates for peak electricity have just risen from 42c to 49c per kWh, an increase of 16%. While we realise that’s bad news for the everyday consumer, it can really help tip the balance of a potential solar decision. Let’s say your existing solar quotation showed a projected annual saving of $1535, then it will now show a projected saving of $1733, meaning that your pending solar purchase will be even better value. For existing solar and battery owners running at ‘grid zero’, the above pricing increase won’t affect them at all, actually.
A. Indeed, electricity prices are rising, and they just rose again which you may notice in your most recent power bill. Personally, my rates for peak electricity have just risen from 42c to 49c per kWh, an increase of 16%. While we realise that’s bad news for the everyday consumer, it can really help tip the balance of a potential solar decision. Let’s say your existing solar quotation showed a projected annual saving of $1535, then it will now show a projected saving of $1733, meaning that your pending solar purchase will be even better value. For existing solar and battery owners running at ‘grid zero’, the above pricing increase won’t affect them at all, actually.
Q. Is it important to choose a local solar installer?
A. We don’t take this for granted. As a business we in turn trade with other local businesses. Our staff live locally and do the same. We sponsor several local causes. We have local alliances with complementary trades like builders and architects. All this helps keep our community vibrant and sustainable. We have intimate knowledge of the local power supply, weather and conditions. If there are operational issues with our installations, we can usually attend site within days for diagnosis and rectification. You might run into us as neighbours and school parents, or at the local café and especially for this reason we need to make sure that our reputation is intact. And coming soon … we are opening in Kyneton! .
A. We don’t take this for granted. As a business we in turn trade with other local businesses. Our staff live locally and do the same. We sponsor several local causes. We have local alliances with complementary trades like builders and architects. All this helps keep our community vibrant and sustainable. We have intimate knowledge of the local power supply, weather and conditions. If there are operational issues with our installations, we can usually attend site within days for diagnosis and rectification. You might run into us as neighbours and school parents, or at the local café and especially for this reason we need to make sure that our reputation is intact. And coming soon … we are opening in Kyneton! .
Q. Is solar still worth it if the rebates keep going down?
A. This is a common question that we are always happy to clarify. The main thing that is “going down” is the credit for excess solar going back to the grid, which is called the ‘Feed-in Tariff’. These credits are a different thing to the rebate, and they are reducing from not much, to even less. The rebate in Victoria currently is $1400, and it’s not going down at all. Although the Feed-in Tariff is reducing, this is not the main way that solar saves you money. The main way is to power your home for free with solar, and those savings are going up massively because power prices are going up rapidly. Also, panel prices are coming down steadily. Overall, solar returns on investment are generally always getting better!
A. This is a common question that we are always happy to clarify. The main thing that is “going down” is the credit for excess solar going back to the grid, which is called the ‘Feed-in Tariff’. These credits are a different thing to the rebate, and they are reducing from not much, to even less. The rebate in Victoria currently is $1400, and it’s not going down at all. Although the Feed-in Tariff is reducing, this is not the main way that solar saves you money. The main way is to power your home for free with solar, and those savings are going up massively because power prices are going up rapidly. Also, panel prices are coming down steadily. Overall, solar returns on investment are generally always getting better!
Q. Does solar work in winter in Central Victoria?
"A. Indeed it does! We prefer to be more informative than this, because we pride ourselves on being a helpful and trustworthy business. An average Victorian home uses 15 units of energy per day. This is generated on an average day by a 3.7 kW solar system in Central Vic, using only nine modern high-density panels. This system would generate 9 units of energy on an average winter’s day in June and July, that’s 40% less than an average day, which is a day in October. You can flip these numbers and install 40% more solar and then your system works just as well in winter. Federal Government funding pays for roughly half the cost of each panel under the STC program, so this can be an extremely viable solution. And naturally, you get your free lunch in summer with solar, too."
"A. Indeed it does! We prefer to be more informative than this, because we pride ourselves on being a helpful and trustworthy business. An average Victorian home uses 15 units of energy per day. This is generated on an average day by a 3.7 kW solar system in Central Vic, using only nine modern high-density panels. This system would generate 9 units of energy on an average winter’s day in June and July, that’s 40% less than an average day, which is a day in October. You can flip these numbers and install 40% more solar and then your system works just as well in winter. Federal Government funding pays for roughly half the cost of each panel under the STC program, so this can be an extremely viable solution. And naturally, you get your free lunch in summer with solar, too."
Q. Are solar batteries worth installing?
A. Value means different things to different people and it’s not always about just money. For every person gladly ordering the wagyu burger at the pub for just under $30, there’s another person who prefers “the lot” at the fish and chip shop. Roughly one in five of our customers installs a battery with their solar system. Customers may choose to install a battery to catch their otherwise wasted solar energy, to power their home into the evening, and to gain true independence from the grid during black-outs, and to further reduce their reliance on brown coal. Just this week our Tesla battery pricing fell by 20%, at the same time some people’s power bills have risen by 30%, meaning that the decision whether a battery is worth it or not just got easier! Contact us for a customized set of “worth it” figures."
A. Value means different things to different people and it’s not always about just money. For every person gladly ordering the wagyu burger at the pub for just under $30, there’s another person who prefers “the lot” at the fish and chip shop. Roughly one in five of our customers installs a battery with their solar system. Customers may choose to install a battery to catch their otherwise wasted solar energy, to power their home into the evening, and to gain true independence from the grid during black-outs, and to further reduce their reliance on brown coal. Just this week our Tesla battery pricing fell by 20%, at the same time some people’s power bills have risen by 30%, meaning that the decision whether a battery is worth it or not just got easier! Contact us for a customized set of “worth it” figures."
Q. How reliable is solar technology?
A. Many solar customers have been let down and ended up with faulty equipment. Shoddy product has been prevalent in the past, despite the warranties published on brochures. But the industry has progressed, even more so at Central Spark. Our panels carry a 30 year warranty from a manufacturer with 15 years history, and we’ve had only one fault in 8 years. Our favourite inverter company has been around since 1992. Our installations have a labour warranty of 7 years. This means we can assure you that your purchase will genuinely stand the test of time. The solar systems we install are incredibly reliable and, in the rare case that there is an issue, a Central Spark staff member will promptly visit you to sort it out!
A. Many solar customers have been let down and ended up with faulty equipment. Shoddy product has been prevalent in the past, despite the warranties published on brochures. But the industry has progressed, even more so at Central Spark. Our panels carry a 30 year warranty from a manufacturer with 15 years history, and we’ve had only one fault in 8 years. Our favourite inverter company has been around since 1992. Our installations have a labour warranty of 7 years. This means we can assure you that your purchase will genuinely stand the test of time. The solar systems we install are incredibly reliable and, in the rare case that there is an issue, a Central Spark staff member will promptly visit you to sort it out!
Q. How do solar panels help the environment?
A. Panels convert sunlight into electricity, which powers your home instead of coal-fired power which can only be created in a furnace, causing tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and also exhaust and particulates. Sunlight is entirely clean and renewable and is much better for the environment. No electron goes to waste. If your home doesn’t use everything that the panels generate, the excess is shared with the grid and your neighbourhood. Skeptics rightly question the amount of energy used to manufacture the solar equipment, but it will take only a year or two of operation for this to be negated. Just as amazing is that an average sized solar system will save a home around $1500 a year on bills.
A. Panels convert sunlight into electricity, which powers your home instead of coal-fired power which can only be created in a furnace, causing tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and also exhaust and particulates. Sunlight is entirely clean and renewable and is much better for the environment. No electron goes to waste. If your home doesn’t use everything that the panels generate, the excess is shared with the grid and your neighbourhood. Skeptics rightly question the amount of energy used to manufacture the solar equipment, but it will take only a year or two of operation for this to be negated. Just as amazing is that an average sized solar system will save a home around $1500 a year on bills.
Q. Does solar work in winter?
A. Solar generates all year, relative to the brightness of the sky. On an overcast day if you squint when looking up, then solar works pretty well. With thick grey clouds and rain, the solar works less well. Winter results on average are 30% less than the yearly average. But think of it this way; we use more electricity in winter, especially with daytime heating, and from that perspective you can save much more money on your bills by solar-powering your winter days than your summer days. Our customers often oversize their solar systems, specifically for this reason and to attack their winter bills. .
A. Solar generates all year, relative to the brightness of the sky. On an overcast day if you squint when looking up, then solar works pretty well. With thick grey clouds and rain, the solar works less well. Winter results on average are 30% less than the yearly average. But think of it this way; we use more electricity in winter, especially with daytime heating, and from that perspective you can save much more money on your bills by solar-powering your winter days than your summer days. Our customers often oversize their solar systems, specifically for this reason and to attack their winter bills. .
Q. How much does solar really cost?
A. What a great question because with the internet being all over the place with spurious information people simply don’t know. Especially with those ads saying ‘no cost solar’ with an asterisk beside it, which is never good news. Usually what these ads are talking about is putting your solar purchase on a finance plan and paying it off over time. This is okay so long as you understand what’s going on. We like to keep our pricing completely transparent. Currently, an average sized 5.2kW system will cost you out-of-pocket $5720. That’s after Fed Gov funding and State Gov rebate. This system will save the average home around $1250 to $1750 a year, depending on energy usage patterns.
A. What a great question because with the internet being all over the place with spurious information people simply don’t know. Especially with those ads saying ‘no cost solar’ with an asterisk beside it, which is never good news. Usually what these ads are talking about is putting your solar purchase on a finance plan and paying it off over time. This is okay so long as you understand what’s going on. We like to keep our pricing completely transparent. Currently, an average sized 5.2kW system will cost you out-of-pocket $5720. That’s after Fed Gov funding and State Gov rebate. This system will save the average home around $1250 to $1750 a year, depending on energy usage patterns.
Q. What is ‘grid-zero’?
A. ‘Grid-zero’ is a term that describes what happens when a grid-connected solar and battery system is running so effectively that the moment by moment power being drawn from the grid is zero, nothing. We follow our systems closely after the installation and when we look at the monitoring we see the following: solar power begins around 7am in the morning and powers the home for free. Later in the morning with more sun the battery begins to charge and is full by mid-afternoon. The sun sets, and the battery takes over from the solar to power the home into the evening, continuing to run the home until dawn. Throughout the course of the 24 hour day, the home hasn’t drawn anything from the grid: it’s grid-zero. Ask us for an info pack we’ll send you more detail.
A. ‘Grid-zero’ is a term that describes what happens when a grid-connected solar and battery system is running so effectively that the moment by moment power being drawn from the grid is zero, nothing. We follow our systems closely after the installation and when we look at the monitoring we see the following: solar power begins around 7am in the morning and powers the home for free. Later in the morning with more sun the battery begins to charge and is full by mid-afternoon. The sun sets, and the battery takes over from the solar to power the home into the evening, continuing to run the home until dawn. Throughout the course of the 24 hour day, the home hasn’t drawn anything from the grid: it’s grid-zero. Ask us for an info pack we’ll send you more detail.
Q. Why open a shopfront in Kyneton?
A. We love Kyneton! We’ve been travelling down the Calder since we opened in 2014. We’ve been steadily growing since, based on goodwill and reputation, and we need more office space. So let’s open a shopfront in Kyneton! There’s a large population from Lancefield to Trentham, from Malmsbury to Macedon who would benefit from a sturdy solar installer with local knowledge. Farms and semi-rural properties need large, robust solar systems and modern, architectural designs need sophisticated, well designed solar, and Central Spark does both. Our new office is open most days, so come in for a chat. If you bring your power bill to talk solar and battery sizing, we’ll buy you a coffee. And we’ll see you next year amongst the daffodils!
A. We love Kyneton! We’ve been travelling down the Calder since we opened in 2014. We’ve been steadily growing since, based on goodwill and reputation, and we need more office space. So let’s open a shopfront in Kyneton! There’s a large population from Lancefield to Trentham, from Malmsbury to Macedon who would benefit from a sturdy solar installer with local knowledge. Farms and semi-rural properties need large, robust solar systems and modern, architectural designs need sophisticated, well designed solar, and Central Spark does both. Our new office is open most days, so come in for a chat. If you bring your power bill to talk solar and battery sizing, we’ll buy you a coffee. And we’ll see you next year amongst the daffodils!