If you’re reading this article, you’re either looking for a solar system to purchase, or you’re browsing around looking to see what the big fuss is all about.
Either way, this article will help shed some light into the world of solar systems, how they work, and whether they are worth the investment to power your home or office.
Let’s begin!
If you’re interested in purchasing a solar system for your house to start reaping the benefits of solar, Voltora Solar Experts can help you to find the perfect setup that maximises your return on investment. Click here to find out more.
Let’s Understand How Solar Systems Work
Before we dive deeper, let’s actually understand how solar systems work.
This is important, especially if you’re considering switching from a traditional electrical setup through power lines; because buying a solar system effectively means you’re off the grid; and your own power generation.
The sun releases radiation energy in the form of light and heat, which we feel on earth. That energy – raw energy – can be captured and stored by photovoltaic (PV) cells in solar panels which can then convert it into electricity to power your appliances and light up your home.
If you’re sharp enough, you’ll realise that the amount of electricity that you can convert depends on how much solar energy you can capture. After all, some places have too little sunlight in order for solar systems to truly capture the full potential energy. In addition, cloud cover, or rainy seasons have to be taken into account.
For the most part, however, areas like Queensland benefit greatly from solar systems, because of the sunny Brisbane weather that we enjoy consistently throughout the year. That means despite the odd cloudy or rainy period that might limit the energy capture of solar systems, a solar system is still a worthwhile investment to make.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of having a solar system installed in your home.
It’s More Affordable Long Term Than Traditional Power Grids
If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you’ll know that traditional, fossil fuel-based energy prices have gone up every single year, for the past 10 years.
And this price increase is not expected to stop. What that means is that if you’re still relying on your power grid to generate electricity for your home, you’ll be facing ever increasing power supply costs.
Of course, power grid-based energy costs are pay-as-you-go, so the catch is that you won’t need to pay for all your electrical needs upfront – but you’ll definitely be feeling the pinch over the years.
On the other hand, solar power systems are an investment into the future. Since you have to make an upfront payment right now for installation, you’ll earn back your investment over the time that you keep using your solar system to generate power.
Even better, once you make your return on investment, your solar power system essentially runs itself for free. That means you get years of solar-powered electricity for no cost output on your part. What’s there not to like about that?
Of course, that’s where the debate is. The big question is then: “Will I be able to generate equivalent, if not more, energy than power-grid energy using my solar system?” because if you can, then making back your investment is simply a matter of time.
The good news here is that the prices of solar power systems have come down over the years, costing about 40% less to install in 2018 than they did in 2012. For example, the average price for a 5kW system in 2018 was $5,880 compared with $12,290 in 2012.
Technology has improved over the years, and with it, the cost for value has also decreased, making solar power systems a worthwhile investment to hedge against the rising power grid energy costs.
With that said, we’d say investing in solar power systems is actually a better move, considering how power grid prices are sure to rise in the future – so why not start making back your investment right now?
Technology Has Improved Average System Size, Enabling Better Value & Payback
Because of the rapid advancements in solar technology over the past decade, greater system sizes are now available in the market.
It’s common to find most homes installing 5kW to 10kW systems today, compared with 1kW to 2kW systems several years ago. Effectively, it means that the same price you paid a few years back for a small system gets you a much larger system today.
Since larger powered systems mean more energy captured from the sun, and converted into electrical energy from your home, you now have more energy to go around.
That’s good news for you because larger systems mean that you get your return on investment much quicker, and it’s more cost-efficient.
Since you now have that extra capacity to work with, for the same average budget, you can support bigger homes or offices, and still make a return on investment.
Your Payback Period Has Actually Reduced
Most people think that it’s a long and hard wait for solar-powered systems to generate a return on their investment. But on the contrary, it’s actually not that long.
The key thing to get right here is to choose the right solar power system that is the right size and configuration for your home so that you can directly use at least 30% of the energy that it produces.
For example, if you install a 5kW system, and consume electricity at 30%, your payback time would be less than 6 years on average.
In addition to just calculating raw energy consumption from your solar power generation efforts, you can also further reduce your payback period and maximise your returns by:
- Increasing your rate of direct solar energy consumption, e.g. use electricity during the day when the system’s producing it;
- Reducing your energy usage, such as using energy-efficient appliances, or switching off appliances when not in use.
Considering the payback period of 6 years on average, and the rate at which power bills are going up, investing in your own solar power system would actually let you beat power bill “inflation”, and still give you free energy to spare – literally.
Did You Know? Solar Systems Increase The Sellability Of Your Home
If you’re interested in selling your home one day, you’ll be happy to know that the more solar panels there are on your roof, the greater the resale value of your home will be – up to $6,000 per kW of solar power.
For instance, if you’re selling your home where you’ve installed a 10kW system, you can expect your home’s value to be about $59,000 more than your neighbours, assuming they don’t have a solar power system installed!
Solar-powered electricity is a big thing in global climate talks now, and the average Aussie loves it when he/she gets their dream house AND helps the environment. Your house will be an easy choice in a buyer’s mind.
What that means is that you’ll easily make your money back – and more – if you think ahead to sale day and install a solar power system now.
Blackout In Your Neighbourhood? No Problem!
If you’re tired of blackouts when watching your favourite TV show, or you’re halfway through your unsaved project on your desktop, then you’ll love the instantaneous and (shall we say private?) energy that solar power systems provide you.
Unlike traditional power lines and grids, solar power systems are connected directly from panels to your home’s electricity ports. This means that electricity is both generated and used in the same place, and doesn’t have to travel from power plant to home.
That means not only do you get more efficient energy distribution and transmission, but your home’s electricity also isn’t affected by power outages in the neighbourhood as you are off-the-grid.
In fact, you might just find that you’re the only house left standing with light when the lights in your neighbourhood go out!
There’s Just One Catch…
If you’ve been reading thus far and you think that solar power systems are a great investment for the future, you’re right.
However, you might have also realised that the effectiveness of solar power systems really depends on how your system is set up, and there are different factors that must be considered in order for your system to deliver at optimal capacity.
In the following section, we’ll discuss some things to look out for when considering a solar power system, and some resources that you can consider to make sure you get the best return for your solar investment.
Can You Increase The Energy Efficiency Of Your Home?
The first thing to do is to examine your home or office where you’re planning to install your solar power system and consider if you can do anything to increase the energy efficiency of the appliances inside that property.
For example, can you switch to more efficient lighting, appliances, or electronics? Remember, the more energy-efficient you can make your home or office, the faster your rate of payback on your solar power investment.
Estimate How Much Solar Power You Can Generate
The next step is to estimate how much solar power you can generate from your home or office location.
Granted, there are many factors, mostly from experience, that could impact your environment. For example, shade, rate of rainfall in your area, or cloudiness can all affect the amount of sunlight that you can generate from your location.
In addition, the condition of your rooftop also needs to be considered amongst other things. Solar power systems are systems that need to be secured properly and remain there for years, so if your roof is falling apart from old age, you might have to replace it before you can consider installing a solar power system.
If you’re not properly trained in this area, or you would like professional solar power system technicians and experts who are experienced in this assessment, Voltora Solar Experts can help you with this.
Click here to let us assess your unique situation and give you some options to get started on your solar investment right now.
Do You Know How Much Electricity You Need?
The next thing to do is to estimate how much solar electricity you’ll need so that you know the size and configuration of the system that best fits your needs.
A good way to do this is to take a look at your current energy bills to gauge how much your annual electricity needs are. Having a clear idea of what your energy needs are, goes a long way to helping your solar installer provide recommendations for your system’s type and size that best suit your requirements.
In addition, you should also speak to your existing electricity provider to ask about any billing, net metering, and any extra utility fees you have to pay once you make the switch to solar power systems.
Solar Power Systems Are Effective If…
Whether or not Solar Power Systems are effective for you depends on a number of different factors that all work simultaneously, such as your location, shading, energy use, system size, and installation.
Choose a trusted Solar Expert who can work with you to find the best configuration and set up that is suited and tailored perfectly for your needs. By doing this you not only reap the benefits of solar power systems, and get a payback on your investment, but also enjoy the advantages of being off the grid for years to come.
You Deserve Tailored Solar Solutions That You Can Confidently Invest In
No two Solar Projects are the same.
Voltora’s Solar Solutions are tailored for every individual property, depending on your unique energy requirements and specifications.
From space requirements and constraints to materials used, to triple-checking the compatibility of solar systems with your unique property conditions, plus careful, expert workmanship during installation, we’re passionate about every detail so that you get the best possible results from your solar investment.
We’re well-versed in every nook and cranny there is to know about solar system installations, so you can have peace of mind taking the first step towards a solar power investment for your home.
More Than Just A Solar Company
Voltora isn’t just another solar company. We’re electrical experts who specialise in offering turnkey electrical solutions for a diverse customer base and have been around for 5 years.
To date, we’ve handled 10,000+ projects, and have provided expert advice that has empowered our customers to optimise their electrical systems for a better life.
On top of best-in-class solar workmanship, you’re getting top-notch solar knowledge and expertise backed by real-life, firsthand experiences of prior projects. You only get the best solar investment advice when you work with Brisbane’s finest Solar Specialists.
Validated And Accredited With The Highest Standards
We take your confidence seriously. Your solar energy investment deserves the best expertise that money can buy. Voltora Solar Specialists are fully licensed and accredited in the solar installation space to give you peace of mind.
Each of our Solar Specialists is:
- Professionally approved by the Clean Energy Council
- Accredited Master Electricians
- Qualified Electricians with years of experience to work on your solar project
Start Your Solar Experience With Voltora Now
If you’re interested in reaping the benefits of solar power in your home or office, the experts at Voltora can help you find the best solar power system for your needs.
Our Solar Experts will tailor the right solar system to fit your power requirements, and maximise your return on investment at the same time.
Click here to start your customised solar power consultation now, and our Voltora experts will customise a solution that’s right for you.
Lets get started
