How close to the edge of the roof should your solar panels go?
In the past I’ve written about solar panel clamping zones which determine where, on a solar panel’s edge, you can place the clamps that attach the modules to their mounting rails. What I didn’t do was go into just where on a roof solar panels can and can’t be installed. [Read more…]
Are vertical solar panels the best orientation for new Australian solar farms?
Last week I wrote about double glass bifacial panels that are able to use light coming from the front and behind, while on Christmas Eve I mentioned large scale solar farms are taking off in Australia. Because it’s the season for togetherness, I thought maybe we could put these two things together and make a bifacial solar farm.
Well, another year is almost gone and so to everyone I say, Merry Christmas and a Happy Old Year! [Read more…]
Glass is a vital part of almost every solar panel installed on Australian roofs. The sheets of glass used to protect solar cells are long lasting, non-reactive, very tough, and — above all else — it’s transparent. As a result glass functions far better than wood, cheese, iron, or mucus. [Read more…]
Presenting “Ronald’s Solar Panel Warranty Paradox™ “. Or what happens when you spend too much time thinking about solar panels and not enough time playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Why Solar Panel Warranties Are Less Important Than You May Think
I’ve written one or two blog articles over the years and if you’ve happen to have seen them, you may have noticed I have a thing about solar panel warranties. Specifically, I like ’em long. The longer the better. It’s a little peccadillo of mine. Because of my predilection for impressive warranties you could, quite understandably, reach the erroneous conclusion that I think a good solar panel warranty is a valuable thing for a household to have. But this is not the case. I think for all practical purposes most solar panel warranties will be almost worthless. [Read more…]
Should you bite the bullet and scrap your 1.5kW solar system so you can fit a bigger system on your roof?
Five to eight years ago, just as the Australian solar industry was getting underway, many people locked in high feed in tariffs for their new, cutting-edge solar power systems. For example, many people in Victoria with systems installed before 2012 are now getting 71.3 cents per kilowatt-hour of solar electricity exported into the grid. And they will continue to receive this for almost 7 more years. [Read more…]
Installing solar in SA after 1 December 2017? Here’s what you need to know…
SA Power Networks Makes Radelaide Sadelaide
It’s December and the latest rules for connecting rooftop solar to the grid in South Australia are now available from SA Power Networks (SAPN). I called them late last month to try and get a scoop on what they were planning, but no luck there — SAPN play their cards close to their chests.
So first thing on Friday morning I checked their website and found no change from November. But that’s okay, I completely understand. I know there are times people will say they’ll get things done by Friday but actually get them in first thing Monday morning. Or possibly three weeks later. That also happens.
But now they’ve had a whole week now to catch up and I see there have been some changes on their site. There is movement at the station and I’m passing the word around. The colt from old Regret has got away…
If you can’t be bothered to read this whole post then here’s what you need to know about installing solar in SA from 1 December 2017: [Read more…]
Flex Solar Panels: Beware of door knockers selling them for silly money.
Update 8th May 2019: Flex has stated they are leaving the wholesale and retail solar market in Australia but they will honor their commitments.
Flex solar panels are now sold in Australia and there is one thing I want to be very clear about. Despite their name, you should not flex these panels. They are not the flexible sort you might put on the roof of your caravan or, at a suitable level of insanity, your cat. They are the normal sort that go on top of homes and if you flex them too much they will splinter and break. [Read more…]
Want Free Future Electricity Without Blowing The Bank? Get On-Grid Solar Without Batteries.
When it comes to buying rooftop solar and batteries, people have a wide range of motivations. Some want to save money, most are environmentally concerned, there are tech-heads interested in the technology, while others just want to be trendy. Then there are confused people who ordered a battery thinking they were buying artillery or possibly a chicken.
But one motivation that pervades our society is love. Love for free stuff. In this case, free electricity. Most people I know would love to have $0 electricity bills or better yet, be paid for providing clean solar electricity to the grid.
If $0 bills are what you want, it’s okay to admit it. You’re among friends here. [Read more…]
Will Electromagnetic Radiation From Solar Panels And Inverters Frizz Your Heir?
All electrical and electronic device create electromagnetic fields or EMF around them when used and also emit electromagnetic radiation or EMR. This includes solar panels and solar inverters. So is it possible for the electromagnetic fields or radiation from your rooftop solar system to harm you or your family?
Normally these type of questions have two answers — a short one and a long one. But today I’ll give you two short answers and then a long one. [Read more…]
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