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guide to installing solar pv for households

1. 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 one megawatt hour of electricity generated by your solar PV system The price of STCs changes according to market conditions The totallevel 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 fnancial benefit which may the form of a delayed cash payment or upfront discount on your solar PV system most consumers take this option or Create the STCs yourself by fnding a buyer and then selling and transferring them in the Renewable Energy Certificate REC Registry information contact the Clean Energy Regulator ret cleanenergyregulator gov au STC SUBSIDY 3 1 382 x 3kw 3 1 382 x 3kw 5 1 352 x 3kw 2 1 536 x 3kw 4 1 185 X 3kw 4 1 185 x 3kw 3 1 382 x 3kw 3 1 382 x 3kw Zone rating x rated power output 3 kW x deeming period 15 years total STC entitlement Figures based on an ST
2. the physical unshaded area available forthe installation of your panels how much you are prepared to spend UNDERSTAND YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION This is the first step to take when determining if solar PV isa 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 generated backto the grid You do however need to consider the fnancial incentive to do so n some states there is currently little financial incentive to export energy to the grid The most beneft 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 PV retailer will provide a manufacturer s warranty on
3. ONTENTS INVEST IN SOLAR PV SIGN A CONTRACT 16 THE IN LLATION PROCESS INSTALL YOUR SYSTEM 18 DO YOUR RESEARCH DOCUMENTATION 19 ru TYPES OF SOLAR PV SYSTEN GRID CONNECTED SOLAR CONNECT TO THE GRID 20 STI x APPLICATION TO CONNECT 21 SAT pom ms gt s METER CHANGE AND i T CONNECTING TO THE GRID 21 STAND ALONE SOLAR PV SYSTEMS 5 HOW MUCH DO SOLAR PV SYSTEMS COST 6 ST YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM 22 SOLAR LEASING 6 SYSTEM MAINTENANCE 23 GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES 7 INSPECTIONS 23 SMALL SCALE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATES 5 5 7 UPGRADING YOU R SYSTEM 23 ER WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG 24 I RECEIVE FROM THE STCS 7 WARRANTIES 24 CONTACT YOUR ELECTRICITY RETAILER 8 aS TEES 7 f COMPLAINTS 24 QUESTIONS ASK YOUR WORKMANSHIP COMPLAINTS 24 ELECTRICITY RETAILER 9 ELECTRICAL SAFETY 24 FEED IN TARIFFS 9 WH A M Wi 5 DID YOU BUY YOUR SYSTEM FROM A CLEAN FIND A SOLAR PV RETAILER ENERGY COUNCIL APPROVED SOLAR AND PLAN YOUR SYSTEM 12 RETAILER 24 WHO S WHO IN THE SOLAR PV MARKET 13 WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE COMPANY HAS CS WERE ENC ONT a NN ns GONE OUT OF BUSINESS 24 ARE THEY REPUTABLE 13 E Wa U CHOOSE A C N ENERGY GOUNCIL GLOSSARY AND DEFINITI
4. for households AFTER YOU ACCEPT QUOTE YOUR SOLAR PV RETAILER DESIGNER AND OR INSTALLER WILL PROVIDE A CONTRACT FOR YOU TO SIGN BEFORE SIGNING VOUR CONTRACT HAVE YOU The quote will often form the basis for your contract Remember that once you have received the quote vou do not necessarilv have to go ahead with installing a svstem 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 whetherthe 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 guarantees including installer workmanship schedule of deposit and progress payments service agreement an agreed timeframe
5. THIS DOCUMENT ARE AS FOLLOWS Accredited Designer a person who is accredited by the Clean Energy Council to design a solar PV svstem Accredited Installer a person who is accredited by the Clean Energy Council to install solar PV systems Approved Solar Retailer a solar PV retailerthat has signed on to the Clean Energy Council Solar PV 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 M ay also be referred to as the registered agent Inverter changes the solar DC direct current power into 240V AC alternating current power suitable for your household appliances and to be fed backto 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 PV panel or solar panel uses sunlight to generate DC power Solar PV retailer or Retailer 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 consu
6. 00 2 161 23 658 02 505 81 1 307 12 467 76 579 40 293 60 FIND SOLAR RETAILER AND PLAN YOUR SYSTEM t Finder File Edit View Ga Window l Fr U AT TE EH HIH ii Jiu Mb El 2251 di ll ul i i EIE ET i ba B E i EH IR ki EFI KARLU ji i L k L i er dituijea lines e T solaraccrediunion com i ir Ir EIS Ment Winged Cam Sramed f v FFF LES kJ dtieadber Appie Tare Coogie Mapa PHI Clann Counci r C ACCREDITED INSTALLER i Solar PV Retailer Code of Sol ar photovoltaic PV mtailer 3 just as involve installation of solar Py sraloms as designers and 2D FNIT need fo be confident Mat their retailer is complying Professional and etf regulations and operating in 12 Guide to installing solar PV for households IT S IMPORTANT TO SHOP AROUND WHEN BUYING SOLAR BEFORE YOU SELECT A SYSTEM TALK TO DIFFERENT SOLAR PV RETAILERS ABOUT OPTIONS AND OBTAIN SEVERAL QUOTES IF POSSIBLE SPEAK WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR LOCAL AREA WHO HAVE INSTALLED SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS YOU M
7. for installation any site conditions or circumstances which may result in extra chargeable work required that is not covered in the initial contract Guide to installing solar PV for households 17 INSTALL 2 2 Qc gt YOU VE SELECTED RETAILER PLANNED YOUR SYSTEM AND SIGNED A CONTRACT IT S TIME FOR THE SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED Your solar PV retailer or installer should let you know when your system will be installed and provide you with all the necessary documentation on the day DOCUMENTATION Make sure you receive everything you need when your system is installed Documentation will be essential if you need to make warranty or insurance claims A system user manual should be provided bv the installer on the day of installation It is the responsibility of your retailer or installerto ensure that you have been provided with the system documentation YOU SHOULD RECEIVE a list of equipment supplied the shutdown and isolation procedure for emergency and maintenance a basic connection diagram that includes the electrical ratings of the PV array and the ratings of all overcurrent devices and switches as installed system performance estimate recommended maintenance for the system maintenance procedure and timetable the commissioning sheet and installation checklist PV array frame engineering certificate for wind and mechanical loading installer designer s declaration of co
8. 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 accredited 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 Department of Environment Climate Change Energy and Water 132281 NSW Department of Industry and Investment 1300 136 888 NT Department of the Chief Minister 08 8999 5511 Qld Office of Clean Energy 13 25 23 e SA Sustainability and Climate Change Division 08 8204 2999 Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources 1300 135 513 Vic Department of State Development Business and Innovation 03 9651 9999 WA Office of Energy 08 9420 5600 Guide to installing solar PV for households 9 3 KW SYSTEM BASED THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF 17 KWH DAY Scheme name Scheme nature 2013 2014 FIT scheme rate c kWh Annual FIT value 5 exports Annual FIT and offset value Annual FIT value 25 exports Annual FIT and offset value Annual FIT value 5096 exports Annual FIT and offset value Annu
9. 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 state Guide to installing solar PV for households 23 WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG WARRANTIES If you have an issue with any solar PV product while it s under warranty you should frst contact your solar PV retailer in order to have the product replaced or repaired If you are unable to contact your retailer contact the 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
10. 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 Will the solar PV retailer be able to honourthese warranties If the solar PV retailer goes out of business your warranties could become invalid n this case you will need to contact the importer or manufacturer directly to arrange repair or replacement M ake sure you have their details too Does the 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 e Arethe PV modules and inverter Clean Energy Council approved 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 Arethe 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 Guide to installing solar PV for households 15 16 Guide to installing solar
11. AY BE ABLE TO PICK UP SOME TIPS FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES WHO S WHO IN THE SOLAR PV MARKET The main parties involved in the sale and installation of solar PV are the 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 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 whetherthey 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 PV retailer installer designer 5 former customers to find out if they were knowledgeable easy to work with and tookthe 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 PV retailers that never visit your home or business may have difficulty recommending the most
12. C rate of 35 Thisis an approximate rate and the STC price will vary For more information contact the Clean Energy Regulator HOW MUCH OF A DISCOUNT WILL I 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 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 Thetable 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 forthe electricity you export backto the grid Rates vary between electricity retailers n some states the govemment 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 vears 62 2170 62 STCs x 35 x15 years 62 2170 62 STCSX 35 x15 years 62 2170 62 STCSX 35 x15 years 69 2415 69 STCs x 35 x15 years 3 1855 53 STCs x 35 x15 years 53 1855 53 STCs x 35 x15 years 62 2170 62 STCs x 35 x15 vears 62 2170 62 STCs x 35 Guide to installing s
13. ONS 25 rrnrn r r APPROVED AR RETAILER 13 DO THEY HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 14 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SOLAR PV RETAILER 14 IS YOUR INSTALLER CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL ACCREDITED 14 SYSTEM DESIGN 14 WHAT SIZE SOLAR PV SYSTEM SHOULD I INSTALL 15 UNDERSTAND YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION 15 WHAT TYPE OF PV MODULES OR INVERTER SHOULD I BUY Guide to installing solar PV for households 1 WHY 5 IN SOLAR With electricity prices 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 PV system purchasing decisions and provides an overview of the installation process 2 Guide to installing solar PV for households Solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of houses and other buildings in Australia since the 1970s In 2013 We passed the one million solar rooftops mark in Australia meaning more than one million residential solar panel systems are safelv and reliably delivering clean electricitv across Australia 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 falle
14. Retailer you should frst 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 PV 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 ASI C 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 24 Guide to installing solar PV for households GLOSSARY DEFINITIONS THE DEFINITIONS FOR TERMS USED IN
15. TAINED SO IT CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND SAFELY SYSTEM MAINTENANCE A solar PV system is a complex electricity generating piece of equipment and to keep it safe and operating efficientiv it Is vitalto 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 jt is operating correctly the system performance is maintained the system is safe for everyone in the premises as well as for any electrical workers working on the distribution 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
16. al FIT value 7596 exports Annual FIT and offset value Current as at 17 April 2014 VIC Feed in Tariff Mandatory 15 77 1 096 92 78 84 932 38 157 68 726 71 236 52 521 03 x sA Minimum Retailer Payment Mandatory 7 6c 17 48 1 392 42 87 38 1 172 86 174 76 898 41 262 14 623 97 QLD Negotiated Feed in Tariff Voluntary 4C 9 20 1 204 57 45 99 989 70 91 98 721 12 137 97 452 54 QLD Ergon Mandated Tariff Voluntary 8 C 20 01 5 38 100 03 1 043 74 200 06 829 20 300 08 5614 66 Contact the relevant state government department for more details and up to date offers and rates QLD Negotiated Feed in Tariff Voluntary 0 00 1 195 37 0 00 943 71 0 00 629 14 0 00 314 57 WA WA ACT NT TAS NSW NSW REBS REBS Solar Solar PV Solar Solar Solar Buv Back Buv Back Buv Back Feed in Tariff Feed in Tariff Scheme Tariff Benchmark Benchmark Voluntary Voluntary Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Voluntary Voluntary 50c 8 4c 27 13c 8c 120 45 20 24 17 66 65 36 515 33 17 08 0 00 1 467 49 1 367 28 933 30 1 307 12 919 00 1 245 13 1 115 67 602 25 101 18 88 28 326 78 76 65 85 41 0 00 1 665 70 1 164 63 811 16 1 307 12 790 07 1 054 92 880 79 1 204 50 202 36 176 57 653 56 153 30 170 82 0 00 1 913 47 911 32 658 48 1 307 18 628 91 817 16 587 19 1 806 75 303 53 264 85 980 34 229 95 256 23 0
17. appropriate equipment A comprehensive on site solar and load analysis and two way interview can help ensure a thoughtfully designed and well planned installation CHOOSE A CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL APPROVED SOLAR RETAILER The Clean Energy Council Solar PV Retailer Code of Conduct was set up to help consumers choose a retailer that has committed to offer a high level of quality and service Selecting an Approved Solar Retailer that has signed on to the code of conduct is one way to make sure you will be dealing with a company that prides itself on being an industry leader and will offer a five year whole of system warranty Companies that have signed on to the code can be identified by the Approved Retailer logo To see which companies have signed on to the code visit approvedsolarretailer com au CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL APPROVED Guide to installing solar PV for households 13 ACCREDITED INSTALLER John Solar Maa LIE Expiry DO 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 st
18. ate 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 Standards 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 Askto see the installer s accreditation ID card when they show up at your home Accreditation ID card Solar PV retailers can choose to sign on to the Clean Energy Council Solar PV 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 who has signed on to the code visit approvedsolarretailer com au SYSTEM DESIGN Your designer will tailor your
19. e most common form of solar system installed in Australia Most suburban homes in Australia are connected to the electricity grid which uses alternating current electricity AC The inverter converts the electricity generated by the solar system which is direct current DC into AC electricity so that the power generated is compatible with the grid and ordinary business needs Most houses with grid connect solar systems use solar power frst before tricity from the grid When t producing electricity is supplied from the NN Solar PV SN Modules Supply ing DC Power 1 electricity output DC GRID CONNECT WITH BATTERY BACK UP SOLAR PV SYSTEMS Grid connect PV systems with battery sometimes referred to as uninterrupted power supply or hybrid solar PV systems are becoming increasingly popular With solar customers in many states now receiving a low price for electricity sold backto the grid battery back up systems can be a viable alternative asthey use the electricity stored during the day to run your house at night They also have the advantage of being able to supply power during power outages Your home uses electricity firstly from the solar PV An inverter changing the solar DC power into 240V alternating modules with AC suitable for additional demand vour household supplied from the appliances and grid feeding into the grid KT 2 In
20. mers 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 The information provided in this guide was accurate at the time of publishing J une 2014 For more up to date information check with the relevant government or Guide to installing solar PV for households 25 regulatory body or speakto an Approved Solar Retailer CLEANENERGYCOUNCIL ORG AU
21. mpliance warranty information equipment manufacturer s documentation and handbooks for all equipment supplied a list of actions to be taken in the event of an earth fault alarm Guide to installing solar PV for households 19 k z ia 14 20 Guide to installing solar PV for households YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM THE GRID IS A TWO STEP PROCESS THAT INVOLVES making an application to connect your system priorto installation where required and a meter change reconfiguration and connection to the grid Your solar retailer will usually arrange connection of vour solar svstem to the network on vour behalf including preparing and submitting all relevant documentation required from the electricitv 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 charac
22. n so have government incentives A number of different factors affect payback periods and whether you should go solar The most benefit is gained by 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 gnd 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 PV 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 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 5 SOLAR 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 SOLAR PV SYSTEMS This is th
23. olar PV for households 7 CONTACT YOUR ELECTRICITY R BEFORE YOU AGREE TO PV SYSTEM iw w WW NOT ALL ELECTRICITV RETAILERS OFFER SOLAR FRIENDLY POLICIES SO IT IS BEST TO CHECK AND COMPARE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS BEFORE ENTERING INTO AN ELECTRICITY TRADING AGREEMENT QUESTIONS TO ASK VOUR ELECTRICITV RETAILER AFTER YOUR SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED MAKE SURE YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL REFLECTS THE CORRECT TARIFF FEED IN TARIFFS A feed in tariff isthe rate you are paid for electricity generated by your solar PV system that you export backto the grid Almost all feed in tariffs on offer are now net feed in tariffs This means that the electricitv produced vour solar panels will be used in vour home first and then anv extra electricitv will be exported to the grid Under a net feed in tariff vou money the electricitv that is exported to the grid The feed in tariffs offered differ from state to state and from retailer to retailer some states the government regulates a minimum rate and in other states it is up to vou to negotiate a deal with vour electricitv retailer Note that there is no state govemment regulated minimum retailer payment in New South Wales or south east Queensland It is worth shopping around to find out which electricity retailers offer better rates for solar customers The table on the following page shows the feed in tariffs introduced
24. or territory ACT Office of Fair Trading 02 6207 0400 NSW Fair Trading 13 32 20 NT Consumer Affairs 1800 019 319 Qld Office of Fair Trading 13 74 68 SA Consumer and Business Affairs 08 8204 9777 Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading 1300 654 499 Vic Consumer Affairs 1300 558 181 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 an accredited installer 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 orterritory ACT Planning and Land Authority 02 6207 1923 NSW Fair Trading 13 32 20 WorkSafe 1800 019 115 Qld Electrical Safety Office 07 3225 2000 SA Office of the Technical Regulator 08 8226 5518 Tas Office of Electricity Standards and Safety 03 6233 7851 Vic Energy Safe Victoria 03 9203 9700 WA EnergySafety 08 9422 5200 DID YOU BUY YOUR SYSTEM FROM A CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL APPROVED SOLAR RETAILER If you need to make a complaint against a company identifying itself as a Clean Energy Council Approved
25. solar PV system based on how much you want to spend or finance how much electricity you wish to offset and the physical properties of your premises They will help you establish your electrical loads over an average day using a load analysis determine the size of your solar PV system choose the type of panels and inverter establish the location of solar panels in relation to angles available sunlight shading and temperature As part of the 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 aggressive sales tactics one size fits all system designs over exaggerated claims of payback periods and system performance large inverters with small systems 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 receiving permission from your distributor and on Suitable PV panels still being available 14 Guide to installing solar PV for households QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SOLAR PV RETAILER WHAT SIZE SOLAR PV SYSTEM SHOULD I INSTALL The size of your solar PV system will depend on what portion of your electrical consumption you wish to generate
26. teristics of the local you are connecting to the technical requirements of your distnbutor may vary Make sure your solar PV 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 PV retailer will need to notify either your distributor or electricity retailer to organise a meter change reconfiguration M eter change reconfiguration is then 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 SAS 22 Guide to installing solar PV for households YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM HAS INSTALLED IT S TIME START SAVING MONEY ON YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE YOUR SYSTEM IS MAIN
27. uide only The actual price you are offered for a solar PV system may vary Figures are estimates based on market conditions as at 10 June 2014 Solar Choice as cited in Climate Spectator 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 Extra costs to be aware of that might not be included in your initial quote application to connect to the grid meter change or reconfiguration upgrades to your switchboard or cabling removal of trees or other shading site preparation needs for example condition of roof or ground d the upfront cost of you may be able to take financing options such as solar leasing If you take up a solar leasing plan in some cases the savings on your electricity bill will be more than the lease repayments and you Will save money as soon as the system is installed 4 Although the return on investment may be less than purchasing a whole system upfront with solar leasing there are advantages such as system maintenance being taken care of by the solar PV M retailer Before committing to a solar financing option ensure that you are fully aware of the cost of credit associat d with any contract where you w donot pay for your system upfront Also ensure FT that you are aware of any early exit penalti s e 1 T ol e s
28. verter Switchboard Celectricity to house 3 CI 5 STAND ALONE SOLAR PV SVSTEMS Stand alone svstems are not connected to the electricitv grid and tvpicallv are installed in remote areas where there is limited connection to the grid or areas of low electricitv demand Unlike their grid connected counterparts these svstems must have batteries or back up generation to provide supplv at night In many cases they will also include a diesel or petrol generator to supplement energy supply A meter Any excess is measuring exported back into your electricity the electricity production and network consumption Meter Electricity network grid Guide to installing solar PV for households 5 government incentives support schemes contractorinstallation costs typeand number of panels type size of inverter type of framing equipment and other system components height and accessibility of roof and whether it is tiled or metal or concrete any aftersales service agreements Keeping these variables in mind this table provides an approximate guide on the price range for grid connected solar PV systems in the major capital cities Govemment incentives are included in these figures Note that the market costs change quickly and so these numbers are illustrative only 2500 6500 3000 7500 4500 8000 6000 9500 7000 11 500 Please note these prices are a g

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