Solar PV Consumer Guide
Contents
1. If something goes wrong who is responsible for repair or replacement costs Who is responsible for maintaining the system If you are responsible what kind of training will the designer installer provide Will basic system safety issues be explained e Paperwork O Does the designer installer handle organising all the necessary metering changes Does the designer installer organise all the paperwork for your local electricity supplier to move you to a premium feed in tariff Does the designer installer handle all the REC paperwork for you 20 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council e References o Contact the designer installer s former customers to find out if the they were knowledgeable easy to work with and took the time to explain the systems operation Also find out if their systems are working well if there have been any problems and if so if they returned to fix them Ask for the designer installer business references and check them especially if the company s reputation is unknown e Quote o Does the price quoted include or exclude money received from RECs o Does the price quoted include all the necessary metering changes and paperwork for my local electricity supplier o Does the quote include all labour transportation and inspection charges o Does the designer installer give an2. 433 39 375 79 303 Standard export FiT FIT South FiTand FiT Net Mandatory 26c per kWh 30 613 148 609 297 604 Australia Premium export Queensland Solar Net Mandatory 44cperkWh 51 605 253 691 506 798 Bonus Export FiT Scheme Queensland Solar Net Mandatory 16c per kWh 18 573 92 530 184 476 Bonus Export FiT Voluntary Scheme Queensland Solar Net Mandatory 8c per kWh 9 564 46 484 92 384 Bonus Export FiT Scheme Western Horizon FiT Net Mandatory 50c per kWh 60 664 301 778 602 920 Australia REBs Export FiT Voluntary Western Synergy FiT Net Mandatory 25c per kWh 30 634 151 628 301 619 Australia REBs Export FiT Voluntary Western Renewable Net Mandatory 8c per kWh 10 614 51 528 101 419 Australia Energy Export FiT Buyback Scheme REBs Australian Net Net 1 1 Voluntary 18c per kWh 21 421 105 421 211 421 Capital metering FiT Territory Northern Gross Gross Voluntary 22c per kWh 523 523 523 523 523 523 Territory Generation Export FiT Rate Tasmania Net Net 1 1 Voluntary 25c per kWh 24 485 121 485 242 485 metering FIT New South Maximum Net Voluntary 13c per kWh 9 566 43 483 85 379 Wales Benchmark _ Export New South Minimum Net Voluntary 5c per kWh 5 563 27 467 53 347 Wales Benchmark Export This rate is now closed to new applicants Disclaimer The above table provides an indicative example of the value from exported and
3. accurate estimation of system production with their quotes e Payment Terms o What are the payment terms o Is there a deposit When is it required Is it refundable o Do you need to pay the whole amount or just the difference after the RECs and or Feed in Tariff e Time Frames o What is the lead time from your payment to getting electricity from your solar PV system e The Final Decision o By installing a solar PV system you need to take responsibility for it and learn the basic safe operation and proper maintenance of your systems You should think carefully before selecting a designer installer Online and mail order solar PV system suppliers who never visit your home may have difficulty recommending the most appropriate equipment A comprehensive on site solar and load analysis and two way interview can help ensure a thoughtfully designed and well planned installation What happens after my solar PV system has been installed Entering into agreement with your electricity retailer After your solar PV system has been installed and if you wish to opt in to a feed in tariff you will need to enter into an agreement with an electricity retailer Not all electricity retailers offer solar friendly policies so it is best to check and compare the following items prior to entering into an electricity trading agreement 21 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Clean Energy Council Consumer guide to bu
4. benefits During the design and specification stage your accredited designer will help you choose which type is the best to suit your needs 1 Mono Crystalline monocrystalline c Si These panels are a proven technology that has been in use for over 50 years They are commonly used where space is limited or where there are high costs associated with installing large panels They have a very slow degradation generally losing 0 25 0 5 per year 2 Poly Crystalline polycrystalline c Si These panels are similar to Mono Crystalline panels but the silicon used is Multi Crystalline which is easier to make They are comparable to Mono Crystalline in performance and durability Slightly more panels are required to produce a given amount of electricity 3 Thin Film Thin Film panels have been in commercial production for over ten years These panels are typically moderately larger than the other panel varieties In comparison with other panel types their efficiency does not drop significantly on hot days The most common varieties of Thin Film panels are e Cadmium Telluride Thin Film panels CdTe e Copper Indium Gallium Selenide Thin Film panels CIGS e Amorphous silicon Thin Film panels a Si 14 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council For more detailed information please visit the Desert K
5. buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council State and Territory Offices of Fair Trading Consumer Affairs If you have a complaint about a commercial matter you can contact the Office of Fair Trading sometimes called Consumer Affairs in your state or territory Examples of commercial complaints include e Disputes to do with price e Disputes over warranty e Disputes to do with the terms and conditions of the agreement with your electricity retailer e Disputes over the level of service provided by your designer installer e Disputes about the quality of work provided excluding safety issues e Disputes to do with the overselling of benefits The Office of Fair Trading can negotiate on your behalf and arrange mediation where necessary but it does not have the power to force your designer installer to fix the problem State Body Contact ACT Office of Fair Trading ACT 02 6207 0400 NSW Office of Fair Trading NSW 13 32 20 NT Consumer Affairs NT 1800 019 319 QLD Office of Fair Trading QLD 13 13 04 SA Consumer and Business Affairs SA 08 8204 9777 TAS Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading TAS 1300 65 44 99 VIC Consumer Affairs VIC 1300 55 8181 WA Consumer Protection WA 1300 304 054 Electrical Authorities If you have concerns about the safety and technical compliance of your solar PV system you can contact the electrical authority in your state or terri
6. if the company has gone out of business If the supplier has become insolvent and you are unable to contact the manufacturer you can lodge a complaint with the suppliers administrators You can find out if a company has become insolvent via the Australian Securities and Investments Commission website or by phoning 1300 300 630 Your local Office of Fair Trading 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 lodge a complaint with ASIC or by calling ASIC on 1300 300 630 27 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council Appendix 1 Clean Energy Council cleanenergycouncil org au cec resourcecentre Consumer Info connecting to the grid 2 Clean Energy Council solaraccreditation com au acccec approvedproducts 3 Clean Energy Regulator http ret cleanenergyregulator gov au 4 Clean Energy Regulator http ret cleanenergyregulator gov au sgu index 5 Clean Energy Regulator http ret cleanenergyregulator gov au 6 Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency www climatechange gov au government i
7. is important to install panels so they receive maximum sunlight Your accredited designer will calculate the amount of energy generated by the solar PV panel from the peak sun hours available Peak sun hours vary throughout the year Shading Dirt Solar PV panels should ideally be in full sun from at least 9am to 3pm They should not be placed in shaded areas and be kept free from dust and dirt Even a small amount of shade from things like trees roof ventilators or antennas will have a large impact on the output of a panel as it changes the flow of electricity through the panel Shading or dirt on just one of the cells in a solar panel results in a loss of power from many cells not just the one that is shaded Temperature The amount of electricity a solar PV panel can generate is reduced as temperatures increase Solar panels operate best at ambient temperatures up to 25 C However if the ambient temperature is higher the panel s output declines 15 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council What is an inverter What sort should I buy Solar PV panels produce low voltage DC electricity The inverter converts this into the AC electricity needed to supply power for standard appliances The efficiency of an inverter is measured by how well it converts the DC electricity into AC electricity This usually range
8. modules e mounting frames e structure e inverter e any additional metering e data logging e travel and transport requirements e other equipment needed e any trench digging e asystem user manual The quotation should also specify a total price together with proposed start and completion dates The quotation should form a basis for your contract with the designer installer In addition a contract for the supply and installation of the power system should be included with the quotation The contract should include e an estimate of the average daily electricity output in kWh e the estimated annual production e the estimated production in the best and worst months e the responsibilities of each party e warranties and guarantees including installer workmanship schedule of deposit and progress payments e whois responsible for connecting your solar PV system to the electricity grid e who responsible for your meter changeover e whois responsible for organising you to move to a premium feed in tariff e how you will receive your REC s and or Solar Credits 18 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household amare solar panels photovoltaic panels Questions to ask your designer installer When signing a contract with your designer installer you need to be informed Important questions to ask include e Accreditation o Is the designer accredited o Is the ins
9. offset energy that could be expected in average conditions based on average rates for the Average Australian house Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photoyoltz ic panels 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household nA A solar panels photovoltaic panels Solar generation statistics are in accordance with Clean Energy Council estimates for the regions described but can be expected to vary depending on your precise location and situation Feed in tariffs are in accordance with latest published data as at August 2012 from various providers Please note that some electricity providers may provide more or less than the rates described in the table Flectricity offset savings are based on 2012 2013 price data from the Australian Energy Market Commission AEMO or State bodies where significant variations to rates occurred subsequent to the publication of the AAMC report Please note that a significant and constantly changing variety of offers for electricity prices exists and may affect the outcomes represented in the table All electricity rates exclude GST and daily charges which will have an impact on the outcomes Household energy consumption is based on the Average Australian level of 17kWh day based on the AEMC report Please note that many of the schemes described have caps end dates and or are subject to change and as such you will need to check on the availability of these offers when
10. panels Grid connected solar PV systems Most suburban homes in Australia are connected to the electricity grid which uses alternating current electricity AC But the electricity generated by solar panels is direct current DC That means grid connected GC solar PV systems need an inverter to transform the DC electricity into AC electricity suitable for ordinary household needs Houses with solar systems use solar power first before sourcing electricity from the grid When the panels are not producing electricity at night electricity is supplied from the existing electricity grid For systems with a battery backup optional the inverter regulates the charge of batteries The electricity stored in the batteries can be used at night or during blackouts Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Clean Energy Council Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels How much power do they generate The output of a solar PV system depends on its size The most common household systems are either 1 kilowatt kW or 1 5 kilowatts although some property owners have installed systems of up to 10 kilowatts The table below shows the average daily production of some common grid connected systems throughout Australia Data Source PV GC spreadsheet based on the CEC GC Design Guidelines Average daily production 1 kW system 1 5 kW 2 0 kW system 3 0 k
11. you apply It is also important to note that some electricity retailers may depending on the tariff structure you are on offer higher or lower rates for solar energy you produce to offset your bill and or export to the grid In States where solar offers are voluntary there is no obligation to provide a solar offer although in most cases offers do exist and those represented on the table are indicative of common rates Some States have offers that are a combination of voluntary and mandatory rates Eligibility rules apply in virtually all circumstances and you will therefore need to ensure you are eligible before proceeding Please note that whilst we have endeavoured to provide a sound indication of typical situations around Australia your individual situation is likely to differ from these and you should consult with your electricity and service providers to ascertain your particular outcome These rates are residential offers only and do not relate to offers available for commercial customers For more information on feed in tariffs contact your relevant state government department State Government Departments SEG Department Contact ACT Department of Environment Climate Change Energy amp Water 13 22 81 NSW Department of Industry amp Investment 1300 136 888 NT Department of the Chief Minister 08 8999 5511 QLD Office of Clean Energy 13 25 23 SA Sustainability amp Climate Change 08 8204 2999 TAS De
12. you use all of the energy you generate it will be offset against your normal electricity bill Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council Under a gross feed in tariff you get paid for every unit of electricity generated by your solar panels regardless of whether it goes into the grid or is used by your household You need to apply to your electricity retailer to receive the feed in tariff When signing an agreement with your electricity retailer you need to be informed In particular you should check with your electricity retailer about any tariff changes that will occur as a result of installing solar and carefully weigh up the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision This should be considered before you install tariff changes Important questions to ask about your feed in tariff agreement include e What price will they pay you for your electricity in cents per kWh e What is the cost of the electricity you purchase from them in cents per kWh e Will you lose your lower off peak rates by moving onto a higher Time of Use TOU tariff e What will be the form of payment for electricity you produce It is likely you will receive the feed in tariffs you earn by default as a credit on your electricity bill rather than cash e What will be the form of payment for surplus electricity you produce Will it be cas
13. V panel system most consumers take this option or 2 Create the STCs yourself by finding a buyer and then selling and transferring them in the Renewable Energy Certificate REC Registry For a list of registered agents contact the Clean Energy Regulator STCs may be created for solar PV systems in batches of either one five or 15 year deeming periods At the beginning of each successive one or five year deeming period the Regulator from the Clean Energy Regulator must be satisfied that your solar PV system is still installed and is likely to remain functional for the next deeming period In order to claim STCs for the full 15 year deeming period upfront which is the most common option your designer installer must be accredited by the Clean Energy Council More information is available in the RET process for Owners of Small Generation Units SGUs guide published by the Clean Energy Regulator click here4 The level of subsidy will depend on a number of factors including the location also known as the zone of the solar PV system the size of the system and the price of STCs at the time the system was installed The Australian Government has capped the price of STCs at 40 but the actual value of an STC varies from day to day STCs are traded on the STC market meaning the price will vary according to supply and demand Over the past year the price of STCs has ranged between Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil o
14. W system 4 0 kW system system Adelaide 4 2 kWh 6 3 kWh 8 4 kWh 12 6 kWh 16 8 kWh Alice 5 0 kWh 7 5 kWh 10 0 kWh 15 0 kWh 20 0 kWh Springs Brisbane 4 2 kWh 6 3 kWh 8 4 kWh 12 6 kWh 16 8 kWh Cairns 4 2 kWh 6 3 kWh 8 4 kWh 12 6 kWh 16 8 kWh Canberra 4 3 kWh 6 45 kWh 8 6 kWh 12 9 kWh 17 2 kWh Darwin 4 4 kWh 6 6 kWh 8 8 kWh 13 2 kWh 17 6 kWh Hobart 3 5 kWh 5 25 kWh 7 0 kWh 10 5 kWh 14 0 kWh Melbourne 3 6 kWh 5 4 kWh 7 2 kWh 10 8 kWh 14 4 kWh Perth 4 4 kWh 6 6 kWh 8 8 kWh 13 2 kWh 17 6 kWh Sydney 3 9 kWh 5 85 kWh 7 8 kWh 11 7 kWh 15 6 kWh The rated output is that achieved in perfect laboratory conditions The CEC design summary software takes these deratings into account when predicting average for any given system A typical Australian house consumes around 18 kilowatt hours kWh per day so a 1 2kW system displaces an average of 25 40 of your average electricity bill Solar panels produce more energy in summer than they do in winter Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council How much do solar panels cost The cost of solar panels has continued to change over the past decade behind different government incentive schemes and increased diversity in the panels inverters and suppliers on the market Being an informed consumer is increasingly important Similar to buying a car ora computer you ll want to be sure
15. abilities So if your new meter is an interval meter it will need to be replaced again with a smart meter when this rollout occurs Depending on where you live your interval meter may be a gross meter or a net meter If you are on a gross feed in tariff scheme your gross meter separately measures the total electricity consumed by your household and the total electricity generated by your solar PV system Your electricity company reads the meter and determines the total amount of electricity generated by your solar panels regardless of whether it goes into the grid or is used by your household If you are on a net feed in tariff scheme your net meter measures your household s electricity and the electricity generated by your solar PV system together Your electricity company reads the meter and calculates any surplus electricity fed back into the grid Your new meter must be installed by a relevant qualified professional This may be organised by your accredited designer installer or your electricity retailer or electricity distributor 16 Ask to find out who will organise this for you Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council The installation of a new meter may affect your electricity billing rates e The new meters are provided by your electricity distributor The cost of this is passed from the electricity distributo
16. apacity see Small scale Technology Certificates Level of financial support table on page 8 Under the solar credits multiplier the first 1 5 kW is multiplied by 2 31 x 2 62 and then an additional 31 STC s is given for the remaining 1 5kW capacity 62 31 93 The table below shows the level of financial support that you would receive for installing a 3kW system using the current approximate STC price of 32 both with and without the solar credit multiplier Approximate level of support for 3kW system 2 x Solar Credits multiplier No Solar Credits multiplier systems installed up to 31 systems installed from 1 January December 2012 2013 STCs Approximate STCs Approximate support support Adelaide 93 2976 62 1984 Brisbane 93 2976 62 1984 Canberra 93 2976 62 1984 Darwin 103 3296 69 2208 Hobart 79 2528 53 1696 Melbourne 79 2528 53 1696 Perth 93 2976 62 1984 Sydney 93 2976 62 1984 Source Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency 7 Based on the STC price of 32 as at December 2012 Feed in tariffs Several states have introduced or are in the process of introducing feed in tariffs A feed in tariff pays you for electricity generated by your solar PV system Under a net feed in tariff a premium is paid for any solar energy that goes back into the grid from your house So if you have surplus energy generated by your solar panels you get paid for it and if
17. consumer guide Clean Energy Council Household use of solar photovoltaic PV panel systems has grown significantly in Australia this decade behind increased awareness of the risk of dangerous climate change the reduced cost of systems and a range of government incentives to encourage use of the technology Solar power systems are now an affordable option for Australian households looking to reduce their power bills and generate their own clean electricity With the increased range of products and suppliers on the market being an informed consumer has never been more important This guide provides an introduction to solar PV systems so you are better equipped to make choices about a product that is right for you Towards the back of the guide there are a series of questions you can ask your installer electricity retailer and distributor to ensure you have all the information you need to make smart decisions This guide is intended for people who will be connecting their system to the electricity grid Volume 21 19 December 2012 cleanenergycouncil org au Contents Clean Energy Council Installation checklist 2 How does solar PV work 3 How much power do systems generate 4 How much do solar panels cost 5 Australian Standards 6 Warranties and guarantees 6 What government schemes are in place to lower the cost of purchasing a solar PV system 7 Small scale Technology Certificates STCs 7 Solar Credits 8 Feed in Tar
18. ed in these figures Estimated system price System size Estimated price range 1 5 kW 2500 6000 2 kW 3000 7000 3 kW 5000 9000 4 kW 7000 12 000 Please note these prices are a guide only the actual price you are offered for a solar PV system may vary Figures are estimates based on market conditions as at June 2012 and may change due to changed market settings Prices are inclusive of GST Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household aea solar panels photovoltaic panels Australian Standards It is important you ask your accredited installer to provide proof that your panels meet Australian standards The Clean Energy Council has a frequently updated list of all solar panel and inverter models that meet Australian standards To see the list please click here gt Solar PV systems must also comply with The CEC Design and Installation Guidelines Warranties and guarantees Solar PV panels generally come with a performance warranty that can last up to 25 years and a guarantee lasting five to ten years Additionally panel material warranties and workmanship guarantees generally span 5 10 years It is important to know who is providing the warranty the manufacturer or the importer In the absence of a manufacturer the importer is responsible for the warranty However if the importer changes their business name or sells their business th
19. eir warranty obligations towards you cease Ask your installer who is providing the warranty A system manual that provides operation maintenance and safety information should be provided by your installer This must also include a system energy output kWh estimate It is important to ensure you obtain written confirmation of statements made by your installer including performance claims guarantees and warranties Documentation will be essential if you need to make warranty or insurance claims What should do if a product is faulty while still under warranty The Clean Energy Council deals with complaints involving a breach of the Clean Energy Council accreditation guidelines accreditation Code of Conduct or relevant Australia Standards However we are not empowered to handle issues of a commercial nature such as warranties As of 1 January 2012 the new Australian Consumer Law came into effect which creates a range of new protections for consumers in relation to warranties and faults To find out more about whether your solar installation is covered by the provisions of the new law you should visit their website www consumerlaw gov au Failing that should you have an issue with any solar PV product whilst under warranty you should first contact the supplier in order to have the product replaced or repaired If you are unable to contact the supplier you should contact the manufacturer Contact details should be provided on the warra
20. erritories Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Clean Energy Council How does solar PV work Solar Photovoltaic PV panels are generally fitted on the roof in a northerly direction and at an angle to maximise the amount of sunlight that hits the panels Solar PV panels on the roofs of homes and businesses generate clean electricity by converting the energy in sunlight This conversion takes place within modules of specially fabricated materials that make up the solar panels It is a relatively simple process that requires no moving parts In most cases solar panels are connected to the mains power supply through a device called an inverter Solar panels are different to solar hot water systems which are also mounted on household roof tops but use the heat from the sun to provide hot water for household uses The technology to convert sunlight into electricity was developed in the 19th century but it was only in the second half of the 20th century that development accelerated behind the need to provide reliable supplies of electricity in remote locations from satellites in space to outback Australia Solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of houses and other buildings in Australia since the 1970s Currently there are more than 600 000 solar panel systems safely and reliably delivering clean electricity across Australia Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic
21. example this may involve e Faulty or poor workmanship such as incorrect wiring incorrect labeling or damage to your house during installation e Use of modules and inverters that do not meet the Australian Standards It does not extend to include Solar PV retailers It only applies to individual tradespeople who hold a Clean Energy Council Solar PV Accreditation If you have a complaint of this nature the Clean Energy Council will require you to provide the following information via the Clean Energy Council online dispute form22 e Full contact details of all involved parties e Adescription of the problem that has led to dispute e Allrelevant information on any dispute e Any actions taken to resolve the dispute e Full detail of all interaction with the accredited person The Clean Energy Council may decide to appoint an investigator Where the dispute cannot be immediately resolved a tribunal will be established to determine the appropriate actions required to deal with all issues to the satisfaction of the parties involved The Tribunal may decide to 1 Downgrade or extend the designer installer s accreditation to provisional or 2 Suspend the designer installer s accreditation or 3 Put the designer installer on a year s probation or 4 Cancel the designer installer s accreditation either for a specified period or for life 24 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to
22. h cheque or EFT on request Other important questions to ask when signing an agreement with your electricity retailer are discussed in further detail later in this document The table below shows the feed in tariffs introduced or in the process of being introduced in the various states and the savings that could be made on a 1 5 kW system These savings are an estimate only and may vary depending on the size of your solar PV system the products used location of the system and how much electricity your household consumes The actual savings you make may also vary depending on the electricity retailer you are with For a more accurate estimate your accredited designer installer will be able to calculate your potential savings as part of their load analysis 10 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council ___ 1 5 kW system under the feed in tariff schemes Location Scheme Scheme Scheme 2012 2013 Based on 5 of Based on 25 of Based on 50 of name type nature scheme rate electricity being electricity being electricity being fed into the grid fed into the grid fed into the grid Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual FiT FiT amp FiT FiT amp FiT FiT amp value offset value offset value offset value value value Victoria New Net Mandatory 8c per kWh 8
23. iffs 9 What does the design and specification of my system involve 13 What size panels should I buy 13 What sort of panels should I buy 14 What angle should the panels be on 15 Shading Dirt 15 Temperature 15 What is an inverter What sort should I buy 16 What will happen to my meter at home 16 Quotation Contract 18 Questions to ask your designer installer 19 What happens after my solar PV system has been installed 21 Questions to ask your electricity retailer 22 Questions to ask your electricity distributor 23 Safety inspections 23 Dispute resolution 24 What should do if the company has gone out of business 27 Appendix 28 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council Installation checklist A step by step process to having your solar PV system installed 1 10 11 12 NB You conduct your own research into the benefits of having a solar PV system installed In particular you should ensure that you understand what will happen to your meter your electricity tariff and your electricity bill before you agree to have a PV system installed You contact several CEC accredited designers installers to arrange for a quote A list of CEC accredited designers installers in your area can be found at solaraccreditation com au By asking informed questions see Questions to ask your Designer Installer y
24. kW x Deeming Period 15 years Total STC Entitlement Figures based on the 32 STC rate as at December 2012 This is an approximate rate and the STC price will vary For more information contact the Clean Energy Regulator 5 Solar Credits As of 1 January 2013 this section is only relevant for customers who meet the requirements as outlined below Only solar PV systems installed prior to 1 January 2013 are eligible to receive the solar credit multiplier If an agreement was entered into prior to 16 November 2012 you have until 30 June 2013 for your system to be installed and still receive the solar credit multiplier Further details on solar credits can be found on the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency website The Australian Government sets the level of the solar credits multiplier and reduces it over time reflecting reductions in the costs of rooftop solar panels Changes are shown in the table below Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household Canine solar panels photovoltaic panels Multiplier for certificates for small generation units Installation period Number of multipliers 9 June 2009 to 30 June 2010 5x 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 5x 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 3x 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2012 2x 1 January 2013 onwards 1 ie no multiplier For example Adelaide has an STC entitlement of 31 STCs for 1 5kW c
25. m will depend on e the physical unshaded area available for the installation of your panels e how much you are prepared to spend e what portion of your electrical consumption you wish to generate To work out what size solar PV system you require you need to analyse your household s daily electricity consumption Your monthly or quarterly electricity bill measures your household s electricity consumption in kilowatt hours From this figure you can calculate your average daily electricity consumption and the average amount of electricity your solar PV system needs to produce to cover your electricity needs This process will be completed by your accredited designer during the design and specification stage as part of their load analysis What size panels should I buy Solar PV panels come in different wattages The main issues are your budget and whether the solar panels will physically fit in the space you want to install them Each solar panel is approximately 1 6 metres long and 0 8 metres wide A 1kW solar panel system will require around 8 10m2 of roof space and a 1 5kW solar panel system requires 13 around 12 m2 This will vary depending on the type of panel installed on your roof Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household COU solar panels photovoltaic panels What sort of panels should I buy There are three main types of solar panel available each with their own
26. n the smart meter rollout occurs o Will your new meter continue to measure off peak power use o Is your new meter a gross meter or a net meter o What is the cost of your meter Is it supplied free of charge Is there an upfront cost Is the cost recovered through increased network charges on your monthly electricity bill o What is the cost of installing your meter 22 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council Questions to ask your Electricity Distributor e Do you organise all the necessary metering changes e ls your new meter an interval meter or a smart meter If it is an interval meter it will need to be replaced with a smart meter when the rollout occurs e Can you have a smart meter rather than an interval meter installed to avoid unnecessary meter exchange costs when the smart meter rollout occurs e Will your new meter continue to measure off peak power use e Is your new meter a gross meter or a net meter e What is the cost of your meter o Is it supplied free of charge o Is there an upfront cost o Is the cost recovered through increased network charges on your monthly electricity bill Safety Inspections Following the installation of your solar PV system safety inspections may be carried out by your relevant electrical authority Depending on which State you live in these inspecti
27. nitiatives renewable target need ret solar credits faq aspx 7 Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency www climatechange gov au government initiatives renewable target fs2 solar credits small scale aspx 8 Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre www dkasolarcentre com au 9 Clean Energy Council solaraccreditation com au acccec approvedproducts inverters 10 Clean Energy Council solaraccreditation com au consumers complaints dispute form 11 Australian Securities and Investments Commission www search asic gov au gns001 html 28 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au
28. nowledge Australia Solar Centre at www dkasolarcentre com au The Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre is a live research facility run by Desert Knowledge Australia that tests the performance of different types of solar panels according to type and installation including those mentioned above What angle should the solar panels be on Solar PV panels produce most power when they are pointed directly at the sun In Australia solar modules should face north for optimum electricity production The orientation of the panels will often have a greater effect on annual energy production than the angle they are tilted at A minimum tilt of 10 is recommended to ensure self cleaning by rainfall For grid connected solar PV power systems the solar panels should be positioned at the angle of latitude to maximise the amount of energy produced annually Most Australian homes have a roof pitch of 20 to 30 If your roof s slope is not ideal your accredited designer can create an appropriate mounting frame to correct the orientation and elevation of your panel Failing this the designer can advise you on the difference in energy output for different tilt and orientation How much sunlight should the panels receive The amount of energy in sunlight that a solar PV panel receives over a day is expressed in peak sun hours As the amount of energy generated by a panel is directly proportional to the amount of energy it receives from sunlight it
29. nty documentation If this is unsuccessful you will need to lodge a complaint with the relevant Fair Trading office sometimes called Consumer Affairs in your state or territory see list of contact details on page 24 The Office of Fair Trading can negotiate on your behalf and arrange mediation where necessary Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household eee solar panels photovoltaic panels What government schemes are in place to lower the cost of purchasing a solar PV system There are currently three types of financial assistance offered for solar PV systems in Australia e Small scale Technology Certificates STCs e Solar Credits e Feed in tariffs Small scale Technology Certificates STCs Small scale Technology Certificates STCs are an electronic form of currency created by the Renewable Energy Electricity Act 2000 also known as the RET scheme One STC is equivalent to one megawatt hour of electricity generated by your solar PV power system The price of STCs changes according to market conditions As an owner of a solar PV power system you can register sell trade or surrender STCs for systems up to 100kW 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 financial benefit which may be in the form of a delayed cash payment or upfront discount on your solar P
30. on the Clean Energy Council website to confirm 19 solaraccreditation com au Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Clean Energy Council Q O Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Do some research on the other balance of system components that your designer installer suggests such as the mounting hardware Do the products meet industry standards If you know of other people who have used these products ask for their feedback Are they satisfied Have they had problems e Warranties O O O What kinds of warranties come with the products Which warranties are your responsibility and which are the manufacturer s How long have the equipment manufacturers been in the PV industry Long warranties are meaningless if the manufacturers aren t around in five years If you have to deal with the panel or inverter manufacturer in the future do they have an Australian office e Service Agreements amp Performance Guarantees O O O What performance guarantees do you get for the system as a whole How will you know if your system is performing to its maximum potential on a day to day basis Does the designer installer provide some kind of optional service agreement If problems arise with your system what services will the designer installer provide and for how long Will the designer installer be readily available to troubleshoot and fix problems
31. ons may be mandatory or may occur ona random audit basis It is the responsibility of either your installer or your relevant electrical authority to organise these inspections if applicable in your state For more information please contact your relevant electrical authority from the table below The Clean Energy Council the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the Clean Energy Regulator also conduct its own inspection program This applies to installations completed by accredited designers and installers It occurs on a random basis and aims to ensure that solar PV systems meet the Australian Standards and Accreditation Guidelines Electrical Authorities Responsible Authority Contact ACT ACT Planning and Land Authority 02 6207 1923 VIC Energy Safe Victoria 03 9203 9700 TAS Office of Electricity Standards and Safety 03 6233 7851 SA Office of the Technical Regulator 08 8226 5500 QLD Electrical Safety Office 07 3225 2000 NT NT Worksafe 1800 019 115 NSW Office of Fair Trading 13 32 20 WA Energy Safe WA 08 9422 5200 23 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council Dispute resolution Clean Energy Council The Clean Energy Council deals with complaints involving a breach of the Accreditation Rules Accreditation Code of Conduct or relevant Australia Standards For
32. ou then select a CEC accredited designer installer The CEC accredited designer installer designs a PV system to meet your requirements see What does the Design and Specification of my Solar PV System involve You or the CEC accredited designer installer apply for any applicable rebates see What government schemes are in place to lower of cost of purchasing a solar PV system You or your designer installer complete the connection and approval process for your electricity retailer and electricity distributor This process varies between states and territories see Flowcharts for the Connection Procedures of each State and Territory at cleanenergycouncil org au The CEC accredited Designer Installer completes the installation of your solar PV system The designer installer contacts your electricity retailer or electricity distributor to arrange for your new meter to be installed see Questions to ask your Electricity Retailer or Questions to ask your Electricity Distributor An appropriate qualified professional installs your new meter Your solar PV system is now ready to produce electricity You enter a Feed in Tariff Agreement with your Electricity Retailer see Questions to ask your Electricity Retailer Depending on which state you live in your local electrical authority may conduct a safety inspection of your solar PV system Please note this process may vary slightly between the states and t
33. partment of Infrastructure Energy amp Resources 1300 135 513 VIC Department of Primary Industries 136 186 WA Office of Energy 08 9420 5600 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au 12 Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council What does the design and specification of my Solar PV System involve Accredited Designers Installers To be eligible for government rebates 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 e have undergone the necessary professional training e follow industry best practice e adhere to Australian standards e routinely update their skills and product knowledge For a list of accredited professionals please see solaraccreditation com au An accredited designer installer will provide you with a solar PV system design and specification This will include things such as e establishing your electrical loads over an average day using a load analysis e determining the type of panels e determining the size of your solar PV system e deciding the type of inverter e establishing the location of solar panels in relation to angles available sunlight shading and temperature What size solar PV system should install The size of your solar PV syste
34. r to your electricity retailer Generally this cost is recovered by your electricity retailer through increased network charges on your monthly electricity bill e You may move from an off peak tariff to a time of use TOU tariff A TOU tariff is a pricing structure that changes depending on the time of day you consume power In peak demand periods day charges will be higher than consumption during lower demand periods night So while electricity is most expensive during the day this will be offset by your solar PV system producing energy during this time also e If you move from an off peak tariff to a time of use TOU tariff this will particularly affect your dedicated off peak loads such as hot water space heating and air conditioning You should check with your electricity retailer about any tariff changes that will occur as a result of installing solar and carefully weigh up the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision This should be considered before your install your solar PV panels 17 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council Quotation Contract Following the design and specification you may request a quotation for the design and installation of the system The quotation could provide specifications quantity size capacity and output for the major components including e solar PV
35. rates Court Minor Civil Claims Division Any dispute claiming 5000 or TAS less 03 6233 3623 Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal No limit to the amount you may VIC claim 03 9628 9830 WA Magistrates Court 08 9425 2222 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council Industry Ombudsman If you have a complaint about your electricity retailer or electricity distributor you can contact the Energy Ombudsman in your state or territory For example the Energy Ombudsman may be able to help if your complaint is about e The provision and supply of electricity e Failure to provide or supply electricity services e Quality of electricity supply e Billing e Credit and payment services e Electricity disconnections e Connection or transfer issues e Actions of a supplier which affect your property e Metering not working e Billing unfair State Body Contact Essential Services Consumer ACT Council 02 6207 7740 Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW NSW 1800 24 65 45 Ombudsman for the Northern NT Territory 1800 80 63 80 QLD Energy Ombudsman QLD 1800 662 837 Energy Industry Ombudsman SA SA 1800 66 55 65 TAS Energy Ombudsman Tasmania 1300 76 67 25 Energy and Water Ombudsman VIC Victoria 1800 50 05 09 Energy Ombudsman Western WA Australia 1800 75 40 04 What should I do
36. rg au Consumer guide to buying household me solar panels photovoltaic panels Clean Energy Council around 25 to 35 The Clean Energy Council website displays a current STC price on the homepage at cleanenergycouncil org au Australia is divided up into various zones based on how much renewable energy can be generated by a solar panel in a given area So the same sized system installed in Melbourne or Hobart Zone 4 receives fewer STCs than those installed in Sydney Zone 3 or Darwin Zone 2 because Melbourne and Hobart have less sunshine so less solar energy is produced The table below shows the level of financial support available from STCs on solar PV systems in the major capital cities of Australia Small scale Technology Certificates Level of financial support Zone Rating System Deeming Period Total STC Total Subsidy Size Entitlement Adelaide 3 1 382 x1 5kW x15 years 31 992 31 STCs x 32 Brisbane 3 1 382 x1 5kW x15 years 31 992 31 STCs x 32 Canberra 3 1 382 x1 5kW x15 years 31 992 31 STCs x 32 Darwin 2 1 536 x1 5kW x15 years 34 1088 34 STCs x 32 Hobart 4 1 185 x1 5 kW x15 years 26 832 26 STCs x 32 Melbourne 4 1 185 x1 5kW x15 years 26 832 26STCsx 32 Perth 3 1 382 x1 5kW x15 years 31 992 31 STCs x 32 Sydney 3 1 382 x1 5 kW x15 years 31 992 31 STCs x 32 Zone Rating x Rated Power Output 1 5
37. s from 95 to 97 5 for most models Check the inverter s specifications before you purchase Inverters are sized according to the power watts they can supply Australian Standards It is important to ensure that your grid connect inverter complies with Australian Standards This is required to be eligible for the REC s and Solar Credits Ask your accredited installer to provide proof that your inverter meets Australian standards The Clean Energy Council has published a list of all grid connect inverters that meet Australian standards To see the list click here Manufacturer guarantees range from 5 to 15 years What will happen to my meter at home When your solar PV system is installed you may need to have a new meter installed If you have a traditional accumulation meter with a spinning disk this will need to be replaced with an interval meter or smart meter This is because an accumulation meter does not record the energy you export to the grid or the electricity you import from the grid An interval meter or a smart meter provide half hourly readings of the electricity you consume and the surplus electricity you generate The states and territories have committed to the progressive rollout of smart metering across Australia from 2007 While a smart meter is similar to an interval meter in that it records electricity usage in 30 minute intervals remotely to your electricity company smart meters have a range of additional cap
38. taller accredited o What are their accreditation numbers Ask to see their accreditation photo ID card O A0000001 ACCREDITED John Citizen o Will your system be designed and installed by an accredited individual o Check the list of accredited installers on the Clean Energy Council website to confirm solaraccreditation com au o Contact the designer installer s former customers to find out if they were knowledgeable easy to work with and took the time to explain the systems operation Also find out if their systems are working well if there have been any problems and if so if they returned to fix them Ask for the designer installer business references and check them especially if the company s reputation is unknown e Experience o How many systems has the designer installer completed o How many systems similar to your system has the designer installer completed o When was the last time the designer installer completed a system New products are constantly entering the market A designer installer who has completed several recent installations will probably be up to date on the newest products and the latest regulatory issues e Quality of Products Australian Standards o Do the modules you use meet the Australian Standards Check the Module List on the Clean Energy Council website to confirm solaraccreditation com au o Do the inverters you use meet the Australian Standards Check the Inverter List
39. that your system is a sound investment that best meets your needs at a reasonable price It is important to be clear on what you want from your solar PV system Are you after a system that will partially offset your energy consumption for 5 10 years before requiring a system upgrade Or do you want a system that will completely offset your household s electricity use for the next 25 years Like buying a second hand car as opposed to a brand new sports car these two solar PV systems are both sound investments depending on your needs but will vary significantly in price The price of your solar PV system can also be affected by variables including e Government rebates and support e Removal of trees or other shading schemes these vary in each state e Type of roofing for example tiled e Location or tin e Number of panels e Height of roof e Orientation of panels e Site preparation needs for e Type of panels example condition of roof or e Type of inverter ground e System design and configuration e Structural engineering e Shipping costs for equipment and architectural and other parts professional services e Contractor installation costs for commercial systems Keeping in mind the variables mentioned above the table below shows an approximate guide on price range for grid connected solar PV systems in the major capital cities Government rebates such as Renewable Energy Certificates Solar Credits and Feed in Tariffs are includ
40. tory who may arrange for your solar panel system to be inspected SEG Body Contact ACT Planning and Land ACT Authority 02 6207 1923 VIC Energy Safe Victoria 03 9203 9700 Office of Electricity Standards TAS and Safety 03 6233 7851 SA Office of the Technical Regulator 08 8226 5518 QLD Electrical Safety Office 07 3225 2000 NT NT Worksafe 1800 019 115 NSW Office of Fair Trading 13 32 20 WA Energy Safe WA 08 9422 5200 25 Volume 21 19 December 2012 visit cleanenergycouncil org au Consumer guide to buying household amare solar panels photovoltaic panels Small claims courts and tribunals If you have been unable to resolve your dispute to your satisfaction with assistance from either the Clean Energy Council or the Office of Fair Trading you can take your complaint to the appropriate Small Claims Tribunal or Court in your state or territory You should seek independent legal advice about whether this option is available and suits your circumstances State Responsible Authority Contact ACT Small Claims Court 02 6217 4272 Consumer Trader amp Tenancy NSW Tribunal CTTT 1300 135 399 Local Court Small Claims Division Limit is 5 000 and claims must be lodged within 2 years of the NT event 08 8999 6298 Small Claims Tribunal The limit on small claims is QLD 7 500 07 3247 4578 Magistrates Court Small Claims Deals with disputes of up to SA 5 000 08 8204 2444 Magist
41. ying household solar panels photovoltaic panels Questions to ask your electricity retailer What price will they pay you for your electricity in cents per kWh What is the cost of the electricity you purchase from them in cents per kWh Will lose my off peak rates once my meter has been changed Will this be replaced with a time of use TOU tariff Are you signed onto a premium feed in tariff rate or a standard feed in tariff rate If your electricity retailer signs you up to a standard feed in tariff agreement you will receive less money for the excess electricity you feed back into the grid What will be the form of payment for electricity you produce It is likely you will receive the feed in tariff s you earn by default as a credit on your electricity bill rather than cash What will be the form of payment for surplus electricity you produce Will it be cash cheque or EFT on request Penalty clauses termination costs Billing payment periods Are there any other administration fees Do you organise all the necessary metering changes If no refer to Questions to ask your Electricity Distributor below If yes the following questions apply o Is your new meter an interval meter or a smart meter If it is an interval meter it will need to be replaced with a smart meter when the rollout occurs o Can you have a smart meter rather than an interval meter installed to avoid unnecessary meter exchange costs whe
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