How solar power works
You already know that investing in a solar and battery system, or adding a battery, will add value to your property – but do you know how it all works?
If you want to learn more about how solar energy functions, and how each component of a greener energy solution fits together, then watch this video for a brief explanation.
The solar basics
Solar panels
After sunlight strikes solar panels and positively charges the silicon atoms inside the panel cells, electricity is produced. The direct current (DC) electricity is used to transport the positively charged atoms into the inverter.
Solar inverters
The primary function of the inverter is to transform the DC electricity obtained from the solar panels, into alternating current (AC) electricity. For the electricity to be used in your home in the same way that power from the grid is used, it must go through this conversion. The inverter also sends any extra energy back into the grid, if you don’t have a solar battery storage system.
Solar batteries
One or more batteries and inverters are typically found in solar power storage systems. The purpose of a battery storage system is to store excess energy for use on days when demand is higher. A solar battery will continue to be full until the power is totally depleted, just like a car battery. As more power is generated, the excess goes into the battery until it is full, then it’s drawn on, refilled and so on.
Solar feed-in tariff
Once you have a residential home solar system installed, you need to understand what a solar feed-in tariff is and how it works. We’ve created a quick guide that breaks down what a solar feed-in tariff is and how they work. In addition, we also briefly discuss how you can pay off your solar panels sooner.
FAQs about how solar works
View all FAQ’s
The small-scale technology certificates (STC) scheme is a Government incentive that help to reduce the upfront cost of installing your solar system. The value of STCs that your system can receive will differ depending on your system’s size and location, and is calculated from the amount of renewable electricity that the system you install produces or replaces.
It is available to all Australians, but to be eligible for STCs, your solar system must be installed by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer.
This calculator can help you to estimate the number of STCs that could be created.
Please note that when you receive a quote from Nectr, your STCs will have already been factored into the cost.
The amount of money you save will depend largely on the amount of electricity you currently use, as well as the size and capacity of the solar system that you install and how much energy your solar produces. You can request a call from one of our solar experts, who will take the time to understand your needs, and can then recommend the ideal solar system to maximise your savings.
The cost of your solar system will depend on factors such as the size of your home, the amount of solar panels you install, and the kind of inverter you use.
To learn how little a solar power system could cost you, get in touch with Nectr by visiting the Nectr website. Our team of solar experts will guide you in selecting the right system for your premises and budget, while also helping you to understand the return on your investment.
If you have solar panels installed and your home generates more solar power than your home uses, you can save money on your electricity bills – or even make money – by sending the leftover solar power back into the grid.
A feed-in tariff (FiT) also known as a buy-back rate, is usually a set rate per kilowatt hour, that is paid as a credit on your bills for any of the unused electricity that you send back to the grid.
Your FiT rates and eligibility will change depending on:
- the amount of solar-generated electricity you feed back into the grid,
- the state you live in, and
- when you installed your solar system.
Solar power is a cleaner and more sustainable energy source compared to the CO2 output of traditional fossil fuels, gas, and coal. While there is still a ‘carbon cost’ associated with producing the solar panels themselves, this cost is paid off (on average) within two years.
As solar power is 100% renewable and doesn’t use any water, gas, oil or coal to power your home or business, you can feel confident that your solar system is helping to minmise the rapid depletion of earth’s natural resources and alteration of its environmental composition and weather patterns.
