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Solar Power for Homes

Solar power for homes has become a viable option over the past few years as we have seen installation costs plummet. Greater demand combined with government subsidisation of solar energy for homes has seen payback periods in Australia drop from 15 – 20 years to 4 – 5 years now being typical. Home solar power is set to gain in popularity over coming years as traditional electricity suppliers prices soar.

Solar panels (or solar pannels as some folks like to spell it) are slowly but surely becoming a frequent sight on the rooftops of Australian homes as householders wake up to the very real benefits to be gained.

Germany is a leading exponent in the field of harnessing solar energy despite it’s relatively low solar insolation. It has been estimated that 1 in 5 German homes sport solar panels, proving that people are more than willing to embrace this technology - especially if governments produce policy settings that incentivise their citizens.

We look at incentives for Australians in more detail on our solar incentives page.

Solar Panels & Collectors

There appears to be some confusion in the wider community as to the function of different solar collectors available in the market place.

Basically there are

photovoltaic (solar electricity) panels,

thermal collectors for solar hotwater systems

and pvc tube systems for warming water in swimming pools and spa tubs. Each type is quite different.

Please follow the links above for a more detailed look at the differences.

Why?

Householder’s reasons for choosing solar power for homes can be a desire to reduce their electricity costs or to reduce the households carbon footprint. Until recently most people installing solar panels were most likely to be motivated by the latter reason.

However the gross Feed In Tariff scheme introduced into NSW in January 2010 has clearly demonstrated the strong interest in reaping the benefits of investment in this clean green technology. Now that the NSW State Govt. has seen fit to slash the GFIT back to 0.20 c per kwh, the industry has come to a grinding halt. In typical government fashion, efforts to "slow down" a very successful scheme have been achieved - not by applying the brakes in a timely manner, but steering the Juggernaut directly into a brick wall!!!!

Installation of a home solar power system is likely to take one of three forms.

1) The most common installation is where the households fossil fuel generated electricity is supplemented or offset by the solar electricity panels and any surplus is sold to the grid.

2) A more complex install that allows the provision of backup power supply in the event of a blackout. Here is an example of how that can be achieved

3) A system that is fully independent of the grid. For economic reasons this installation is usually only found where the dwelling is quite remote.

Take a look at our Facts About Solar Energy page.

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SBI!