We often take our electricity for granted. We don’t think about it too much unless there is a problem. Homeowners need to be proactive when it comes to maintenance. By taking a few easy steps, you can avoid hazards and help prevent or stop ongoing problems.

Connect Electric wants to share this electrical safety checklist to help you protect your home and family.

• Don’t Ignore Tripping Breakers – If you have breakers that trip often, this is a sign that something is wrong. Don’t ignore it. An electrician can inspect your wiring and breakers to determine the cause.
• All Circuits Must Be Grounded – All circuits must be properly grounded to ensure safety. You can use a multimeter to verify grounding.
• Only Use GFCI Outlets in Wet Areas – Any outlets that are in an area with a water source, like the kitchen or bathroom, must use a GFCI outlet. Newer homes should have these installed, however, older houses may not.
• Unplug Appliances Before Cleaning – Unplug appliances before you clean them. This will allow you to reach all areas without risking electrical shock. This is especially important when using water or liquids to clean.
• Cover Outlets in Homes with Children – Children may not realise the danger of electricity, so make sure you cover your outlets. This can be done with a separate outlet cover or by installing tamper-resistant outlets that have built-in shutters.
• Replace Wobbly Hardware or Plugs – If you notice outlets or switches that seem wobbly or stick out of the wall, or if you have plugs that are loose in the outlet, replace them. This can cause connection issues or even become a fire or shock hazard if the prongs are partially exposed.
• Be Mindful of Heat Sources – Keep all cables away from heat sources like space heaters or radiators. Do not arrange furniture on top of cords or run them under rugs. This type of setup increases the risk of electrical fire.
• Know the Signs of Bad Wiring – Know the signs of bad wiring so you can deal with the problem before it becomes dangerous. Outlets may feel warm to the touch, may make a buzzing sound, lights may flicker, or you may smell a burning odour. Turn off power and contact an electrician if you notice any of these signs.
• Use Proper Cables Outdoors – If you need power outdoors, make sure you use an extension cord rated for the job. Indoor cords are not as insulated as those made for outside use.
• Unplug Devices When Not in Use – Unplug as many devices as you can when not in use. This reduces fire hazards and will cut back on the amount of wasted electricity in your home.

Know When to Hire an Electrician

One of the most important things to remember is when you should hire an electrician. Some jobs require professional knowledge to handle safely. If you have questions or notice problems with wiring, Connect Electric is here to help. Let us know what’s going on and we’ll help you find a solution.

Cost has always been one of the major factors people point to when discussing renewable energy. While the environmental implications are very important, the price also affects how viable a power source is for the larger community.

Independent financial think tank Carbon Tracker recently released a report that found that the cost of renewable energy is lower than the previous cost-effective option, coal.

For years, coal was relied upon as an affordable way to bring power to millions of people. In the United States, nine out of every 10 tonnes of coal mined was consumed to generate electricity. Coal makes up 73% of the resources used to produce electricity across Australia. Natural gas comes in second with a mere 13%.

A total of 78 countries around the globe used coal for energy in 2019. That was up from 66 countries in 2000.

With so many regions reliant on coal, it can be a hard sell to switch to an alternative. However, according to the Carbon Tracker website, “coal developers risk wasting more than $600 billion because it is already cheaper to generate electricity from renewables than from new coal plants in all major markets.”

Out with the Coal and In with the Renewables

Many communities are faced with a decision: continue using coal or invest in renewable technology. Some speculate that it might be cheaper to build new sustainable energy facilities over the next decade rather than continue operating existing coal power stations.

The report also called for policymakers to stop investing in coal and to begin redesigning regulations in the power market. The goal should focus on minimising stranded asset risk but to also accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

A world map was included that highlights the countries where renewable energy is cheaper to use than coal. The list includes Russia, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, India, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Despite the signing of the Paris Agreement, coal still features prominently in the energy market. This stems from its availability and low cost. Millions of tonnes sit underground while powerful companies backed by governments try to take advantage of this otherwise unhealthy resource.

The shortcomings of wind and solar also work to coal’s advantage. Wind requires a breeze while solar needs the sun to shine to work. However, improved technology has increased efficiency and minimised the impact of these problems. When coupled with the lower cost, renewables become a strong contender against previous heavyweight coal.

Renewable Energy at Home

You have the option to decide how you want to power your home. Solar systems are more affordable than ever and can be installed on-site so you don’t have to rely on delivery from the grid. 

Connect Electric can help you learn more about why renewable energy is a better alternative to harmful fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and petroleum. Contact us today to discuss your electricity needs and to find out how solar can help you stop relying on coal.

Solar is affordable, accessible, and reliable in most areas. Government incentives make the prospects of a new system even more appealing.

The Empowering Homes Program in New South Wales offers zero-interest loans for installations for up to 300,000 households. In Victoria, the Solar Homes Program supplies 1,000 rebates of up to $4,838 for systems installed between 2019 and 2020. And in South Australia, the Home Battery Scheme issues rebates to approximately 40,000 households with a grant of up to $6,000 for the purchase of solar batteries.

A combination of lower cost, incentives, and higher efficiency has produced more reasons to install a new system. While great strides have been made and many people opting for renewable energy in recent years, there is still a long way to go. Solar made up just 5.2% of Australia’s total electrical energy production in 2018.

What would happen if Australia became 100% reliant on the sun to power its homes and businesses?

• Everyone Would Have to Manage Supply and Demand

Most Australians can switch on the power without a second thought. As long as you pay your bill, you can use power anytime.

When transitioning entirely to solar, everyone will have to play a role in managing supply and demand. Households and businesses will need to top up their batteries during peak sunlight hours.

Software would come into play that alerts users to switch on batteries during high-production times. We would have to play a more active role in managing our energy storage and consumption. That also means a greater emphasis on the use of energy-efficient appliances.

• Energy Will Be Produced as Locally as Possible

Energy will be produced as locally as possible – usually right on the home or building. CSIRO and Energy Networks Australia predicts that 30% to 45% of energy generation will come from customer-owned systems.

In an Australia that’s entirely reliant on renewable energy, that means seeing many more solar panels on rooftops and microgrids installed on apartment buildings.

• Lower Grid Demand Means Fewer Poles and Wires

Switching to solar removes some of the demand on the grid. It will serve a purpose, so we will still see infrastructure in communities. However, some areas may begin to be taken off the grid as solar gains a foothold. Fewer new poles and wires will be constructed and some may be removed.

• Increased Resilience to Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events can damage existing infrastructure and cut power to hundreds or even thousands of customers at a time. When everyone has their own power source, this becomes less of a problem. Rural and urban areas can turn into islands that continue running on standalone grids that can power the area for at least six to 12 hours.

Australia is still a long way off from becoming 100% reliant on renewables. The technology is advancing with new methods used to build and install solar panels. Connect Electric is available to help you learn more about how sustainable energy can change your life for the better. Contact us today to discuss your electricity needs.

Solar panels are the heart of any solar system. Without them, the equipment couldn’t collect energy. When most people think of solar power, they usually envision a small array in a yard or installed on someone’s roof. These systems exist and have many benefits, but they aren’t the only way we can harness the power of the sun.

Many areas use or plan to use large-scale solar systems. These are also known as “solar farms,” with the intent of generating electricity in bulk. Connect Electric wants to explore this renewable technology and how it changes the way power our lives.

How Do Solar Farms Work?

Solar farms require more space but have a much higher capacity than a household array. They also use panels to convert sunlight into direct current (DC). Inverters convert the DC energy into alternating current (AC) that can be fed into the grid.

In a solar farm, panels are installed on small towers over a large area.  These are usually positioned away from trees or buildings that can cast shadows and reduce the amount of sunlight they can collect. The installer will determine the optimum position to ensure maximum sun exposure all year long.

Large-scale solar systems are appealing for businesses or communities. Since they are bigger projects, an area can be carefully chosen or modified to ensure optimum output. Arrays installed on individual homes may have less flexibility, which can reduce their effectiveness.

Large-Scale Solar Growth in Australia

Renewable technology in Australia is growing at a rapid rate. Large-scale solar systems, in particular, have experienced significant expansion.

According to Green Energy Markets (GEM), renewables experienced a “banner year in 2018.” They contributed over 21% of all electricity produced in Australia. This also marked the first time that sustainable energy reached the 20% mark in 40 years.

Rooftop solar systems generation was 86% greater than the annual average additions recorded in 2015 through 2017. However, large-scale systems were even more impressive with growth of nearly 300% compared to 2017.

Australia’s Renewable Energy Industry Remains Steadfast

Solar shows no signs of slowing down. The industry consists of over 3,800 businesses with annual retail sales of more than $2.5 billion.

Not only is solar a reliable energy source, but it has also become an integral part of Australia’s economy. Its growth is strong, and it provides jobs across the country.

Government incentives also play an essential role. If the government was to remove or reduce the Renewable Energy Target, then demand would drop by as much as 50% and could lead to the closure of a thousand or more small businesses.

Australia Needs Renewable Technology

Renewable energy influences local economies and domestic job growth. It provides a clean alternative to fossil fuels. It’s highly adaptable and can be used for large-scale production, making it a viable commercial option. It currently powers communities across Australia and continues to expand its reach as costs go down and efficiency goes up.

Connect Electric can help you learn more about small and large-scale solar systems and renewable technology. Contact us today to discuss your energy needs.