Solar energy in Australia has experienced a steady upward trend over recent years. While some homeowners jump right to the environmental benefits, others aren’t sure if they are ready to commit to a solar-powered lifestyle. One of the biggest questions that is asked is: how will a solar system affect my property value?

Residential Solar Cost vs. Savings

Solar panels and the labour required to install them come at a cost. You will have to pay an installer just like you would when hiring someone to add a deck or replace a roof. The good news is that the cost of new solar systems had dropped dramatically over the past decades.

A 1 kW system used to cost around $10,000. Now you can buy a 3 kW system for between $3,400 and $5,600. That’s a good size for most average family homes. If you need something bigger, a 5 kW system usually costs between $4,900 and $8,000.

Even on the low end, a project that costs thousands of dollars is a big investment for most people. That’s why it’s important to know your potential savings before you invest in renewable energy.

Your savings will vary based on your electricity consumption and the system’s capacity. The average household in Australia consumes approximately 6,000 kW annually. For a family living in an area like Bondi Junction, where peak usage hours are between 9 am and 5 pm, you could lower your power bill by $730 per year. Your system could pay for itself by the sixth year of use.

You should also learn about financing options and government incentives to help increase value by lowering the cost of installation. Solar savings will have an impact on property value.

Home Buyers and Solar Panels

In most cases, solar panels will increase your home’s property value. Much will depend on the perspective of the buyer.

Origin Energy conducted a survey that found that 85% of Australians think that solar panels add value to real estate. This is especially true in communities that have experienced electricity price increases.

The size of your solar system also plays a role. Usually, the more panels you have, the greater the value increase will be. A 5 kW system could raise your value by as much as $29,000.

When selling a home with solar panels, make sure you do the following to give your property the best chance at a high sale price:

• Make sure you have a listing on sites like Homely.com.au. Verify that information is accurate and that your solar system is mentioned. Your listing should appear when using the site’s Eco Search filters.
• Discuss the benefits with your real estate agent to prepare them to talk with buyers. Make sure they know the benefits of solar before they show your home.
• Prepare a document showing the cost of electricity before and after solar installation to share with buyers. This will show the monthly savings potential that could justify a higher purchase price.
• Clean your panels and make sure they look their best to increase curb appeal.
• Have the specs for your system readily available for buyers, including panel details and capacity.

Solar panels could help you get more money for your home. Learn about sustainable energy to discover more ways to increase your property value.

Switching from the grid to a residential solar system comes with many benefits. You can save thousands of dollars in utility expenses over the life of the system. As long as you chose a reputable solar installer, you should have no problems with your new on-site sustainable power generator.

You and your installer should have engaged in a discussion about your energy needs before work began. They should have gone over what will happen and how much electricity your new solar system can supply. Now that the work is finished, it’s time for you to inspect the job and make sure everything is as it should be.

Checking Solar Equipment on Walls

Check the equipment installed on walls on your home. You will find wall-mounted isolators outside. These should not have electrical conduit coming in from the top. If they do, it could spell disaster when it rains because water can leak inside.

Cables going into the inverter should be well-secured and organised. You should not be able to pull them, and they should not be able to get caught on anything nearby.

Open conduits should be sealed with a gland and not silicone. The inverter or third-party monitoring system should be setup to alert you in case of a problem. This will allow you to act quickly instead of waiting for your next bill to notice that something is wrong.

Inspect the Solar Panels on the Roof

You should not climb on the roof if you are not experienced with doing so. If you live in a single-storey home, then you should be able to view the work from the ground just by looking up.

Make sure your solar panels are lined up and look level with all excess rail trimmed off. If not, call your installer to come out and correct the issue. Cables should also be neatly arranged through the roof cavity.

Panels should not overhang and should be more than 200 mm from the edge of the roof. A good installer won’t position panels past the edge or too close to it because this creates added stress from the wind.

In some situations, the installer can place the panels closer than 200 mm to the edge, but they should be using the right type and number of racking and fixings.

All solar panel clamps should be placed in clamping zones based on the equipment’s make and model. Most have four clamps on the sides that must be 100 mm to 300 mm apart. If they are too far apart or too close to the corners, they could allow flexing in the wind which can crack silicone cells.

Tilt-racking legs should be positioned at right angles to the panels. Rooftop isolators should be shielded from direct sunlight.

Make Sure You Receive Documentation

Your solar installer should give you the documentation related to your system. This is often overlooked, so make sure you request it if nothing is given.

This will include a list of all equipment, warranty details, owner manual, handbook, certificate for the array frame or racking, performance estimate, shut down and isolation instructions, maintenance requirements, site inspection checklist, connection diagram, declaration of compliance, testing checklist, earth fault alarm instructions, and a certificate of electrical safety.

If you have questions about residential solar installation, let us know. Connect Electric is here to help you get the most out of your renewable energy investment.

We are experiencing unprecedented times by modern standards. Most of us living today have not faced a situation like the one created by the coronavirus. Society changed almost overnight as countries around the world struggle to contain the virus and protect human lives.

While COVID-19 is a bad thing, it has created a unique situation in the energy sector. With many businesses out of commission and people staying home due to social distancing, most areas have seen a decline in energy consumption.

This sounds good from an environmentalist standpoint. Some regions are reporting less pollution as industry grinds to a halt. However, it also paves the way for renewable power to shine.

Less Energy Demand Forces a Price Change

Peak power consumption is down. Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom have reported an average 10% drop in usage.

These shifts also affect fossil fuel-based sources. Coal is usually one of the cheapest options available. It currently stands as the most expensive around the world as cheaper green energies and natural gas prices sink.

“In most economies that have taken strong confinement measures in response to the coronavirus – and for which we have available data – electricity demand has declined by around 15%, largely as a result of factories and businesses halting operations,” Director of the International Energy Agency Dr. Fatih Birol explained in a blog post.

Renewable Energy Takes Over in the U.K.

On Sunday, March 5^th, the U.K. experienced an unusually sunny day. During that day, approximately 40% of the country’s energy was generated using wind farms with a fifth coming from solar power.

It is impressive to consider that during that time renewable energy produced more power to cover the reduced needs of the country. Octopus Energy, a green energy company, even paid some of its customers to use energy during the day. The scheme previously was only available at night during periods of low demand.

Dr. Birol views this change as an opportunity for renewables.

“In this way, the recent drop in electricity demand fast-forwarded some power systems 10 years into the future, suddenly giving them levels of wind and solar power they wouldn’t have had otherwise without another decade of investment in renewables.”

He also predicted that this increase in renewable power could help countries come up with ways to cope with drops in power that happen when the sun sets or when winds weaken.

Connect Electric believes that many of the world’s energy problems can be answered using renewable technology. While the coronavirus pandemic has wrought havoc around the world, there is hope that we can learn a few things during this difficult time.

No one can know exactly how this could change things in the coming years, but there is no denying the attention that’s been put on previously neglected green energy sources. Wind, solar, and hydropower could become more important, allowing us to phase out non-renewable and harmful fossil fuels to pave the way for a greener future.

Extension cords are a common find in most households. They provide a convenient way to tap into the electrical system when you are away from an outlet.

While they are helpful, they should be used with caution. There are some jobs that an extension cord should not do while others may require a specialised type of cord. Connect Electric wants to share 10 tips that will keep you safe when using extension cords.

• Use Laboratory-Approved Extension Cords Only

You should only use cords that have been tested by an independent laboratory. These will be marked as approved and safe for use. A few options to look for include Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), or Intertek (ETL).

• Always Replace Damaged Extension Cords

If you notice visible damage or a change in performance, it’s time to replace your extension cord. Some people wrap electrical tape around damaged areas. This may work for a while, but it can create a dangerous situation. It’s best to replace the cord completely and avoid the hazard.

• Know the Type of Cord You Need for the Job

Not all extension cords are manufactured the same way. Some have added features that make them ideal for different applications. For example, outdoor cords have thicker insulation and will be marked a safe for outdoor use. The cord should include instructions that explain its intended use and wattage rating.

• Do Not Run Extension Cords Under Rugs or Furniture

Do not hide extension cords under rugs or furniture. They can become damaged or create a fire hazard. An unseen cord can also become an obstacle that causes people to trip and fall.

• Extension Cords Are for Temporary Use Only

Extension cords are meant for temporary use only. They should never be incorporated into a permanent installation or repair. They are not designed for constant, long-term use. If you have questions about a project, speak to an electrician.

• Use One Appliance or Tool Per Cord

Only one appliance or tool should be plugged into each cord. Daisy chaining, or plugging multiple cords in together, can cause a fire hazard as can using a power strip plugged into an extension cord.

• Never Tape Extension Cords to the Floor

Extension cords should not be taped to the floor or walls. You should also not secure them with staples or nails. Doing so could damage the exterior and create a fire or shock hazard.

• Install Childproof Covers on Unused Receptacles

Any unused receptacles should be protected by childproof covers. This will prevent children from shocking themselves and can keep the receptacle free of dust and debris.

• Stop Use if Extension Cord Feels Hot

If you notice that your extension cord is hot to the touch, stop using it immediately. You could be overloading it, which can lead to a fire. Make sure the appliance it is plugged into doesn’t use more watts than the cord is rated to provide.

• Keep Extension Cords Out of the Way

Extension cords are tripping hazards when left in a walkway, hallway, or on stairs. Keep them off to the side and out of the way of high traffic areas.

Applying these safety measures can protect you and those in your workspace from the dangers of extension cord misuse. If you have questions or need assistance with a project, you should contact an electrician at Connect Electric.