FAQs

How much energy will my solar power installation generate?
The amount of solar power your system will generate depends on a number of factors; the size of the system you have installed, the effectiveness of your installation and the weather in your locality. Typically, the main variable is the average number of sun hours that your installation is subject to and this depends heavily on where you live. The simple rule of thumb is the number of full effective sun hours multiplied by the size of your system. The number of full effective sun hours varies across Australia anywhere from 4-7 sun hours depending on your location and the time of year. If you were located in North Queensland a 1kW system would produce somewhere between 6-7 kW hours per day.

How does a residential solar power PV system work?
Put simply, solar power installations use solar panels, some wiring and electronics to convert light energy from the sun into electrical energy. The solar modules create DC power (similar to batteries) and the inverter is used to convert this DC power into AC power, similar to the existing mains power supply connected to your house. During the sunlight hours your solar power system will be at its optimum production level; if your solar power system produces more electricity than your home is currently using, your electricity retailer will allow this excess power to be fed into the main grid network. If you are consuming more electricity than your system can produce you will simply be substituting your solar power for the power you would have consumed from your retailer. During all other times when the solar power system is not operating (i.e. at night) you will continue to consume the mains power as supplied by your retailer as per normal.

Will my system work at night?
No. Sunlight must be present for your solar power installation to produce power. At night, you will consume power from the retailer as per normal.

Will my system work on cloudy days?
Yes, the solar power installation will still produce power but the system will be de-rated as the amount of sunlight is less on these cloudy days. Under a light overcast sky, panels might produce just over half of their normal output expected under full sun.

Will my solar power system work during a black out?
No, the system will automatically shut down shortly after losing mains power and will stay off until the mains power is restored. The grid-connect system is not a stand alone system as it does not have energy storage systems such as batteries etc.

What do the terms ‘grid-connect’ and ‘off-grid’ mean?
The term ‘grid-connect’ refers to a power installation that is connected to the main utility power grid, which is the power system that all homes and businesses are connected to. Our solar power systems are designed as on-grid systems, meaning that they interconnect with your existing power utility provider. Off-grid or stand alone refers to systems that are not connected to the utility electrical grid and are commonly used in remote areas. 

Does the solar system require maintenance?
Once the system has been installed there is little ongoing maintenance that is required. The only item that may need attention, depending on the installation, is to clean the solar panels – an angle of about 15 degrees should aid some amount of self-cleaning. Infinity Solar personnel can be arranged for periodical maintenance if desired.

Can I monitor my solar system or power consumption remotely?
Yes, there are wireless displays available, which are very cost effective. At Infinity Solar we recommend the wireless handheld Cent-a-meter. It has proven itself to be a great visual way to monitor your consumption and the output of your solar power system.

Who will buy my excess power?
All of the power retailers will purchase your excess power produced via a feed-in (selling) tariff. Generally, your exported power will be credited to your power bill account 1 for 1, but states such as South Australia and Queensland have much better applicable feed-in tariffs greater than 2:1.

How much roof space does the system need?
A 1kW solar array will require around 8m2 of roof area, and a 1.5kW solar array requires around 12m2, but this does depend on the solar panel wattage that can be installed on your roof.

Do the panels need to be mounted on my roof?
Most systems are mounted on the roof, but we can also mount them in other locations depending on your preference. Ground mounting is ideal if you have limited roof space, or if your roof is subject to regular shading or facing the wrong ideal sun direction.

How long will it take to install my solar power system?
Usually one full day for two tradesmen for the 1kW system – the larger systems may take longer depending on weather, system size, roof type, roof area and height.

What size system do I need to power my home?
Every house is different; everyone’s needs are different, so it all depends on how energy efficient your household is and what sort of impact you expect from the system. At Infinity Solar we can work with you to customise each system to fit your needs and budget. A good starting place is to analyse your power bills. From there we can help you reduce your carbon footprint with sensible behavioural changes and the installation of a solar power system.

Can I use solar power systems to power my business?
Solar power PV systems can be blended into every possible situation irrespective of the nature of your business. You will find solar power PV systems being used in many applications such as; security lighting, portable caravan & car applications, as well as other remote structures such as rural sheds, bus shelters, marine applications etc. You can use solar PV to work in many applications such as commercial, industrial, rural or residential.

Is there a financial incentive for installing solar power?
From June 10 2009, solar power take-up will be encouraged by increasing the number of renewable energy certificates available. The RRPGP (Renewable Remote Power Generation Program) provides a rebate of up to 50% of the total purchase price, for systems that meet the criteria set by the AGO. More information can be sought from http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/pv/index.html

Can I have a solar PV system on my house and still be connected to the grid?
Yes, most solar PV systems are designed as grid-connectable systems. This means the solar power systems are designed to interconnect with the main electricity grid.

Can I be totally independent from the main power grid?
We can design a solar PV system that is “off-grid”. Off-grid systems must be custom designed and are normally suited to remote locations where no electricity grid is available. Off-grid systems will require power storage capabilities such as batteries to supply the power when the sun is not shining, wind is not blowing or a generator not running.