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Sun Power

We have about 256 sunny Redlands' days every year therefore it makes good sense we take full advantage of the sun's free energy.

Solar power systems can be located on our homes, simply, silently and safely generating electricity for our personal use.

They can connect to the main grid; be stand alone units or combination systems. All systems require a storage facility to house excess energy produced.

Grid connected systems: use the grid as storage, feeding directly to existing mains via an inverter which converts the energy from DC to AC power. Any excess power will overflow to our electricity supplier.

Stand Alone Systems: rely upon battery banks (or other sources) for storage and use an inverter specially designed for battery banks.

Some stand alone systems use wind turbines or other energy forms as back up sources. I have friends near Stanthorpe that use a wind turbine in conjunction with their solar panels.

Combination systems: use a multi inverter that works both with batteries and the grid.

Rebates and Credits

The electricity companies prefer grid connection because they get to use our excess volumes with minimal outlay. In most cases they credit the excess electricity you generate. If required, you can also buy extra power to cover any shortfalls.

The current challenge is encouraging state and federal governments to increase the amount electricity companies pay so more homeowners and businesses install solar.

At present, Origin pay about 13-14 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) while our former supplier Sun Retail (Energex), paid 8c /kWh. South Australians receive about 22c /kWh, with the possibility of an increase to 41c. The true electricity value in the middle of a Queensland week day is about 25c /kWh.

Rebates on solar systems are paid by the Federal Government (via the State Governments). The 2007-08 Federal Budget increased rebates from $4,000 to $8,000 for systems up to 1 kilowatt.

Determining the size of the system you require depends upon two key factors:

1. What appliances you use and how often you use them and;

2. How far you want to do your bit to reduce greenhouse gases.

It is possible to start with a small solar power system that will reduce your greenhouse gases and your power bills while maximising the efficiency of the inverter size and the amount of funds and rebates available. You can always add more solar panels later, when extra funding is available.

Efficient and careful use of gadgets, lighting and household appliances however is the key to reducing your system size.

Generally, a 1.2 kW system will suit the average family.

My web site has an Energy Use Sheet that helps to map out your electrical items and use per day.

Your solar installer will do this exercise anyway and check out your property for suitability before recommending a system and price for you.

If you decide solar is for you, a 50% deposit is usually required to pre-purchase the solar panels. The installer will make application to Energex (network owners) and to the EPA for the rebate assessment. Once these approvals are provided installation can begin.

Redlands already has several solar homes, most of which are open to the public on Solar House Day. (second Sunday September– see the local paper for dates and times.)

One Redland home is set up as a registered power station. They installed a 1.36 kW system and with two people living in the home use less than 5 kWh per day. They receive a cheque for $400 each year from their excess.

Another home has one person using just under 6kWh per day. She installed a twelve panel 2 kW system as she wanted to play a role in reducing greenhouse gases. She is generating about 11 kWh per day.

A third home was operating as a family of four until the children left home. This home uses more appliances consuming about 21 kWh per day. It also has a pool that operates on its own solar system totally independent of the mains.

There are fewer than 100 accredited solar installers in Australia, so we are fortunate to have Bill Brazier (Solagift Technologies) in Redlands installing pool and home solar systems.

I know of some great designs and technology becoming available regarding solar homes. I look forward in the future to showing overseas visitors, who are amazed at how little we use this free and available energy source that we can live more cleverly.