How To Drive Solar Further With SolarEdge

Thinking of converting your home to solar energy? As trusted solar installers in Sydney, we provide expert advice on solar power systems, inverters and power optimisers in both residential and commercial properties.

Why invest in solar?

Go Green – Using solar energy allows the use of a sustainable renewable energy source that doesn’t deplete or diminish. “Go green” is not just a catch phrase but a genuine move to protect the environment by producing our own clean energy. It eradicates the need for local or foreign fossil fuels to generate electricity and in turn reduces pollutants contributing to global warming.

Recognised Value – Installation of solar PV systems has grown exponentially in Australia over the last few years at unprecedented rates. Since August 2020 more than 2.53 million rooftop solar power systems have been installed across the country. In fact, Australia has one of the highest levels of take-up rates of solar globally, with more than 21% of Australian rooftops featuring a solar PV panel.

Cost Savings – Most solar PV systems pay for themselves within 3-7 years and will cut the average electricity bill by 30-60%. In addition, government rebates and incentives to offset the cost of installation make it even more appealing.

Quality Solar Panels

If you want to drive your solar further then investing in quality solar PV panels is key. We offer a range of brands, SolarEdge being a popular choice.

SolarEdge supply top of the range solar PV panels, advocating, “Saving energy is not only good for the planet, but also good for your bank balance. Powering your home through renewable energy can save money on your current and future electricity bills, enhance your property value, and lower your carbon footprint”.

What differentiates SolarEdge is their superior technology. On a standard or typical solar PV panel, the system consists of PV panels wired together in a series, like fairy lights. If a single panel stops working or underperforms for any reason (cloud cover, dust, dirt or damage), the entire string subsequently also underperforms. Thus, reducing energy production across the whole string.

SolarEdge superior technology connects an intelligent electronic chip to each solar PV panel which is called a power optimiser. Power optimisers, in corroboration with a system’s inverter, maximise solar energy production by granting each panel individual operation, which in turn reduces power loss. If an individual panel underperforms, it won’t affect the performance of any of the other panels in the string. Power optimisers mitigate against poor solar panel performance caused by a variety of disturbances such as dirt, shading, manufacturing tolerance, different panel orientations etc.

The power optimiser created by SolarEdge has literally revolutionised the way solar PV panels emit solar energy from the panel. The power optimiser maximises output from every individual optimised panel in the solar system. The power optimiser can be attached to any type of panel, if using the Solaredge inverter.

Another unique feature of the power optimiser is its ability to monitor the performance of each panel and communicate its performance data to the SolarEdge monitoring dashboard. This allows you to analyse its progress and adjust anything necessary.

And if you weren’t already impressed, each power optimiser is also equipped with an exclusive safety feature which automatically shuts down panels’ DC voltage whenever the inverter or grid power is shut down. This avoids any potentially life threatening or dangerous situations.

Quality Solar Inverters

A solar inverter is one of the most important elements of the solar electric power system. It converts the variable direct current (DC) output of a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel into alternating 240V current (AC). This AC electricity then can be fed into your home to operate your appliances. If you’re producing more electricity than you need, it can feed it back into the grid.

This presents several outstanding benefits from SolarEdge. No carbon footprints, using a renewable energy source and no emission of greenhouse gases. In addition, once up-front costs have been realised, there are substantial return-on-investment (ROI) to be made. These are estimated to be approximately 3-4 years for Sydney. This represents dramatic savings on household bills, significant cost-savings in the long term.

Constant advancement in technology makes the solar panels, power optimisers and inverters more efficient, stronger, durable and therefore requiring less maintenance year-round.

The SolarEdge the power optimiser gives you the power to do more with your solar energy.

Every SolarEdge system comes complete with advanced monitoring to provide timely reports on the performance of your solar panels, powerful safety features, cutting-edge technology and superior quality for peace of mind. SolarEdge is a suite of integrated smart energy solutions to further maximise your energy production and energy savings.

Do you have any solar needs? Contact us and we will help.

Energy Smart Homes with SolarEdge

While there are several manufacturers who produce solar panels, there are only a few who truly stand out from the crowd as leaders in innovation, cutting-edge technology and superior quality.

Technology is allowing easy access to energy smart homeowners looking to simplify air con, lighting, garage doors, blinds, appliances and more. A smart home has two fundamental elements: renewable energy efficiency through solar PV panels and home automation controlled through apps on devices such as iphones or ipads over the internet.

Driving future progress, SolarEdge are global leaders in smart energy technology including:

Solar panels and power optimisers
Inverters
Monitoring and automation

Renewable energy

It’s no secret that we are rapidly destroying the natural resources on our planet. To reverse this, we must find alternative solutions. One answer is the installation of solar PV panels which is already delivering remarkable results. Using the direct sunlight absorbed from the panels, the light is converted into energy that can be used to run typical home appliances.

The beauty of solar energy is that it’s a sustainable renewable energy source which never runs out or diminishes. Solar PV panels are installed on the roof of a home, they don’t damage the environment and above all, eradicate the need for local or foreign fossil fuels to generate electricity and in turn reduces pollutants contributing to global warming. No carbon footprints or emissions of greenhouse gases.

The energy that solar PV panels produce power the home comforts we take for granted, home comforts that we use every single day through a crucial energy source – electricity. Appliances such as heaters to keep us warm and air conditioners to keep us cool in hot weather. Lights, ovens and stove tops for cooking, coffee machines for a delicious latte, washing machines to keep our clothes clean, hair dryers to style our hair, charging the battery on our devices and so much more.

Hence installation of solar PV systems has grown exponentially in Australian over the last few years at unprecedented rates. Since August 2020 more than 2.53 million rooftop solar power systems have been installed across the country. In fact, Australia has one of the highest levels of take-up rates of solar globally, with more than 21% of Australian rooftops featuring a solar PV panel.

With this growth, technology has also advanced show-cased by SolarEdge’s power optimiser and inverter. The power optimiser ensures that if one individual panel stops working properly, it doesn’t affect the remaining array of panels from working or losing power. Meanwhile, an inverter is one of the most important elements of the solar power system. It converts the variable direct current (DC) output of a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel into alternating 240V current (AC). This AC electricity then can be fed into your home to operate your appliances. If you’re producing more electricity than you need, it can feed it back into the grid.

This delivers other welcomed benefits. In addition to being environmentally friendly, once up-front costs have been realised, there are substantial return-on-investment (ROI) to be made. These are estimated to be approximately 3-4 years for Sydney. This represents dramatic savings on household bills, significant cost-savings in the long term.

Home automation

Part of the impressive technology that comes with SolarEdge’s solar PV panels, power optimisers and inverters are the in-built monitoring systems. Each product has a monitoring program that tracks its performance and produces periodic reports. Features can be adjusted for optimal performance. The monitoring system also has a dashboard so its performance can be seen in real time and be controlled from anywhere.

Access the SolarEdge monitoring system from any device that is connected to WiFi, whether you’re standing in your home or located remotely. Every product is visible on the dashboard and as mentioned above, is being tracked to record its progress. Alerts for consumption levels can be set and ultimately, you have complete control over your Smart Home.

SolarEdge has an outstanding suite of integrated smart energy solutions to further maximise your energy efficient production and energy savings inside your state-of-the-art Smart Home.

Interested in getting quality solar products for your home? Talk to us.

What Are Micro-Inverters, and Do I Need One?

Whether you need micro-inverters or string inverters in your solar system, and which of those would be the best choice, has to be considered carefully when you are purchasing a system for your home. In order to make the right choice you need an understanding of both of these inverters, what they do, and how they are different from one another. The pros and cons of each are also important. Here is what you need to know.

What Are Micro-Inverters?

Micro-inverters are used under each solar panel, to convert the sun’s energy to electricity. The advantage to this kind of inverter is that it is harnessing all the power right at the panel. That means you will get the maximum electricity production to the electric grid or your fuse box. It is also easy to expand your system when you have micro-inverters installed, because you can simply add more panels and more inverters. It is an easy way to add on to what you already have at a later date. A key difference between micro inverters and string inverters is that microinverters allow the panels to be individual to one another. This means that shading on one panel won’t affect the panels in that same string.

What is the Inverter’s Role in a Solar System?

In a solar system, the micro-inverter is designed to make the most of what you are getting from the sun. It does this by being strategically placed at each solar panel, instead of being in another location. Its proximity to the solar panel matters, because it minimizes loss of the collected energy before that energy is turned into useable electricity for your home. This is because the DC power is converted to AC power where the panel is located, rather than down near the switch board. This is just one of the advantages it has over a string inverter.

What is a String Inverter?

A string inverter is a unit that is installed as a stand-alone option. Typically, it is located near the fuse box and electric meter. It creates electricity from the strings of solar panels to which it is connected. Most residential solar panels have only one string inverter. Some larger systems may use two. These are easy to replace if they fail, and only needing one of them is a pro of using this type of inverter. But you risk losing a lot of the energy you collect, as it travels from the solar panels to the inverter. If we go back to the example of shading affecting panels, when shading covers one panel of a string inverter, the power output of each other panel on the same string actually gets limited to that panel’s output.

How Much Does a Micro-Inverter Typically Cost?

While micro-inverters are much smaller than their string inverter counterparts, they are also more expensive. This can add between 20 to 30 percent more to the price of a solar system. The price of these inverters is coming down, though, and eventually the extra cost of using them will be minimal. Still, it is important to remember that there are a lot of them needed — one for every panel. Additionally, they are on the roof. Trying to maintain or replace them can be more difficult due to their location, and they are also more subject to the effects of weather. Still, they are popular with a lot of people because they help maximize the value received from a solar energy system.

It is important to weigh the pros and cons of micro-inverters and string inverters when it comes to your individual budget, needs, and situation. That can make it easier for you to determine which one will be right for you.

If you are interested in installing solar on your Sydney home, contact Soltek Energy to get a quote.

Author - Soltek Energy