However, PV systems with Enphase micro inverters can sit happy knowing that no matter the season, their solar panels are making the most of available sunlight.

Will winter be a problem for your solar panels?

Why winter isn’t all grey skies for solar panels

Sydney solar customers don’t have to worry about how temperature might affect their PV panels.

Solar panels are tested at 25 °C, and higher temperatures can limit the maximum efficiency, reports Gizmodo, so a drop in temperature can actually be good thing.

However, winter isn’t just about a drop in the thermometer. Winter means shorter days and longer, more persistent shadows that can adversely affect PV efficiency.

In a previous article, we explained the difference between micro and string inverters. String inverters are nice under optimal conditions. However, the reality is that not all roofs face the same way, there’s the occasional shading and weather patterns can affect the overall performance, especially in winter. In this case, micro inverters are the ideal solution.

Why Enphase micro inverters are the smart choice the whole year round

Micro inverters are the ideal type of inverter when solar panels are subject to a variety of conditions which would otherwise lower the efficiency of string inverter systems.

But even in optimal conditions, Enphase micro inverters outperform string inverters, reports PV magazine. In an independent test conducted by PV Evolution Labs, over the course of six months Enphase micro inverters were able to produce 1.2 per cent more energy than a string inverter system under unshaded conditions.

Additionally, in low light conditions, Enphase micro inverters were able to harvest over 10 per cent more energy than the compared string system.

“Enphase microinverters can convert available energy of a solar PV module at very lower power levels with higher conversion efficiency due to a feature called ‘burst mode’,” Enphase CEO Paul Nahi explains to PV magazine.

During winter, with fewer daylight hours and longer shadows cast by the sun, string inverters are much more likely to deliver low output energy, says PV magazine. This is because during winter some panels within a solar system will be shaded for longer, dropping overall performance.

Enphase micro inverters do not have this problem and can draw out the most from the available sunlight all year long.

To find out more, get in touch with the team at RK Solar today.

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Thankfully, if you’re consulting the solar power experts, you have a friendly hand to help you understand the ins and outs of solar technology. For those who wish to do their own research on the topic, here’s a handy list with some of the common phrases you might encounter and what they mean:

What are some common solar power terms?

AC/DC current

Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), relates to the energy, or current, produced by solar panels and the type of current your house uses. Energy produced by solar panels is DC (think of a river flowing in one direction), while houses use AC (now think of that river switching directions multiple times per second). Before the solar power can be used by your home, the DC current needs to be converted into AC, which is carried out by an inverter.

Feed-in tariff

A solar energy feed-in tariff refers to the payment residents receive for feeding solar power their systems produce back into the electricity grid. For residents in NSW, you may have heard of the Solar Bonus Scheme, which came to an end December 2016, offering subsidised payments for the excess energy produced. Now that the scheme has ended, the tariff has reverted to an unsubsidised feed-in tariff from retailers, according to the NSW Government.

Grid

The energy grid is the term used to describe connecting facilities and utilities that homes and businesses in turn pay for. If someone is going ‘off the grid’, then they are adopting systems that let them be self-sustaining, not relying on (or paying for), the energy produced by third parties.

Beyond saving money, drawing less energy from the grid also contributes to greater sustainability for the wider community, as electricity companies don’t have to produce as much energy from non-renewable resources such as coal or other fossil fuels.

Micro inverter system

Mentioned above, an inverter system converts electricity produced by solar panels into something that can be used by houses, something we’ve described in more detail previously. The process of conversion can happen at two points in a solar system: where the energy feeds into the house (string inverter), or at the base of each solar panel in your system (micro inverter).

The main benefit of a micro inverter system is that you can draw maximum efficiency from your solar panel system, even if some panels are shaded or performing poorly.

Net meter

A net meter is the device that records both the amount of energy a home draws, and the amount of energy exported to the grid. It’s used by many retailers to determine how much energy is saved and produced, which translates to how much customers save on their energy bill, according to the NSW Government.

Photovoltaic (PV) 

The process of converting sunlight into electricity is also known as the photovoltaic (PV) effect (photo, meaning light, and voltaic relating to electricity). A solar power system uses this PV tech, with PV cells making up the components of solar panels.

Solar power is just one form of renewable energy.

String system

Like a micro inverter system, string inverters are important in turning solar energy into electricity your home can use. String inverters are generally cheaper than micro inverters, but are less versatile.

Renewable energy

Energy that is produced from resources that can be easily replenished. Common examples are wind and solar, but can also include tidal, rain and geothermal energy, according to Penn State University.

There’s much more to know about solar energy, including how it can be a great way to save your home and business money. To find out all about this and more, get in touch with the team at RK solar & Consulting today.

The post A to Z of solar power: Part 1 appeared first on RK Solar.

You’d think that the creator of the lithium-ion battery would’ve put their feet up and retired in satisfaction some time ago. After all, lithium-ion batteries have been ubiquitous in electronics ever since their commercialisation in 1991, following their discovery in 1980 by co-inventor American physicist Professor John Goodenough. So, job well done? 

Apparently not. According to the 94-year-old University of Texas at Austin (UTA) professor, there’s always room for improvement. Goodenough and his team have recently developed a new solid-state battery cell, which according to UTA is safer, charges three times faster, lasts longer and stores more energy than lithium, his original invention. Oh, it’s also cheaper.

While it’s likely to be some time before this breakthrough finds commercial use and makes its way into solar systems, nevertheless it highlights the evolutionary potential batteries hold in improving storage and use of solar energy. If you have a solar system for your house or business, and have yet to unlock the benefits of batteries, perhaps it’s time to have a closer look at why you should consider battery storage options?

The benefits of a battery system

There are many benefits of storing the energy produced by solar panels, which we’ve outlined in a previous article. For summary, here’s a breakdown of the tangible benefits a solar battery system offers: 

• Cost-effective. Integrating batteries with solar energy means you make more efficient use of the energy you produce. By saving excess energy produced and using it later, you’re drawing less electricity from the grid, dropping your overall power bill. 
• Consistent access to solar energy. Battery systems aim to counteract the unpredictable nature of the weather, saving some of the energy produced on sunny days, for when the sun disappears behind a cloud.
• Sustainable, less reliance on the energy grid. By moving your energy usage away from the grid, you’re contributing to a lower demand for the fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources that power the grid in the first place.

Battery systems improve what you get out of a solar system.

RK Solar batteries 

So you’ve installed a solar panel system, minus the batteries. If you’re worried that you’ve missed the boat and will forever be unable to unlock the benefits of energy storage, relax. The beauty of solar batteries, such as RK Solar & Consulting’s Enphase battery system, is that you can fit them seamlessly into your existing solar setup.

Enphase AC batteries are modular ‘plug-and-play’ systems, meaning that no matter what constituent of elements you are currently running, they can be fully integrated with other products to give you as much energy storage as you need. Performing at 96 per cent efficiency, an Enphase AC battery storage system can be scaled up or down as per your requirement. Enphase AC batteries are among the best, safest and most reliant solar batteries on the market, and yes, they use a lithium-ion phosphate composition to do so.

It will be interesting to see how much better solar batteries might become thanks to Professor Goodenough. Perhaps we might see a future where these batteries need just a single, cloudless day to save enough energy to power a home for a week? The good news is that for people already using an Enphase system, they’re primed to use this technology when it comes about. 

We at RK Solar & Consulting are the local experts on all things to do with solar power and its storage. With over 3,000 residential and commercial clients in the Sydney area, you can be sure RK Solar will be keeping a close eye on this exciting new technology.

To find out more, get in touch with the team today.

The post Why there’s always room for a better battery appeared first on RK Solar.

With the ability to store solar energy produced for a later date, many Australians are looking to incorporate solar panels on the roofs of their home.

Solar power has never been cheaper, so why wouldn’t you want to jump on the bandwagon? The cost of solar power is well below retail energy prices in Australian capital cities, according to the Climate Council 2016 State of Solar report, and the cost is still decreasing.

At RK Solar & Consulting Services, we believe that all Australian homes have the potential to generate their own energy in an environmentally friendly, sustainable way. However, some homes might be more ready than others to embrace this technology. Here are a few signs your house is ready to make the most of a solar panel system.

A roof without solar panels is an untapped resource.

1. Your roof is an untapped asset

We don’t often look up at our roofs and see them as anything more than protection from the elements. But if you’ve done your research, you already realise that an un-adorned roof represents an opportunity for investment to improve the value of your property.

Over 80 per cent of Australians believe solar panels add value to the properties that use them, says realestate.com.au. Renters also are willing to pay more per week, up to $10 extra, for houses that source energy from the sun.

“Having solar panels installed on your roof represents a valuable investment in your property,” says Phil Craig, Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs at Origin, who assisted realestate.com.au in this research.

If you’re looking up and seeing green, it might be time to speak to an expert.

2. You’re making the most of the energy you use

It’s tempting to see solar power as the holy grail in reducing your energy bill, but savvy consumers know that to make the most of solar energy, you first have to turn your attention to the energy you’re currently using.

It’s great that you’re interested in solar power as a way to save on your energy bill, but consider this: The amount of solar energy you need depends on the energy you use. If you’re not generating enough solar energy to match you electricity needs, your panels need to produce that much more to see any benefits.

By cutting back on your energy usage, and adopting energy-efficient technologies such as LED bulbs, your demand goes down. As a result, the energy your system produces will have a much greater impact on your overall usage.

3. You’re looking for more stable energy costs

Installing solar panels also reduces your dependency on the grid, protecting yourself from rising electricity prices. Utility prices vary on demand, but the sun always gives consistent, free energy. In the case of a blackout, a solar system with energy storage options, such as batteries, means you still have access to power.

4. You’re wanting to make a positive impact on the environment

Solar energy is a great way to benefit the environment and your pocket. By reducing your dependence on the grid, you’re actively contributing to lowering the carbon footprint of your home and community. You don’t have to be a commercial solar plant to help save the planet. A residential system can offset around 2,200 kg of carbon dioxide a year.

There are many more reasons why installing a solar panel system is a great choice for your home for long-term energy savings and benefit to the environment. To find out more about why your home is ready for solar power, speak to the team at RK Solar & Consulting Services.

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In this article, we’ll look at how the technology to produce energy from sunlight came about, and how that technology has expanded into the clean, renewable energy industry it is today.

We have always been using the power of the sun.

The discovery of the photovoltaic (PV) effect and the creation of the first solar cell

The production of electricity via solar energy (otherwise known as the PV effect), can be attributed to 19 year old French experimental physicist Edmund Becquerel, who first discovered the effect in 1839. Becquerel found that some materials produced small amounts of electric current when exposed to light. However, it wasn’t until 1883 that Charles Fritz created the first PV cell.

However, these PV cells were hardly something to write home about. They converted less than one per cent of the available solar energy into electricity. While the PV effect was a great scientific discovery, it would be a while before it was anything more than an interesting gimmick.

Making the first, efficient PV solar cell

The first great step towards the practical application of photovoltaics took place in Bell laboratories in the United States in 1954. This is where the efficiency of solar cells crossed the 10 per cent threshold for the first time. These solar cells were made of silicon, which is still the base material of solar cells today – although their efficiency has been greatly improved upon.

Interestingly, the space program in the 1960s was one of the main industries that helped fuel the demand in this technology. The need for effective technology became more important than the high cost of production.

With usable energy produced from PV cells, the technology was finally able to be commercialised. With money to be made, PV technology was able to rapidly break ground in becoming more practical for everyday use.

Where is solar power now?

Today, solar power has never been as efficient, or as affordable. Late 2016 saw a turning point. Solar energy is becoming the cheapest form of renewable energy, and is half the price of coal, according to Bloomberg. The price for solar panels has also dropped by half over the last five years.

On top of this, solar batteries are able to store the energy they generate during the day time, to be used at night, further reducing dependency on the electrical grid.

With solar becoming the personal power plant of 2 million Australians by 2019, the brief history of solar energy is not likely to stay that way.

To find out more about solar panels, or to find out where this technology is headed in the future, get in touch with the team at RK Solar and Counsulting today.

The post A brief history of solar energy appeared first on RK Solar.

However, the positives of a ‘greening’ economy go beyond reducing energy bills. Savvy businesses have realised that consumers, especially the younger generations, have a high interest in businesses with a ‘green’ label, a global shift in what people are prepared to pay for goods and services.

Fitting out your businesses with an RK Solar system is a great first step in helping your business ‘go green’. In this article, we’ll look at why a move to solar can not just save money, but can actually boost your business in the eyes of your consumers.

Customers value sustainable businesses.

Solar power: savings from day one

Setting your business apart from competitors by going green with a solar panel system is a great way to save money, says the Queensland Government.

By taking advantage of solar energy, businesses can save up to 80 per cent on their electricity bill. With financing packages available, businesses can save money from day one, freeing up cash which can be reinvested into other areas of the business.

The rise of the ‘conscious consumer’

‘Going green’ connects with a new age of consumers. Establishing your business as ‘green’ (environmentally-friendly), ties in with an emerging trend on how consumers choose to buy goods and services.

Globally, around half of online consumers say they’re willing to pay more for services and products produced by companies with an ecological conscience and positive environmental impact, reports global consumer survey company Nielsen.

“Brands that establish a reputation for environmental stewardship among today’s youngest consumers have an opportunity to not only grow market share but build loyalty among the power-spending millennials of tomorrow, too,” says Grace Farraj, SVP, Public Development and Sustainability, Nielsen.

Gen Y are even more passionate about consuming from sustainable and environmentally-friendly businesses, reports NZ Independent News Media Scoop. Over 60 per cent of Gen Y consumers are willing to pay more from sustainable and ethically sourced businesses, so solar power is a great first step in connecting with these potential customers.

To find out more about how RK Solar and Consulting Services can help your business save money and reach out to a new generation of consumers, get in touch with our team today.

The post Why businesses should go green with solar power appeared first on RK Solar.

Inverters are the unsung heroes of the solar panel industry. They provide an answer to the question: “How do I turn solar power into useable electricity for my home?”

Solar energy is produced in direct current (DC), yet houses use alternating current (AC). It’s as if the two speak different languages. Inverters play the vital role as translators, converting DC current to AC, to be fed into our homes or the grid.

However, not all inverters are created equal. Traditionally, ‘string’ series inverters have been the norm. They have recently given way to ‘micro’ inverters. They both play the translator role, but contribute to the overall performance of your solar panel system in different ways.

Inverters play a vital role in solar power.

What’s the difference between micro and string inverters?

The difference between micro and string inverters comes down to where they’re placed within a solar power system. Kunal Kapoor, electrical engineer at RK Solar and Consulting Services explains:

“A string inverter works by connecting each panel to the next in a ‘string’. The current passes through to a single inverter that converts power from DC to AC. But, with micro inverters, instead of the DC power going from the roof down to the meter box, there’s a small inverter connected behind each panel converting the current to AC directly.”

With micro inverters, the ‘translation’ happens right away. However with string inverters, the system waits until all the power is collected before translation begins. This is a subtle yet crucial difference when it comes to the overall performance of the system.

Are micro inverters better than string inverters?

The biggest drawback of string inverters, according to Kunal, is that a drop in efficiency of a single unit (such as a shaded or faulty panel), lowers the output of the whole string. Micro inverters circumvent this. They are designed to function in non-ideal conditions, allowing for variations without affecting the outcome of the whole system.

For example, each panel has a power tolerance (generally ranging between 0 to 5 per cent). With this tolerance in mind, some panels could produce 105 Watts and some could produce 100 Watts. In a string inverter system, even if the majority of panels are functioning at 105 W, the inverter brings down the output of the system to the lowest performing panel. The end result is less power.

With micro inverters,  there is an inverter behind every panel. Each one works independently to give the best overall performance of the system. A panel is giving 105 W? Its output is 105 W, regardless of the other panels

Micro inverters provide a solution for you where there’s non-ideal conditions – such as partial shading, cloudy skies or when panels are spread over multiple roof faces. These all cause panel performance differences. Even in perfect conditions, micro inverters outdo string inverters by 9 to 25 per cent, according to Kunal.

“Sometimes, when people have smaller roofs, to meet their energy needs they need to put panels on three different roofs. These roofs have different orientations often too. You can do this with micro inverters because each individual panel is performing to the best possible output they have. This isn’t possible in a string inverter system.”

Micro inverters are perfect for panels on different roof faces.

Enphase micro inverters

You’re probably installing solar panels because you want more control over how you create and spend energy. With micro-inverters, you have even more control.

RK Solar and Consulting Services supplies Enphase micro inverters which give peace of mind for people who want to track their energy consumption AND the individual performance of their panels. It’s online so you can track your system in real time – how much energy it’s producing and consuming – with your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Kunal says ‘Knowing what your system is doing at any given time is a fantastic tool for getting the most out of solar power’. It pinpoints when you’re likely to consume the most power, or when your system is producing the most energy, so you’re able to optimise your energy consumption on a daily basis.

Linking inverters and solar batteries

Batteries are the future of solar power. They give you a way to store the energy produced by the sun you’re not using for a later date. Micro inverters are ‘battery-ready’ from day one. With Enphase system you can add batteries to your system when it suits you, without needing to add extra equipment.

To find out more about RKS Solar and Consulting’s solar panel solutions, or to find out how to get more detailed information out of your Enphase micro inverter system, get in touch with our friendly team today.

The post The micro inverters you didn’t know you needed appeared first on RK Solar.

So, how can you save with solar?

1. Home solar is the system that pays for itself

The fact you don’t have to pay anyone for the sun’s energy translates into affordable reliability for the future. This means that when you install solar panels in your home, your budget will be held less in thrall by electricity price rises.

With solar, the amount of electricity you’ll use can be calculated when designing your setup, giving you a solution that helps pay for itself and doesn’t empty your bank balance.

Your solar power system can save your money.

Research also shows that homes with solar installations sell for more. According to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, homes with a solar system sell 20 per cent faster,  at more than 15 per cent higher value than those without.

2. Maintain independent energy security

Blackouts cause panic. But they don’t have to cause panic for you. With a solar power system and storage, you can increase your energy security and independence. This means you don’t have to be stuck in the dark when you don’t want to. Your home solar battery system will immediately access emergency power for your home.

And if you’ve ever been in a blackout at night, you’ll know the panic it can cause. How many of us have candles for everyday use, or torches within arms reach?

3. Reduce stress at home and on the grid

As our world changes, so does technology – many of us no longer have just one television, smart devices are increasingly popular and the electric car is seeing a revival.

Traditionally, this means a much higher power bill from your energy company to match your usage. But maintenance costs are going up too as the grid ages. As solar panels are modular, however, you can scale the installation to match your energy needs, our helpful experts guiding you through what to consider now and for the future.

As solar panels and batteries are silent and slim, they won’t take up space or make noise like a generator would. Also, solar panels are installed on roofs at an angle. This means rain cleans your panels for you.

The initial investment can be substantial, the benefits go on for decades with quality solar – independence from the grid, control of your power and the price you pay for it and, best of all, knowledge that you’re doing your part for the environment. Australia is a beautiful country, and deserves to stay that way.

If you’re interested in learning more about what solar can bring to you, get in touch with the experts at RK Solar today, and we’ll walk you through the process to find what’s best for you, your wallet, and the planet.

The post Three reasons home solar saves you money appeared first on RK Solar.