Last updated 5 months ago
The team at Great Solar will be taking a short break over the Christmas period to open lots of presents, ring in the New Year, and enjoy the summer sun. We will be open and working on the 2nd of January but feel free to email or tweet us and we will respond when we're back
We hope that you have had a terrific 2012, and that 2013 will be your year to save energy and reduce the costs of your electricity bills by installing a home solar energy system.
To find out more about home solar energy systems and how they can benefit your household, contact Great Solar on (08) 7070 1730.
Last updated 6 months ago
Uptake of residential solar energy has increased steadily in the last few years in many parts of Australia, as the benefits of renewable energy systems have become better understood. At the current rate, Australian solar suppliers are predicted to install their one millionth system by June 2013.
Growth in demand
Australia is a country that’s ideally positioned to take advantage of solar energy, though it’s only in recent years that these systems have become suitably energy efficient and affordable to make powering homes and larger commercial premises viable and cost-effective. Around 858,000 homes in Australia already have solar panels installed, accounting for a total of two gigawatts, and this surge in the uptake of solar power systems has been credited in part to government initiatives aimed at helping Australia attain its Renewable Energy Target of 20 per cent by 2020.
Solar affordability
One major reason behind the increasing popularity of solar power systems is that these products have come down in price considerably over the last few years, as Australian manufacturers have faced increasing competition from overseas, particularly China. As production of solar panels becomes more efficient, the cost of production also decreases, and solar panel customers can look forward to a return on investment in periods as short as four years.
Residential solar energy in Adelaide
Contact Great Solar on (08) 7070 1730 to get a quote for affordable solar panels in Adelaide, made from quality imported parts.
Last updated 6 months ago
One of the main factors customers should compare when choosing solar panels for their home is how much energy these systems are capable of producing, as this will have a direct impact on the return on investment and energy savings.
Defining energy output
The energy output of solar PV panels is usually given in terms of kilowatts (kW), which indicates the size of the system rather than telling you how much energy it will produce. This is similar to buying a car, where engine size gives only an indication of power rather than an accurate figure. The kW value of your home solar system will still be important however, not only for comparing different products but also for calculating how much you can earn when signing up to solar feed-in tariffs, which pay customers for the amount of electrical energy they feed into grids.
Factors to consider
The energy output of solar panels is dependent on a number of factors, including the size of the installation, how much sunlight it receives and how the system is oriented, with panels that are positioned to receive maximum sun exposure delivering the highest possible output. Larger solar panels are generally capable of producing more energy due to their increased surface area, though you should also check the comparative efficiency of the system at converting the sun’s light into usable electricity.
Affordable solar panels in Adelaide
Contact Great Solar on (08) 7070 1730 to buy solar power panels in Adelaide at affordable prices.
Last updated 6 months ago
Solar thermal energy is an alternative to standard home solar energy, which produces electricity indirectly and can be a cost-effective source of heating and hot water for residential and commercial premises.
Differences from solar PV systems
Unlike solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that react with photons in sunlight, solar thermal panels collect heat from the sun’s rays that heats a fluid contained within the system and produces steam. This steam moves a generator that produces electricity in a similar way to heat produced through fossil fuel burning power plants without the negative environmental impact.
Solar thermal systems
Solar thermal panels are usually reserved for larger, commercial-scale applications, but can also be installed in homes. Solar thermal systems can be active or passive in nature, with passive systems collecting heat energy without additional equipment and active systems incorporating components to store excess energy for later use, or to feed it into electricity grids.
Most solar thermal systems use a parabolic trough design to maximise the available surface area for heating, as well as mirrors to reflect and focus sunlight. These systems should be oriented to receive maximum sun exposure throughout the day, and smaller systems may be moveable to face the sun at different times of the year.
Solar panels Adelaide
Great Solar sells a range of home solar energy systems in Adelaide, made using quality parts imported from China to keep prices affordable. Call (08) 7070 1730 to speak to their solar panel suppliers.
Last updated 6 months ago
Commercial and residential solar energy are being promoted in Namibia as a means to remedy the country’s energy crisis, and measures being implemented by the government and solar power installers could inspire other African nations to take advantage of renewable energy systems.
This video highlights the growth of solar power as a cost-effective alternative to electricity imports from South Africa, which feeds into the renovated national grid. Through smart grid technologies based on solar, wind and biomass energy, homes and business premises are able to feed excess energy generated into the national grid, and to receive energy from the grid on days when their renewable energy systems don’t perform at optimum levels.
This mutually beneficial arrangement is the first of its kind in Africa, and hoped to help Namibia reach its target of 10 per cent renewable energy by 2020. Solar power systems are attractive to customers for their relatively short return on investment of six to eight years on average, as well as for helping to support the country and alleviate its energy crisis.
The government is also working to install renewable energy systems in schools, hospitals and other public buildings, and larger solar power systems are being installed in more remote parts of the country that don’t have access to the national grid, such as residences in the Namib desert. These measures have the potential to significantly change the lives of millions of people across the African continent.
Contact Great Solar on (08) 7070 1730 to get a quote for affordable home solar energy in Adelaide.
