Your Solar Questions Answered

Most Victorian households save 60-90% on their electricity bills with a properly sized solar system. The exact savings depend on:

• Your current electricity usage and bills
• The size of your solar system
• Your roof orientation and shading
• Whether you add battery storage

A typical 6.6kW system can save $1,500-$2,500 annually. With current rebates, most systems pay for themselves within 3-5 years.

Battery storage is optional but highly recommended for maximum savings and energy independence. Benefits include:

• Store excess solar energy for evening use
• Backup power during outages
• Reduce grid dependency to near zero
• Protection against rising electricity prices

You can start with solar panels and add batteries later, but it's more cost-effective to install them together.

Yes, solar panels still generate electricity on cloudy days, though at reduced capacity. Modern panels can produce:

• 10-25% of normal output on heavily overcast days
• 40-75% on partly cloudy days
• Full output when sun breaks through clouds

Victoria receives excellent solar conditions year-round, with enough sunshine to make solar highly cost-effective even during winter months.

Quality solar panels typically last 25-30 years or more with minimal maintenance. Our systems include:

• 25-year manufacturer warranties on panels
• 10-year product warranties on inverters
• Our 10-year workmanship warranty
• Performance guarantees (usually 80% after 25 years)

Many panels from the 1980s are still producing electricity today, proving their long-term reliability.

Solar pool heating can increase your pool temperature by 8-15°C above the unheated temperature, depending on:

• Size and orientation of solar collectors
• Pool size and location
• Weather conditions and season
• Use of pool covers

Most customers achieve comfortable swimming temperatures of 26-28°C from April to October, extending their swimming season by 4-6 months.

Solar collectors use free solar energy with zero running costs, while heat pumps use electricity but work in all weather:

Solar Pool Heating:

• No running costs
• Environmentally friendly
• Weather dependent
• Lower upfront cost

Pool Heat Pumps:

• Consistent heating regardless of weather
• Faster heating
• Higher running costs
• Can be combined with solar for best results

Yes, solar pool heating can be added to virtually any existing pool with a pump and filtration system. The installation involves:

• Mounting collectors on your roof or ground
• Connecting to your existing pool pump
• Installing automatic temperature controls
• Integrating with your current filtration system

Most installations take 1-2 days with minimal disruption to your pool use.

Generally, you need collector area equal to 50-100% of your pool surface area for effective heating. For example:

• 8m x 4m pool (32m²) needs 16-32m² of collectors
• Larger pools or cooler climates need more collector area
• North-facing roofs are ideal, but east/west work well too
• Ground mounting is possible if roof space is limited

Our team will assess your roof and recommend the optimal collector size and placement during your free consultation.

Both systems use renewable energy but work differently:

Heat Pump Hot Water:

• Extracts heat from ambient air (works like reverse air conditioning)
• Works in all weather conditions, day and night
• Uses some electricity but 3-4x more efficient than electric
• Compact design, easier installation

Solar Hot Water:

• Uses solar collectors to directly heat water
• Minimal running costs on sunny days
• Requires backup heating for cloudy periods
• Larger roof space requirements

Heat pump systems typically save 60-75% on hot water costs compared to electric hot water. For an average family:

• Electric hot water: $800-1,200 annually
• Heat pump hot water: $200-400 annually
• Potential savings: $500-800 per year

With current Victorian rebates up to $1,000, most heat pump systems pay for themselves within 2-4 years.

Yes, modern heat pumps work efficiently even in cold weather. Quality units operate effectively down to -10°C and include:

• Frost protection systems
• Cold weather optimization
• Backup electric elements for extreme conditions
• Consistent hot water year-round

Victoria's climate is ideal for heat pumps, with consistent performance throughout the year.

Quality heat pump systems typically last 10-15 years with proper maintenance. Our systems include:

• 5-8 year manufacturer warranties
• Our workmanship warranty
• Annual maintenance recommendations
• Replacement parts availability

Regular maintenance every 2-3 years ensures optimal performance and extends system life.

Victorian residents can access multiple rebates:

Solar Panel Rebates:

• Up to $1,400 Solar Victoria rebate (reducing to $1,400 from July 2025)
• Additional $400 for Australian-made panels
• Federal STC rebates (varies by system size)

Battery Storage:

• Up to $4,174 battery rebate
• Interest-free loans available

Hot Water:

• Up to $1,000 for heat pump systems
• Additional rebates for solar hot water

To qualify for Victorian solar rebates, you must meet these criteria:

• Owner-occupier of the property
• Combined household income under $210,000
• Property value under $3 million
• No existing solar system as owner-occupier
• Not previously received Solar Homes Program rebates

We can help you check your eligibility and apply for all available rebates during your free consultation.

We handle the entire rebate process for you:

• Check your eligibility during consultation
• Complete all rebate applications on your behalf
• Submit required documentation
• Track application progress
• Deduct rebates from your final invoice

You don't need to pay the full amount upfront - we deduct confirmed rebates from your invoice, making solar more affordable immediately.

Most solar installations are completed in 1-2 days, depending on system size and complexity:

Day 1:

• Panel mounting and installation
• Inverter and electrical connections
• Initial testing

Day 2 (if needed):

• Battery installation (if included)
• Final testing and commissioning
• System handover and training

Grid connection approval typically takes 5-10 business days after installation.

Most residential solar installations don't require council permits in Victoria, as they're considered exempt development. However, approval may be needed for:

• Heritage-listed properties
• Properties in heritage overlays
• Some apartment buildings
• Ground-mounted systems over certain sizes

We check all requirements during your consultation and handle any necessary permits as part of our service.

Solar panels require minimal maintenance due to their simple design:

Regular Maintenance:

• Visual inspection every 6 months
• Cleaning if visibly dirty (usually rain is sufficient)
• Check monitoring system for any issues
• Professional inspection every 5 years

What We Check:

• Panel condition and connections
• Inverter performance
• Wiring and safety systems
• Mounting system integrity

We offer annual maintenance services to ensure optimal performance and catch any issues early.

No, properly installed solar panels actually protect your roof from weather damage. Our installation process includes:

• Professional roof assessment before installation
• Waterproof mounting systems with 25-year warranties
• Minimal penetrations with proper sealing
• Compliance with Australian building standards

Solar panels can extend roof life by shielding it from UV rays, hail, and extreme temperatures. We're fully insured and guarantee our workmanship.