FAQs

Why should I install Solar?

  1. Your electricity bills rising, especially over the past two years with more of us working from home, and you want to reign in the expense.
  2. You care about the environment and want to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What rebates are available?

There are two types of rebates available, the federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) program, and the Solar Victoria Rebate/loan program.

What is the difference in the two types?

All installations under 100kW are eligible for STCs, regardless of whether you’ve previously accessed a STC rebate or not. The Solar Victoria Rebate and Loan program has eligibility requirements (see below).

How do I know if I’m eligible for a Rebate?

  1. The STC rebate is not means-tested and is accessible by everyone. The solar PV system or product you purchase in order to receive STCs must adhere to the Clean Energy Council (CEC) design and install guidelines, only use panels and inverters on the CEC approved list, comply with the relevant standards (like AS 4777), and be installed by a CEC accredited installer. Green Sky Australia only uses CEC accredited installers, and we ensure we only use quality, CEC approved panels, inverters and batteries.
  2. Victorian households are eligible to receive a rebate for installing a solar PV system if they meet the following criteria:
    1. they are the owner-occupier of the property;
    2. the owners have a combined household taxable income of less than $180,000 per year (based on last year’s Australian Tax Office Notice of Assessment);
    3. they have not already received a rebate as an owner-occupier under the Solar Homes Program;
    4. it is an existing property, valued at under $3 million;
    5. that the property address has not previously taken part in the Solar Homes Program;
    6. they do not have an existing solar PV system*.

More details can be found on the Solar Victoria Website

How do I apply for a rebate?

  1. As part of our service, we take care of the paperwork relating to the STCs. All you will need to do is assign over the STCs to us, which we will explain upon completion of the installation.
  2. With Solar Victoria, we will create a quote for you. Once you accept our quote, we will upload it into the Solar Victoria portal, and send you an email with the steps for you to follow. You can read more about the application process here.

What size system will I need to run my home?

How long is a piece of string? Every household is unique with both their electricity usage as well as their roof design. We always look at your historic usage to ensure that you get the right sized system for YOUR needs, not just give you a standard 6.6kW system.

How much does a typical home solar system cost?

There are generally three different pricing levels, which depends on the brand you chose, as well as the system type. Also, the larger the system you install, the more expensive it will cost. A home solar system can be as little as $3,000 or as much as $15,000.

How much roof space do you need?

Similar to the previous question, that depends! Some customers want to fill their roof with panels, others want to minimise the look of their panels. We will work with you to provide a design and layout that you are happy with.

How long does it take to install Solar?

Most systems that are smaller than 20 panels can be installed within a day. For trickier roof layouts, or larger systems, the installation will likely take 1.5-2 days.

How much money will I save on my electricity bill?

How long is a piece of string? Like the question about system size, the amount of actual saving is dependant on their time of usage. The more electricity you use during the day, the more you will be able to save. We typically expect homeowners to be saving 50%-80% off their electricity bills.

How long do Solar Panels last?

Most Solar manufacturers give a 10–12-year product warranty, and then a 25-30 year linear performance warranty. This means that there is expected minimum degradation of the performance of the panels over the 25-year period that the manufacturer will guarantee.

Will installing Solar panels really help to reduce carbon omissions?

Absolutely! Solar power reduces CO2 emissions by providing a clean and renewable source of energy. The panels that are installed on your home collect energy from the sun and convert it into usable electricity. This process does not rely on fossil fuels or other products and none of the energy is wasted because it can be stored on the grid for future use.

Moreover, solar energy reduces water pollution because PV panels do not need water to operate as other manufacturing processes do. Sunlight is converted into electricity without the need for local water supplies and solar energy doesn’t pollute our waterways like fossil fuels do.

By switching to solar powered energy, you can drastically reduce your household’s carbon footprint, which is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by your home. Additional ways to support this lifestyle include driving less, eating more local and organic food, planting a garden, line drying clothes, and unplugging your devices at night.

Does roof orientation matter?

It does. North facing panels are going to be exposed to the sunlight for most of the day. If you don’t have a Northern oriented roof line, that’s ok. Panels installed facing West or East will also generate plenty of electricity. You can read more about different orientations here.

Will a Solar System add value to my home?

Research indicates that the more solar panels there are on the roof, the higher the value of the home – with an estimated increase of almost $6,000 dollars per kilowatt of solar energy.

What is a “feed in tariff” and how much will I get paid?

Solar feed in tariffs are a rate paid for electricity fed back into the electricity grid from a designated renewable electricity generation source such as a rooftop solar panel system. In Victoria, the current rate paid depends on your retailer, but ranges from 6.7c/kWh to 12c/kWh

What type of warranty comes with the system?

There are four types of warranties: Solar Panels, Inverter, Mounting Kit, and Installer. They will differ by manufacturer, but broadly speaking you get the following warranties:

  1. Solar Panels: 10–12-year product warranty, and then a 25-30 year linear performance warranty.
  2. Inverters: 10 years
  3. Mounting Kits: 10 years
  4. Installer: 10 years

If my energy requirements increase, can I upgrade the system?

Depending on the system initially chosen, there may be capacity to increase the size of the system. The main factor is the brand and initial size of your inverter. If needed, we can always upgrade your inverter with the new panels.

How do we store electricity for use after the sun goes down?

The only way to store electricity is by having a battery installed alongside your solar PV system. If you are considering installing a battery, we recommend you do it at the same time as you install the solar PV system to take advantage of the Solar Victoria Battery rebate.

Can I insure the system?

Most home and business insurance companies will cover the solar power electric system as part of your home insurance. We recommend that you call your insurance company prior to having the system installed to notify them and have it added to the insurance

What happens on cloudy days?

Solar panels rely on energy from the sun. Cloudy days will reduce the available energy for panels to convert, so expect to have a lower output on these days.

Will I need a new switchboard and/or meter?

If you have an old house, with an old switchboard/meter, then it is quite possible one or both will need to be upgraded before a solar PV system can be installed. This is why we ask for a photo of your switchboard and meter before we proceed, so that we can let you know what is needed up front, rather than surprise you with extra costs after you have signed up.

What happens with grid connected systems during a blackout?

A grid-connected solar power system won’t work during a blackout because the inverter will automatically disconnect from the power supply to avoid electrocution. It means you won’t be able to access electricity or send power to the grid.

What is the difference between solar power and solar hot water?

Solar power is a series of solar PV panels that are directly connected to your switchboard to help power your house. Solar hot water is a series of different solar panels that are used exclusively to heat your water tank only.

Is there any maintenance required?

We recommend that your give your system a service and clean every 2-3 years. Regular maintenance of your solar panel system will ensure:

  • solar panels are clean, secure and free of defects.
  • no parts have deteriorated/corroded.
  • vents are free of debris.
  • switches do not have any defects.
  • wiring has not been damaged/has not deteriorated.
  • electrical checks to ensure all components are operating as intended.
  • confirming fittings and cables are securely attached.
  • reviewing the inverter display panel for recorded faults.
  • checking that access to the isolator switches has not been impeded, and/or
  • making sure the emergency procedures for shutdown and isolation are clearly displayed.