Using and Maintaining Solar
How can I tell if my solar system is damaged or underperforming?
If worried about hail damage - As a general rule of thumb, if there's no roof damage than the panels are unlikely to be damaged. If you suspect there may be some damage or underperformance from your solar, you can either do a self-assessment based ...
Do you offer solar health checks or solar servicing?
Solar health checks are done by vetted solar supplier SkyGreen. The SkyGreen Solar Health check can ensure your system is working efficiently and diagnose any issues that would affect its performance, safety and product warranty. The following is ...
Can animals damage my solar panels?
• Animals can damage solar panels - A good way to reduce the likelihood of this happening is to minimize entry points for the animals. Trimming back any overhanging limbs or cutting down nearby dead trees will help keep animals off your roof. ...
I have a lot of birds (& wildlife) around my house, will the solar panels injure them?
• The presence of PV panels on a roof—whether on a house, office building, or other structure—doesn’t disrupt wildlife habitat and takes advantage of already-built space.
My solar system is producing much less electricity than expected, is there something wrong with it? What should I do?
It is difficult to be certain if your system is performing poorly just from looking at power alone. This is because there are so many things that can reduce its power output without there actually being anything wrong with it. These include: • The ...
I'm moving to a new house, can I take my solar system with me and set it up at my new property? Will my warranties be honoured?
• For residential and commercial solar systems most solar panel manufacturers specify that aspects of the Warranty is void if the module(s) are moved from their original install location • Also the Federal Government STC rebate relies on the solar ...
Is there anything I can do to increase my solar system's lifespan?
• Make sure panels are installed properly in first instance • Actively participate in an Operations and Maintenance Services program • Regular cleaning of panels – e.g. hosing off your panels so that their production isn’t decreased by dust, dirt, or ...
How do I find a certified electrician to inspect my solar system? (Outside of Skygreen SHC areas)
• Look for Clean Energy Council accredited electricians
My electricity bills have increased significantly above my normal, does that mean something is wrong with my solar system?
1. To check this you should check the system performance - Go to the system’s production monitoring system and look at the generation right now and check it against what the system should be generating (you can use Solcast for this). 2. If there is ...
I noticed damage or cracks on my solar panels (extreme weather related), what should I do?
• Contact an installer to have the smashed panels replaced. The cost should be covered by your home and contents insurance but check with your insurance provider, as different companies have different rules.
Can I track my electricity generated and used throughout the day?
• Set up your solar system’s monitoring system properly to allow you to see: 1. How much electricity your panels are producing at any given moment 2. How much electricity they produce in a day • Most inverters have a display that displays the ...
How do I know if my panels are working?
• Set up your solar system’s monitoring system properly to allow you to see: o How much electricity your panels are producing at any given moment o How much electricity they produce in a day • Most inverters have a display and/or light system that ...
My installer has gone out of business what do I do?
• Over 500 solar companies have gone into liquidation in Australia since 2011. Look for a company that has been around for at least five years. It’s an indicator that they are in a financially stable position and are likely to stay in business for ...
Are solar panels covered by my insurance?
• Many insurance providers consider permanent fixtures like solar panels to be part of your building, so they include coverage for them in their home insurance policies. • To be sure, check the policy documents for any policy you’re considering and ...
I'm not at home during the day how do I use the power?
• Your smart meter will record and track all energy flows, so you don’t have to. This includes noticing when your solar panels are producing more electricity than your home needs at any given time. At such times, your smart meter will automatically ...
Do solar panels cool a roof by providing shading?
• Yes - according to a study from researchers at the University of California at San Diego, rooftop solar panels not only produce emissions-free electricity, but also cool roofs and buildings to which they are attached ...
How can you tell if a panel in a string system isn't working?
• Since the panels are all connected to the same inverter, any issue that causes one panel to produce less electricity (such as shading) will reduce electricity for all other panels on that string. It is therefore difficult to detect a ...
Why is it hard adding additional panels to string inverter?
• Adding onto your solar system at a later date can be more difficult and costly with string inverters, as panel sets need to be matched well to each string inverter.
Does adding batteries class as an alteration?
• You can add a battery to any existing solar power system and it would not be classed as an alteration. • Batteries that are retrofitted are typically AC coupled. This means they’re connected directly into the 240V AC in the switchboard using an AC ...
Do solar panels protect themselves from lightning?
Your solar power system can be damaged by direct strikes or (more likely) voltages induced by nearby lightning strikes.Your PV system can be protected by adding both the below (although these will cost extra): • surge protectors • lightning rods
Are there any inverters that will stay on during a black out?
• The Delta E5 inverter can help during a blackout. • When the Delta E5 hybrid inverter loses grid connection, it goes into “Stand Alone” mode. The ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) inside the inverter cuts any energy exports to the grid and only ...
Can I add more panels?
Despite the same challenges noted in changing faulty panels, there are a couple of options available: • Add a new solar PV system next to the original system - This new system can either use a string inverter system (one central inverter where panels ...
How would I clean lichen off a solar panel?
• Lichen is hard to clean off and should be done by solar companies that know what they’re doing as utensils may be needed that could cause issues with the panels if not used correctly.
I need to get a panel replaced. What do I need to do?
• Standards have changed over time, meaning that an older system may have components that don’t meet current standards. • The latest standard change came in effect in October 2016, so if your system was installed prior to this and you would like to ...
I noticed that my electricity provider is paying me a feed-in tariff which is much lower than other providers, what should I do?
• Check your states relevant information for what typical feed-in-tariffs should be. However, check how much you are being charged for electricity, sometimes providers who offer a high feed in tariff charge more for electricity.
What electricity tariff should I go on?
• Australian Capital Territory - While the ACT government no longer regulates feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar systems, you can find all their annual reports on “ACT solar rates and tariffs” on their feed-in tariff page, including their most recent ...
Can solar panels be recycled? What do I do with my old panels that need replacing?
Yes they can, you have the following options: 1. Sell them 2. Give them away 3. Some councils may take them – check where you live 4. Find a scrap dealer who will take them for free. 5. Pay for them to be disposed of as electronic waste. 6. Pay for ...
Is there a fire risk with solar panels?
• In 2016, Renew, a not for profit organisation, commissioned a report into the fire risk of solar PV systems. • They found that just 1.5% of residential fires in Australia were linked with solar PV systems. • According to the report, the highest ...
Will solar panels work during a power outage?
• No - If the grid fails, Australian law mandates that all grid-connected solar panel systems automatically shut off (unless you have battery back-up). • This mechanism prevents solar systems from feeding energy into a dead grid, and thus ...
Do solar panels need servicing?
• Every five years or so, have a level 2 electrician check your solar panel system. They’ll ensure that all components are functioning properly.
Can solar panels be damaged by hail?
• In order to pass Australian standards, solar panels must be able to withstand the direct impact of hail stones with a diameter of 35mm – roughly the size of a golf ball.
Do solar panels need cleaning?
• Rainfall cleans most solar panels enough, so homeowners usually don’t have to. • However, after a dust storm or particularly long drought, you may wish to hose off your panels so that their production isn’t decreased by dust, dirt, or bird ...
Can I move panels?
• For residential and commercial solar systems most solar panel manufacturers specify that aspects of the Warranty is void if the module(s) are moved from their original install location • Also, the Federal Government STC rebate relies on the solar ...