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Solar Power



Harnessing the Sun:
How Does Solar Power Work?

Solar power is a type of renewable energy that uses energy from our nearest star, the sun. This energy is captured and transferred into electricity by the solar panel so that it can be used to power our homes, buildings, businesses and electrical appliances.

Solar Photovoltaic or PV (PhotoVoltaic) technology converts the light from the sun - known as radiation - into electricity by means of solar panel cells. These cells are usually encapsulated in glass and framed with aluminium, and can be made from the same semiconductor materials as computer chips, such as silicon. When sunlight is exposed to these cells, its energy hits the atoms in the semiconductor and knocks electrons loose. The excitation energises the electrons until they can break free from their atomic bonds, and as free’d electrons flow, they form an electrical charge. It’s an extraordinarily clean form of power because you start with the sun, the ultimate clean energy, and use it to create electricity from nothing but the energy contained in sunlight, which means no emissions.

It's important to note that solar panels work by sunlight, not the amount of heat produced by the sun, and in fact the hotter the day then typically solar panel efficiency declines. Most solar installers will orient solar panels according to your house’s angle so that they face the sunlight as much as possible throughout the daylight hours. While the north-facing direction is typically best for maximising sun exposure, installation configuration can be conformed to a home’s architectural layout or limitations on sun exposure.

The Benefits Of Solar:
Solar Power Cost & System Size

Installing rooftop solar panels can lower your household electricity expenses, shield you from fluctuations in electricity prices, reduce the costs associated with charging an electric vehicle, potentially eliminating gas bills entirely, and substantially diminish your household's greenhouse gas emissions. The optimal size of a rooftop solar system for your home hinges on several factors: your electricity usage patterns, the timing of your energy consumption, your budget, and the amount of sunny days in your climate, and your roof space available. Additionally, local regulations may impose restrictions on the size of the system you can install.

To determine a suitable system size for your residence, you can use tools like the solar suburb and home calculations available on the Top Property platform, or find a local professional out to a local solar panel installation business. For most households, it’s expected that the investment in solar will pay for itself within about 2- 4years. This timeframe varies based on system size, design, and several other considerations including local weather conditions, ongoing maintenance costs, and future fluctuations in electricity rates.

The investment required for a rooftop solar system varies based on several factors:

  • The size of the solar system.
  • The brand and quality of the hardware components used.
  • The comprehensiveness of the installation and after-sales service.
  • Installation challenges, such as steep roofs, difficult access, or multi-storey buildings.
  • Additional requirements like an upgraded switchboard, rack mounting, or extended cabling.
  • The inclusion of a battery, which may entail a significant initial expense.

Unlocking Solar Efficiency:
What Is a Solar Power Inverter?

A solar power inverter (photovoltaic inverter) is an essential part of a solar energy system, converting the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, so that it can be used to power your home and it’s appliances or fed back into the electrical grid. So your solar panels generate the energy, but it’s the inverter that’s responsible for transforming that energy into a usable format and sending it to wherever it needs to go.

Modern inverters also have safety features, communications and energy management capabilities. They also monitor system performance, provide diagnostic information, and ensure your that your system remains within regulatory electrical standards so that it’s running safely and efficiently.

Homeowners have several options when it comes to choosing from the many solar inverter offerings. Each is built to suit specific needs and system configurations:


  • String Inverters: the most common variety that link several panels into a ‘string’ on a single inverter, used for roofs where all of the panels receive uniform amounts of sunlight, with no shading issues.
  • Micro-inverters: Either installed directly on the solar panels, converting DC to AC at the panel, and let each panel operate independently. These systems help optimise overall yield, whilst also overcome ‘shading’ problems or homes with complex roof structures.
  • Hybrid Inverters: Combines a standard solar & battery inverter into one device to maximise solar savings and better use stored energy – a good solution for homeowners wanting to increase energy independence.

Solar Batteries & Home Energy Storage Systems

Solar batteries and home energy storage systems enable homeowners to leverage the full potential of their own solar-panel installations. Household solar batteries work by storing excess energy produced by our solar panels during sunlight hours, which can then be used at night or on during periods the panels aren’t producing. Not only can the homeowner decrease their reliance on the grid, but solar batteries can also help to cut down on electricity costs through reducing reliance on your energy retailer, especially during times the power prices are at their highest.

Whether or not you should buy a home solar battery depends on your household’s electricity use profile – how much and when you use electricity – the cost of electricity, the size of your existing solar power system, and the solar battery price.

Brands like Tesla Powerwall among other smart storage devices have also created demand for the idea of home energy storage, which goes beyond batteries just for backup. That’s because the value-add of comes from smart functionality that aids in managing the home’s energy use, smart home, solar charge controllers, and off-grid systems. As solar batteries become simpler, more accessible and more affordable, they will become a compelling enhancement to residential solar, improving self-reliance and finally delivers significant economic gains over time.

What Are Off-Grid Solar Power Systems?

Off-grid systems offer an energy supply that is not connected to the main electricity grid, but is self-sufficient. An off-grid power system is generally a stand-alone energy solution that combines panels, inverters, batteries and, sometimes, an additional generator, to supply power to the home. At the heart of off-grid system is a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel, which convert sunlight into usable electricity. On sunny days, the solar panels supply the power source, and excess solar production is then stockpiled in batteries to be used at night or on cloud days.

There are key reasons that people turn to off-grid solar is to achieve energy independence, free’ing them from rising energy prices and in turn eliminating their dependancy on utility companies, whilst also insuring themselves against blackouts and service interruptions. Plus for homeowners and people living in rural communities and remote areas, Electric Cars Powered By Solar Panels where extending the electricity grid infrastructure to their property isn’t viable, off-grid power represents a cost- effective and reliable alternative that can be much cheaper than connecting to the grid. Off-grid living also helps many homeowners live more sustainably, minimising their carbon footprint by the reducing their use of fossil fuels.

Electric Cars Powered By Solar Panels

Charging an electric car with power from the sun is an environmental friendly and cheap way for most drivers of an electric vehicle( EV). Whether the sun power can cover the full needs of a EV’s battery vary on the size of their battery and how far they drive per day.

EV owners can install solar systems in their homes to charge their cars with sunlight, thereby benefiting from a fuel source that costs them nothing. Energy bills for the house and electricity for the EV are consequently reduced or entirely removed, potentially helping to substantially lowering energy and transport costs, and lower the environmental footprint by reducing fossil fuel consumption.

EV charging with home solar systems increases energy self-reliance and resilience by making us less vulnerable to changes in petrol or electricity prices. To live a sustainable lifestyle but without the sacrifice of mobility, solar-powered EV charging is a great way to reconcile environmental stewardship with technological convenience.

Solar FAQ’s

How much do solar panels cost?

Solar panels are priced depending on the quality of the solar system, the size of the system in terms of the components installed, the technology used in the parts of the system and your choice of panels. You will generally spend anywhere between $3,000 to $10,000 as a retail Australian market price for a solar system used for home after rebates, for a system that can range from 3kW, 5kW to 10kW in size depending on your requirement and budget. This can fluctuate depending on whether you choose an entry level or premium panel brands, the inverter quality, and solar battery systems.

What are the best solar panels in Australia?

When looking for the best solar panels in Australia, there are a number of key factors you should consider as they all impact on the performance and longevity of the panels. You should also consider the temperature coefficient, which indicates how well the panels will perform in hot conditions. Check the panel’s warranty as a longer warranty from the manufacturer clearly indicates the life expectancy of the system, plus also the type of solar panel technology you will use. There are different technologies and, because of these differences, one particular technology will have distinct advantages over another depending on your local sunlight conditions and available roof space.

What are the different types of solar panels?

There are three main types of solar panels namely monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film. They all have different efficiency rate and cost of production, but also they have place of applicability depending Is the space available, and climatic conditions.

What are the benefits of solar panel cleaning & maintenance services?

Solar panel cleaning services can help to keep your solar installation running safely and efficiently, keeping it compliant and providing protection for your investment. Keeping your panels clean can prevent debris, dust and dirt from reducing their output by obstructing the sun’s rays, but cleaning services often go beyond just this. As part of their cleaning process, they may also conduct a range of safety and compliance checks on the installation to make sure that it continues operating safely with the required levels of compliance with electrical standards. All of this not only can help to maximise energy production, but can also maximise the lifespan of your panels, give you piece of mind and help to protect your investment so that the system continues to run safely and compliantly.

How long do solar panels typically last?

Good-quality solar panels are designed to last, and most come with a warranted lifetime of 25 years or more. When the panels become older, it is natural that the efficiency would decrease a bit, often due to environmental exposure of the panels and material degradation. Most panels offer a performance warranty that assures that the efficiency remains above a certain level, usually 80 per cent of initial output, over much of the lifetime of the system. This helps you get your money’s worth by ensuring output over the next decades.

What size solar system do I need for my home?

The size of a home solar system should be based on a few key considerations: what size your home needs, how efficiently your solar panels will work, and your location. First, start with what your household uses for electricity on average for the year – this will determine the appropriate size of solar system to offset your energy bill. Second, solar panels’ efficiency is affected by their manufacturing process and quality, so this will determine the amount of energy the solar system can produce in a given area. Finally, a key consideration is where you live: the sun shines differently everywhere (amount of hours per day, intensity of sunlight), so this is the final consideration. Solar systems are typically 6kW for most homes, but can go as high as 10kW+ or more for homes with more energy needs.

Can I charge my electric car with solar panels?

Of course! If you install a good sized solar PV system, you can supply all your home energy usage and your plug-in electric vehicle at the same time. Not only is this a drastic reduction – or even elimination – of your fuel costs for car- charging, but if you work from home, it can be leveraged to take advantage of those times when you’re in excess solar production. It’s a win for the environment, as well as your bank account. This combines both usages of energy – home and transportation – to make the best use of your juicy solar savings.