What Are Solar Panels Made of?
At first glance, solar panels might seem like alien technology. It wasn’t long ago that the notion of converting the sun’s power into electricity for our homes seemed out of reach for most people, and the tech itself remains quite confusing and complex for many people.
However, solar panels are in fact made from completely normal materials found right here on planet earth. In this article, we’ll take a look at what exactly solar panels are made of and why, helping you better understand your solar system and how it works.
To show you what solar panels are made of, it’s helpful to break down the panel system into a few key parts. Let’s start with the place where the magic happens — the solar cells.
Solar cells are the part of your panels that capture the sun’s light and convert it into electricity to be used in your home. They’re made of silicon, and have been for decades, for a few important reasons:
When sunlight interacts with the silicon cells, electrons are dislodged, creating electricity.
Silicon is used in the vast majority of today’s solar panels, but there are a few different types of silicon cells used. Let’s take a closer look:
Now we know how solar cells are made, what about the panels they live inside? Solar panels are typically constructed using an aluminium frame to provide structure, protection from the elements, and to create the right angle.
A glass sheet, usually just a few millimetres thick, is used to protect the cells and semiconductors beneath it. Panels also usually contain additional casing to insulate and protect the contents and reduce the amount of heat which can make the panel less efficient.
A series of wires are used to connect your solar panels to your home’s electricity system, allowing the power generated to flow where it needs to. Standard 12V wires are used to regulate the Direct Current (DC) energy travelling from the panels into the inverter, where it will be converted to Alternating Current (AC) energy to be used in your home.
Bus wires are used within the panel itself, to connect the solar cells in parallel.
One of the biggest reasons people choose to install solar panels is because they’re concerned about their impact on the environment, and see solar as a greener and more sustainable energy source.
But how environmentally friendly are the materials used to make panels? Of course, nothing is truly consequence-free… and the process of gathering, transporting, and using the materials involved in solar panel construction has some environmental impact. It’s estimated that you’ll offset the carbon cost within three years of relying on your panels for energy, though.
When your panels eventually reach the end of their life (which shouldn’t be for multiple decades), make sure to recycle them properly at a recognised facility. This can ensure the materials inside are reused as much as possible and don’t end up polluting the environment.
Ultimately, switching to solar is one of the best things you can do for the environment, and the cost is far, far less than any traditional energy source.
At SnapSolar, we understand solar inside and out, and we help people in Mackay and the surrounding Queensland area install, maintain, and upgrade their solar panels. Contact us to learn more.
There are many reasons to consider getting solar panels, and a few factors that stop people from doing so.
By far the biggest obstacle for most of us is cost. In a recent survey, upfront cost was voted the main reason for hesitating to install solar panels by 38% of respondents, way ahead of all other considerations.
So what steps can you take to reduce the cost burden of installing solar panels? One of the best solutions here is to look for government rebates — programs that aim to reward solar customers by covering some portion of the costs through financial incentives.
In Queensland, there is a solar rebate system in place. In this article, we’ll take a look at what the Queensland solar rebate involves, how much money you could save, and some other government incentives for Queensland residents.
The Australian government wants to reward people for switching to solar. It’s clean, safe, and good for the environment, so anyone who purchases solar panels in Queensland will qualify for a rebate to cancel out some of their expenses.
There’s a handful of conditions:
The amount of money you can save under the Queensland solar rebate scheme depends on a few factors like the size of your solar system and your exact location. However, in an ideal scenario, you can get back up to a third of the cost of your solar panels.
If you’re looking to save money on your solar panels in Queensland, another good option is feed-in tariffs.
Your solar panels will usually generate more power than they can use at a given time. One way to make use of this surplus power is to store it in a solar battery, however, you can also make money from it.
The Queensland feed-in tariff scheme rewards you when you return excess solar energy to the grid. You can earn around 8-12 cents for every kWh of power you return in this way, making it a good choice for those looking to recoup some of their solar costs.
The amount you can save depends on your location within Queensland. If you live in South East Queensland the rates are set by your electricity retailer. This means the amount you can get back depends on the retailer you use — and this can vary quite a bit so it’s worth doing some research.
If you live anywhere else in Queensland, the rate is set by the government at a flat rate of 9.3c per kilowatt hour.
There are a number of requirements you’ll need to fulfil to benefit from the Queensland feed-in tariff scheme, such as:
Solar panels don’t come cheap, so it’s important to get educated on the different ways you can save money and make money back from your solar system. These rebates and incentives can make a sizeable dent in the cost of your panels, making the decision to switch to solar much more manageable.
At SnapSolar, we help households and businesses in Mackay and the surrounding Queensland area make the right decision when it comes to solar. We’ll guide you through the process of installing and maintaining your panels, and help you access the best incentives in your area.
Contact us to learn more and get started.
Just a few decades ago, solar panels remained firmly in the realm of either science fiction or magic. Today, we know they work and are extremely effective, but most of us still have no idea how solar panels turn the sun’s rays into energy that can power your kettle.
Understanding how your solar panels work is interesting, and it’s also never a bad idea to get better acquainted with the technical nature of your panels.
Let’s take a look at how solar panels work.
The sun produces an almost unfathomable amount of energy every day. When you set up solar panels, a tiny fraction of the sun’s power (which is still an enormous amount) is absorbed by things called photovoltaic (PV) cells in your panels.
These cells, which are also sometimes simply called solar cells, are able to convert the energy from the sun into electricity. Here’s how that works:
Each PV cell is made up of semiconductor material, which means it’s able to conduct electricity better than an insulator (like wood) but not as effectively as a conductor like steel. When the sunlight reached the semiconductor, the energy from the light is transferred to electrons (negatively charged particles) within the material, causing them to move through the semiconductor as electrical current.
You now have electricity flowing through your solar panels. Good work! But the process isn’t over yet — that electricity isn’t ready to power your home. That’s because the electricity generated by your solar cells is direct current (DC) electricity, and your home appliances need alternating current (AC) electricity.
This is where your solar inverter comes into play. It converts the electricity from DC into AC, allowing you to power your home.
Now you have electricity that is compatible with the appliances in your home, the process is almost complete. The electricity is transferred from the solar panels into your home, in the same way power comes into your home from traditional energy sources via the electrical grid.
Once your solar panels are up and running, they require very little maintenance to keep things ticking over. Your main responsibility here will be to keep your panels clean and free of debris – use a special brush to clean them every once in a while and consider installing critter guards if your roof regularly plays host to small animals. It can also be useful to have your panels professionally inspected once every year or two.
If you install enough good-quality panels, you should be able to meet most of the energy needs of a normal-sized Australian home with solar power. In areas like Queensland which get a lot of sunny days, this is even easier. Make sure you talk to the experts to find out the best type and size of solar panel system that fits your personal needs and budget.
This doesn’t apply to every solar panel system, but if you invest in solar batteries you can use your solar electricity more efficiently and keep your system running even during times when sunlight is scarce.
When the sun is shining, it’s common for your solar panels to produce more electricity than you need right now. Often, this surplus energy is simply wasted, but if you install solar batteries you can conserve the energy for later. At night, or during periods when there is less sunlight, you can tap into your solar reserves to keep your home powered and minimise your reliance on the expensive energy grid.
At first, solar panels can seem confusing and even intimidating. That’s why it’s always best to work with a team of experts who understand the technology and can help answer any questions and address any points of confusion you might have.
At SnapSolar, we help households and businesses throughout Queensland transition to solar power and we can help you do the same. Contact us to find out more and get started.
One of the most common concerns we tend to hear about solar panels is how effective they will be on cloudy days.
It makes sense — solar panels work by harnessing the power of sunlight, right? So what happens when that sunlight isn’t quite as plentiful as normal? The good news is that for most people — especially people in Mackay and other parts of Queensland — this isn’t a huge concern.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how cloudy weather conditions affect your solar panels and explore some of the other factors that might impact them, like different seasons and daylight hours.
The good news is that modern solar panels won’t just stop working when the sun dips behind a cloud, even for several hours. This is because solar panels work by absorbing the light energy produced by the sun. In the same way that we aren’t plunged into total darkness on cloudy days, your solar panels still receive a good amount of light energy.
Sunny, clear conditions are of course optimal. But provided your solar system is well-designed and properly installed, cloudy days shouldn’t cause a major problem. In fact, one advantage of cloudy days is that they often bring rain, which can wash away the light-obstructing dirt and debris on your panels.
If you’re a resident of Mackay, you have even less to worry about. Mackay receives, on average, 127 sunny days a year, and just 95 cloudy days. This makes it the perfect environment for solar energy.
Now we know that cloudy days aren’t the end of the world for solar panels because the sun’s light still reaches earth. But what about the short, dark days of winter? During this time of year, we really are plunged into darkness for a longer stretch of time each day. How does this impact your solar panels?
It’s true that solar panels do produce less energy in winter, simply because there are fewer hours of sunlight for them to absorb. However, this is once again dependent on location — winter days in Mackay are not as brutally short as in many parts of the world, which means your solar panels won’t be quite as severely impacted.
That said, there are steps you can take to maximise the impact of your panels during short winter days. One of the best solutions here is to invest in solar batteries — allowing you to store any unused energy during the daylight hours so your home still has an adequate supply of energy during the longer nights.
Here are some other ways to optimise the performance of your solar panels in winter:
At SnapSolar, we work with households and businesses in the Queensland area to help you through the often daunting process of choosing the right solar panels and installing them on your property.
Our team of experts can help answer any questions you might have about how solar panels work, how different weather conditions impact their performance, and anything else. Contact us to learn more and get started.
Solar batteries are one of the most effective ways to take your solar panel system to the next level, allowing you to store excess power and keep your home or business powered by solar even when the sun isn’t shining.
However, if you’ve done any research into solar batteries you’ll know they don’t always come cheap. So the question is, are they worth it? In this article, we’ll quickly recap what solar batteries do and why they’re so useful, and then try to help you decide if they’re a worthy investment for you.
Solar batteries allow you to store the excess energy your solar panels produce. When the sun is shining, it produces enormous amounts of solar energy, and a typical solar panel system is able to capture much more energy than is needed at that moment.
When the sun isn’t shining, however (like at night) your panels won’t produce any energy at all. Solar batteries help break this feast-or-famine cycle by allowing you to store leftover energy during sunny periods and use it when your panels aren’t getting any light.
This helps you become more self-sufficient with your energy and rely less on the grid, which can save considerable amounts of money over time.
Solar batteries can be extremely useful, but they’re not always worth the cost. Let’s take a look at some scenarios where batteries might be worth it, and some where they might not.
We’ve covered a few different scenarios where solar batteries may be an excellent choice for you. If one or more of the above points apply to you, then it may well be worth paying the upfront cost for battery installation.
However, batteries are not cheap. If the above points don’t matter so much to you, it may not be worth paying for a battery. If your only motivation for buying a solar battery is to save money, it might not be the best decision.
This is especially true if you live in a region that offers feed-in tariffs, like Queensland. This is where the government rewards you financially when you return excess solar energy to the regional grid. This can amount to a similar saving as a solar battery would provide, without the large installation costs.
Installing a solar battery is a big decision that is best made with the help of professionals. At SnapSolar we help households and businesses in Mackay and the surrounding Queensland area install, upgrade, and maintain their solar panel systems.
We can talk you through the process of getting a solar battery, help you work out if it’s the right choice for you, and show you some of the best options available. Contact us to find out more.
Your solar inverter is one of the most important parts of your solar panel system, so it’s important to understand how it all works and how to monitor your equipment.
The information panel on your solar inverter is your go-to source when it comes to finding out how your panels are working and getting any necessary updates. That means it’s important that you get to know how this little square of data works and what information can be found inside.
Let’s start by looking at what solar inverters do and why you need to stay informed about yours.
When the energy from the sun reaches your solar panels, it passes through the cells and then into wires where it produces direct current (DC). In its current form, this cannot be used to power your household appliances since these require alternating current (AC).
Your solar inverter converts the DC output from your panels into AC so it can begin its task of powering your home. Without a solar inverter, there’s no way to harness the sun’s power for practical use, which makes it an essential part of your solar apparatus.
Your solar inverter provides a useful window into the performance of your overall solar system. If you learn how to read it correctly — something which doesn’t take very long — it allows you to quickly identify any problems and irregularities with your solar panels, and gain insight into how efficiently your panels are working over time.
So how does it work?
To fully understand the display panel on your solar inverter, there are a few key things to be aware of. Before long, checking your panel will become second nature, and staying up-to-date on the status of your solar panels will take just a few minutes here and there.
Your solar system should come with a detailed manual explaining how everything works, and this document should also show you how your inverter display panel operates and what to look out for.
Solar systems and inverters come in many shapes and sizes, so take some time to familiarise yourself with your instruction manual. This will help you understand what error messages and all the other information on the screen mean. You probably won’t memorise all of it, so keep the manual in a safe place so you can refer to it when needed.
Your inverter display panel should be equipped with some warning lights, and some models will flash error codes and messages onto the screen. These warnings can notify you about problems like:
…and much more. Keep in mind that a problem here may be an indication of another issue, such as damaged panels.
One of the most important pieces of information on your solar display panel is called the daily total. This is a measure of how much energy your solar panel has produced this past day, and can vary based on conditions like the weather and time of year.
Keeping regular track of this figure will help you gain a better understanding of your solar panel system. For example, it will quickly highlight any problems and let you know when your panels aren’t performing normally. It’ll also help you get a better idea of which conditions your panels operate best in, so you can make plans around that.
The overall total figure shows you how much energy your panels have produced in total. You can use this to calculate an average daily figure, by dividing by the number of days your panels have been in use.
This can provide a more accurate understanding of how your panels are performing on average, compared to daily readings which can fluctuate quite a bit. It’s useful to know how much energy your panels are generating since you can then work out what percentage of your home energy needs are met by solar.
At SnapSolar, we help households and businesses in Mackay and the surrounding Queensland area set up and maintain their own solar panel systems. We can help you set up your inverter and get familiar with what every part of the display means, allowing you to run your solar panels in a more informed and efficient way.
Contact us to find out more and get started.
As the 21st Century goes on, some of the biggest issues facing humanity are going to revolve around energy. How do we ensure we keep the lights on in our homes, offices, and cities in a way that’s affordable, safe, and clean?
One important concept is that of renewable versus non-renewable energy. When people talk about climate change, energy sustainability, and the future of energy production, the idea of renewable energy sources is always top of the agenda.
In 2021, 29% of Australia’s total electricity generation was from renewable energy sources, and it looks like this trend will continue. But what exactly is renewable energy? How is it different from traditional non-renewable energy sources? And is solar energy renewable? Let’s find out.
There are two types of energy sources available to us today. There are the traditional energy sources like oil, coal, and gas that we have been using for well over a century. These sources are non-renewable — when we burn them to generate energy, they’re gone.
We have a finite supply of all these non-renewable resources on our planet, and at some point in the next few hundred years they will be all used up. In addition, burning these fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as a side effect — which pollutes our environment and contributes to climate change.
The second type of energy source available to us is renewable. This includes things like wind power, hydroelectric power, and geothermal power. These energy sources never run out, and they can be used to generate power essentially forever. On top of that, they result in far fewer harmful emissions and produce no greenhouse gases.
Solar energy is a renewable energy source. The sun produces a vast amount of solar energy every second, and each day the earth receives more solar energy than we could ever hope to use.
Solar panels are able to harness this basically limitless supply of energy, using it to generate power without any harmful side effects and with no risk of running out for the next 7 billion or so years.
Why should we — as societies and households — be considering renewable energy? We already talked about how renewable energy is much better for the planet since it produces no harmful greenhouse gas emissions. But there are many other benefits too:
Out of all the renewable energy sources, solar is one of the best options for individual households and businesses. This is because it’s very easy to set up your own solar panel system (compared to a wind farm or hydroelectric plant) and can be done at relatively low cost.
In areas like Mackay and other parts of Queensland, solar is an especially good choice because these parts of the world get a steady supply of sunlight throughout the year. By installing your own solar panels you can do your part for the environment, reduce your dependence on the national energy grid, and ultimately save money on utility bills.
At SnapSolar, we help households and companies decide if solar is right for them, choose the right system of panels and other equipment, install everything, and maintain it all over time. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help you do the same.
Solar panels come with many different parts, all of which are important in some way but many of which will be confusing to you at first.
One of the most important parts of your solar system will be your solar inverter, but it’s also a component that many people have never heard of before. In this article, we’ll explain what a solar inverter is, why it’s so important, and the different types of solar inverters out there.
A solar inverter has the essential task of converting electric power from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). The sun provides energy to your solar panels, which in turn produce Direct Current. For off-grid (stand-alone) inverters, this DC power is stored in a battery.
In order for you to use this power, it needs to be converted to Alternating Current, which is what your appliances use. Solar inverters help you utilize solar energy efficiently, saving you money and optimizing your solar setup.
Solar inverters also communicate your solar data to the installer (via remote monitor) and homeowner (via home computer). Many inverters also directly display your system’s output power, voltage, and error codes.
There are a few different types of solar inverters out there, and each comes with its own pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the main types.
The most common, and standard, type of inverter is the string inverter. This involves one centralized inverter that manages the entire solar panel system. For most solar customers, this is the best option, since it’s cheap and works fine provided your solar system is not disturbed by shade from things like trees or other buildings.
The challenges with string inverters tend to arise when one or more panels are obstructed or damaged. This is because solar panels with string inverters are only as effective as the least effective panel. If one of your panels isn’t producing much energy, neither will the rest of them.
In these cases, the productivity of your overall system can decrease, and it can also be hard to pinpoint the problem since you can’t individually monitor panels with this type of inverter.
That said, string inverters are the cheapest option and if your panels get uninterrupted sunlight this option is likely to be sufficient.
Microinverters are small units installed under every panel in your system. This allows for more granular control of your panels — each panel can function independently of all the others, and any problem with a single panel won’t seriously impact your overall solar system.
With micro inverters you can monitor the performance of each solar panel individually, allowing you to accurately pinpoint any issues with your system like a single damaged or defective panel.
It’s also easier to expand your solar panel system with microinverters since you can simply add extra panels with their own inverters — unlike string inverters which may require you to install an additional central inverter.
On top of that, microinverters can be shut down rapidly, allowing you to comply with rules in many areas that require solar panels to be shut down quickly, for example, if emergency services have to access your rooftop safely.
The main downside to microinverters is cost, as they’re quite a bit more expensive than string inverters. If your panels face different directions and receive different amounts of sunlight, a microinverter may be worth the cost, but otherwise, it may be hard to justify.
Battery inverters allow you to keep your solar batteries separate from the rest of your solar panel system by running through a different inverter. They’re a good choice if you decide to install a battery after your solar system has already been set up, and give you more control over how your system operates.
At SnapSolar, we have extensive experience helping our customers in Queensland install and maintain the right solar panel system for them and their needs. We can help you do the same, including helping you decide on the right type of inverter. Contact us to find out more.
The amount of energy your household uses is an important figure for just about anyone — especially during times like an energy crisis.
Your energy usage is fairly easy to find out by checking your home energy meter regularly, but this only answers part of the question. How do you know how much you’re using compared to other households? And how much does the typical household use anyway?
The answer can vary quite a bit. Since we’re based in Queensland, we were curious to see how the homes in the state stacked up against other parts of Australia when it came to energy consumption.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the main factors that influence how much energy a household uses, how homes in Queensland compare to those in other states, and how solar power can help you save energy.
The amount of energy a household burns through in a typical year depends on a wide range of different factors. Here are some of the most important things impacting your overall energy usage.
The area your home is located in can have quite a big impact on how much energy you use. In Australia, there are some pretty big differences between states in terms of how much power a typical home needs to get through the year.
Queensland stacks up fairly well here, with a typical household consuming 5535 kWh each year, according to the AER 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Benchmarks report. Households in Tasmania, on the other hand, get through a whopping 8619 kWh every year.
The weather and climate conditions your home experiences year-round have a significant impact on the amount of energy it consumes. The luckiest areas in this regard are places that remain warm and temperate all year round — like Sydney, where the average household racks up just 5,154 kWh of usage in a year.
Homes in colder areas, like Hobart, need more power to stay warm and use 7,229 kWh over the course of a year. Mackay, Queensland is fairly lucky in this regard — its tropical climate with humid summers and warm winters means households here can save on heating bills in the winter, but rely on A/C which brings up the cost.
The bigger your home, the more it will cost to keep it running — that’s generally how it goes. Of course, you can still cut down on utility costs by being smart with your usage, investing in the right insulation and cooling features, and choosing the right provider. Usually, though, bigger homes simply use much more energy.
If you live alone, you’ll likely consume less in utilities than a family with several children. Again, it’s possible for larger families to reduce their consumption in all kinds of different ways, but the simple fact remains that keeping multiple people warm, cool, fed, washed, and entertained requires a lot more energy than just one.
Your lifestyle plays a role here, too — for example, people who work from home and spend a lot of time at home will use more energy than people who are out of the house all day.
Some houses are just better at conserving energy than others. Modern houses usually come with features like effective insulation, double- or triple-glazed windows, and other energy-saving design features. Older homes, on the other hand, tend to require a lot more energy due to their less efficient design.
Solar power is one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly ways to fuel your home, and it can also result in impressive cost savings over time as you gain energy independence. But can solar power help you use less energy overall?
The short answer is “yes”, but the extent to which you can save energy with solar depends quite a bit on where you live. Finder.com.au’s analysis of AER’s report found that certain climates — typically warm, temperate climates like Sydney — saved less money with solar than areas with hot summers and cool winters.
Households in Queensland, with its humid summers and warm winters, saved an average of 344 kwH per year with solar — an impressive result.
At SnapSolar, we help households in Mackay and the surrounding Queensland area choose, install, and maintain solar panels. Contact us to find out more and get started.
Installing solar panels is a great way to take control of your home’s energy production, do your bit for the environment, and even save costs over time. But how exactly is a solar panel system installed? What steps are involved? Can you do it yourself?
In this article, we’ll clear up all your questions about how solar panels are installed. Let’s start with where they typically go.
The most common location for solar panels is on the roof of your home. This is because the rooftop is typically the part that receives the most uninterrupted sunlight — there are usually minimal obstacles between it and the sun and therefore no shade limiting how much sunlight reaches your panels.
The roof isn’t the only option, however. Some people opt to place their panels on the ground, as this can occasionally get more sun exposure than the roof — for example, if your roof is shaded by trees and you have a clear patch of land outside the house.
Installing solar panels is a multi-step process and can take a while. It all starts with making plans and ensuring you have all the right permissions and preparations in place.
The first step in the process is to take some time to figure out if solar is really a good idea for you. Consider factors like:
Spend some time working out how much it will cost to install and maintain your panels, and if the cost is feasible for you. Remember that a solar panel system will allow you to save significantly on utility bills over time and can also add value to your home, which can offset much of the initial cost.
Once you have decided that solar panels are indeed for you, the first step is to have your home evaluated by solar professionals.
This is where an engineer will visit your home and check things like the electrical status, the condition of your property and roof (if that’s where your panels will be installed), and your electrical panel.
There may be some issues and you may need to make some changes. If everything looks good and is compatible with your solar plans, you can continue with the rest of the process.
In some areas of Australia, you require a permit to install solar panels on your property. In Queensland, this is not the case, but you still need to comply with building codes and standards.
“The installation is not required to be assessed by a building certifier as part of a building development approval. Repairing, maintaining, or altering an existing solar collector is also self-assessable building work. However, self-assessable building work is still required to meet all relevant building codes and standards”
The first stage of the installation process involves setting up the mounts for your solar panels — these are structures that support the panels on your roof. Your installation team will start by setting up scaffolding, and then install the racking at the correct angle for optimum sunlight exposure.
Once the mounts are set up, it’s time to fix your new solar panels into place. Once this step is complete, your engineer will set up the wiring for your panels to connect them to your home’s electricity supply.
When the panels are set up, you’ll need to install your solar inverter — the device which converts DC energy in the panels into AC energy that can be used in your home appliances.
If you choose to install a solar battery, it’s now time to install it and connect it to your solar inverter. A solar battery can be an extremely useful addition to your solar system since it allows you to store excess energy during sunny periods and use it later when your panels are less productive (at night, for example).
Now it’s finally time to turn on your solar panels. Your engineer will likely run some tests to make sure everything is working, and then you’re ready to go. Remember to keep an eye on the performance of your panels, keep them clean, and notify your installation company if anything goes wrong. It’s recommended to have a professional inspection once every year or so.
Installing solar panels may seem like a daunting task, but at SnapSolar we can guide you through every step of the process, answering any questions you have along the way. We’ve done the same for countless households and businesses throughout Queensland, Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you.