09-Sep-2009 New Solar Rebate Increases Demand for Quality The introduction of the new “Solar Credits Scheme” under the RET legislation has created a noticeable change in the solar market with more people demanding quality installations and the highest efficiency solar electricity system available, rather than the cheapest price point.

This may partly be due to the abolishment of the $100k taxable income means test that governed the previous $8000 rebate opening up the solar electricity rebate to a wider market.

“This is great news for Australia’s solar electricity growth as it will help ensure more quality systems are installed rather than cheap equipment, which could have created disillusion amongst the public and given the solar industry a bad name” Said Adam Tesoriero, Director of SolarSwitch.

Many people are discovering that not all solar panels are created equal. There is a brand new solar panel on the market in Australia, a 300W panel, which is 18.4% efficient rather than the standard 13-14%. This means more output from your system while taking up less roof space which is great for people with small rooves as a 1.5kW Sunpower system takes up less area than a normal 1kW system. This will also become even more important with the introduction of the improved solar buy-back scheme in January 2010 when many people will want to maximise their roof space. The NSW government announced an improved “feed-in-tariff” earlier this year where system owners will be paid four times the retail rate, 60c per kilowatt hour, for excess solar electricity fed into the grid.

The panel is also designed to work more efficiently in hotter climates like Australia’s, where as standard solar panels perform less efficiently when temperatures become extreme. Conversely they are also specially designed to maximise energy production in low-light conditions.

“SolarSwitch is proud to be the master dealer for this brand new 300W panel” Said Adam Tesoriero, Director of SolarSwitch.

The panel’s product warranty is also at least double the standard panel product warranty, 10 years as opposed to 5 years, on top of the 25 year output warranty.

Unfortunately there are a number of companies offering cheap equipment from unknown manufacturers that are unlikely to be around to honour the promised 25 year manufacturer’s warranty. Also, when you are talking about a lifetime investment small efficiency losses each year due to a sub-standard panel, inverter or installation can add up to big monetary losses over the life of the system, even if it does last the distance.

SolarSwitch has successfully installed over 1000 systems in NSW and the ACT using quality equipment from reputable manufacturers. Each installation is carried out by SolarSwitch’s licensed, insured and BCSE accredited electricians.

“This is a pivotal time for Australia’s solar panel market growth. Hopefully we will develop into a nation that proudly promotes best practice and installs quality systems that will effectively help to tackle climate change” Said Mr Tesoriero.

For a Free Home/Site Assessment contact SolarSwitch here or on (02) 8985 9945 or 1300 880 969.

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