ReNew magazine and the Alternative Technology Association receive many queries about grid-connected solar each year. The last twelve months have been no exception, with householders asking about connection issues, what to expect from solar companies and the frequently changing world of feed-in tariffs. Bryce Gaton explains what to do before deciding to install a photovoltaic system and what to expect from a best practice installation.
The first step to a successful grid-connect photovoltaic (PV) system that is planet and energy saving, and potentially money making, is to understand how much energy you use. By reducing your electricity consumption as much as possible first, you will maximise the system’s potential to truly provide ‘carbon neutral’ electricity.
An energy audit involves a relatively simple three step process. First, go around your home with an energy meter (a PowerMate Lite is recommended) and add up the amount of electricity currently used. Second, work out ways to reduce that use and then implement those reduction methods. Lastly, return to step one and recalculate your energy usage to see if the reduction measures worked. In the long term, there’s little point installing a PV system that will just power a rarely-used bar fridge or energy hungry halogen downlights that could be replaced with LEDs.
Pick an installer for a quote
When selecting potential installers, first ensure they have accreditation with the Clean Energy Council (CEC). CEC registration means the installer has met the minimum requirements to competently position, install and connect a grid-connected system. At a meeting of photovoltaic installers in October, it was unanimously agreed to set up a new Best Practice Network that installers can sign up to if they are prepared to implement a set of (yet to be finalised) Best Practice Guidelines. The following information is based on these guidelines as they apply to the stages of quoting, installing and commissioning of a grid-connected PV system.
The quotation stage
The site visit
First, and most importantly, the quotation must be based on a full personal inspection of the site and premises. The site visit is the installer’s chance to assess the site and all shading issues, the strength of the proposed roof and discuss what size system will best meet your needs and give you the best return. This last point is based on the installer doing a basic energy audit and recommending what possible energy saving measures could be implemented to maximise the quoted system’s returns.
If an installer tries to give you a quotation based on a certain satellite-based picture service without a site visit, strike them off your list immediately!
The site visit is also your opportunity to assess the expertise of the installer; they should explain the meaning of net or gross feed-in tariffs as they apply, the issues applying to RECs, why most grid-connected systems do not provide power during a blackout, and more. This is also the time you should ask lots of questions to satisfy yourself that the installer is going to provide a system quotation that truly matches your intentions and usage patterns.
Read the full article in ReNew 114 and find out about the installation process, getting the system connected and billing. ReNew 114 also looks at the right type of solar home, top tips from a PV customer and advice from an energy policy expert when it comes to feed-in tariffs, time of use tariffs and RECs.
This entry was posted on Monday, December 13th, 2010 at 5:15 pm